bemoan

Bemoan is a verb that means to express sorrow, regret, or unhappiness about something. It often implies a feeling of complaint or lamentation. When someone bemoans a situation, they are voicing their dissatisfaction or sadness about it.

For example, one might bemoan the rising cost of living, or bemoan a missed opportunity. The word can also be used to describe a feeling of deep sadness or grief over a loss. It carries a connotation of dwelling on something negative, often in a mournful or complaining way.

The etymology of bemoan traces back to Old English, where it was formed from the prefix "be-" (meaning "about" or "thoroughly") and "mónan" (meaning "to think of" or "to mourn"). This root connection highlights the idea of thinking about something with sorrow. While it can be used to express genuine grief, it is also frequently used in a more informal or even slightly sarcastic context to refer to minor complaints or annoyances. The act of bemoaning is essentially an expression of discontent, whether that discontent is profound or trivial.