SORE Synonyms: 435 Similar and Opposite Words

sore 1 of 3

adjective

ˈsȯr

Definition of sore

as in aching

causing or feeling bodily pain my legs are sore after that long walk yesterday

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in angry

feeling or showing anger promise not to get sore if I tell you what I really think of your new hairstyle?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cynical

having or showing deep-seated resentment he's been sore ever since she insulted him

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sore

2 of 3

adverb

as in terribly

to a great degree I was sore afraid we'd never make it home

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sore

3 of 3

noun

as in swelling

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in wart

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of sore

Adjective

Chicago played without outfielder Tristan Peters, who was sore a day after crashing into the wall in right-center while trying to make a play on Kevin McGonigle's triple in the fifth inning. — CBS News, 19 Sep. 2026 Rookie shortstop Kaelen Culpepper was sore but in good spirits on Sunday morning after he was struck by a pitch on the back of his right shoulder in Saturday’s victory. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Toward the end, people grab partners and race around the ballroom in a gallop through a tunnel of arms, an exhilarating experience—especially in heels—that leaves the heart pumping and the quads sore for days. — Valeriya Safronova, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026 Guys come up sore all the time. — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 11 Feb. 2026

Noun

At Watches and Wonders Geneva in April, pricing was a sore yet all-too-recurring subject—for brands and collectors alike. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 29 June 2026 The lumpectomy and the removal of several lymph nodes, and then the second surgery, had left her sore and bruised. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sore

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sore

Adjective

The homestretch of the drama, however, takes the story in a chilling direction, packing an aching quantity of feeling into a single glance at a security camera as someone climbs into a car and leaves the compound, never to be heard from again.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain (1997) Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain is an aching, tender slow burn shaped by absence.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026

Definition of aching

Adjective

Seemingly intentionally, the film leaves some details unresolved — where’s Jo’s absentee father, and exactly what made Manang so bitterly angry?

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
Often clad in leather or a simple singlet, revealing his arms-length collection of tattoos, Angry Anderson always looked hard as nails and as angry as his nickname.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of angry

Adjective

Swarup’s book exposes the cynical nature of the quiz show, dangling a literal lifeline to desperate people for the sake of entertainment.

— L.M. Chilton, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
Myriad people inside Warner Bros are cynical about the capping of severances and the fact that only a few at the top are bound for a post-merger windfall.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of cynical

Noun

These lightweight compression socks gently squeeze the feet and calves in order to improve blood circulation, reduce swelling, and prevent pain.

— Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026
Enter Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE), a minimally-invasive procedure that lessens blood flow to inflamed spots in the knee to reduce chronic pain and swelling.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of swelling

Noun

Without the complication of his father’s political career and (one hopes) without political ambitions of his own, Hunter seems to be expressing something closer to his authentic self, warts and all.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
Some blame the faction of party leaders who rallied behind Platner in spite of his warts.

— Julia Terruso, Time, 8 June 2026

Definition of wart

Adjective

The story follows Ramón, a film assistant reeling from a painful breakup, who begins working with Camille de Valois, a legendary French actress returning to cinema after two decades away following an accusation of murder.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
Still, there are good reasons Trump may be holding back, not least to avoid opening a potentially painful second front, just seven months after launching his damaging and ongoing conflict with Iran.

— Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

The same people who were indignant over Hunter Biden have turned a blind eye to the conflicts of interest rife in this administration.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Online, fans and critics alike left indignant comments on Becky’s social media — dressing her down for presenting as an empowered woman, while welcoming back a penitent Lletget.

— Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026