lament 1 of 2

1
2
as in to regret
to feel sorry or dissatisfied about the youth lamented not having spent more time with his late grandfather

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lament

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lament differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lament are bemoan, bewail, and deplore. While all these words mean "to express grief or sorrow for something," lament implies a profound or demonstrative expression of sorrow.

lamenting the loss of their only child

How do bewail and bemoan relate to one another, in the sense of lament?

Both 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 is it sensible to use deplore instead of lament?

The words deplore and lament are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deplore implies regret for the loss or impairment of something of value.

deplores the breakdown in family values

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 lament
Verb
Adults my age, and certainly the two generations before me, lament the loss of kids playing outside or in the neighborhood. Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 The apparel choice generated some healthy discourse, with some lamenting the lack of full Monarchs tribute attire. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2025
Noun
But now, to the lament of many people, Grinder’s Keepers in Bristol is closing for good on June. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025 The book closes with a stark—and accurate—lament of Washington’s distinct lack of ambition in its recent Arctic policies. Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lament
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lament
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
  • Also prominently featured were several young adults who transitioned as adolescents and later regretted it.
    Azeen Ghorayshi, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Thousands of cell phone lights and ear-piercing wails accompanied it.
    Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • So, Nan is nowhere near over Guy, and making things more awkward, Theo can hear his wife’s wails on the other side of the door.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • But today that moral arc is as twisted as a gnarled, rotten root, and God Bless America has been replaced by the mournful dirge of Taps.
    Marci Alborghetti, Hartford Courant, 3 July 2025
  • After learning of the loss of the iron ore freighter Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior and the deaths of all 29 crew members from Newsweek, Gord lifted passages from the article and put them to a dreamy dirge: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
    Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine's Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.
    Pavel Polityuk, USA Today, 4 July 2025
  • Pretty soon, the whine of the gears, the shriek of the diff, and the sheer cacophony of combustion make conversation all but impossible.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Give us your final lamentations on this year’s crop of cancellations in a comment below.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 21 May 2025
  • Their music is neither celebration nor lamentation.
    Amir Husain, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • Vo’s ongoing examination of empire and identity unfolds here as both monument and elegy.
    Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • What if Durham’s vision for the sequel could be turned inside out, undergoing a transformation like The Greatest from retrospective to comeback, elegy to unfinished story.
    Melina Moe May 19, Literary Hub, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Out comes another moan, this one closer to a laugh as Brandon’s face flashes a smile.
    Scott Craven, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
  • Suffice to say, the 2025 Cannes market will be filled with even more groans on moans than years past.
    Elsa Ramo, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lament.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lament. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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