sluggish

Moving, reacting, or developing slowly.

• The traffic was sluggish.
• I felt sluggish after lunch.
• The economy showed sluggish growth last year.

Similar words: slow, lethargic

Opposites: brisk, lively

Common phrases: sluggish traffic, sluggish growth, feel sluggish

Usually unwilling to work or make an effort.

• He was a sluggish worker.
• Her sluggish habits left most chores to others.
• The manager complained about several sluggish employees.

Similar words: lazy, idle, slothful

Opposites: industrious, active

Common phrases: sluggish worker, sluggish habits, sluggish employee

Unable to move by its own power.

• The poet described the stone as sluggish matter.
• An outside force moved the sluggish mass.
• The account contrasted living creatures with sluggish bodies.

Similar words: inert, lifeless

Common phrases: sluggish matter, sluggish mass, sluggish body