lamentable

adjective

la·​men·​ta·​ble lə-ˈmen-tə-bəl 

also

ˈla-mən- 

1

: that is to be regretted or lamented : deplorable

the lamentable consequences of the war

2

: expressing grief : mournful

a faint and lamentable cry

—Walter de la Mare

lamentableness noun

lamentably

lə-ˈmen-tə-blē 

also

ˈla-mən- 

adverb

Synonyms

• aching
• agonized
• anguished
• bemoaning
• bewailing
• bitter
• deploring
• doleful
• dolesome
• dolorous
• funeral
• grieving
• heartbroken
• lugubrious
• mournful
• plaintive
• plangent
• regretful
• rueful
• sorrowful
• sorry
• wailing
• weeping
• woeful

Examples of lamentable in a Sentence

the lamentable cries of the women for their slain sons were heard throughout the village

it's a lamentable situation, but I don't see how it can be fixed

Recent Examples on the Web

This lamentable record is spurring calls to amend the constitution from the current single five-year term to two terms, as well as perhaps holding parliamentary elections at the same time as presidential to avoid the executive and legislature being constantly at odds with each other. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025

These are laudable qualities in a diplomat but lamentable in a writer of memoirs. —Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2021

Harry’s statements reflect a sense of resignation regarding the lamentable state of their relationship, which remains deeply fractured. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2025

Back at the hotel bar, the bartender told them the lamentable story of Irn‑Bru. —Patricia Lockwood, New Yorker, 18 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lamentable

• rentable
• fermentable
• presentable
• preventable
• representable

Kids Definition

lamentable

adjective

la·​men·​ta·​ble ˈlam-ən-tə-bəl  lə-ˈment-ə- 

1

: that is to be regretted or lamented

2

: sorrowful sense 2

lamentableness noun

lamentably

-blē 

adverb