2
: slow to respond (as to stimulation or treatment)
3
a
: markedly slow in movement, flow, or growth
b
: economically inactive or slow
sluggishly
adverb
sluggishness
noun
Examples of sluggish in a Sentence
The game picked up after a sluggish start.
the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, the changes are making taxpayers nervous—and that might explain why filing numbers in 2025 remain sluggish.
—
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
What isn’t clear is how much more the Chinese government might want to continue doling out subsidies, given that its economy is struggling with sluggish growth.
—Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 6 Mar. 2025
Effective demand is weak, and consumption, in particular, is sluggish.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
So why is the economy so sluggish? Democrats have been warning that Trump’s tariffs will increase prices on most goods and the stock market initially reacted negatively to his plan, before rebounding Wednesday on the news of the relief.
—David Catanese, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
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Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
What isn’t clear is how much more the Chinese government might want to continue doling out subsidies, given that its economy is struggling with sluggish growth.
—Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 6 Mar. 2025
Effective demand is weak, and consumption, in particular, is sluggish.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
So why is the economy so sluggish? Democrats have been warning that Trump’s tariffs will increase prices on most goods and the stock market initially reacted negatively to his plan, before rebounding Wednesday on the news of the relief.
—David Catanese, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Articles Related to sluggish
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sluggish. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sluggish
adjective
slug·gish
ˈsləg-ish 
: slow in movement or reaction by habit or condition
sluggishly
adverb
sluggishness
noun
Medical Definition
sluggish
adjective
slug·gish
ˈsləg-ish
: markedly slow in movement, progression, or response
sluggish healing
sluggishly
adverb
sluggishness
noun
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