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 combination of sluggish international segment growth coupled with the highest valuation in the software-as-a-service space leads Benchmark to remain sidelined for now.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

“A sluggish U.S. consumer faces a global oil shock,” writes TD Cowen Chief U.S.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

However, it was forced to cut jobs last year amid sluggish sales and is trying to revitalise its business.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Even so, Denver’s sluggish condo market is dissuading some owners from selling, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Then he added, "He can be sluggish if you don't stir him from time to time with a stick."

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood

Related Words

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