lament

[ luh-ment ]

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

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

/ ləˈmɛnt /

verb

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

noun

1. an expression of sorrow
2. a poem or song in which a death is lamented

Derived Forms

• laˈmenter, noun
• laˈmentingly, adverb

Other Words From

• la·ment·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lament¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lament¹

C16: from Latin lāmentum

Example Sentences

It’s a true elegy, a lament for the dead, a yearning for the lost.

From Vox

After nearly a year of working from home, the difficulty in finding ways to connect with peers and lament workplace issues is getting to some creatives.

From Digiday

When things inevitably begin to get heavy, there are no emotional outbursts, no histrionic laments, no ugly crying.

From Washington Blade

All we have is a lament for another child our city has lost.

From Washington Post

Over the years, his encyclopedic knowledge of the decline—or, more charitably, the evolution—of American industry has crystallized into a kind of lament about the shifting character of the US economy.

From MIT Technology Review

While many today lament that iPhones and iPads have become almost extra limbs, for Hockney they were a breakthrough for his art.

From The Daily Beast

But by and large, McCain and Kaine didn't so much disagree as lament different topics.

From The Daily Beast

So go the lyrics of the iconic 1970 Joni Mitchell lament, “Big Yellow Taxi.”

From The Daily Beast

And yet the voices we hear over the footage of school closures lament the potential loss of … football.

From The Daily Beast

But even if you blame the parties equally, or blame the Democrats more, you should lament this: It harms the United States.

From The Daily Beast

And her gates shall lament and mourn, and she shall sit desolate on the ground.

From Project Gutenberg

Ethel hesitated a little, and presently answered, "I don't think it can be right to lament for our own sakes so much, is it?"

From Project Gutenberg

Hence also the word was particularly used to signify any complaint or lament, or a chant at the burial-service.

From Project Gutenberg

Profitable trade was their one aim and the extravagances of their servants and apprentices their increasing lament.

From Project Gutenberg

His glowing eyes and the half-choked voice in which he concluded gave an authentic stamp to his lament and pronouncement.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bemoan
• deplore
• regret