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

Britt said she declined two marriage proposals from McCarthy and lamented how nearly all the characters she inspired him to write died.

From Los Angeles Times

“We are being asked to borrow money to cover the liability costs created by our crumbling infrastructure instead of actually fixing it,” lamented Jessica Meaney, executive director of the nonprofit Investing in Place.

From Los Angeles Times

The museum’s chief curator has lamented that “it looks like a postage stamp.”

From Los Angeles Times

The pair met in the White House, where Trump lamented the actual work of being president.

From Salon

After a demoralising US Open first-round exit, Raducanu lamented the lack of court time in the run-up and it led to valid questions about her match sharpness in Malaga.

From BBC

Related Words

• bemoan
• deplore
• regret