bemoan

[ bih-mohn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to express distress or grief over; lament:

   to bemoan one's fate.

2. to regard with regret or disapproval.

bemoan

/ bɪˈməʊn /

verb

1. to grieve over (a loss, etc); mourn; lament (esp in the phrase bemoan one's fate )

Other Words From

• be·moaning·ly adverb
• unbe·moaned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bemoan¹

before 1000; be- + moan; replacing bemene, Middle English bimenen, Old English bimǣnan ( bi- be- + mǣnan to moan)

Word History and Origins

Origin of bemoan¹

Old English bemǣnan ; see be- , moan

Example Sentences

He bemoaned the lack of political clout wielded by Latinos in L.A., especially when compared with the Black community.

From Los Angeles Times

At some point in your time living in L.A. you’ve probably heard someone bemoan it as a city built for cars.

From Los Angeles Times

Ohio Senate candidate Bernie Moreno was caught on video bemoaning the "single issue" women voters and wondering why women over 50 would care about it.

From Salon

Trevor bemoaned how I could possibly want to be friends with them and how badly they felt for hurting me, saying they just couldn’t help hurting people all the time.

From Los Angeles Times

As more companies and product lines have shifted from one-time payments to recurring monthly fees, more consumers have bemoaned the hurdles they have to clear to extricate themselves from the subscriptions they no longer want.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deplore
• lament
• mourn
• regret