misgiving

[mis-giv-ing]

noun

1. Often misgivings. a feeling of doubt, distrust, or apprehension.

   Synonyms: hesitation, mistrust, suspicion

misgiving

/ mɪsˈɡɪvɪŋ /

noun

1. (often plural) a feeling of uncertainty, apprehension, or doubt

Other Word Forms

• misgivingly adverb
• unmisgiving adjective
• unmisgivingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of misgiving¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; misgive + -ing ¹

Synonym Study

See apprehension.

Example Sentences

After the experience of two miscarriages, she ignored his misgivings and had one anyway.

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So when her father Tim, who is also her agent, told her of an approach by Al-Ittihad, she decided to give them a chance despite initial misgivings.

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ANO shares the Motorists' misgivings about the EU's emissions targets, and vows to modify or reject them outright.

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Initially wary of allowing cameras into the sanctum of the dressing room, Reid says his misgivings soon disappeared.

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However, he continued to impress as foreign affairs spokesman, articulating the party's opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and misgivings over the Blair government's close relationship with Washington.

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Related Words

• anxiety 
• apprehension 
• distrust 
• doubt 
• foreboding 
• hesitation 
• mistrust 
• qualm 
• reservation 
• suspicion 
• unease