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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

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.

See Examples For:

That would be briefer and better—and perhaps Leo's heart would misgive him—perhaps . . . but in any case, anything must be better than this suspense.

From A Bride of the Plains by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness

Did you mean to put me to a last test?—or did your hard little heart misgive you at the last moment?

From The Marriage of William Ashe by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.

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

At times, her heart would misgive her, lest Walpurga should not be able to hold out to the end.

From On the Heights A Novel by Auerbach, Berthold

My heart misgive me—I would't a done it.

From The Old Homestead by Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)

My heart misgave; a sudden fear struck me.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Oh, my heart misgave me when he used so many vows and protestations last night that he would not have Pharold put in danger for the world.

From The Gipsy (Vols I & II) A Tale by James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)

"I see," nodded Ralph, his lips set firmly, though his heart misgave him.

From Ralph in the Switch Tower by Chapman, Allen

But later in the day, as he glanced at his partner's drawn, sallow-white face, Brannigan's heart misgave him.

From Hoof and Claw by Roberts, Charles George Douglas, Sir

My heart misgave me when I got under the shade.

From Fairy Legends and Traditions of The South of Ireland by Crocker, T. Crofton

London had always sounded bleak and distant and terrible to her; and her heart had misgiven her at the idea of leaving her aunt.

From He Knew He Was Right by Trollope, Anthony

And Sohrab, too, in his camp lauded the might of Rustem, and he said how the battle had been sore, and how his mind had misgiven him of the issue.

From Legends That Every Child Should Know; a Selection of the Great Legends of All Times for Young People by Mabie, Hamilton Wright

His mind had misgiven him all the while that things were not right with Lenz, but he had reasoned away his fears and been merry with his godson.

From Edelweiss A Story by Auerbach, Berthold

He told me his heart had misgiven him sadly.

From The Monikins by Cooper, James Fenimore

Laura dear, my heart has misgiven me from the first.

From Blind Policy by Fenn, George Manville

Despite their misgiving, both Lancaster and Wilson publicly urged their colleagues to ratify the tentative agreement, saying that rejecting it wouldn’t lead to better outcomes.

From Seattle Times Nov. 29, 2023

And it was my primary misgiving about the entire project, right?

From Salon May 29, 2022

The man, identified as Juror 20, was seated on the jury despite one misgiving: He was supposed to get married on May 1 in Florida, when deliberations could still be taking place.

From New York Times Mar. 10, 2021

Not long after, Bollard wrote a follow-up report on that funding, and he expressed one misgiving.

From Washington Post Aug. 6, 2016

Even one misgiving about what coven you were placed in could spell disaster—could prevent your coven from closing.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

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