Synonyms of bemoan

bemoan

verb

bi-ˈmōn 

1

as in to mourn

to feel or express sorrow for

bemoaned the death of his wife by writing a series of poignant letters addressed to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mourn
• lament
• regret
• bewail
• deplore
• wail (for)
• grieve (for)
• weep
• moan
• hurt
• suffer
• rue
• sob
• cry (for)
• sorrow
• keen
• elegize
• bawl
• agonize
• blubber
• bleed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• joy
• glory (in)
• rejoice (in)
• delight
• laugh
• exult (in)
• cheer
• beam
• smile
• grin

2

as in to regret

to feel sorry or dissatisfied about

a think piece bemoaning the coarsening of our society over the last several decades

Synonyms & Similar Words

• regret
• lament
• repent
• deplore
• rue
• mourn
• sorrow (for)
• bewail
• grieve (for)
• ache (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enjoy
• relish
• savor
• delight (in)
• revel (in)
• savour

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bemoan differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bemoan are bewail, deplore, and lament. While all these words mean "to express grief or sorrow for something," bewail and bemoan imply sorrow, disappointment, or protest finding outlet in words or cries, bewail commonly suggesting loudness, and bemoan lugubriousness.

fans bewailed the defeat

purists bemoaning the corruption of the language

When could deplore be used to replace bemoan?

While the synonyms deplore and bemoan are close in meaning, deplore implies regret for the loss or impairment of something of value.

deplores the breakdown in family values

When is lament a more appropriate choice than bemoan?

While in some cases nearly identical to bemoan, lament implies a profound or demonstrative expression of sorrow.

lamenting the loss of their only child

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bemoan

Some bemoaned the loss of the team’s previous spirit. —Guillermo Rai, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025

Though many businesses bemoan the ongoing changes and additions to state consumer privacy laws, businesses can ultimately benefit from them. —Jodi Daniels, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Detractors who bemoan the 40th president’s continued relevance to the Republican Party ignore the fact that venerating past presidents is a long-standing Democratic Party tradition. —W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025

At the same time that rap fans bemoan the death of rap stardom, there’s dismay that Doechii is becoming a rap star. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2025