sore

adjective

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\ ˈsȯr

sorer; sorest

Definition of sore

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : 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

sore

noun

Definition of sore (Entry 2 of 3)

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

adverb

Definition of sore (Entry 3 of 3)

: sorely

Other Words from sore Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing sore Learn More About sore

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Cleveland third baseman José Ramírez didn’t start Saturday’s game because of a sore right thumb. — Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 19 June 2022 Jose Ramirez, the man who makes the Guardians’ offense go, is out of the lineup on Sunday for the second straight day with a sore right thumb. — Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 19 June 2022 But it’s Lane, playing an American with itinerant academic parents, who disappoints most, exuding an effortless bohemian chic but never not sticking out like a sore thumb in her scenes. — Inkoo Kang, Washington Post, 14 May 2022 When an artist records with me, everything about the song has to stick out like a sore thumb — hooks, bars, concepts. — A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 10 Apr. 2022 As one of the most active trans comics in L.A., Thomas is used to standing out like a sore thumb on most cisgender lineups. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2022 Needless to say, the discoloration sticks out like a sore thumb—both IRL and in especially in photos—and leaves me self-conscious about my smile. — Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2022 While most air purifiers are clunky, this one has a sleek, modern design that won’t stick out like a sore thumb in a living room or bedroom. — Amanda Lauren, Forbes, 31 Jan. 2022 The Guardians right-hander underwent an MRI on his sore left glute and will not pitch for the Triple-A Clippers this week as previously scheduled. — Joe Noga, cleveland, 30 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The team tested their sensors on skin taken from pigs, a standard prototype tissue for studying open injuries, which had been scored with small incisions to simulate a sore. — Max G. Levy, Wired, 23 Feb. 2022 The incident left Anderson with a bleeding hand, a sore, reddened back, and a broken fingernail, according to police. — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2022 The 14th-century saint Catherine of Siena is famous for drinking the pus of a woman’s open sore in an act of holy self-abasement. — New York Times, 27 Dec. 2021 In 1777, George Washington ordered troops who had not already had the disease to undergo a version of inoculation in which pus from a smallpox sore was introduced into an open cut. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2021 This sore developed an infection, which spread into her hip bone. — Laken Brooks, Forbes, 8 Nov. 2021 Because Figueroa had to use a wheelchair that didn’t support her torso and hips, her pressure sore became worse. — Laken Brooks, Forbes, 8 Nov. 2021 In its first stage, the only evidence of infection is a painless sore at the bacteria’s point of entry. — Talia Herman, ProPublica, 1 Nov. 2021 The sore became infected and the infection eventually reached her hip bone, requiring emergency surgery to remove the infected bone and tissue. — Malaika Jabali, Essence, 9 Nov. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb All because election workers were doing their job and a bunch of sore-losing chuckleheads didn’t like the result. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2022 Indiana was also without starting guard Malcolm Brogdon (rest), rookies Chris Duarte (sore left big toe) and Isaiah Jackson (headache), and second-year forward Jalen Smith (illness) against the Grizzlies. — James Boyd, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Mar. 2022 Reserve forward Keita Bates-Diop missed his second game in a row with a sore lower back. — Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 9 Mar. 2022 Poeltl, who is enjoying the best season of his six-year career with per-game averages of 13.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 blocks, returned to the court Monday after missing Saturday’s game against the Heat with a sore lower back. — Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Feb. 2022 LeVert will likely slide into the starting backcourt alongside All-Star Darius Garland, who has been slowed by a sore lower back lately. — oregonlive, 6 Feb. 2022 The Pistons, who will be without second-year starters Isaiah Stewart (suspension) and Killian Hayes (sore left thumb), have gone 3-9 against Eastern Conference teams. — Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 23 Nov. 2021 Trouble in Mind is a sore-hearted farce, a realistic portrait of acting while Black, and (potentially) a crisp backstage comedy. — Helen Shaw, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2021 Like sore-armed pitchers having to throw their hardest day after day, primary care doctors find themselves in constant pain. — Robert Pearl, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.