second-guess

verb

sec·​ond-guess ˌse-kᵊŋ-ˈges 

-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 coach

—Bruce 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 market

—Time

second-guesser noun

Examples of second-guess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Listening to our instincts and not second-guessing ourselves will allow information to reveal itself in time. —Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 2 July 2025

No disciplinary actions were ever taken against Crafton, but Schleicher said Keller city officials eventually prohibited her from writing code enforcement citations and second-guessed her decisions. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2025

One can, likewise, reasonably second-guess the seemingly reactive approach in which the club seemed primarily focused on drafting centre depth, which is rather conveniently their biggest need at the NHL level. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 29 June 2025

The story is halting, its end inevitable; it’s also couched in self-doubt, second-guessing, disbelief. —Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

: predict

second-guesser noun