Sluggish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈslə-gish/ slug·gish

Meaning & Definition of Sluggish

Sluggish (adjective)

  1. averse to activity or exertion, indolent; also, torpid
  2. slow to respond (as to stimulation or treatment)
  3. markedly slow in movement, flow, or growth

Sluggish (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed

    "the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome"

    similar: crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, languid, leisurely, poking, poky, slow, snail-paced, snaillike, tardy, unhurried
    related: deliberate, measured, inactive, inert, lethargic, loafing, lounging, lingering, loitering, tarrying, ambling, heavy-footed, inching, plodding, shuffling, slow-footed, strolling, decelerating, slowing, filibustering, procrastinating, stalling
    opposite: barreling, bolting, breakneck, breathless, brisk, careering, dizzy, fast, fleet, flying, hasty, hurrying, lightning, meteoric, quick, racing, rapid, rocketing, running, rushing, scooting, scudding, scurrying, snappy, speeding, speedy, swift, warp-speed, whirling, whirlwind, whisking, zipping
    near: expeditious, prompt, ready, accelerated, hastened, quickened, hurried, rushed

  2. slow to move or act

    "reptiles are naturally sluggish at low temperatures"

    similar: dull, inactive, inert, lethargic, quiescent, sleepy, torpid
    related: ambitionless, apathetic, indolent, languorous, lazy, lazyish, listless, shiftless, slack, slothful, sluggard, sluggardly, dormant, inanimate, motionless, resting, sedentary, static, still, dead, dopey, drugged, asleep, drowsy, somnambulant, catatonic, comatose
    opposite: active
    near: busy, engaged, occupied, working, animated, bouncing, dynamic, energetic, kinetic, lively, peppy, perky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vigorous, vital, vivacious, zippy, assiduous, diligent, hardworking, industrious, sedulous

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Sluggish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Sluggish:

crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, languid, leisurely, poking, poky, slow, snail-paced, snaillike, tardy, unhurried, dull, inactive, inert, lethargic, quiescent, sleepy, torpid

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Sluggish

Words with the opposite meaning of Sluggish:

barreling, bolting, breakneck, breathless, brisk, careering, dizzy, fast, fleet, flying, hasty, hurrying, lightning, meteoric, quick, racing, rapid, rocketing, running, rushing, scooting, scudding, scurrying, snappy, speeding, speedy, swift, warp-speed, whirling, whirlwind

Related Words for Sluggish

deliberate, measured, loafing, lounging, lingering, loitering, tarrying, ambling, heavy-footed, inching, plodding, shuffling, slow-footed, strolling, decelerating, slowing, filibustering, procrastinating, stalling, ambitionless, apathetic, indolent, languorous, lazy, lazyish, listless, shiftless, slack, slothful, sluggard

Near Antonyms of Sluggish

expeditious, prompt, ready, accelerated, hastened, quickened, hurried, rushed, busy, engaged, occupied, working, animated, bouncing, dynamic, energetic, kinetic, lively, peppy, perky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vigorous, vital, vivacious, zippy, assiduous, diligent, hardworking

Word Forms of Sluggish

Derived words: sluggishly (adverb), sluggishness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Sluggish

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Sluggish

What does "Sluggish" mean?

"Sluggish" means averse to activity or exertion, indolent; also, torpid. As an adjective, it is defined as: averse to activity or exertion, indolent; also, torpid. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Sluggish"?

Other words for "Sluggish" include crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging and laggard. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Sluggish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Sluggish"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Sluggish". Common alternatives include crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging and languid.

What is the opposite of "Sluggish"?

Antonyms of "Sluggish" include barreling, bolting, breakneck, breathless, brisk, careering, dizzy and fast. Near antonyms include expeditious, prompt, ready and accelerated.

How do you use "Sluggish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Sluggish" in a sentence: "the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome"; "reptiles are naturally sluggish at low temperatures".

Is "Sluggish" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Sluggish" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Sluggish"?

"Sluggish" is pronounced /ˈslə-gish/ and divided into syllables as slug·gish.

What is the origin of the word "Sluggish"?

First known use: 15th century.