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

While counting the president’s fallacies has become routine, the ideological subservience of his senior-most cabinet members and advisors this term has given the public reason to second-guess statements and data issued by them or their offices. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026

As much as Dexter second-guesses herself, her advertised intensity rarely comes to bear. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026

Lawyers and advisors told Inside Wealth that some parents are now second-guessing their gifts and considering their legal options for potentially clawing some of it back. —Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026

Smith doesn’t spend a lot of time second-guessing it. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 1 Apr. 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