sore loser

American  

[sawr loo-zer] / ˈsɔr ˈlu zər /

noun

1. a person who is habitually angered, irritated, or annoyed when they do not win something or gain a desired advantage.

   There is no point in being a sore loser and whining about it all.

   You can't call him a sore loser—he accepts defeat with grace and dignity.

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Etymology

Origin of sore loser

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sore loser

Never mind that this salt-and-pepper-haired coach with the Portuguese accent had also constructed a reputation as a sore loser, a bitter complainer, and raging egomaniac.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

“I think he’ll go from being a sore loser to a sore winner,” said Terhune, who lives outside Indianapolis in a blue-collar neighborhood.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2024

Mr Jakins denied cheating and event chairman Jim Packer also rejected the claims, saying: "We don't know where this story has come from. Somebody's a sore loser, I think."

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2024

She continued, "You’re going to go down in history now as a sore loser, as opposed to going down in history as the Queen . . . Don’t play with me."

From Salon ● Feb. 4, 2024

It looks like a chessboard of a sore loser.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti