lamentable

adjective

la·​men·​ta·​ble lə-ˈmen-tə-bəl 

also

ˈla-mən- 

1

: that is to be regretted or lamented : deplorable

the lamentable consequences of the war

2

: expressing grief : mournful

… a faint and lamentable cry …

—Walter de la Mare

lamentableness noun

lamentably

lə-ˈmen-tə-blē 

also

ˈla-mən- 

adverb

Synonyms of lamentable

• mournful
• weeping
• heartbroken
• funeral
• bitter
• sad
• wailing
• grieving

Examples of lamentable in a Sentence

the lamentable cries of the women for their slain sons were heard throughout the village

it's a lamentable situation, but I don't see how it can be fixed

Recent Examples on the Web

Ella, whose innocent, concerned face shows an interest in reading her father’s moods, has picked up that a new horizon isn’t entirely lamentable. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

The coarsening of the debate is lamentable, but that’s not the same thing as saying coarse criticism is an incitement to violence. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 28 Apr. 2026

Newcastle’s record against the present top 11 is lamentable, with only four league wins from 17 matches. —Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026

That lack of trust in America, and in particular the American president, is understandable, but deeply lamentable. —S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lamentable

• rentable
• fermentable
• presentable
• preventable
• representable

Kids Definition

lamentable

adjective

la·​men·​ta·​ble ˈlam-ən-tə-bəl  lə-ˈment-ə- 

1

: that is to be regretted or lamented

2

: sorrowful sense 2

lamentableness noun

lamentably

-blē 

adverb