BEMOAN Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bemoan

verb

bi-ˈmōn

Definition of bemoan next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to regret

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 No mater the result, both men will be hugely enriched and smiling, because, to those bemoaning what a farce this is, the joke’s on us. —

Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025 One of his promises was not to pass catch-all year-end spending bills, which conservatives have long bemoaned as a grab-bag of spending. —

Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025 There is a subset of NBA fans on social media who have bemoaned these changes. —

Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 7 Jan. 2025 And yet the Kamala Harris campaign, desperate to place some blame somewhere for her loss — anywhere but on their own decisions — bemoaned her not being on his podcast. —

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bemoan

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemoan

Verb

American flags are back to full-staff at the U.S. Capitol in honor of Donald Trump's inauguration, breaking from the U.S. flag code's guidelines for mourning a president.

— Rachel Raposas, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
People arrived in the City of Brotherly Love to mourn the majestic ship that’s nearly as long as the Chrysler Building.

— Danny Freeman, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025