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
But despite the relaxed rules, progress in LA has been sluggish.
—
Umair Irfan, Wired News, 19 July 2025
China’s post-Covid economic rebound has been less robust than anticipated, resulting in sluggish domestic consumption and diminished advertising revenue in Baidu’s core search sector.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
The big screen technologies company, which has long distinguished itself from major exhibitors with physical and costly cinema assets to operate, has seen a recent rebound in box office in China — a major market for Imax — after sluggish revenues in 2024.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
In May, Target said sluggish sales resulted from weaker discretionary spending, uncertainty about President Donald Trump's tariffs and backlash to its decision to roll back key diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Umair Irfan, Wired News, 19 July 2025
China’s post-Covid economic rebound has been less robust than anticipated, resulting in sluggish domestic consumption and diminished advertising revenue in Baidu’s core search sector.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
The big screen technologies company, which has long distinguished itself from major exhibitors with physical and costly cinema assets to operate, has seen a recent rebound in box office in China — a major market for Imax — after sluggish revenues in 2024.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
In May, Target said sluggish sales resulted from weaker discretionary spending, uncertainty about President Donald Trump's tariffs and backlash to its decision to roll back key diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sluggish. Accessed 25 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share