English vocabulary
Misgiving
/ˌmɪsˈɡɪv.ɪŋ/ · n.
A misgiving is a worried feeling that something may not be right. You may go ahead, but part of you still fears what could happen.
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Example sentences
- She had misgivings before signing the deal.
- His misgivings grew as the boat rocked.
Word origin and roots
from English
- mis — wrong (from English)
- give — suggest (from English)
Synonyms and nuances
- DOUBT (Uncertainty)
- CONCERN (A worried thought)
- QUALM (Uneasy hesitation)
Similar words
- doubt
- concern
- qualm
- worry
- unease
Lesson notes
A misgiving is a worried feeling that something may not be right. You may go ahead, but part of you still fears what could happen.
Related: doubt, concern, qualm. Use misgiving when a decision brings uneasy doubt.
She had misgivings before signing the deal. His misgivings grew as the boat rocked.
From English. Mis means wrong. Give once meant suggest. A thought suggests something is wrong: that uneasy feeling is a misgiving.