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

Elected leaders at the state and local levels bemoan our housing crisis.

From Voice of San Diego

Rallying cries from opponents of housing reform bemoan that even modest increases in density are a threat to their community’s “character” or the “California dream of single-family home ownership.”

From Voice of San Diego

For years, marketers and agency execs have bemoaned some of the dated processes of the industry.

From Digiday

Schools were de facto the priority, as only they had a path to reopen – a fact that the mayor bemoaned in a lengthy letter about how desperately businesses needed to open.

From Voice of San Diego

Of course, this isn’t a new realization brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, as agency leaders have long bemoaned the fee-based payment model that agencies still use today.

From Digiday

How many times have you heard a dubious Cup observer bemoan a low-scoring game?

From The Daily Beast

While most comics would bemoan going on this late, but not Ardie.

From The Daily Beast

Critics who are less bullish on The Crazy Ones bemoan all of this, protesting that the Robin Williams shtick is worn out.

From The Daily Beast

They bemoan the fact that poker games are too often delayed because people get up to take smoke breaks.

From The Daily Beast

College presidents publicly bemoan the plethora of college rankings.

From The Daily Beast

The English name was hateful, and he would rather die when Ireland was lost than live in England to bemoan it.

From Project Gutenberg

Even Catharine might never bemoan his wickednesses to her husband.

From Project Gutenberg

A young book-buyer might well turn out upon Primrose Hill and bemoan his youth, after comparing old catalogues with new.

From Project Gutenberg

I know that you bemoan the manner in which he has been brought up; but such late repentance must be avoided like poison.

From Project Gutenberg

O the many weeks that I have had to sit with my mouth in the dust to bemoan my own inward misery!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deplore
• lament
• mourn
• regret