sorely

adverb

sore·​ly ˈsȯr-lē 

1

: in a sore manner : painfully

2

: very, extremely

sorely needed changes

Synonyms of sorely

• sadly
• bitterly
• sorrowfully
• painfully

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

Rex also talks with Todd about the rapidly changing technological landscape and the need for students to learn more about advancements in AI, cybersecurity and other areas of technological expertise that various industries sorely need. —Arkansas Online, 12 Dec. 2025

Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze did not play in the game due to a foot injury, and he was sorely missed. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025

Their absences were sorely, sorely, sorely felt in a first quarter that saw the bottom fall out. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2025

Its mission was never to remake Britain, no matter how sorely that was needed in the wake of the Great Recession, the upheaval of Brexit, COVID, and five Tory Prime Ministers in six years. —Oliver Eagleton, Time, 26 Nov. 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