sore

Painful to touch

Sore describes something painful or tender, especially from injury, overuse, or inflammation: My legs are sore from the hike.

A sore is also a wound or lesion on the body.

Figuratively, sore means upset or resentful: He's still sore about losing the election.

A sore point or sore spot is a sensitive topic.

Stick out like a sore thumb means to be conspicuously out of place.

physical

ache

Persistent dull discomfort

throbbingRhythmic painful pulsing
tenderSoft or sore
painfulCausing hurt or ache

discomfort · stinging · burning · nagging · chronic · acute · dull · sensitive · raw · inflamed

wound

abrasion

Shallow surface wound

blisterFluid-filled skin swelling
lesionArea of pathological change
ulcerErosive tissue wound

boil · canker · scab · wound · infection · pus · festering · weeping · healing · bandaged

emotional

upset

Disturb, topple, or shock

hurtCause or feel pain
woundedHaving sustained harm
offendedFeeling hurt or disrespected

aggrieved · resentful · bitter · touchy · sensitive · pained · stung · bruised · raw · nursing

contested

contentious

Inclined toward disagreement

divisiveCausing sharp disagreement
controversialCausing public dispute
sensitiveEasily affected emotionally

touchy · fraught · heated · disputed · vexed · thorny · delicate · awkward · difficult · inflammatory

intense

dire

Extremely serious or urgent

desperateDriven by urgent need
urgentNeeding immediate attention
pressingRequiring immediate attention

acute · grievous · severe · extreme · great · serious · critical · terrible · grave

Categories

painache, pain, agony, hurt, hurting
body painache, aches, pain, pang, throb
body part traitsbent, bony, bruised, calloused, crooked
muscle conditionstoned, flexed, relaxed, tense, tight
skin lesionspustule, pimple, boil, blister, lesion
skin problemswrinkles, eczema, acne, lesions, blackheads

Opposites

physical sensation

Causing no discomfort

pain-free · comfortable · healed · numb · pleasant

EMOTIONAL STATE (angry/upset)

Feeling satisfaction or joy

happy · delighted · content · satisfied · glad

healing status

Returned to health

healthy · recovered · mended · whole · well

Phrases

I'm sorryExpression of regret
I am sorryExpression of regret
sore throatIrritated, aching airway
sore loserOne who pouts after defeat
better safe than sorryPrudence over risk
so sorryExpression of regret

Family

sorry, sorrow, soreness, sores, sorely, sorer, sorest, sorehead, soreheads

Familiarity: Top 2,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G