lament

USAGE SUMMARY

'lament' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when expressing deep sorrow or grief, usually over a loss or misfortune. Example sentence: She began to lament the death of her beloved pet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most unexpectedly, the outstanding Nitrous morphs from a lament to a laughing-gas seller into an unlikely folk deconstruction of Olive's 90s pop-dance hit You're Not Alone.

The Guardian - Music

So while British TV critics regularly – and often justifiably – lament that the best drama is made in America, UK series are now enjoying unprecedented success in the US.

The Guardian

Related: Stewart Lee review – tricksy gags about liberals, rightwingers and 'the Islams' Dessau wasn't the first to lament the passing of the Alternative Comedy Experience.

The Guardian

Tighe's lament was echoed by others in Ross, Skye and Lochaber, a sadness reminiscent of that which followed the surprise death of the Labour leader John Smith in 1994.

The Guardian

Ancelotti would lament how his players "made more mistakes than usual because of the pressure Juventus put us under" and the inquest into the decisive goal promised to be ugly.

The Guardian - Sport

Now, never mind that one of Obama's jobs since running for office has been Black Community Scold-in-Chief; one of the things the president also did was lament the absence of his father in his life and express his urge to "break the cycle where a father is not at home" – at the historically black Morehouse College.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is also an angry lament for the passing of a state school education system of which Bennett himself is such a flowering.

The Guardian - Opinion

We're not sure what Grey Shirt & Tie is about – we wish we had a rock equivalent of Rap Genius to use today because we can't work out if this is a paean to something, a lament to lost youth, or a dart aimed at conformists.

The Guardian - Music

Many privacy groups lament that the legislation McConnell has now agreed to move to the Senate floor provides an insufficient response to two years' worth of outrage over widespread US surveillance.

The Guardian

At least he'd be in with a show for the Nissan Maxima a year later… Often now we'll lament that a great number of one-day internationals in Australia are essentially meaningless, mainly because they're devoid of context beyond ICC rankings and nobody really cares about those until their own country is on top.

The Guardian - Sport

Chicagoans, particularly black and brown citizens, lament that as all too true – that being interrogated and abused, frequently without public notice or legal counsel, has transformed the denial of constitutional rights in their city into a kind of disturbing norm.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lament" to express a deep sense of sorrow or regret, particularly in formal writing or when discussing significant losses.

Common error

Avoid using "lament" in casual conversations or informal writing; simpler words like "regret" or "sad" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lament" is to express grief, sorrow, or regret. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can function both as a verb (to express sorrow) and a noun (an expression of grief).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "lament" is a versatile word used to express deep sorrow or regret. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions as both a verb and a noun. Analysis of various sources reveals that "lament" is frequently used in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. While synonymous with terms like "bemoan", "mourn", and "regret", it carries a more profound emotional weight. Therefore, using "lament" is best reserved for situations where a significant loss or deep regret is being conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bemoan

Similar to "lament", but often implies complaining or expressing disapproval.

sorrow

A feeling of deep distress, sadness, or regret, especially for the loss of someone or something loved.

mourn

Specifically refers to feeling sorrow for someone's death.

mourn over

To feel or express great sadness or regret about (someone's death or the loss of something).

grieve

To feel intense sorrow, especially over a death.

deplore

Expresses strong disapproval or regret, often in a formal context.

regret

To feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over something that has happened or been done.

bewail

An archaic term for expressing great sorrow or regret.

rue

To bitterly regret something one has done or allowed to happen.

weep over

To express sorrow or sadness by crying.

FAQs

How can I use "lament" in a sentence?

"Lament" can be used as a verb to express sorrow or regret, as in "He began to "lament" the loss of his job". It can also be used as a noun to describe an expression of grief, such as "The poem was a "lament" for a fallen soldier".

What can I say instead of "lament"?

You can use alternatives like "bemoan", "mourn", or "regret" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "lament" in a positive context?

No, "lament" is typically used to express sorrow, regret, or disappointment. It is not appropriate in positive or celebratory contexts. Using it in a positive context would be grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "lament" and "complain"?

"Lament" expresses deep sorrow or regret, often for a loss or misfortune. "Complain", on the other hand, expresses dissatisfaction or annoyance. While both involve expressing negative feelings, "lament" carries a stronger sense of grief and is generally used in more formal contexts.