sorer; sorest
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
soreness
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
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
Art De Roché, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
However, Rice – out of Sunday’s lineup – was still stiff, sore and swollen.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Erica Sloan, SELF, 16 Apr. 2025
All of these people might have weaker immune systems or are more prone to skin sores or lesions—a main risk factor for invasive strep.
—Alice Park, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
Overall, the Bear Elite Hybrid is a solid pick for sleepers who wake up sore in the lower back area, thanks to the bed’s high-gauge support coils in the center of the bed that hold up the lumbar area.
—Kells McPhillips, SELF, 26 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for sore
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
By the time Leif Davis was sent off on the half-hour for a dangerous foul from behind on Saka, who Arteta said was sore but did not suffer any serious damage, the winger had created a game-high three chances.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
However, Rice – out of Sunday’s lineup – was still stiff, sore and swollen.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
For the former set, the fiery sores in their bladder—which form for unknown reasons perhaps linked to genetics or an autoimmune response—are the source of their pain and urinary frequency.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 16 Apr. 2025
All of these people might have weaker immune systems or are more prone to skin sores or lesions—a main risk factor for invasive strep.
—Alice Park, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Goldschmidt’s Back Paul Goldschmidt (sore back) received treatment on Tuesday after exiting Monday’s game early.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
Overall, the Bear Elite Hybrid is a solid pick for sleepers who wake up sore in the lower back area, thanks to the bed’s high-gauge support coils in the center of the bed that hold up the lumbar area.
—Kells McPhillips, SELF, 26 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for sore
Cite this Entry
“Sore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sore. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sore
1 of 3 adjective
ˈsō(ə)r 
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 noun1
: 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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share