What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lethargic
Example
After staying up all night, I felt lethargic and couldn't focus on my work. [lethargic: adjective]
Example
The hot weather made me feel lethargic and unmotivated to do anything. [lethargic: adjective]
sluggish
Example
The old computer was sluggish and took forever to load any programs. [sluggish: adjective]
Example
The team's performance was sluggish in the first half of the game, but they picked up the pace in the second half. [sluggish: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sluggish is more commonly used than lethargic in everyday language. Sluggish is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while lethargic is less common and has a more specific medical connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lethargic and sluggish?
Both lethargic and sluggish are relatively formal words, but lethargic is more likely to be used in medical or scientific contexts, while sluggish can be used in more casual contexts as well.
