lament

verb

la·ment | \ lə-ˈment

lamented; lamenting; laments

Definition of lament

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to mourn aloud : wail nightingales lament without ceasing— L. P. Smith

transitive verb

1 : to express sorrow, mourning, or regret for often demonstratively : mourn … must regret the imprudence, lament the result …— Jane Austen

2 : to regret strongly He lamented his decision not to go to college.

lament

noun

Definition of lament (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a crying out in grief : wailing

2 : dirge, elegy

3 : complaint

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about lament

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Choose the Right Synonym for lament

Verb

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 lament in a Sentence

Verb

She lamented over the loss of her best friend. “I've lost my best friend!” she lamented.

Noun

The poem is a lament for a lost love. the national lament that was heard when President Kennedy was assassinated

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But Clifton lamented that children might feel unsafe when playing on the field in future games. — Josh Magness, miamiherald, "Man 'took the hit for the kids' and died when car sped onto Maine baseball field, witness says," 2 June 2018 During a Globe interview in early August 2016, Buffett lamented her health woes, including cancer and cardiac problems, but was able to converse coherently. — Sacha Pfeiffer, BostonGlobe.com, "Sunshine Lady’s charitable work for Warren Buffett clouded over," 5 May 2018 Democrats, who face a supermajority of Republicans in both the House and Senate, noted some success as well but also lamented what could have been. — Keith Ridler, The Seattle Times, "Idaho Legislature wraps up session that ends with acrimony," 11 Apr. 2019 Woodard was quoted in the same article as lamenting a lack of justice. — Washington Post, "Civil Rights Historians tell little known story of WWII vet," 29 May 2018 Williams shared a photo on her Instagram, lamenting the end of Arya’s journey. — Meagan Fredette, refinery29.com, "Is Arya Stark The Last Woman Standing On Game Of Thrones?," 7 July 2018 The Liverpool Echo got a bit ahead of themselves back in May, lamenting Gareth Southgate's decision to name Harry Kane as his new England captain ahead of the World Cup and taking the honour away from Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson. — SI.com, "Can Sergio Ramos Become the 2nd Captain to Lift the European Cup & World Cup in the Same Year?," 15 June 2018 Since Robert Putnam’s famous 2000 book Bowling Alone, scholars have lamented the loss of civic bonds in America. — Sean Illing, Vox, "Intellectuals have said democracy is failing for a century. They were wrong.," 20 Dec. 2018 Carroll said, specifically lamenting that Seattle failed on five third downs of five yards or less. — Bob Condotta, The Seattle Times, "10 things we learned from Pete Carroll Tuesday: Chris Carson has taken the lead at tailback, Shaquem Griffin will have competition, and more," 11 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Critics often point to Victoria's seemingly all-consuming affection for Albert and her laments that their children failed to console her in his absence. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "What Was Queen Victoria Like as a Mother?," 13 Jan. 2019 The movement of the sea, flowing toward the island, was a kiss; the grazing sheep kissed the earth; the air amid the leaves and grass was a lament of kisses. — Lily Tuck, WSJ, "‘Arturo’s Island’ Review: Childhood’s End," 22 Feb. 2019 Michael Gerson lays out a particularly condemnatory, yet nuanced, version of the Christian anti-Trump lament in a lengthy, elegant essay in the April issue of the Atlantic. — Nancy D. Wadsworth, Vox, "The racial demons that help explain evangelical support for Trump," 30 Apr. 2018 Typically, Chief Justice Roberts has used the occasion to comment on matters of concern to judges, from laments over lagging salaries to courtroom safety, and this year’s report largely followed that precedent. — Jess Bravin, WSJ, "Chief Justice Roberts Addresses Misconduct in Judiciary, Avoids Politics," 31 Dec. 2018 So many of our stories are laments: the last maître d’, the closing of iconic restaurant after iconic restaurant. — Devra First, BostonGlobe.com, "What’s on the menu at Falmouth’s Buffalo Jump? ‘Weird food that only weirdos like’," 11 July 2018 The stage is set for a courtroom melodrama crawling with straw-man atheists, pseudo-introspective laments and specious arguments concerning the separation of church and state. — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "A Christian critic wrestles with new biblical films and the hope of a better 'faith-based' cinema," 30 Mar. 2018 All photos courtesy of Carado Peruse any camper forum—or Facebook group—and you’ll notice a common lament: Why does Europe get all of the innovative campers? — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Compact camper van fits a bathroom, sleeps two," 27 Nov. 2018 His wife is on him to tone it down, plus free-throw groaning and rebound laments are pretty tame. — Carolyn Hax, The Seattle Times, "Worried that her husband’s decision to order a burger could be a sign of dementia," 24 July 2018

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