misgiving

noun

mis·​giv·​ing ˌmis-ˈgi-viŋ How to pronounce misgiving (audio)
: a feeling of doubt or suspicion especially concerning a future event
Many people have expressed misgivings about his ability to do the job.

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 In a series of internal chats, Albertsons executives expressed misgivings about the promises of grocery prices going down after the merger and the legality of combining of the two companies, according to court documents. The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024 But voters are approaching this year's election with misgivings about Mr. Biden's age, having scrutinized his gaffes, his coughing, his slow walking and even a tumble off his bicycle. CBS News, 28 Feb. 2024 This chronological gap between event and consequence has undoubtedly made the public less likely to shoulder any misgivings about tuning in to Monday Night Football. Adina Wise, STAT, 9 Feb. 2024 Indeed, many have already expressed misgivings about broadening the list of charges 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds can face. Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2024 Despite his misgivings throughout the process, Hemingson says he was encouraged by the trust placed in him by director Alexander Payne as his collaborator. Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024 So when a former student wants Asaf’s signature on a manifesto protesting the police killing of the student’s cousin, a Black man, Asaf signs, despite misgivings about the manifesto’s mentions of Israel and apartheid. Marc Tracy, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 Despite those misgivings, most Indonesian elites have no interest in aligning with China. Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2024 But isn’t Belichick sure to have significant misgivings? Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'misgiving.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misgiving was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near misgiving

Cite this Entry

“Misgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misgiving. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

misgiving

noun
mis·​giv·​ing (ˈ)mis-ˈgiv-iŋ How to pronounce misgiving (audio)
: a feeling of doubt or suspicion especially concerning a future event

More from Merriam-Webster on misgiving

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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