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

But overall there are serious misgivings about the US proposals.

Read more on BBC

Ahead of Wednesday’s earnings, Wall Street analysts shared some of their misgivings about the retailer.

Read more on MarketWatch

The admiral showed no sign of such misgivings; he marched back and forth and twirled his cane with glee.

Read more on Literature

With that, Penelope, with some misgivings, to be sure, but not knowing what else to do, left the three Incorrigible children huddled in the doorway.

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Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., disagreed with the provision, said that opening the government outweighed any misgivings about the bill.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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