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bewail — to express deep sorrow or regret about something; to lament loudly

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to express deep sorrow or regret about something; to lament loudly

Pronunciation (IPA): /bɪˈweɪl/

Example Sentences

  • The drama queen bewailed her broken nail as if it were a national tragedy.
  • He spent hours bewailing his decision to sell his vintage comic books.
  • The cat seemed to bewail the empty food bowl with increasingly dramatic meows.

bewail

VERB

[/bɪˈweɪl/]

to express deep sorrow or regret about something; to lament loudly

a woman kneels beside a fresh grave with her hands covering her face as tears stream down. She rocks back and forth while crying loudly with her mouth open in anguish. Fresh flowers lie scattered around the headstone from her trembling hands. Her shoulders shake uncontrollably as she voices her grief to the empty air. An elderly man approaches from behind with a comforting hand extended toward her. Other visitors in the distance pause respectfully as her cries echo through the peaceful cemetery.  someone expressing deep sorrow and regret about a loss through loud lamentation
💡 Concept

a woman kneels beside a fresh grave with her hands covering her face as tears stream down. She rocks back and forth while crying loudly with her mouth open in anguish. Fresh flowers lie scattered around the headstone from her trembling hands. Her shoulders shake uncontrollably as she voices her grief to the empty air. An elderly man approaches from behind with a comforting hand extended toward her. Other visitors in the distance pause respectfully as her cries echo through the peaceful cemetery. someone expressing deep sorrow and regret about a loss through loud lamentation

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/bɪˈweɪl/
🇬🇧 UK/bɪˈweɪl/

🌳Etymology

Prefixbe--
Rootwail

Origin

From Middle English 'bewaylen', combining the intensive prefix 'be-' with 'wail' meaning to cry out loudly. The word literally means to express grief or sorrow through loud lamentation.

Breakdown

be- (intensive prefix meaning 'completely/thoroughly') + wail (to cry out in grief or pain)

🎵Rhyme

wail
sail
fail
trail

🔗Collocations

bewail one's fate
bewail the loss
bewail loudly
bewail bitterly
bewail the past

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The drama queen bewailed her broken nail as if it were a national tragedy.”

“He spent hours bewailing his decision to sell his vintage comic books.”

😄 Fun example

“The cat seemed to bewail the empty food bowl with increasingly dramatic meows.”

“Don't bewail what cannot be changed; focus on what you can control.”

📚Related Words

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