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

Much of corporate America has spent the past 18 months second-guessing and editing itself. — Scott M. Curran, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Summary Making major decisions is often followed by unexpected doubt, as leaders second-guess their choices. — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

That’s when some of her online followers — like that crazy sibling who shows up to the family crisis having done their own research — got suspicious and started second-guessing the experts. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Shaye recalls the filmmaker even second-guessed the choice on the set. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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