misgiving

noun

mis·​giv·​ing ˌmis-ˈgi-viŋ 

: a feeling of doubt or suspicion especially concerning a future event

Many people have expressed misgivings about his ability to do the job.

Synonyms of misgiving

• doubt
• skepticism
• suspicion
• uncertainty

Examples of misgiving in a Sentence

I felt some misgiving about his ability to do the job.

They regarded the plan with misgiving.

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the prosecutors, Thomas Breen, who later became a leading defense attorney, expressed misgivings about the case in the 1990s, prompting a reopening and reexamination. —Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026

Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister at the Interior Ministry, expressed misgivings Wednesday that some of the Clooneys’ new French compatriots may think that the star couple was granted special treatment. —Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026

With that, though, came misgivings over how aggressive the FOMC should be in the future. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2025

And those misgivings led to a 17-point loss on Mint Street. —Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misgiving

• almsgiving
• caregiving
• forgiving
• nonliving
• reliving
• thanksgiving
• giving
• living
• sieving
• unforgiving

Kids Definition

misgiving

noun

mis·​giv·​ing (ˈ)mis-ˈgiv-iŋ 

: a feeling of doubt or suspicion especially concerning a future event