bemoan
UK: bɪˈməʊn | US: bɪˈmoʊn
vt. to express sorrow or regret over something
vt. to lament or complain about
bemoan = be<intensifier> + moan<lament>
- be (prefix, from Old English "be-", meaning "about, around, thoroughly" – here intensifying the action)
- moan (root, from Old English "mān", meaning "complaint, lament")
Etymology Origin:
"Bemoan" originated in Middle English by combining the intensifying prefix "be-" (often adding force or completeness to verbs) with "moan," a word rooted in Old English for expressing grief. The prefix amplifies the act of lamenting, turning "moan" into a more deliberate or prolonged expression of sorrow. This reflects a pattern where "be-" transforms simple actions into broader or more emphatic states (e.g., "befriend," "bewilder").
The villagers would bemoan the loss of their ancestral lands.
She bemoaned her lack of preparation before the exam.
Critics bemoan the decline of traditional craftsmanship.
He bemoaned the fact that no one took his advice seriously.
The editorial bemoans the rise of political polarization.