BEMOAN Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'bemoan' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bemoan are bewail , deplore , and lament . While all these words mean "to express grief or sorrow for something," 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

Q: When could 'deplore' be used to replace 'bemoan'?

While the synonyms deplore and bemoan are close in meaning, deplore implies regret for the loss or impairment of something of value. // deplores the breakdown in family values

Q: When is 'lament' a more appropriate choice than 'bemoan'?

While in some cases nearly identical to bemoan , lament implies a profound or demonstrative expression of sorrow. // lamenting the loss of their only child

bemoan

verb

bi-ˈmōn

Definition of bemoan next

as in to mourn

to feel or express sorrow for bemoaned the death of his wife by writing a series of poignant letters addressed to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to regret

to feel sorry or dissatisfied about a think piece bemoaning the coarsening of our society over the last several decades

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bemoan differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bemoan are bewail, deplore, and lament. While all these words mean "to express grief or sorrow for something," 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

When could deplore be used to replace bemoan?

While the synonyms deplore and bemoan are close in meaning, deplore implies regret for the loss or impairment of something of value.

deplores the breakdown in family values

When is lament a more appropriate choice than bemoan?

While in some cases nearly identical to bemoan, lament implies a profound or demonstrative expression of sorrow.

lamenting the loss of their only child

Examples 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 bemoan Many people bemoan the change in daylight, complaining about feeling tired. —

Kari Leibowitz, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024 Behind me, a group of Italians plowed through cocktails, bemoaning their country’s political situation. —

Monisha Rajesh, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2024 In a message posted on X a day before the Netflix series premiered, Vince bemoaned the creators' covering the allegations against him. —

Skyler Trepel, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024 Fans, rather than being excited about the premiere date, bemoaned the split on social media where the previous three seasons of the show were not cut in half like this, but rather aired in a traditional Netflix binge. —

Paul Tassi, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bemoan

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemoan

Verb

Philadelphia Eagles icon Brandon Graham suffered what looked like a season-ending injury in the last minutes of Sunday's 37-20 win victory over the Los Angeles Rams, and fans are already mourning what may be the final moments of the defensive end's long career.

Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
But residents have mostly devoted efforts to cleaning up after the devastation and to mourning the dead.

Emma Bubola, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024