hindsight

noun

hind·​sight ˈhīn(d)-ˌsīt 

: perception of the nature of an event after it has happened

In hindsight, it's clear there were alternatives.

Hindsight is twenty-twenty.

Examples of hindsight in a Sentence

It's easy for us to say that the war was wrong, but we have the advantage of hindsight.

Recent Examples on the Web

That recognition shows a comfort in his own skin and his own story that perhaps only comes with age and the benefits of hindsight. — Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 9 Nov. 2026

With the hindsight that SARS-CoV-2 spread primarily through the air, these sorts of precautions seem extreme. — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

In her book, Dawood writes about an investigator telling her not to go down the agonizing road of hindsight. — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Sweetin has recently reflected on how much playing Stephanie meant to her in hindsight. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hindsight

• twenty-twenty hindsight

Rhymes for hindsight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

hindsight

noun

hind·​sight ˈhīn(d)-ˌsīt 

: realization of the meaning or importance of an event only after it has happened