sluggish

American  

[sluhg-ish] / ˈslʌg ɪʃ /

adjective

1. indisposed to action or exertion; lacking in energy; lazy; indolent.

   a sluggish disposition.

   Synonyms:

   slothful, slow

   Antonyms:

   active, quick

2. not acting or working with full vigor, as bodily organs.

   a sluggish liver.

3. slow to act or respond.

   a sluggish car engine.

4. moving slowly, or having little motion, as a stream.

5. slow, as motion.

6. slack, as trade, business, or sales.

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sluggish British  

/ ˈslʌɡɪʃ /

adjective

1. lacking energy; inactive; slow-moving

2. functioning at below normal rate or level

3. exhibiting poor response to stimulation

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Related Words

See inactive.

Other Word Forms

• sluggishly adverb
• sluggishness noun
• unsluggish adjective
• unsluggishly adverb
• unsluggishness noun

Etymology

Origin of sluggish

First recorded in 1400–50, sluggish is from the late Middle English word slugissh. See slug ¹, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

We've also seen some sluggish economic growth numbers at the end of last year, and increases in unemployment especially for younger workers.

From BBC

However, the company posted in January sluggish sales growth for the key holiday quarter, leading to caution among investors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Speaking to a National Association for Business Economics conference, Goolsbee acknowledged that gloomy consumer surveys and sluggish hiring warrant some caution.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hopes were high going into 2026 for the start of a housing market turnaround after three straight years of sluggish sales.

From Barron's

Shares of U.S. packaging companies were among the market’s leading fallers on Monday as cardboard prices unexpectedly fell in response to sluggish demand.

From Barron's

Related Words

• heavy
• inactive
• lethargic
• listless
• slack
• slow
• stagnant