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plodding

plodding

1 5.3
Moving or working slowly and without much energy
  • adjective
  • /ˈplɑːdɪŋ/
translation icon : lento
  • I looked at him and minded more than ever what a great, plodding, dull bear of a man he was.
  • more plodding

Examples

  • Despite its plodding pace, the novel was filled with rich, detailed descriptions that made it worthwhile.

  • I would say that I'm a very slow, plodding writer.

  • As the spending tap was shut off, growth became much more plodding and slow-paced.

    Blog text (14)
  • I do wonder how much of an effect the showrunner change at mid-season had on how plodding and ridiculous it was.

    Blog text (22)
  • A shady buyer willing to squeeze out the last bit of profit from the laborious, plodding, and dangerous journeys of an aging vessel, a death ship in the making.

    Academic text (2002)
  • I joined the squadron two days later, and Dicky paired us, sending us off for our first mission in the squadron's Dung Hunter, old 3249, a D.H. 6 bomber that was as wholly plodding as she was forgiving.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The hikers made plodding progress up the steep mountain trail, taking their time with each step.

  • He followed a plodding routine of waking up, eating breakfast, and going to work every day.

Synonyms

sluggish
vsplodding
30 3.9

Moving or working slowly and with little energy

is steady and laborious rather than merely low in energy
slow-moving
vsplodding
17 2.3

Moving at a low speed and not making quick progress

is more laborious and steady rather than only slow in speed
leaden
vsplodding
1 7.4

Being heavy and slow because you feel tired

is steady and worklike rather than heavy from tiredness
lumbering
vsplodding
1 5.0

Moving slowly and heavily in an awkward way

is steady and rhythmic rather than heavy, awkward movement from size
draggy
vsplodding
  • Informal
1 7.6

Slow and boring so you feel tired

is steadier and more laborious rather than merely tiring
dragging
vsplodding
4.2

To continue very slowly in a tiring and boring way

is steadier and more regular rather than painfully prolonged
slowgoing
vsplodding
4.7

Showing little energy and moving at a low speed

is steadier and more laborious rather than simply slow

Antonyms

155 4.2

Full of energy, new ideas, and constant activity

93 1.6

Full of energy and active

How Fast

rapid
295 1.3
to brisk
1 4.2
steady
304 2.0
plodding
1 5.3
crawling
1.0

Surface Forms

plodding positive
ploddinger comparative
ploddingest superlative

Morphology

plodding = plod (transparent) = plod + ing

The adjective is formed directly from the verb 'plod' with the productive suffix '-ing', yielding the obvious meaning 'moving or proceeding slowly and steadily'.

Etymology

Plodding comes from the simple verb plod, which gives the image of walking with 'heavy, steady steps', like a tired person or a working horse. So, plodding means slow, steady movement or progress that lacks excitement.