Sore vs. Soar: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on February 20, 2024
"Sore" refers to physical pain or tenderness, while "soar" means to fly or rise high in the air.
Key Differences
"Sore" describes a state of physical pain or discomfort, often resulting from injury or strain. In contrast, "soar" conveys the act of flying or rising upwards, typically used to describe birds or airplanes ascending into the sky.
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Feb 18, 2024
The term "sore" can also imply emotional hurt or grievance, as in feeling sore about a situation. On the other hand, "soar" metaphorically denotes achieving great heights or success, like a career soaring to new peaks.
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Feb 18, 2024
"Sore" often appears in medical contexts, referring to aching muscles or wounds. "Soar," however, finds its use in poetic or inspirational contexts, suggesting freedom and elevation, as in spirits soaring.
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Feb 18, 2024
In usage, "sore" can function as an adjective, noun, or adverb, modifying a noun, standing alone, or describing the extent of pain. "Soar," however, primarily serves as a verb, indicating the action of ascending.
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Feb 18, 2024
While "sore" evokes sensations of discomfort and tenderness, "soar" is associated with uplifting and exhilarating feelings, representing a stark contrast in emotional connotations between the two words.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 18, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Usage in Sentence
Describes pain or discomfort
Describes flying or ascending
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Feb 18, 2024
Emotional Connotation
Negative (pain, discomfort)
Positive (freedom, elevation)
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Feb 18, 2024
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Sore and Soar Definitions
Sore
A raw or painful spot on the body.
The constant rubbing of the shoe caused a sore on her foot.
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Jan 12, 2024
Soar
To increase rapidly above the usual level.
The temperature will soar to 100 degrees today.
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Jan 12, 2024
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Soar
To ascend to a great height without visible effort.
The kite soared effortlessly in the breeze.
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Jan 12, 2024
Soar
To maintain altitude without moving the wings or using an engine; glide.
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Jan 10, 2024
Soar
To increase or improve suddenly above the normal or usual level
Sales soared. Our spirits soared.
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
To mutilate the legs or feet of (a horse) in order to induce a particular gait in the animal.
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Jan 10, 2024
Soar
To mount upward on wings, or as on wings, especially by gliding while employing rising air currents.
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
Causing pain or discomfort; painfully sensitive.
Her feet were sore from walking so far.
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Jan 10, 2024
Soar
To rise, especially rapidly or unusually high.
The pump prices soared into new heights as the strike continued.
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
Sensitive; tender; easily pained, grieved, or vexed; very susceptible of irritation.
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Jan 10, 2024
Soar
(figuratively) To rise in thought, spirits, or imagination; to be exalted in mood.
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
Dire; distressing.
The school was in sore need of textbooks, theirs having been ruined in the flood.
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
(informal) Feeling animosity towards someone; annoyed or angered.
Joe was sore at Bob for beating him at checkers.
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Jan 10, 2024
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.
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Jan 10, 2024
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.
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
An injured, infected, inflamed or diseased patch of skin.
They put ointment and a bandage on the sore.
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Jan 10, 2024
Soar
The act of soaring; upward flight.
This apparent soar of the hooded falcon.
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
(transitive) To mutilate the legs or feet of (a horse) in order to induce a particular gait.
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
Tender to the touch; susceptible of pain from pressure; inflamed; painful; - said of the body or its parts; as, a sore hand.
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Jan 10, 2024
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.
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Jan 10, 2024
Soar
Go or move upward;
The stock market soared after the cease-fire was announced
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
Severe; afflictive; distressing; as, a sore disease; sore evil or calamity.
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Jan 10, 2024
Soar
To rise or aspire to a higher or more exalted level.
Her spirits soared after hearing the good news.
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Jan 12, 2024
Soar
To be elated or exhilarated.
They soared with joy at their team's victory.
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Jan 12, 2024
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.
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
Fig.: Grief; affliction; trouble; difficulty.
I see plainly where his sore lies.
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
Greatly; violently; deeply.
[Hannah] prayed unto the Lord and wept sore.
Sore sighed the knight, who this long sermon heard.
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
Causing misery or pain or distress;
It was a sore trial to him
The painful process of growing up
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Jan 10, 2024
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
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Jan 10, 2024
Sore
Experiencing physical pain or discomfort.
After the long hike, her legs were sore.
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Jan 12, 2024
Sore
Causing emotional anguish or distress.
The harsh criticism left him feeling sore.
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Jan 12, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "soar" be used in a business context?
Yes, "soar" can describe rapid growth or success in a business or career.
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Feb 18, 2024
Is "sore" a medical term?
"Sore" is commonly used in medical contexts but is not exclusively a medical term.
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Feb 18, 2024
Does "soar" always imply upward movement?
Typically, "soar" suggests an upward movement, but it can also metaphorically imply rapid progress or improvement.
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Feb 18, 2024
Can "soar" describe emotions?
Yes, "soar" can metaphorically describe elevated emotions, like happiness or excitement.
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Feb 18, 2024
Can "sore" be used to describe emotional pain?
Yes, "sore" can refer to emotional distress or hurt feelings.
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Feb 18, 2024
What causes muscles to be "sore"?
Muscle soreness is often caused by strain, overuse, or minor injuries.
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Feb 18, 2024
How do you distinguish between "sore" and "soar" in speech?
Context and sentence structure usually make the distinction clear, as they have different meanings and grammatical functions.
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Feb 18, 2024
Is "soar" used in a literal or figurative sense?
"Soar" can be used both literally (flying) and figuratively (achieving success).
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Feb 18, 2024
Is "sore" always a negative term?
Typically, "sore" has negative connotations related to discomfort or pain.
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Feb 18, 2024
Can "sore" describe a state of being annoyed?
Yes, "sore" can also describe feeling annoyed or upset.
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Feb 18, 2024
What's a synonym for "sore" in the context of pain?
"Aching" is a common synonym for "sore."
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Feb 18, 2024
Can a person be described as "sore"?
Yes, a person can be described as "sore" if they are feeling physical pain or discomfort.
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Feb 18, 2024
Can "soar" imply a gradual rise?
"Soar" usually implies a rapid or significant rise, not a gradual one.
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Feb 18, 2024
Can "soar" be used in a negative context?
Rarely, but it can describe negative things like soaring debts or temperatures in a heatwave.
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Feb 18, 2024
Is "sore" used more in everyday language or medical language?
"Sore" is common in both everyday and medical language.
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Feb 18, 2024
Can "sore" be used as a verb?
No, "sore" is typically used as an adjective or noun, not as a verb.
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Feb 18, 2024
How long can soreness last?
Soreness duration varies, depending on the cause and individual factors.
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Feb 18, 2024
Can "soar" be used in sports commentary?
Yes, "soar" can describe athletes' performances or achievements.
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Feb 18, 2024
Does "soar" only apply to physical objects?
No, "soar" can apply to abstract concepts like prices, temperatures, or spirits.
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Feb 18, 2024
What does it mean for a company's profits to "soar"?
It means the company's profits are rapidly increasing.
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Feb 18, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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