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
Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
There’s nothing worse than sore feet on a travel day.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2025
Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
Your muscles might feel a little sore a few hours later or the next day after a strength training session.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, right guard Kevin Dotson (chest contusion) and defensive tackle Poona Ford (sore groin) were riding stationary bikes after coming away sore from Tuesday’s joint practice with the Cowboys.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sore
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Adjective
Amid what's looking like a lost season, the 6-foot-2 standout departed Memphis' ongoing road matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers with a new injury in the first quarter, and has already been ruled out for the duration of the bout with a sore right calf, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
There’s nothing worse than sore feet on a travel day.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2025
Noun
Green was dealing with bruised ribs and Butler a sore lower back that prevented him from playing the second half Tuesday night, but Kerr was optimistic both players would be back Friday in Denver.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
Your muscles might feel a little sore a few hours later or the next day after a strength training session.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Adverb
Her cheeks grew sore from smiling.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, right guard Kevin Dotson (chest contusion) and defensive tackle Poona Ford (sore groin) were riding stationary bikes after coming away sore from Tuesday’s joint practice with the Cowboys.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sore
Cite this Entry
“Sore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sore. Accessed 17 Nov. 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
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