bewail
verb
be·wail bi-ˈwāl 
bewailed; bewailing; bewails
transitive verb
1
: to wail over
2
: to express deep sorrow for usually by wailing and lamentation
Synonyms
- bemoan
- deplore
- grieve (for)
- lament
- mourn
- wail (for)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Many people bewailed the changes to the historic building. he invariably spends more time bewailing his predicament than trying to fix it
Recent Examples on the Web Now Gove’s remark became the source of the ashen taste in the mouths of Remoaner metropolitan elites bewailing how provincial troglodytes, geriatrics, and Little Englanders had dashed their rationalist, internationalist dreams. 
Kyle Smith, National Review, 8 Apr. 2020 Trump’s critics bewailed the outcome as a defeat and a betrayal of our Kurdish allies. Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2019 Frequently bewailing the know-nothingness of the age, Davenport grouses that real scholarship has disappeared because of the vogue for critical approaches and appreciations. Michael Dirda, National Review, 25 July 2019 Understandably, promoters and artist representatives have long bewailed the enormous profits being made on the secondary market, which takes none of the risk and puts up none of the funding — and shares none of its profits — for major live events. Variety, The Mercury News, 24 July 2019 Across the country, North and South, Christians gathered in their churches to remember the crucifixion of Christ and to bewail their sins, which made such a sacrifice necessary. Jonathan Den Hartog, WSJ, 26 Apr. 2018 While progressives may cheer specific cases like Obergefell, recent years have seen them deliver numerous harsh assessments of the Supreme Court’s overall record, bewailing its interpretations of the Constitution that purportedly favor the wealthy. James W. Lucas, National Review, 8 Dec. 2017 See More
Kyle Smith, National Review, 8 Apr. 2020 Trump’s critics bewailed the outcome as a defeat and a betrayal of our Kurdish allies. Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2019 Frequently bewailing the know-nothingness of the age, Davenport grouses that real scholarship has disappeared because of the vogue for critical approaches and appreciations. Michael Dirda, National Review, 25 July 2019 Understandably, promoters and artist representatives have long bewailed the enormous profits being made on the secondary market, which takes none of the risk and puts up none of the funding — and shares none of its profits — for major live events. Variety, The Mercury News, 24 July 2019 Across the country, North and South, Christians gathered in their churches to remember the crucifixion of Christ and to bewail their sins, which made such a sacrifice necessary. Jonathan Den Hartog, WSJ, 26 Apr. 2018 While progressives may cheer specific cases like Obergefell, recent years have seen them deliver numerous harsh assessments of the Supreme Court’s overall record, bewailing its interpretations of the Constitution that purportedly favor the wealthy. James W. Lucas, National Review, 8 Dec. 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
bewail
verb
as in to mourn
to feel or express sorrow for he invariably spends more time bewailing his predicament than trying to fix it Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- mourn
- lament
- regret
- bemoan
- deplore
- weep
- wail (for)
- sorrow
- sob
- moan
- rue
- grieve (for)
- keen
- suffer
- hurt
- blubber
- bawl
- agonize
- elegize
- cry (for)
- bleed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- joy
- glory (in)
- rejoice (in)
- delight
- laugh
- exult (in)
- cheer
- smile
- beam
- grin
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of bewail are bemoan, 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
The words deplore and bewail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deplore implies regret for the loss or impairment of something of value.
deplores the breakdown in family values
Although the words lament and bewail have much in common, lament implies a profound or demonstrative expression of sorrow.
lamenting the loss of their only child
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