sluggish

/ˈslʌɡɪʃ/

Group 11Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(adjective)
Slow-moving or inactive; lacking energy or alertness
GRE

Example in Context

The sluggish economy showed few signs of recovery despite aggressive monetary stimulus from the central bank.

Synonyms

slowlethargiclazy

Etymology

Slow as a slug, lacking energy.

  • slug (Old English) — slow-moving

Memory Aid

🐌Sounds like “slug-gish

A SLUG-GISH snail trying to win a race, but it’s just too lazy to move!

Visual Association

😴A snail lounging on a leaf, taking a nap while a rabbit zooms past in the race.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “sluggish” mean on the GRE?

sluggish (adjective) means “Slow-moving or inactive; lacking energy or alertness”. The sluggish economy showed few signs of recovery despite aggressive monetary stimulus from the central bank.

How to remember “sluggish” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “sluggish” sounds like “slug-gish”. A SLUG-GISH snail trying to win a race, but it’s just too lazy to move!

What are synonyms for “sluggish”?

Common synonyms: slow, lethargic, lazy.