misgive

[ mis-giv ]
See synonyms for: misgivemisgiving on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),mis·gave, mis·giv·en, mis·giv·ing.
  1. (of one's mind, heart, etc.) to give doubt or apprehension to.

verb (used without object),mis·gave, mis·giv·en, mis·giv·ing.
  1. to be apprehensive.

Origin of misgive

1
First recorded in 1505–15; mis-1 + give

Words Nearby misgive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use misgive in a sentence

  • He seems to have understood everything from varieties of sword to species of misgiving.

  • It was rather discouraging, wearisome work, and Billy's heart began to misgive him as one after another refused his request.

    The English Orphans | Mary Jane Holmes
  • He searched the air like Nisus the forest in his quest of Euryalus, and his mind began to misgive him.

    Georges Guynemer | Henry Bordeaux
  • I misgive me he'll come in for a wetting if he doesn't tie wings to his heels.

    Barbara Lynn | Emily J. Jenkinson
  • Love is a matter of give and take—marriage, a matter of misgive and mistake.

    A Guide to Men | Helen Rowland

British Dictionary definitions for misgive

misgive

/ (mɪsˈɡɪv) /


verb-gives, -giving, -gave or -given
  1. to make or be apprehensive or suspicious

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012