The phrase "slow-going" means that something is progressing at a sluggish pace. Some synonyms for slow-going include plodding, sluggish, lethargic, ponderous, sluggish, tardy, leisurely, sticky, drudging, and boring. Each of these words emphasizes the sense of slowness, difficulty, or tedium involved in the situation. For example, plodding implies a plodding, laborious, or tedious process that requires lots of effort. Lethargic connotes a lack of energy, motivation, or interest. Ponderous suggests something that is heavy, slow-moving, or cumbersome. And sluggish conveys a sense of slow movement or progress, often due to a lack of momentum or momentum-building activities. Ultimately, the choice of a synonym for "slow-going" depends on the specific context and the desired tone or emphasis.