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misgive

[ mis-giv ]
/ mɪsˈgɪv /
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See synonyms for: misgive / misgiving on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), mis·gave, mis·giv·en, mis·giv·ing.
(of one's mind, heart, etc.) to give doubt or apprehension to.
verb (used without object), mis·gave, mis·giv·en, mis·giv·ing.
to be apprehensive.
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Origin of misgive

First recorded in 1505–15; mis-1 + give
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to misgive

distrust, hesitate, impugn, suspect, challenge, demur, disbelieve, discredit, dispute, fear, fluctuate, imagine, insinuate, mistrust, query, scruple, surmise, vacillate, waver, call in question

How to use misgive in a sentence

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

    He Knew He Was Right|Anthony Trollope

  • And yet it would have misgiven him more had he allowed himself to be entrapped by Miss Dawkins.

    An Unprotected Female at the Pyramids|Anthony Trollope

  • His own mind had long misgiven him on the lawfulness of his marriage.

    The Divorce of Catherine of Aragon|J.A. Froude

  • His heart had often misgiven him when he had thought of Caroline.

    The Young Duke|Benjamin Disraeli

British Dictionary definitions for misgive

misgive
/ (mɪsˈɡɪv) /
verb -gives, -giving, -gave or -given
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
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