bemoan

verb

be·​moan bi-ˈmōn How to pronounce bemoan (audio)
bē-
bemoaned; bemoaning; bemoans
Synonyms of bemoannext

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
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
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.
Coach Jay Pandolfo bemoaned his team’s lack of net-front presence after the Terriers’ first goal. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026 Fans used to agree, complaining when the show would keep mixing former and first-time players, or bemoaning the same faces playing over and over again. Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026 Slot bemoaned the fine margins but there have been far too many hard-luck stories. James Pearce, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026 This all comes off as quite wholesome and healthy and refreshing to the large group of investors who spent the past three years bemoaning the increasing concentration of market value in a small cluster of AI-chasing tech platform giants. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bemoan

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bemoan was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Bemoan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bemoan. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

bemoan

verb
be·​moan bi-ˈmōn How to pronounce bemoan (audio)
: to express grief over

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