Sore vs. Soar: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 11, 2023
"Sore" refers to physical pain or discomfort, while "Soar" means to rise or fly high.
Key Differences
"Sore" primarily denotes pain or a painful area on the body. It can be the result of an injury, overuse, or even an infection. In this context, it implies a physical discomfort that can be either temporary or persistent. For instance, after an intense workout, someone might experience sore muscles, indicating that the muscles are in pain or discomfort due to the strain.
"Soar," in stark contrast, is about elevation or an upward movement, often in the context of flying. Birds, for instance, can soar in the sky, indicating they are gliding or flying high with little wing movement. This word can also be used metaphorically to describe a rapid rise in quantity, degree, or quality. For instance, when a company's stock prices increase significantly, it's said that they "soar."
Interestingly, while "Sore" and "Soar" are pronounced similarly, their meanings and applications are vastly different. Where "Sore" is rooted in the idea of physical discomfort or affliction, "Soar" is about rising, elevating, or attaining great heights. Their similar pronunciation but different meanings make them classic examples of homophones in the English language.
The context in which these words are used is crucial. If someone says, "My arms are sore," they're expressing discomfort in their arms. Conversely, if someone states, "My spirits soar," they're expressing a feeling of elation or joy.
To summarize, "Sore" is about pain or discomfort, while "Soar" is about rising or elevating, either literally, as in flying, or metaphorically, as in increasing.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Pain or discomfort
To rise or fly upwards
Part of Speech
Adjective (primarily); can also be a noun
Verb
Example Usage
"She had a sore throat."
"The eagle soars high in the sky."
Context
Physical condition or feeling
Motion, elevation, or increase
Homophone
Yes, with "Soar"
Yes, with "Sore"
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Sore and Soar Definitions
Sore
Aggrieved or upset due to a perceived insult
She was sore about the criticism.
Soar
A rapid increase or rise
The company's profits began to soar.
Sore
Severely afflicted or distressed
The town was sore in need of rain.
Soar
To rise or ascend to a height
The balloon soared into the sky.
Sore
A cause of distress or annoyance
Losing the game was a sore point.
Soar
To glide in the air without flapping wings
The albatross can soar for hours.
Sore
Painful to the touch; tender.
Soar
To achieve great heights, figuratively
Her spirits soared after the good news.
Sore
Feeling physical pain; hurting
Sore all over.
Soar
To rise or fly into the air
The startled hawk soared away.
Sore
Causing misery, sorrow, or distress; grievous
In sore need.
Soar
To maintain altitude without moving the wings or using an engine; glide.
Sore
Causing embarrassment or irritation
A sore subject.
Soar
To increase or improve suddenly above the normal or usual level
Sales soared. Our spirits soared.
Sore
Full of distress; sorrowful.
Soar
The act of soaring.
Sore
(Informal) Angry; offended.
Soar
The altitude or scope attained in soaring.
Sore
An open skin lesion, wound, or ulcer.
Soar
(intransitive) To fly high with little effort, like a bird.
Sore
A source of pain, distress, or irritation.
Soar
To mount upward on wings, or as on wings, especially by gliding while employing rising air currents.
Sore
To mutilate the legs or feet of (a horse) in order to induce a particular gait in the animal.
Soar
To remain aloft by means of a glider or other unpowered aircraft.
Sore
Sorely.
Soar
To rise, especially rapidly or unusually high.
The pump prices soared into new heights as the strike continued.
Sore
Causing pain or discomfort; painfully sensitive.
Her feet were sore from walking so far.
Soar
(figuratively) To rise in thought, spirits, or imagination; to be exalted in mood.
Sore
Sensitive; tender; easily pained, grieved, or vexed; very susceptible of irritation.
Soar
The act of soaring.
Sore
Dire; distressing.
The school was in sore need of textbooks, theirs having been ruined in the flood.
Soar
An upward flight.
Sore
(informal) Feeling animosity towards someone; annoyed or angered.
Joe was sore at Bob for beating him at checkers.
Soar
To fly aloft, as a bird; to mount upward on wings, or as on wings.
When soars Gaul's vulture with his wings unfurled.
Sore
(obsolete) Criminal; wrong; evil.
Soar
Fig.: To rise in thought, spirits, or imagination; to be exalted in mood.
Where the deep transported mind may soar.
Valor soars aboveWhat the world calls misfortune.
Sore
(archaic) Very, excessively, extremely (of something bad).
Soar
To fly by wind power; to glide indefinitely without loss of altitude.
Sore
Sorely.
Soar
The act of soaring; upward flight.
This apparent soar of the hooded falcon.
Sore
An injured, infected, inflamed or diseased patch of skin.
They put ointment and a bandage on the sore.
Soar
See 3d Sore.
Sore
Grief; affliction; trouble; difficulty.
Soar
See Sore, reddish brown.
Sore
A young hawk or falcon in its first year.
Soar
The act of rising upward into the air
Sore
A young buck in its fourth year.
Soar
Rise rapidly;
The dollar soared against the yes
Sore
(transitive) To mutilate the legs or feet of (a horse) in order to induce a particular gait.
Soar
Fly by means of a hang glider
Sore
Reddish brown; sorrel.
Soar
Fly upwards or high in the sky
Sore
Tender to the touch; susceptible of pain from pressure; inflamed; painful; - said of the body or its parts; as, a sore hand.
Soar
Go or move upward;
The stock market soared after the cease-fire was announced
Sore
Fig.: Sensitive; tender; easily pained, grieved, or vexed; very susceptible of irritation.
Malice and hatred are very fretting and vexatious, and apt to make our minds sore and uneasy.
Soar
Fly a plane without an engine
Sore
Severe; afflictive; distressing; as, a sore disease; sore evil or calamity.
Soar
To fly at a great height
The hawk soars above the fields.
Sore
Criminal; wrong; evil.
Sore
A young hawk or falcon in the first year.
Sore
A young buck in the fourth year. See the Note under Buck.
Sore
A place in an animal body where the skin and flesh are ruptured or bruised, so as to be tender or painful; a painful or diseased place, such as an ulcer or a boil.
The dogs came and licked his sores.
Sore
Fig.: Grief; affliction; trouble; difficulty.
I see plainly where his sore lies.
Sore
In a sore manner; with pain; grievously.
Thy hand presseth me sore.
Sore
Greatly; violently; deeply.
[Hannah] prayed unto the Lord and wept sore.
Sore sighed the knight, who this long sermon heard.
Sore
An open skin infection
Sore
Hurting;
The tender spot on his jaw
Sore
Causing misery or pain or distress;
It was a sore trial to him
The painful process of growing up
Sore
Roused to anger;
Stayed huffy a good while
She gets mad when you wake her up so early
Mad at his friend
Sore over a remark
Sore
Inflamed and painful;
His throat was raw
Had a sore throat
Sore
A painful or tender spot on the body
He had a sore on his foot.
Sore
Feeling physical pain or discomfort
My back is sore from lifting.
FAQs
Can "Sore" be used to describe feelings?
Yes, e.g., "He was sore about being overlooked."
Can you have a "Sore" on your mouth?
Yes, commonly referred to as a cold sore.
Can emotions "Soar"?
Yes, e.g., "Her spirits soared with joy."
Does "Soar" only refer to birds flying?
No, it can describe any upward movement or rapid increase.
Is a "Sore loser" someone who loses often?
No, it's someone who reacts badly to losing.
Can "Sore" describe an emotional hurt?
Yes, as in "a sore heart."
Can "Soar" describe a rapid decrease?
No, it's typically about upward or positive movements.
Can dreams "Soar"?
Yes, in a figurative sense, as in "dreams soaring high."
Is "Sore" always negative?
Mostly, as it's tied to pain or discomfort.
Can songs "Soar"?
Yes, describing a powerful or uplifting melody.
Is "Soaring" the act of flying high?
Yes, it implies a graceful, elevated flight.
Can "Sore" be a noun?
Yes, as in "a sore on the skin."
Can stock prices "Soar"?
Yes, it means they're rapidly increasing.
Can you be "Sore" after a workout?
Absolutely, muscles can be sore due to exertion.
Can "Soar" be used metaphorically?
Absolutely, as in "soaring ambitions."
Can "Sore" mean extremely?
Yes, in older usage, e.g., "sore afraid."
Is "Sore" only about physical pain?
No, it can also describe emotional hurt or offense.
Can airplanes "Soar"?
They can, especially when ascending rapidly.
Can temperature "Soar"?
Yes, it means it's rapidly increasing.
How do I know if I'm using "Sore" or "Soar" correctly?
Consider context: "Sore" for pain, "Soar" for rising.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
