sorely

American  

[sawr-lee, sohr-] / ˈsɔr li, ˈsoʊr- /

adverb

1. in a painful manner.

2. extremely; very.

   I was sorely tempted to report him.

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sorely British  

/ ˈsɔːlɪ /

adverb

1. painfully or grievously

   sorely wounded

2. pressingly or greatly

   to be sorely taxed

   he will be sorely missed

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Etymology

Origin of sorely

before 900; Middle English sarely, soreli, Old English sārlīce; sore, -ly

Explanation

When something happens or is felt sorely, it occurs in an intense way. If you sorely miss your best friend after he moves to Hong Kong, you miss him a whole lot. You can say that assistance is sorely needed if your car breaks down by the side of the road, and if your grandparents' old farm house is starting to sag and lean to one side after years of not being cared for, you can describe it as sorely neglected. The adverb sorely is a bit old fashioned, but it's great for emphasizing the large degree to which something is true.

Example Sentences

This disgraced girl sorely needs that empathy herself.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Eleventh-hour explanations are sorely lacking, particularly when other heirs are affected.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 11, 2026

But if Frank thought this would ease the growing anger of travelling fans he would have been sorely mistaken as he once more felt the full force of their fury after the final whistle.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

An ideal future for Morakinyo would be to develop ecotourism -- sorely lacking in Nigeria, despite its rich wildlife -- and possibly generate funds from carbon credits.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Falteringly I work my way farther, I move off over the ground like a crab and rip my hands sorely on the jagged splinters, as sharp as razor blades.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque

Related Words

• acutely
• badly
• greatly
• sadly
• severely
• woefully