bemoan

1
as in to mourn
to feel or express sorrow for bemoaned the death of his wife by writing a series of poignant letters addressed to her

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2
as in to regret
to feel sorry or dissatisfied about a think piece bemoaning the coarsening of our society over the last several decades

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How does the verb bemoan differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bemoan are bewail, deplore, and lament. While all these words mean "to express grief or sorrow for something," bewail and bemoan imply sorrow, disappointment, or protest finding outlet in words or cries, bewail commonly suggesting loudness, and bemoan lugubriousness.

fans bewailed the defeat
purists bemoaning the corruption of the language

When could deplore be used to replace bemoan?

While the synonyms deplore and bemoan are close in meaning, deplore implies regret for the loss or impairment of something of value.

deplores the breakdown in family values

When is lament a more appropriate choice than bemoan?

While in some cases nearly identical to bemoan, lament implies a profound or demonstrative expression of sorrow.

lamenting the loss of their only child

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bemoan This isn’t the first time Jones has bemoaned her character’s ignorance of the R&B hitmaker. John Russell, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025 Interestingly, neither will much of the left, which has spent decades bemoaning the social and environmental toll of cheap fashion. Felix Salmon, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025 Some bemoaned the loss of the team’s previous spirit. Guillermo Rai, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025 Interestingly, neither will much of the left, which has spent decades bemoaning the social and environmental toll of cheap fashion. Felix Salmon, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bemoan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemoan
Verb
  • Also, the episode opens with the introduction of Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby with a group of Fireflies, seemingly mourning the losses at the hospital where Joel murdered everyone to save Ellie.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Dominican communities, which are heavily Christian, will celebrate the holidays while mourning the Jet Set roof collapse.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Putin, bent on total victory, may regret passing up the extraordinary chance offered by Trump to end his disastrous Ukraine war and cut his country’s substantial losses.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Milwaukee likely regrets not having added Smith to their 40-man roster, as injuries prompted them to trade for a starter in April.
    Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In recent years, PSG’s French supporters have occasionally lamented the fact that multiple superstar players — among them Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Messi — have spent time at the club without making an effort to learn the language of their new home country.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Whiteley at least tries, and an episode in which several of the international players lament the difficulties of playing out a six-month season without access to their families, many of whom struggle to get visas, is a standout.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bemoan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemoan. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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