Collocations for "sore"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "sore" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
sore
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- I have a sore [throat, thumb, back, shoulder, arm]
- sore [glands, tonsils]
- have a sore spot on my [back, nose, face]
- [medicine, treatment, medication] for sore [glands]
- my [throat, voice] is sore from [laughing, shouting, talking]
- my [legs, knees] are sore from [lifting, carrying, playing]
- [am, feel] sore all over
- is sore in [spots, places]
- is sore to (the) touch
- it's very sore to [swallow, touch, pee]
- was sore [at first, for a few days]
- that [topic, day] is still a sore spot (for her)
- is [quite, rather] a sore [point, subject, matter]
- [bring up, mention, discuss] a sore point
- is still sore about what she [said, did]
- is still sore at her for what she [said]
- you are a sight for sore eyes!
- was a sore [loss, rejection, defeat]
- don't be (such) a sore loser
- sticks out like a sore thumb
- have a sore on my [lip, foot, back]
- my new [shoes, boots] gave me a sore
- her [foot, arm] is covered with sores
- a sore from my new [shoes]
- has [foot] sores from [running, tight shoes]
- [treat, cover] an open sore
- [cold, canker, pressure] sores
- am developing a sore on
- a [large, painful] sore
- [an ointment, a cream] for [cold] sores
- figurative: [is a festering, open old] sore in the [talks, negotiations]
'sore' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
angry
- back
- bear
- belly
- bleeding
- blister
- bring
- buttock
- calf
- cradle
- crutch
- dirt
- dry
- feeble
- filled
- head
- heal
- heel
- hike
- hip
- knee
- knuckle
- limb
- lip
- loser
- masonry
- massage
- medicine
- ointment
- relieve
- running
- sight
- sprain
- stick
- swollen
- thigh
- throat
- thumb
- tired
- tummy