sore loser

[ sawr loo-zer ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sore loser¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

He allegedly wanted to ban all capitalist influences, but any sore loser of a Monopoly game can sympathize.

From The Daily Beast

He has had to shake off accusations of being a sore loser, of shedding the maverick mantle as he moved right during the primary.

From The Daily Beast

Plushenko himself, an amusingly sore loser, played along by all-but-gay-baiting the Americans.

From The Daily Beast

Sore loser John Kerry blamed his 2004 loss to George W. Bush on the release of a bin Laden tape just days before the election.

From The Daily Beast