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 Feminism is teaching girls to be bitter and hate all men, bemoans another. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 June 2025 After months of talking up the prospects for diplomacy with Iran (and years of bemoaning past American military failures in the Middle East), the famously mercurial Trump seemed to have embraced a more hawkish view. Reid Smith, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2025 President Donald Trump has bemoaned a new acronym that has been used to describe his approach to tariffs. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 2 June 2025 Joe Axelson, who was the Kings general manager at the time, bemoaned the lack of interest in the team in Kansas City. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bemoan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemoan
Verb
  • The world has mourned the loss of 27 campers and counselors, and 10 girls are still missing, according to the camp.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2025
  • The Bruins community is mourning at the passing of one of the great characters in the club’s century-long history, Lyndon Byers, who died on Friday at the age of 61.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • The airline deeply regrets this tragic incident and extends its condolences to the family of the person involved.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 12 July 2025
  • But Manchester United probably regretted the loss of Carlos Tevez, who had won the league twice at Old Trafford but is probably better remembered for moving across the city and helping Manchester City win their first Premier League title in 2012.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Some in the industry have watched in frustration as Trump lamented how businesses including farming and hospitality could be hurt by his policies, wondering why those who clean hotel rooms or pick tomatoes deserve more attention than those who care for elders.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 14 July 2025
  • Parents often lament how children grow up too quickly.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bemoan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemoan. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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