anemic

adjective

ane·​mic ə-ˈnē-mik How to pronounce anemic (audio)
1
: relating to or affected with anemia
The blood test indicated that he was slightly anemic.
2
a
: lacking force, vitality, or spirit
an anemic rendition of the song
anemic efforts at enforcement
b
: lacking interest or savor (see savor entry 1 sense 3) : insipid
anemic wines
c
: lacking in substance or quantity
anemic returns on an investment
anemic attendance
anemically adverb

Examples of anemic in a Sentence

The doctor told me I was slightly anemic. The band played an anemic rendition of a classic love song. Investors are worried about the stock's anemic performance. Officials worried about anemic attendance at the shows. Sales rose an anemic 0.5 percent last quarter.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If a person is anemic or has lost a great deal of blood, the lips become pale. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025 But the Tribe has only itself to blame for a conservative investment strategy that provided anemic growth, Wells Fargo lawyers argued in court Monday. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2025 Each type of anemia affects your eyes differently, which can lead to anemic retinopathy. Christine L. Larsen, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2025 In the year that ended June 2024, job growth in the state was an anemic 0.2%, and critical private-sector sources of good-paying jobs like business and professional services saw substantial declines. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anemic

Word History

Etymology

see anemia

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anemic was in 1826

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anemic. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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