bewail

/bɪˈweɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /bɪˈweɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /bi-ˈwāl/ (ame, mw)

bewail — verb

  • bewailpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • bewailshe / she / it
  • bewailedpast simple
  • bewailing-ing form

1. to talk about or show how unhappy or let down you are by a situation, often in a

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to talk about or show how unhappy or let down you are by a situation, often in a loud or emotional way that seems old-fashioned.

例句

The old shopkeeper bewailed the loss of customers after the new supermarket opened down the street.

bewailed the loss of

Neha bewailed the fact that the library had closed before she could return her books.

bewailed the fact that

同義詞
  • lament

    Similar formality; 'lament' focuses on expressing sadness, while 'bewail' adds a sense of crying or wailing.

  • bemoan

    Also formal, but often emphasises complaining rather than deep grief.

  • mourn

    Stronger association with death or permanent loss; 'bewail' can be used for smaller disappointments.

  • deplore

    More about strong disapproval than sadness; carries a moral judgement.

反義詞
  • celebrate

    To show joy about an event, the opposite of showing grief.

  • rejoice

    To feel or show great happiness, opposite of bewailing.

文法句型

bewail + noun phrase

bewail + the fact that + clause

用法筆記

This is a formal, literary word that sounds old-fashioned in everyday speech. Use 'complain about', 'be upset about', or 'lament' for ordinary conversation.

常見錯誤

❌She bewailed about her lost phone.
✅She bewailed her lost phone.
💡Bewail takes a direct object with no preposition, unlike 'complain about' or 'grieve over'.