LAMENTATION Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

lamentation

noun

ˌla-mən-ˈtā-shən

Definition of lamentation

as in wail

a crying out in grief there was a great lamentation on Wall Street when the government's latest unemployment figures were published

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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 lamentation These rock lamentations will not be carried over to the full-length album the band still has in the works, which Bono promises will have a more joyful tone. — Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026 The album’s Bandcamp blurb shouts out Ghédalia Tarzatès, the late French composer who collaged his wails and lamentations in the endangered Ladino language to evoke pangs of existential angst. — H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026 The ghetto is full of lamentation. — Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026 The space was replete with the repetitive knocking of drumsticks, the undulating rhythm of Qur’anic prayers, and the gut-wrenching murmur of lamentation coming from That is not still (Sesuatu yang tidak berdiam), a 2024 video work about Indonesia’s diverse soundscape. — Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lamentation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lamentation

Noun

Feverish with feeling, the women scream, wail and sob, each one experiencing her misery multiply in real time as the remaining two look on in disdain.

— Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Geddy Lee, Rush No bassist’s singing voice has ever created a more pronounced contrast with his instrument than Rush’s Geddy Lee, who moved the piercing wail of influences like Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant up another octave.

— Al Shipley, SPIN, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of wail

Noun

Seated in a wheelchair, he was quickly wheeled out of the courtroom after the sentencing, while some of his accusers hugged and brushed away tears.

— Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
The night also featured some tears, surprise cameos, the reveal of a rehearsal injury for one pro dancer and a new change implented at the judges' panel.

— Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of tears

Noun

The band’s ninth album reflects on life, death and grief in a journey of mourning that was deeply personal for Gorillaz co-creators Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, who lost their fathers within 10 days of each other.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
So, her lovely black taffeta mourning overdress is beautiful.

— Radhika Seth, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of mourning

Noun

Williams intermittently cuts to ominous exterior shots of a dark church and layers in a score of hymnal lament.

— Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2026
That ambiguity is echoed in Banks’ score, which takes on the tone of a lament and a celebration, frustration and hope, struggle and liberation, the quest for transcendence in the face of the challenges posed by daunting inequities.

— George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of lament

Noun

Body camera footage showed Flynn weeping, covering his face, and rocking back and forth as police searched his home.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
When the curtain went up, Valencia spent the first several minutes overcome by emotion, glassy-eyed and weeping.

— Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of weeping

Noun

The company’s presentation was punctuated by boos and groans from hundreds of Chinatown, Bridgeport and Armour Square residents.

— Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
There were times in the second half when boos and plenty of groans were heard inside Old Trafford.

— Chris McKenna, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of groan

Noun

With every whimper, sigh, howl, bark and head tilt, these dogs create an empathetic portrayal of a highly intelligent creature that has been through battle and has the scars (and nightmares) to prove it.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
The howls of outrage from an undisclosed location in Europe reached our shores.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of howl

Browse Nearby Words

lamentably

lamentation

lamentations

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Style

“Lamentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lamentation. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of lamentation

noun

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