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
Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
In a picturesque suburban neighborhood, the ashen structure sticks out like a sore thumb.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
Bedbound patients could get pressure sores if they aren’t turned frequently enough.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 12 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sore
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Adjective
The spa menu boasts a long list of bodywork treatments options, including the fire & ice massage, which soothes sore muscles with a combination of hot stones and cooling recovery balm, facials and body scrubs using ingredients from the forest, and a fireside massage package for two.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
In a picturesque suburban neighborhood, the ashen structure sticks out like a sore thumb.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Noun
In the ward of whimpering children, Susan Martine from South Sudan cares for her 2-year-old daughter, who has sores after swelling caused by severe malnutrition.
—Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
Bedbound patients could get pressure sores if they aren’t turned frequently enough.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025
Adverb
Was his ass sore afterwards?), only to later confront herself with the idea that loving someone might require her to set them free.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 12 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sore
Cite this Entry
“Sore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sore. Accessed 28 Jun. 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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