soreness

noun

sore·​ness
plural -es
Synonyms of sorenessnext
1
: the quality or state of being sore: such as
a
: painfulness
the soreness of a sprain
b
: mental grief : distress
the soreness of defeat
c
: severity, violence
the soreness of battle
2
: something sore or painful

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sarnes, sornes, from Old English sārnes, from sār sore + -nes -ness

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Cite this Entry

“Soreness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soreness. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.

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