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 of bemoan

• 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

Yet while plenty of people bemoan the death of the big-screen romantic comedy—essays about this very problem arrive on schedule every few years or so, like impatient cicadas—nobody seems all that sad about the demise of chick lit. —Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 4 May 2026

Investing legend Warren Buffett bemoaned the gambling culture that has taken over financial markets while continuing to preach his brand of patience. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 May 2026

Nowadays, old-school residents bemoan the neighborhood’s evolution from grungy to grandiose; what was once a warren of hedonism has become a breeding ground for characterless watering holes whose lack of personality is bested only by the exorbitance of their beer prices. —Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026

Thomson has bemoaned the lineup’s pull-happy approach at various times in the past few weeks. —Matt Gelb, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026

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