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

Leo lamented “the growth of a wealthy elite, living in a bubble of comfort and luxury, almost in another world compared to ordinary people.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Last Friday, when announcing her resignation from Congress, she lamented that five major bills she sponsored had never been considered.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Steyer now laments in his launch video that “we have the second highest electricity rates in the country.”

From The Wall Street Journal

One widespread lament is the possible loss of unfettered tailgating on a sprawling golf course and surrounding parking lots.

From Los Angeles Times

Our “contemporary age,” he laments, “likes to signal its own virtue by calling out others without looking at the nuances of the case.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bemoan
• deplore
• regret