lament

American  

[luh-ment] / ləˈmɛnt /

verb (used with object)

1. to feel or express sorrow or regret for.

   to lament his absence.

   Synonyms:

   deplore, bemoan, bewail

2. to mourn for or over.

   Synonyms:

   deplore, bemoan, bewail

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verb (used without object)

1. to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret.

   Synonyms:

   weep, grieve

2. to mourn deeply.

   Synonyms:

   weep, grieve

noun

1. an expression of grief or sorrow.

   Synonyms:

   moan, lamentation

2. a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, especially in verse or song; an elegy or dirge.

   Synonyms:

   threnody, monody

lament British  

/ ləˈmɛnt /

verb

1. to feel or express sorrow, remorse, or regret (for or over)

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noun

1. an expression of sorrow

2. a poem or song in which a death is lamented

Other Word Forms

• lamenter noun
• lamentingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of lament

First recorded in 1520–30; (noun) from Latin lāmentum “plaint”; (verb) from Latin lāmentārī, derivative of lāmentum

Example Sentences

"Merchants and residents moved to Port Sudan," the mayor said, lamenting the decline of what he calls "Sudan's great treasure".

From Barron's

Today’s stars, he lamented, seemed far less committed to activism than he and his peers had been.

From The Wall Street Journal

She views footage of the Palisades fire burning in Los Angeles, lamenting the cost to "the families".

From BBC

"There are only a few companies left fighting for French manufacturing," and even opticians no longer really believe in the Made in France label anymore, he lamented.

From Barron's

However, the enterprise was labelled a "disgusting PR stunt" by the Brandenburg Farmers' Association, which lamented the impact on local markets.

From BBC

Related Words

• bemoan
• deplore
• regret