sorely

adverb

sore·​ly ˈsȯr-lē 

1

: in a sore manner : painfully

2

: very, extremely

sorely needed changes

Synonyms

• agonizingly
• bitterly
• dolefully
• dolorously
• grievously
• hard
• hardly
• inconsolably
• lugubriously
• mournfully
• painfully
• plaintively
• regretfully
• resentfully
• ruefully
• sadly
• sorrowfully
• unhappily
• wailfully
• woefully
• wretchedly

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

That group will be sorely needed if the team harbors any hope of upsetting the Nittany Lions and ending the season on a high note. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 24 Nov. 2024

Those effects will be sorely needed in the US this fall, following a dramatic presidential election and with stressful Thanksgiving and holiday travel looming on the horizon. —Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2024

Ira, one thing that jumps out once again this season, as in most seasons in the last decade or more, is that the Heat sorely need a true point guard who can orchestrate the offense and get everyone involved. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024

But at least the bye allowed a team sorely in need of recovery from numerous injuries to get close to relative health. —Fox News Staff, Fox News, 23 Oct. 2024

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