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

Examples 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 Popular on Variety This is not the first time To has bemoaned curtailing of freedom of expression. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024 Hollywood luminaries are taking notice, lobbying for more financial support while bemoaning sky-high filming costs. —

Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024 Authoritative commentary in leading magazines has bemoaned that the West has fallen out of love with economic growth. —

Jon Moynihan, Fortune Europe, 3 Dec. 2024 Now, with changes afoot at what has been a reflexively anti-merger Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice, media moguls may again get to mogul-ing, instead of bemoaning their fates while leaving many others unemployed. —

David Bloom, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bemoan

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemoan

Verb

William Sadler is mourning the death of his wife, Marni Joan Bakst.

Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Residents of the town set flowers in front of a nearby church to mourn those who died Friday night.

Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Dec. 2024