Wail vs Bemoan - What's the difference?

Wail is a related term of bemoan.

In lang=en terms the difference between wail and bemoan

is that wail is to lament; to bewail; to grieve over while bemoan is to moan or complain about; be dismayed or worried about something.

As verbs the difference between wail and bemoan

is that wail is to cry out, as in sorrow or anguish or wail can be (obsolete) to choose; to select while bemoan is to moan or complain about; be dismayed or worried about something.

As a noun wail

is a prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.

wail

English

Etymology 1

Probably from (etyl) Etymology in Webster's Dictionary

Noun

(en noun)

A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.

She let out a loud, doleful wail .

Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl.

The wail of snow-dark winter winds.

A bird's wail in the night.

A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster.

Verb

(en verb)

To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.

To weep, lament persistently or bitterly.

To make a noise like mourning or crying.

The wind wailed and the rain streamed down.

To lament; to bewail; to grieve over.

to wail one's death

(Shakespeare)

(slang, music) To perform with great liveliness and force.

Derived terms

* wailer * wailingly

References

Etymology 2

Compare Icelandic word for "choice".

Verb

(en verb)

(obsolete) To choose; to select.

* Henryson

Wailed wine and meats

(Webster 1913) English terms with homophones

bemoan

English

Verb

(en verb)

To moan or complain about; be dismayed or worried about something.

He bemoaned the drought but went on watering his lawn.