bemoan
verb (used with object)
to express distress or grief over; lament.
had been bemoaning
-
past perfect progressiveof bemoan.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That very morning Mary had been bemoaning herself as to her hard condition.
From Dr. Wortle's School by Anthony Trollope
The older man, Sir Percival Hargraves, had been bemoaning the fact that England seemed honeycombed by the German Secret Service, and his nephew, John Hargraves, an officer in uniform, was attempting to reassure him.
From I Spy by Natalie Sumner Lincoln
"You'll be donning the cowl, next, Petrovitch, and preaching self-denial," said one, a handsome laughing youngster who had been bemoaning his own losses a minute before.
From By Right of Sword by Arthur W. (Arthur Williams) Marchmont
Shenac Dhu sighed, as if she had been bemoaning his poverty.
From Shenac's Work at Home by Margaret M. (Margaret Murray) Robertson
During all this time Johnny had been bemoaning his sad lot, at the top of the tree; there I left him, still lamenting.
From Wild Animals at Home by Ernest Thompson Seton
