Sluggishness: meaning, definitions and examples

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sluggishness

[ˈslʌɡɪʃnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling of slow movement

Sluggishness is the state of being slow or lazy, lacking energy or motivation.

Synonyms

inactivity, laziness, lethargy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sluggishness	Use this when describing a lack of energy or slow performance, especially in physical or mechanical contexts. The car's sluggishness in cold weather annoyed him. Her sluggishness in the morning made it hard for her to reach work on time.
lethargy	Use this to describe a state of tiredness, drowsiness, or lack of energy. It often implies a more serious condition than mere tiredness. After the flu, he experienced severe lethargy. Lethargy is a common symptom of many illnesses.
laziness	Use this to describe a lack of willingness to work or put in effort. It often has a negative connotation. His laziness was the reason for his poor grades. She was criticized for her laziness and lack of responsibility.
inactivity	Use this when referring to lack of action, movement, or engagement in an activity. It can pertain to people, animals, or groups. Prolonged inactivity can lead to health issues. There was a noticeable inactivity in the market last week.

Examples of usage

He couldn't shake off the sluggishness that had come over him.
She was surprised by the sluggishness of her reflexes.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

slow response or reaction

Sluggishness can also refer to the quality of being slow to respond or react.

Synonyms

delay, slowness, tardiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sluggishness	When describing a lack of energy or slow movement, particularly in people, animals, or processes. The patient's sluggishness worried the doctors. The economy showed signs of sluggishness.
slowness	When focusing on the slow speed of movement or action, without necessarily implying negativity. The slowness of the traffic made me late. She was frustrated by the slowness of the computer.
delay	When referring to a situation where something is postponed or takes longer than expected, often used with schedules or events. The flight was delayed by two hours. There was a delay in the construction project.
tardiness	When referring to being late or not arriving on time, often used in formal or educational settings. It has a mildly negative connotation. His habitual tardiness cost him his job. The student was reprimanded for his tardiness.

Examples of usage

The sluggishness of the government's response to the crisis was criticized.
The sluggishness of the economy was evident in the latest report.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'sluggish' comes from the Middle English word 'slug', meaning lazy or idle.
It is believed to be connected to the Old Norse word 'slúgr', which means lazy or inactive.
The suffix '-ness' added indicates a quality, making it refer to the state of being sluggish.

Psychology

Feeling sluggish can often be linked to fatigue, which affects focus and motivation.
Studies show that a lack of sleep can significantly contribute to feelings of sluggishness.
Mental sluggishness may arise from distractions, impacting decision-making ability.

Health

Diet plays a role; consuming heavy or sugary foods can lead to a feeling of sluggishness.
Regular physical activity is known to combat sluggishness and improve energy levels.
Certain medical conditions, like hypothyroidism, can also cause a sluggish feeling due to hormonal changes.

Pop Culture

In movies and books, characters often feel sluggish before a big moment, creating a suspenseful atmosphere.
Sluggishness is sometimes humorously portrayed in cartoons, showcasing characters moving at a crawl when tired.
The 'slug' as a symbol of slowness often features in memes, representing procrastination or lethargy.

Literature

In poetry, words describing sluggishness are often used to evoke an image of lethargic beauty, contrasting with vibrant themes.
Classic literature sometimes uses sluggishness to symbolize deeper feelings of despair or languor in characters.
Authors often personify sluggishness, depicting it as a heavy fog or a slow river, reflecting emotional states.

Translations

Translations of the word "sluggishness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lentidão

🇮🇳 सुस्ती

🇩🇪 Trägheit

🇮🇩 kelambanan

🇺🇦 млявість

🇵🇱 ospalłość

🇯🇵 怠慢

🇫🇷 lenteur

🇪🇸 lentitud

🇹🇷 ağır hareket etme

🇰🇷 느린 움직임

🇸🇦 بطء

🇨🇿 pomalost

🇸🇰 pomalosť

🇨🇳 迟缓

🇸🇮 počasnost

🇮🇸 hægfara

🇰🇿 жәй қозғалғыштық

🇬🇪 ნელად მოძრაობა

🇦🇿 yavaşlıq

🇲🇽 lentitud

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,139, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
28136 sternness
28137 gabled
28138 checkerboard
28139 sluggishness
28140 pulsar
28141 cardamom
28142 dispossess
...