sluggish

[sluhg-ish]

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adjective

indisposed to action or exertion; lacking in energy; lazy; indolent: a sluggish disposition.
not acting or working with full vigor, as bodily organs: a sluggish liver.
slow to act or respond: a sluggish car engine.

moving slowly, or having little motion, as a stream.
slow, as motion.
slack, as trade, business, or sales.

Origin of sluggish

First recorded in 1400–50, sluggish is from the late Middle English word slugissh. See slug¹, -ish¹

Related formsslug·gish·ly, adverbslug·gish·ness, nounun·slug·gish, adjectiveun·slug·gish·ly, adverbun·slug·gish·ness, noun

Synonyms for sluggish

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1. slow, slothful. See inactive.

Antonyms for sluggish

1. quick, active.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for sluggish

heavy, slow, slack, inactive, listless, stagnant, lethargic, apathetic, blah, comatose, dopey, down, dragging, indolent, inert, laid-back, languid, leaden, lifeless, lumpish

Examples from the Web for sluggish

Contemporary Examples of sluggish

Dolores has abundant gripes, late arrivals, and a sluggish pace among them.
Leaky Ceilings, Catcalls, and Uncaged Pythons: 4 Hours on NYC’s Worst Subway
Kevin Zawacki
August 8, 2014
But if the sluggish status quo persists, then the candidate of “hope and change” will likely leave as divisive as his predecessor.
Worst Fifth Year Ever? Maybe. But the Economy Will be the Judge of Obama
Jamelle Bouie
December 18, 2013
Local authorities and international donors have come under intense criticism for what many see as a sluggish response.
Typhoon Haiyan: The Philippine Village that Lost Its Men
The Telegraph
November 17, 2013
But in an age of sluggish consumer demand, any incremental increase is welcome.
Chinese Consumers Are Buying Cherries Directly From American Farmers
Kelsey Meany
August 17, 2013
Hail to the cuddly giant panda, Sluggish slave of propangada.
To Honor Canada Hosting Two Giant Pandas, Here's Ten Beautiful Photos of Pandas
David Frum, Justin Green
March 25, 2013

Historical Examples of sluggish

He wrestled with the big and sluggish stone, as if it had been a living enemy.
Tanglewood Tales
Nathaniel Hawthorne
And how, on the other hand, are we to strengthen it, to quicken its sluggish blood?
The Book of Khalid
Ameen Rihani
The cold air entering by the open window, whipped his sluggish blood.
Therese Raquin
Emile Zola
When the climate was warm they were active; when the climate was cold they were sluggish.
The Meaning of Evolution
Samuel Christian Schmucker
A thousand feet below was the white lake, sluggish and dead.
The Martian Cabal
Roman Frederick Starzl

British Dictionary definitions for sluggish

sluggish

adjective

lacking energy; inactive; slow-moving
functioning at below normal rate or level
exhibiting poor response to stimulation

Derived Formssluggishly, adverbsluggishness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sluggish

adj.

mid-15c., from Middle English slugge "lazy person" (see sluggard) + -ish. Earlier adjective was sluggi (early 13c.). Related: Sluggishly; sluggishness.