misgiving

noun

mis·​giv·​ing ˌmis-ˈgi-viŋ How to pronounce misgiving (audio)
Synonyms of misgivingnext
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, according to Reuters, some European officials have misgivings over the Pentagon's tight 2027 deadline and view it as unrealistic. Toby Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025 Futures traders are assigning a nearly 90% probability that the central bank will approve another quarter percentage point cut in its key interest rate, despite misgivings from some officials over whether further easing is needed. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2025 Eventually, scientists’ misgivings, expressed largely in academic journals and to journalists, erupted into outright dissent. Sophie Yeo, The Dial, 4 Nov. 2025 After the political unrest in Bologna petered out, Rovelli transferred his deep misgivings to the very fabric of reality. Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for misgiving

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misgiving was in 1582

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misgiving. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

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

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