Misgivings
/ˌmɪsˈɡɪvɪŋz/
nounpluralB2plural
Definition
Misgivings mean you feel unsure or worried about a situation or decision. It is when your mind tells you that something might not be right or could cause problems. People often have misgivings before making big choices or when they sense danger or trouble.
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See It in Action
Feelings of doubt or worry about a future event or decision
- •She had misgivings about accepting the job offer in a new city.
- •Many people have misgivings before making important life choices.
- •His misgivings about the plan made him ask more questions.
A sense that something might be wrong or could cause trouble
- •The team’s misgivings about the project’s success were proven right.
- •There were misgivings among the staff about the new company policy.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "misgivings" like "doubts," but stronger and more about worry or fear about what might happen
- ✓Picture a small voice inside your head saying "I am not sure this is a good idea," like a warning light flashing
- ✓It’s the feeling you get when you want to say yes but something inside you says "be careful"
- ✓Sounds like "miss-GIVE-ings" → imagine missing a gift because you felt unsure and worried about accepting it
- ✓Think of a story where a character hesitates before entering a dark forest because they feel something bad might happen
- ✓NOT like "confidence" (strong belief everything is good), misgivings are the opposite—feelings of doubt or fear
- ✓NOT like "fear" (strong emotion about danger), misgivings are milder worries or doubts before fear grows big
- ✓NOT like "regret" (feeling bad after something), misgivings happen before deciding or acting
Try Other Words
- •Concerns: feelings of worry or care (Use when the worry is more about practical problems)
- •Reservations: doubts or hesitations (Use when you hold back agreement or approval)
- •Unease: feeling of discomfort or worry (Use when the feeling is more about general nervousness)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "mis-" (wrong, bad) + "giving" (from give, here meaning feeling or sense) + "-s" (plural)
- •Etymology: From Old English and Middle English, "mis-" means wrong or bad, combined with giving as a feeling or sense
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe a bad feeling or sense about something, especially a warning or doubt
- •Modern usage: Used commonly to describe worries or doubts before making decisions or about future events
- •Important note: Always plural because it describes multiple feelings or instances of worry
Reflect & Connect
•When have you had misgivings about an important choice? What helped you decide despite them?
•Can misgivings sometimes protect us from making mistakes? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.Before signing the contract, she had misgivings because the terms seemed ___ and ___.
2.His misgivings about the new plan made him ___ to join without more information.
3.Unlike excitement or confidence, misgivings show a person feels ___ or ___ about what might happen.
4.They tried to ignore their misgivings, but the problems ___ just as they feared.
5.Misgivings often come with ___ feelings and ___ about possible risks.
6.When someone has misgivings, they usually ___ questions or ___ more details.
7.The presence of misgivings can ___ a person to be more careful or ___ decisions.