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lamentation

lamentation

7 7.7
A strong feeling of sadness that people show by crying
  • noun
  • /ˌlæmənˈteɪʃən/
  • Literature
translation icon : lamentación
  • A hundred keening widows screech their lamentations as a hundred shovels break the earth.

And Helios says to her, I urge you got to stop your loud cry of lamentation, Megan Gordon.

Examples

  • Wailing is throughout the land, mingled with lamentations.

  • With adoring eyes, eyes full of lamentation and contrition, she gazed up at Rose, who couldn't help but smile back.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • You have noted my lamentation. Put my tears into your bottle. Are they not recorded in your book?

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The lamentations of the earth.

  • Suddenly, as if upon a cue, the whole village burst forth in lamentation.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Let their stilled hearts hear no sound of lamentation, only of rejoicing that their destiny has been fulfilled.

  • Upon hearing of the crime, Isis uttered lamentations that were heard throughout the land.

    Academic text (1996)
  • It is a tremendously grave and dignified lamentation of a hero with noble gestures, but nothing excessive.

  • The loud lamentations of the crowd filled the air during the memorial service.

  • She could hear the lamentations of the mourners as they gathered at the grave.

Synonyms

cry
vslamentation
260 1.0

A time when someone has tears because they feel sad or upset

is a deeper, sustained expression of sorrow rather than a brief outburst
sobbing
vslamentation
69 1.0

Short gasping sounds someone makes while crying loudly

is a broader sorrow expression, not only physical gasping
wail
vslamentation
54 3.2

A long loud cry that shows pain or deep sadness

is the general act of deep grief rather than a single loud outburst
crying
vslamentation
38 1.0

Tears and sounds you make when you feel sad or hurt

is the deeper, often prolonged act of mourning rather than mere tears
lament
vslamentation
  • Literature
17 6.1

A sad song, poem, or cry that shows grief

is a broad act of deep grief shown in many ways
mourning
vslamentation
8 3.9

A period after someone dies when people show deep sadness

is any act of deep sorrow not limited to postdeath customs
elegy
vslamentation
  • Literature
6 8.1

A poem or song that shows sorrow for someone who has died

is any act of deep sorrow, not only artistic forms
wailing
vslamentation
5 3.5

Loud long cries made when someone feels deep pain or sadness

is any mourning act, not only loud prolonged vocal sounds
bawling
vslamentation
4 3.5

Loud, noisy crying when someone is very upset

is a sorrowful expression that may be controlled or ritualized
jeremiad
vslamentation
  • Literature
1 9.9

A long sad speech that complains about many problems

is a focused expression of personal grief rather than long complaint
plaint
vslamentation
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A sad cry or song that shows sadness

is broader and covers various forms of deep grief
wayment
vslamentation
  • Archaic
9.9

A deep feeling of sadness after a loss

is the common modern expression of deep sorrow and grief

Antonyms

joy
793 1.0

A strong feeling of great happiness

430 1.0

A happy event such as a party that marks a special occasion or achievement

How Sorrowful

wailing
5 3.5
grief
443 2.1
lamentation
  • Literature
7 7.7
sorrow
243 2.1
sadness
229 1.0

Surface Forms

lamentation singular
lamentations plural

Morphology

lamentation = lament (transparent) = lament + ation

Standard nominalization: the noun denotes the act or state of mourning derived directly from the verb 'lament'.

Etymology

Lamentation comes from the simple verb lament, which means 'to moan' or 'to cry out', and the ending -ation turns it into the act or thing of doing that. So, a lamentation is a loud, deep expression of sorrow, like crying or wailing at a funeral.