lamenting

American  

[luh-men-ting] / ləˈmɛn tɪŋ /

adjective

1. speaking of something with sorrow, regret, or disappointment; evoking feelings of this kind.

   After the controlled mayhem of their first number, the band went into a laid-back groove with a lamenting melody on the sax.

   As sure as the season changes, we are once again hearing the lamenting call of British Columbia's most vocal crusader against salmon farming.

2. mourning or grieving over something, especially death or profound loss or suffering.

   In some countries, people follow the custom of leading a procession with the decorated body of the dead, for the benefit of the lamenting relatives.

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noun

1. the act of grieving or of expressing regret or disappointment.

   Complain and point the finger all you want, but this is not a problem that lamenting will solve.

Other Word Forms

• lamentingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of lamenting

First recorded in 1510–20; lament ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; lament ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

Lamenting the lack of official help, she added: "It had to come from loved-ones, friends and family, which is really sad."

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Lamenting the logistical nightmare, exorbitant costs and strain on working families, they offer tips and tricks for locking in sought-after sessions: Pay attention to countdown clocks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

Lamenting the trend of young women “fully editing” pictures of themselves, Jenner said, “I will always want everyone to just love themselves.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2023

Lamenting a lack of interest in the wreck compared to the expensive rescue operation launched for the missing Titanic submersible and its billionaire passengers that drew huge global attention, Zotos said the contrast was "grotesque."

From Reuters • Jul. 6, 2023

Lamenting at Virgil's departure for Athens, he rebukes the impiety of the first mariner who ventured, in the audacity of his heart, to go afloat and cross the briny barrier interposed between nations.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 429 Volume 17, New Series, March 20, 1852 by Chambers, William