second-guess

verb

sec·​ond-guess ˌse-kᵊŋ-ˈges How to pronounce second-guess (audio)
-kən(d)-
second-guessed; second-guessing; second-guesses

transitive verb

1
: to criticize or question actions or decisions of (someone) often after the results of those actions or decisions are known
meet almost every morning and, over coffee, second-guess the local coachBruce Newman
also : to engage in such criticism of (an action or decision)
second-guess the general's strategy
2
: to seek to anticipate or predict
lived royally by his ability to second-guess the stock marketTime
second-guesser noun

Examples of second-guess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Emotional decisions will leave you second-guessing yourself. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024 Instead of second-guessing or hesitating, Dosunmu is pulling the trigger, showing a larger willingness to be a key part of Chicago's offense. Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 In a decision that would be second-guessed for years to come, Twitter also shut down Vine, its video app that had popularized the concept of short, bite-sized videos. Kurt Wagner, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2024 Get into the habit of taking informed risks, trusting your gut, gathering relevant data and critically analyzing them, soliciting diverse perspectives, and finally, stop second-guessing yourself. Rachel Wells, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Yet, beyond the usual second-guessing that will come with reviewing the videotape, Shanahan has no regrets. USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2024 Of course there will be second-guessing after any loss. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2024 Parental discretion will now be usurped by prosecutorial oversight and second-guessing. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 7 Feb. 2024 After a pause, Graziadei started to second-guess himself. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'second-guess.' 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

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of second-guess was in 1941

Dictionary Entries Near second-guess

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

second-guess

verb
sec·​ond-guess
ˌsek-ᵊŋ-ˈges,
-ən-
1
: to question or criticize actions or decisions of (someone) often after the results of those actions or decisions are known
2
second-guesser noun

More from Merriam-Webster on second-guess

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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