1
as in sadly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
our company president, who is retiring at the end of the year, will be sorely missed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terribly
to a great degree
completed some sorely needed repairs to the boat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sorely
Spencer Pratt's supporters are sorely disappointed with how the Los Angeles mayoral race ended, but one in particular refuses to accept defeat — and will pay big money to prove it.
—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
The sector has sorely fallen behind China, as well as other countries like South Korea and Japan, in recent decades.
—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
Leo is seemingly keen to bring his message of peace, unity and human dignity to a continent sorely polarized over migration, the Russia-Ukraine war and anxiety over artificial intelligence.
—
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Just two days after the Hannah was underway, her crew captured the Unity, a sloop loaded with naval stores and lumber, supplies sorely needed by British forces in Boston.
—
Christopher Magra,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sorely
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
The sector has sorely fallen behind China, as well as other countries like South Korea and Japan, in recent decades.
—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
Leo is seemingly keen to bring his message of peace, unity and human dignity to a continent sorely polarized over migration, the Russia-Ukraine war and anxiety over artificial intelligence.
—
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Just two days after the Hannah was underway, her crew captured the Unity, a sloop loaded with naval stores and lumber, supplies sorely needed by British forces in Boston.
—
Christopher Magra,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sorely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorely
Adverb
-
Little Debbie Apple Flips Though there are still plenty of Little Debbie classics filling the shelves at Southern grocery stores, and even new arrivals from time to time, there are also sadly some treats that have been discontinued.
-
Its co-op is online-only (no couch play, sadly), and the AI companion is your trusty sidekick.
Adverb
-
Wonderfully and terribly, everything does happen for Maddie after her adoring bear of a husband, Jake (Eric Rahill), makes a cooking video of her that goes massively viral.
-
Perhaps the biggest problem with this movie is that Supergirl (Helen Slater) seems terribly leisurely about her fateful mission.
Adverb
-
With a goalkeeping howler and a red card, Marcelo Bielsa’s side self-imploded at the end of a bitterly disappointing tournament.
-
And the organization’s internal splinter groups, the Soviet-leaning Weatherman Underground and the Maoist-leaning Progressive Labor faction fought each other bitterly.
Adverb
-
That restraint also challenges the idea that sauvignon blanc must be extremely aromatic to be recognizable.
-
Superconductors can carry electricity with zero resistance, but only at extremely low temperatures.
Adverb
-
Tarun would tease her, and my mother would look sorrowfully toward Kavitha, as if the two of them now shared some womanly burden.
Adverb
-
Atmos is already facing a lawsuit over the explosion from a resident who was severely burned.
-
Nearby Elephant Butte Lake, a draw for outdoorsy tourists, is so severely drought-depleted that sunbaked fish carcasses line its shores.
Adverb
-
The Battle of Karbala — where a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad died defying tyranny — feels painfully present for residents of Nabatieh as Israel continues to occupy southern Lebanon.
-
Iranian officials are also painfully aware that their country was bombed during previous periods of negotiations with the US since the war that broke out in late February.
Adverb
-
Designated for assignment by the Phillies, Wilson was claimed by the Cubs, who desperately needed bullpen depth.
-
New York desperately needs housing and Aqueduct must be a major part of the answer.
Cite this Entry
“Sorely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorely. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
