LAMENTATION Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

lamentation

noun

ˌla-mən-ˈtā-shən

Definition of lamentation

as in wail

a crying out in grief there was a great lamentation on Wall Street when the government's latest unemployment figures were published

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lamentation These rock lamentations will not be carried over to the full-length album the band still has in the works, which Bono promises will have a more joyful tone. — Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026 The album’s Bandcamp blurb shouts out Ghédalia Tarzatès, the late French composer who collaged his wails and lamentations in the endangered Ladino language to evoke pangs of existential angst. — H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026 The ghetto is full of lamentation. — Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026 The space was replete with the repetitive knocking of drumsticks, the undulating rhythm of Qur’anic prayers, and the gut-wrenching murmur of lamentation coming from That is not still (Sesuatu yang tidak berdiam), a 2024 video work about Indonesia’s diverse soundscape. — Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lamentation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lamentation

Noun

Mourners beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise as the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was unveiled beneath a glass case at the Grand Mosalla.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
After a second of consideration, Naim slams the grate shut to the monster’s wails, and the audience’s relief.

— Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026

Definition of wail

Noun

While relatives looked on in bemusement, my brother and I burst into tears, inconsolable.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
On Wednesday, Argentina player Lisandro Martínez was asked if the banner could have stirred deep emotions and tears for a veteran of the Malvinas conflict.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of tears

Noun

For the second year in a row, this quiet Hill Country town is digging itself out of a catastrophe that has mercilessly taken a community trying to heal and set them back on the path of mourning.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
On Monday, July 13, the Gandesa City Council decreed two days of official mourning, during which the flags of the municipal buildings will fly at half-mast.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026

Definition of mourning

Noun

At first glance, the title sounds like another lament for the decline of local newspapers.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
The coffin was unveiled late on Thursday to a throng of sobbing supporters, who were swaying and beating their heads in time to a sung lament as flowers were thrown from the bier into the crowd.

— Reuters, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Definition of lament

Noun

Co-chair Emily Ladau, a disability rights activist, communications strategist and author, framed the committee's work around a phrase long used as a rallying cry in disability advocacy circles.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
The players turned the international spotlight and goodwill of their 2023 victory into an international rallying cry that highlighted the poor treatment of female players.

— Madeline Fox, NPR, 17 July 2026

Definition of cry

Noun

The latter was the leader of a failed uprising against the ruling Elizabeth 1, and the weeping stag was often used as a symbol adopted by the Earl’s supporters.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026
Kimiya was closest, sprawled across the floor weeping, debris swirling around her.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of weeping

Noun

The groan-shout of sweaty irritation that rose from our bench was life-sucking, and also far too familiar.

— Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 8 July 2026
When his attempt to force a second playoff hole rolled just left, the hundreds who gathered around the green were stunned, letting out a collective groan of disbelief.

— Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026

Definition of groan

Browse Nearby Words

lamentably

lamentation

lamentations

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“Lamentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lamentation. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of lamentation

noun

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