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

The longer stretch of public holidays this year has been touted by officials as a chance to boost the sluggish domestic consumption that still weighs on the economy.

From Barron's

Laying out his government's priorities for the next year, Ramaphosa said a focus was on firing up the sluggish economy to create jobs for inclusive growth in a country marked by massive economic inequalities.

From Barron's

The transition comes at a time when the telecom industry is under pressure and Telus has struggled with sluggish growth.

From The Wall Street Journal

Construction has remained sluggish, held back by last year’s elevated interest rates and economic uncertainty that continued to weigh on the housing market.

From The Wall Street Journal

Whether the sluggish spending persists - or instead is just a temporary blip - remains to be seen.

From BBC

Related Words

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