bemoan

verb

be·​moan bi-ˈmōn 

bē-

bemoaned; bemoaning; bemoans

transitive verb

1

: to express deep grief or distress over

bemoan the death of their leader

2

: to regard with displeasure, disapproval, or regret

bemoaning the lack of civility in modern political discourse

Synonyms

• bewail
• deplore
• grieve (for)
• lament
• mourn
• wail (for)

Choose the Right Synonym for bemoan

deplore, lament, bewail, bemoan mean to express grief or sorrow for something.

deplore implies regret for the loss or impairment of something of value.

deplores the breakdown in family values

lament implies a profound or demonstrative expression of sorrow.

lamenting the loss of their only child

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

Examples of bemoan in a Sentence

He bemoans the fact that the team lost again.

an article bemoaning the decline in voter turnout

Some critics are always bemoaning the state of the language.

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet, for all champion-elect Liverpool’s smoothness this season, the heady rise of underdogs Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, and big shots like Manchester City falling, some are bemoaning the English top flight’s sense of predictability as the finish line nears. —Henry Flynn, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

But often, these decisions result in the kind of formulaic narratives fans bemoan—even among the most dedicated franchise fans. —Bing Chen, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025

Members of the Maryland congressional delegation bemoaned the loss of life in Israel and Gaza but somehow failed to mention that the sole reason for that loss of life was Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the terror atrocities of Oct. 7 committed by terror groups and Gazan citizens. —Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2025

Supporter Kiran Moodley has bemoaned the board’s handling of the club. —Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bemoan

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone
• dethrone

Kids Definition

bemoan

verb

be·​moan bi-ˈmōn 

: to express grief over