Bewailing: meaning, definitions and examples

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bewailing

 

[ bɪˈweɪlɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

expressing grief

To bewail means to express great sadness or disappointment about something. It often implies a sense of mourning or lamentation, particularly regarding a loss or an unfortunate situation. The term can also be used in a more general sense to indicate frustration or dissatisfaction with circumstances. Bewailing something might involve vocalizing one's distress or feelings of unhappiness.

Synonyms

lamenting, mourning, regretting, sorrowing

Examples of usage

  • She was bewailing the loss of her beloved pet.
  • The community gathered, bewailing the decline of local businesses.
  • He was bewailing the results of the election.
  • In her poem, she bewails lost opportunities and dreams.

Translations

Translations of the word "bewailing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lamentar

🇮🇳 शोक करना

🇩🇪 klagen

🇮🇩 meratapi

🇺🇦 оплакувати

🇵🇱 żałować

🇯🇵 嘆く

🇫🇷 se lamenter

🇪🇸 lamentar

🇹🇷 ağlamak

🇰🇷 슬퍼하다

🇸🇦 ينوح

🇨🇿 naříkat

🇸🇰 naříkať

🇨🇳 哀悼

🇸🇮 žalovati

🇮🇸 sorgmæla

🇰🇿 жылау

🇬🇪 მოილაპარაკო

🇦🇿 ağlamaq

🇲🇽 lamentar

Etymology

The word 'bewail' originates from the Old English 'bewailian', which means 'to mark out' or 'to lament'. It is composed of the prefix 'be-' which is often used to intensify the meaning of a verb, and 'wail', derived from the Old English 'weolcan', meaning 'to cry out' or 'to mourn'. Historically, bewailing was associated with formal acts of mourning, especially in literature and poetry, signifying deep emotional distress. As the language evolved, the term came to encompass broader expressions of grief and lamentation, often reflecting personal or communal sorrow in times of hardship. Its usage peaked in the 17th and 18th centuries when emotional expression was a prominent theme in literature and art.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,797 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.