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 Word Forms

• bemoaningly adverb
• unbemoaned 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

She talked about how much she loves this city — “F— ICE forever,” she said at one point to huge applause — but bemoaned the “weird professionalism” she can feel when she’s onstage in L.A.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Many bemoan the interruption of the international break – Liverpool are currently struggling so badly they may just welcome the chance to clear their heads.

Read more on BBC

Manager Brendan Rodgers bemoaned what was a "huge moment" when Celtic had an Iheanacho goal ruled out early in the second half against Sporting Braga.

Read more on BBC

A few miles away, in the cafe at the city’s famed bookstore, Powell’s Books, a trio of retired friends bemoaned their beloved city’s negative image.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In it, the father, Igor Kruglov bemoaned that “ten days have passed” and yet the investigation is “being conducted by one local sheriff.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deplore 
• lament 
• mourn 
• regret