bemoan

verb

be·​moan bi-ˈmōn 

bē-

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

Synonyms

• mourn
• lament
• regret

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

fans bewailed the defeat

purists bemoaning the corruption of the language

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 on the Web

Experts bemoan the loneliness epidemic and its impact on youth, mental health, longevity, and chronic pain. —Joni Eareckson Tada, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir hasn’t practiced this week because of a quadriceps injury, but Saleh is not bemoaning the possibility of another void. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025

Jokic bemoaned the team's lack of depth after Oklahoma City eliminated the Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals -- the team's second straight early exit -- and co-general managers Jon Wallace and Ben Tenzer got the message. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025

Ben Stiller has bemoaned the chilling effect on comedy during Donald Trump‘s second term. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bemoan

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone
• dethrone

Kids Definition

bemoan

verb

be·​moan bi-ˈmōn 

: to express grief over