sorely

adverb

sore·​ly ˈsȯr-lē 

1

: in a sore manner : painfully

2

: very, extremely

sorely needed changes

Synonyms

• agonizingly
• bitterly
• dolefully
• dolorously
• grievously
• hard
• hardly
• inconsolably
• lugubriously
• mournfully
• painfully
• plaintively
• regretfully
• resentfully
• ruefully
• sadly
• sorrowfully
• unhappily
• wailfully
• woefully
• wretchedly

Examples of sorely in a Sentence

You will be sorely missed.

She provided some sorely needed help.

The house is sorely in need of paint.

He is sorely lacking in social skills.

Recent Examples on the Web

Without him, though, Houston would need a serious lift from incoming transfer Pop Isaacs, as Uzan’s shot creation — not to mention his smothering defensive presence on the perimeter — would be sorely missed. —Jim Root, New York Times, 2 May 2025

If investment in overhead power lines is lacking, spending in the last few miles of connection is even more sorely missing. —Javier Blas/bloomberg Opinion, Boston Herald, 29 Apr. 2025

While civility is sorely lacking in politics, two other areas are known for rudeness as well — the workplace and the schools, at all levels. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2025

The new generation recently picked up a feature that the California has sorely lacked since day 1: a toilet room, which comes in the back of one of two long-wheelbase floor plans. —New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sorely

adverb

sore·​ly ˈsō(ə)r-lē 

ˈsȯ(ə)r-

: in a sore manner