sluggish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sluggish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slow-moving, lacking energy, or not functioning at an optimal speed. Example: "After a long day at work, I felt sluggish and unmotivated to go for a run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So far, the RBA has generally erred on the side of fighting rising house prices first, leaving the sluggish economy and worryingly high level of unemployment largely to run its course.

The Guardian

The union is currently reviled perhaps like never before: a euro debacle, debt swamping the continent, expansion stalled, sluggish economies going backwards, euroscepticism on the rise.

The Guardian

You can see more details in our live blog, and have your say Here's what economists are saying: "Today's figures show continued very sluggish growth in the eurozone, but it has avoided lapsing back into recession.

The Guardian - Business

Germany's recovery exposes the hollowness of French claims that the deflationary habits of the European Central Bank (ECB) are to blame for sluggish growth.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sluggish economy will be the decisive battleground of the next election, and after Britain's new dive into a fresh economic contraction during the final quarter of 2012, the opposition might have expected to be winning the blame game.

The Guardian

Walter Smith's side were sluggish by comparison, relying primarily on physical strength rather than finesse to bring goals from Kenny Miller (two), Lee McCulloch and Steven Naismith.

The Guardian - Sport

A pickup in the eurozone will soothe fears that the region is stuck in a rut of consistently sluggish growth.

The Guardian - Business

Andrew Leigh is the shadow assistant treasurer At a time when unemployment is rising, economic growth is sluggish and our terms of trade are in decline, the government has decided to take $36bn out of the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

We will feel it in the strength of our relationships – the civility and courtesy we show to each other … And we will feel it in our culture – a new can-do and should-do attitude where Britons once again feel in control of their lives…" That promised utopia has, as the life stories behind Britain Uncovered survey begin to suggest, got off to a fairly sluggish start.

The Guardian

Last weekend one detected signs of panic in the ranks: much concern about so-called "secular stagnation" and "the new mediocre" with regard to the sluggish world economy.

The Guardian

The wildlife here is so intense and unpredictable that it constantly jolts me awake, distracting attention from my aching muscles, dry mouth and sluggish shadow.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to personal energy levels, choose "sluggish" to suggest physical or mental slowness, as in "I felt sluggish after the heavy meal."

Common error

While "sluggish" is versatile, overuse can make writing monotonous. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "lethargic", "slow-moving", or "inactive" to add nuance and prevent repetition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sluggish" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing a state or quality of being slow, inactive, or lacking energy. As confirmed by Ludwig, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Sport

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "sluggish" functions as an adjective that means slow, inactive or lacking energy, particularly used to describe economies, physical states, or processes that lack momentum. As confirmed by Ludwig, its use is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, mainly in News & Media, Business and Science. When writing, aim to vary your vocabulary and replace it with "lethargic", "slow-moving", or "inactive" to avoid monotony. The word is deemed neutral in tone and suitable for general audiences. This detailed analysis, combined with real-world examples, provides a complete guide to using "sluggish" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lethargic

Emphasizes a lack of energy and enthusiasm, often due to fatigue or illness.

slow-moving

Focuses on the rate of movement or progress, implying a lack of speed.

inactive

Highlights a state of not being engaged in physical or mental activity.

dull

Suggests a lack of excitement or interest, often related to a lack of mental sharpness.

torpid

Implies a state of dormancy or inactivity, often associated with animals in hibernation.

listless

Conveys a lack of energy and enthusiasm, often accompanied by a feeling of sadness.

languid

Suggests a relaxed and unhurried pace, often in a graceful or elegant way.

stagnant

Indicates a lack of progress or development, often related to economic or social conditions.

heavy

Describes a feeling of physical or mental weight, making movement or thought difficult.

lackadaisical

Implies a careless or indifferent attitude, often resulting in a lack of effort or progress.

FAQs

How can I use "sluggish" in a sentence?

"Sluggish" can describe something slow-moving, lacking energy, or not functioning optimally. For instance, "The economy's growth has been sluggish this year", or "I feel sluggish after waking up".

What words can I use instead of "sluggish"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "lethargic", "slow-moving", "inactive", or "dull".

Is it correct to describe an economy as "sluggish"?

Yes, describing an economy as "sluggish" is a common and accepted way to indicate slow or subnormal growth.

What's the difference between "sluggish" and "lazy"?

"Sluggish" implies a lack of energy or slowness, while "lazy" suggests a disinclination to work or make an effort. "Sluggish" often refers to a temporary state, while "lazy" describes a more habitual trait.