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Synonyms

misgive

American  
[mis-giv] / mɪsˈgɪv /

verb (used with object)

misgave, misgiven, misgiving

  1. (of one's mind, heart, etc.) to give doubt or apprehension to.

verb (used without object)

misgave, misgiven, misgiving

  1. to be apprehensive.

misgive British  
/ mɪsˈɡɪv /

verb

  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

Etymology

Origin of misgive

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

Vocabulary lists containing misgive

"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 1

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Lady Maude advised me in it, and I cannot say I repent it now, though my heart does misgive ever and again," he replied.

From Heiress of Haddon by Doubleday, William E.

"Only by sight, but she's a sweet appearin' woman, and I wouldn't ask nothin' better 'n to see more of her," said Mrs. Wilkins, warmly, fearing Christie's heart might misgive her.

From Work: a Story of Experience by Alcott, Louisa May

Why does my heart misgive? & scalding tears, That should but mourn, now prophecy her loss?

From Proserpine and Midas by Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft

So that when I heard his heavy footstep advancing along the passage my heart did misgive me, and I felt that I was trembling.

From Relics of General Chasse by Trollope, Anthony

I thought it mighty curus, and my mind misgive me thar was somethin' crooked; but I always pintedly dodges; 'lie-lows to ketch meddlers,' and I went on my way.

From At the Mercy of Tiberius by Evans, Augusta J. (Augusta Jane)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.