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
In confidential interviews, students voiced deep frustration that their academic experience is being eclipsed by ideological imperatives, with many lamenting the intrusion of political conformity into spaces meant for intellectual and professional growth. Kevin Waldman, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025 In a post on social media platform X, the Orlando Democrat lamented the make-up of the commission entrusted with protecting Florida’s wildlife, waterways and conservation lands, saying the agency needs reform. Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
Silverman joined the parade with a lament about the changing times. Paul Harris, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025 But where Knight of Cups often drifts along in a generalized fog of melancholy, Blanchett actually makes the film’s lament for shattered relationships and thwarted potential actually hurt. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lament
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lament
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
  • But for actors who already regret inking deals that prevent them from taking down harmful videos, the money may no longer seem worth the trouble.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The wail of sirens echoed through Marysville on Thursday morning as hundreds lined D Street to honor a fallen officer — the first Marysville police officer killed in the line of duty in more than a century — whose body was ushered to a Placer County funeral home.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Those harsh, swelling wails of warning become the film’s punctuating sonic motif — in stark contrast to the buoyant, babbling vocal interjections of Alexey Shmurak’s unexpected a cappella score, a literal chorus of humanity amid the chaos.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Returnal Returnal was one of the first exclusives of the PS5 generation; a fabulously grotesque sci-fi horror dirge, and still worth your attention today.
    Luke Winkie, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025
  • On the final night, one of the regulars hired a Scotsman in a kilt to play a bagpipe dirge.
    Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The motor produces a whine that is noticeable but not distracting.
    William Roberson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Israel Hernandez heard the faint whine of sirens outside his Wilmington apartment and looked up just in time to see a minivan crash into another vehicle as police gave chase.
    Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • One third of the way into Katie Kitamura’s 2017 novel, A Separation, its narrator asks an elderly Greek woman to demonstrate a traditional funeral lamentation.
    Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
  • There have been lamentations about the end of an era and anxiety in the fan and creative communities about the risk of over-exploitation of the British super-spy.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Eephus is an elegy, but with just the barest hint of sentimentality—a shrugging send-off that simultaneously cares deeply about America’s pastime.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Lachlan Murdoch delivered a brief elegy this morning for shuttered sports streaming joint venture Venu but said Fox is moving ahead with plans to launch a new direct-to-consumer service drawing on all its content and brands by the end of the calendar year.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • And there, like an old friend, is Cronenberg’s regular composer Howard Shore with a synth moan to keep the mood unnerving.
    Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The audience thought his moans were all part of the act.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lament.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lament. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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