sore

1 of 3

adjective

ˈsȯr How to pronounce sore (audio)
sorer; sorest
Synonyms of sore
1
a
: causing emotional pain or distress
a sore subject
b
: physically tender (as from overuse or injury) : feeling or affected by pain : achy
sore muscles
limped on a sore leg
felt sore all over
2
: attended by difficulties, hardship, or exertion
3
: angry, irked
a sore loser
soreness noun
see also:
sight for sore eyes

sore

2 of 3

noun

1
: a localized sore spot on the body
especially : one (such as an ulcer) with the tissues ruptured or abraded and usually with infection
2
: a source of pain or vexation : affliction

sore

3 of 3

adverb

: sorely

Synonyms of sore

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Adjective

Adverb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of sore in a Sentence

Adjective a dog limping on a sore leg The patient has a sore throat. That's a sore subject to bring up. The discussion touched on a sore spot. My neighbor is sore at me. Are you still sore about what happened last night? Noun He has a sore on his lip. Adverb I was sore afraid we'd never make it home.
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.
Adjective
Meanwhile, Mason Black headed back to the minors and Beck Way returned from his rehab assignment (sore shoulder). — Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 But his record of publicly interacting with Piker — including at a pool party just before the primary — remains a sore point among some Michigan Democrats. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
The drug does have side effects, including a blistering rash, sores in the mouth and throat, and vomiting and diarrhea. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 The determination – or stubbornness – to play through the blisters and sores is an example of what makes Scheffler such a great competitor and the mental strength required to be one of the best golfers in the world. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Adverb
DeMarvion Overshown has handled the bulk of the responsibilities during training camp, while rookie Jaishawn Barham received the green dot while Overshown nursed a sore lower body on Tuesday. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026 As the maggots multiply, the wound becomes an open, rotting sore on the surface of the animal’s skin, sometimes attracting other fly species with the smell of rotting flesh. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sore

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English sor, from Old English sār; akin to Old High German sēr sore and probably to Old Irish saeth distress

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sore was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing sore

Rhymes for sore

See All Rhymes for sore

Browse Nearby Words

sordor
sore
soredi-
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sore. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sore

1 of 3 adjective
ˈsō(ə)r How to pronounce sore (audio)
ˈsȯ(ə)r
sorer; sorest
1
a
: causing pain or distress
a sore subject
b
: full of pain : tender
sore muscles
c
: hurt or red and swollen so as to be or seem painful
sore runny eyes
2
: accompanied by difficulties, hardship, or exertion
in a sore situation
3
: angry sense 1a
my friend is sore at me
soreness noun

sore

2 of 3 noun
1
: a sore spot on the body
especially : one (as an ulcer) with the tissues broken and usually infected
2
: a cause of pain : affliction

sore

3 of 3 adverb
: sorely

Medical Definition

sore

1 of 2 adjective
ˈsō(ə)r, ˈsȯ(ə)r How to pronounce sore (audio)
sorer; sorest
: causing, characterized by, or affected with pain : painful
sore muscles
a sore wound
sorely adverb
soreness noun

sore

2 of 2 noun
: a localized sore spot on the body
especially : one (as an ulcer) with the tissues ruptured or abraded and usually with infection
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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