sore

1 of 3

adjective

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
3
: angry, irked
a sore loser
soreness noun

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

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
The punt return unit has been a sore spot. Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025 The Fiskars Four-Claw Weed Puller Tool is a great option for removing stubborn dandelions and thistle without leaving you with sore knees or an achy back afterward. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Other reasons to seek additional care can include continued irritation, watering, burning, eye pain, mucus discharge, sensitivity to light, reduced vision and any flaking, discharge or sores on the eye or eyelid. Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025 The infection causes sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. Lauren Dunn, NBC news, 23 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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 There is also the running sore that is HS2, a project originally intended to build a new high-speed rail between London and cities in the Midlands and north of England, but which will now only run to Birmingham and is both years behind schedule and billions of pounds over budget. Ian King, CNBC, 9 July 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sore. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on sore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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