misgive

Misgive is a verb meaning to cause someone to feel doubt, fear, or apprehension; to inspire misgivings. The related noun misgiving denotes the feeling itself. As a transitive verb, misgive is used with a direct object referring to the person or group affected: for example, "The alarming news misgave the committee." In contemporary usage, the verb is relatively rare and often stylistically marked; many writers prefer phrases like “cause to doubt” or simply use misgiving as a noun.

Etymology and history: Misgive combines the prefix mis- with give, and it is attested in Early Modern English. It occurs in older literary texts and is today typically found in formal, historical, or literary contexts. The sense is distinct from the more common noun misgiving, though the two are closely related.

Usage notes: The verb describes an emotional response to news, events, or evidence, and it can apply to individuals or groups. It is not interchangeable with “misgive” in the sense of giving something incorrectly; that would be a different construction. The adjective form misgiven exists but is rare and largely archaic; in modern prose, speakers usually use misgiving (noun) or a different verb such as alarm or unsettle.

Examples: The sudden resignation misgave the board. The ominous forecast misgave him, prompting a more cautious approach. For most contemporary writing, consider using “cause to doubt,” “make uneasy,” or “raise misgivings” as clearer alternatives. See also misgiving (noun) and related terms like doubt and forebode.