lamentable

adjective

la·​men·​ta·​ble lə-ˈmen-tə-bəl 

also

ˈla-mən- 

1

: that is to be regretted or lamented : deplorable

the lamentable consequences of the war

2

: expressing grief : mournful

a faint and lamentable cry

—Walter de la Mare

lamentableness noun

lamentably

lə-ˈmen-tə-blē 

also

ˈla-mən- 

adverb

Synonyms

• aching
• agonized
• anguished
• bemoaning
• bewailing
• bitter
• deploring
• doleful
• dolesome
• dolorous
• funeral
• grieving
• heartbroken
• lugubrious
• mournful
• plaintive
• plangent
• regretful
• rueful
• sorrowful
• sorry
• wailing
• weeping
• woeful

Examples of lamentable in a Sentence

the lamentable cries of the women for their slain sons were heard throughout the village

it's a lamentable situation, but I don't see how it can be fixed

Recent Examples on the Web

Harry’s statements reflect a sense of resignation regarding the lamentable state of their relationship, which remains deeply fractured. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2025

Back at the hotel bar, the bartender told them the lamentable story of Irn‑Bru. —Patricia Lockwood, New Yorker, 18 May 2025

In this lamentable drama, both have much to answer for. —Peter Hall, Foreign Affairs, 28 June 2016

For many attorneys, the episode encapsulates a lamentable shift in their roles, in which a profession that once embraced the lofty obligation to do good for society has degraded into another grubby enterprise focussed on profits. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lamentable

• rentable
• fermentable
• presentable
• preventable
• representable

Kids Definition

lamentable

adjective

la·​men·​ta·​ble ˈlam-ən-tə-bəl  lə-ˈment-ə- 

1

: that is to be regretted or lamented

2

: sorrowful sense 2

lamentableness noun

lamentably

-blē 

adverb