lament

[luh-ment]

See more synonyms for lament on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to feel or express sorrow or regret for: to lament his absence.
to mourn for or over.

verb (used without object)

to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret.
to mourn deeply.

noun

an expression of grief or sorrow.
a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, especially in verse or song; an elegy or dirge.

Origin of lament

1520–30; (noun) < Latin lāmentum plaint; (v.) < Latin lāmentārī, derivative of lāmentum

Related formsla·ment·er, nounla·ment·ing·ly, adverb

Synonyms for lament

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1, 2. bewail, bemoan, deplore. 3, 4. grieve, weep. 5. lamentation, moan. 6. monody, threnody.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for lament

bemoan, deplore, regret, moan, bewail, sob, rue, wail, sorrow, cry, bawl, hurt, repine, rain, sing, weep, bleed, howl

Examples from the Web for lament

Contemporary Examples of lament

While many today lament that iPhones and iPads have become almost extra limbs, for Hockney they were a breakthrough for his art.
The Many Lives of Artist David Hockney
William O’Connor
November 23, 2014
But by and large, McCain and Kaine didn't so much disagree as lament different topics.
Politics End In Halifax As Democratic and GOP Senators Seek Common Ground on National Security
Tim Mak
November 22, 2014
So go the lyrics of the iconic 1970 Joni Mitchell lament, “Big Yellow Taxi.”
Paved Paradise
The Daily Beast
September 24, 2014
But even if you blame the parties equally, or blame the Democrats more, you should lament this: It harms the United States.
American Statesmanship Is Depressingly MIA on Border Kids, MH17 & Gaza
Michael Tomasky
July 21, 2014
Millions of other Americans will lament they live in cities with strapped budgets that throw piddling BBQs and hand out sparklers.
James Madison’s Lesson in Delayed Great-ification
Kevin Bleyer
July 4, 2014

Historical Examples of lament

"Yes, but something is always happening," she continued in lament.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
This is the unfortunate story that gave rise to my printed poem, "The Lament."
The Letters of Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Do not lament my fate; I will always be happy while I know you are so.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 264, July 14, 1827
Various
He would creep in secret to the temple of the god, and lament because he had lost the princess.
The Chinese Fairy Book
Various
Alas, though I myself should be buried in the ruin, why should I apprehend, or why lament it?
Imogen
William Godwin

British Dictionary definitions for lament

lament

verb

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

noun

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

Derived Formslamenter, nounlamentingly, adverb

Word Origin for lament

C16: from Latin lāmentum

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for lament

mid-15c., back-formation from lamentation or else from Middle French lamenter "to moan, bewail" (14c.) and directly from Latin lamentari, from lamentum (see lamentation). Related: Lamented; lamenting.

1590s, from Middle French lament and directly from Latin lamentum (see lamentation).