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

Labor market is sluggish even though hiring picked up.

From MarketWatch

That strong January jobs report gave many economists hope that 2025’s sluggish hiring is beginning to turn around.

From The Wall Street Journal

ADP said businesses created 63,000 new jobs in February — the biggest increase in seven months — in another sign that a sluggish U.S. labor market might be slightly perking up.

From The Wall Street Journal

Whether the spring stays sluggish or is merely delayed will become clearer in the coming weeks.

From Barron's

Consumption has remained stubbornly sluggish post-pandemic despite government efforts to coax spending.

From Barron's

Related Words

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