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

Legendary basketball coach John Calipari, now at the University of Arkansas, has lamented this new trend of older players staying in college sports for so many years.

From MarketWatch

"So many young people were killed," she lamented first.

From BBC

“Never did I see a more sorrowful sight, nor witness retribution to the nth degree,” he lamented.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even Dad, who rarely has anything negative to say, laments the lack of culture in the suburbs.

From Literature

"Nobody has given us any help... there are lawmakers and rich people" in the city but "nobody asks about our situation", he lamented.

From Barron's

Related Words

• bemoan
• deplore
• regret