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sorehead

American  
[sawr-hed, sohr-] / ˈsɔrˌhɛd, ˈsoʊr- /

noun

Informal.
  1. a disgruntled or vindictive person, especially an unsportsmanlike loser.

    Don't be such a sorehead, they won fair and square.


sorehead British  
/ ˈsɔːˌhɛd /

noun

  1. informal a peevish or disgruntled person

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of sorehead

1840–50; compare Scots sorehead a headache

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Other writers and players called him a "loudmouth," a "sorehead" and worse.

From Salon May 14, 2022

If you are a sorehead because you lost, you shouldn't play.

From New York Times Aug. 25, 2016

"You would look likea sorehead if you didn't," he said.

From Time Apr. 12, 2012

Hart knows that he would risk a sorehead image if he were to push that challenge personally at the convention.

From Time Magazine Archive

Oh, well," Dick interrupted, "let us admit that some of the fellows on the sorehead list have never been in jail, and have never been threatened with it.

From The High School Left End Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)

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