bewail

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bewail differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bewail are bemoan, 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 is it sensible to use deplore instead of bewail?

The words deplore and bewail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deplore implies regret for the loss or impairment of something of value.

deplores the breakdown in family values

When could lament be used to replace bewail?

Although the words lament and bewail have much in common, 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 bewail The grandmother would flee, and Billy would smite his chest and in Old Testament tones bewail his sinful life. Werner Herzog, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023 Among progressives, the same people who bewail the influence of corporations on cultural and political life also propose to entrench the social role of big businesses by making individual Americans more dependent on them for everything from health care to retirement income. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 13 May 2021 Now Gove’s remark became the source of the ashen taste in the mouths of Remoaner metropolitan elites bewailing how provincial troglodytes, geriatrics, and Little Englanders had dashed their rationalist, internationalist dreams. Kyle Smith, National Review, 8 Apr. 2020 Trump’s critics bewailed the outcome as a defeat and a betrayal of our Kurdish allies. Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2019 Frequently bewailing the know-nothingness of the age, Davenport grouses that real scholarship has disappeared because of the vogue for critical approaches and appreciations. Michael Dirda, National Review, 25 July 2019 Understandably, promoters and artist representatives have long bewailed the enormous profits being made on the secondary market, which takes none of the risk and puts up none of the funding — and shares none of its profits — for major live events. Variety, The Mercury News, 24 July 2019 Across the country, North and South, Christians gathered in their churches to remember the crucifixion of Christ and to bewail their sins, which made such a sacrifice necessary. Jonathan Den Hartog, WSJ, 26 Apr. 2018 While progressives may cheer specific cases like Obergefell, recent years have seen them deliver numerous harsh assessments of the Supreme Court’s overall record, bewailing its interpretations of the Constitution that purportedly favor the wealthy. James W. Lucas, National Review, 8 Dec. 2017

Thesaurus Entries Near bewail

Cite this Entry

“Bewail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewail. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on bewail

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!