bemoan

verb be·moan \ bi-ˈmōn , bē- \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: bemoan in a Sentence

Definition of bemoan

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

See bemoan defined for English-language learners

See bemoan defined for kids

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 of bemoan from the Web

There was never any shortage of exclamation points online, nor a shortage of curmudgeons to bemoan their ubiquity.

— julie beck, The Atlantic, "Exclamation Point Inflation," 27 June 2018
Protesters bemoaned the fact that California also has the worst poverty rate in the nation, factoring in cost-of-living expenses.

— taryn luna, sacbee, "Why people keep getting arrested at the state Capitol," 12 June 2018
Every now and again, Hill hears older residents bemoan the loss of Clayton’s quainter days.

— max blau, STAT, "In the ‘diabetes belt,’ a small town grapples with growth of the world’s largest insulin maker," 15 May 2018
After bemoaning the fact that their faces were still dry, the two women jointly decided to whip out a pair of sheet masks and try again.

— maria pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Amy Schumer and Kate McKinnon Lock Lips — and Touch Tongues — in SNL Make-Out Sketch," 13 May 2018
Instead of bemoaning the problem, Richie good-naturedly pointed out an irony.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "How to be as cool as Lionel Richie at Jazz Fest 2018," 4 May 2018
That might seem like quite a statement from a guy who once bemoaned touring in the Yuck days.

— john norris, Billboard, "Daniel Blumberg Talks His Musical 'Reboot' With the Deeply Personal 'Minus' & Putting Yuck Behind Him," 4 May 2018
When Ross bemoans the mugging as the loss of his original artwork for Science Boy, Phoebe recalls keeping it and returns it to Ross.

— vanessa golembewski, Glamour, "Have You Noticed They're Always Reading on Friends? Yes, Even Joey," 2 July 2018
Industry giants are bemoaning the tax, calling it unconstitutional and banding together to file a lawsuit in Commonwealth Court.

— vinny vella, Philly.com, "Fireworks sales are booming in Pennsylvania thanks to a change in the law," 30 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bemoan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of bemoan

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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bemoan Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.