A nagging sense of doubt or distrust that something is wrong or unwise.
A nagging sense of doubt or distrust that something is wrong or unwise — especially about a decision, plan, or person.
The odd one out: its core is cognitive distrust rather than emotional agitation (its synonyms are doubt, suspicion, uncertainty, not fear). A pointed inner objection — a hesitation of confidence — typically about a choice (“despite his misgivings, he agreed”). Where worry frets over a problem and anxiety dreads a diffuse misfortune, a misgiving is a specific reservation, often felt “in one's heart.” Close to a qualm (a sudden moral pang) but broader and not necessarily moral. Little of the acute fear of dread or alarm.
c. 1600, a verbal noun from misgive “make apprehensive, cause to feel doubt” (1510s), said of one's heart or mind — from mis- “wrongly” + give in the Middle English sense “suggest.” So literally “to suggest wrongly”: the heart gives one a bad intimation.
Meaning has been stable as “doubt / mistrust / failing of confidence” since c. 1600; the sources document the formation but no later shift. No recent-generation shift is sourced.