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

Virginia is one of 13 states with a reasonable childhood independence law, which is supposed to prevent the state from second-guessing every parental decision. — Mark Strassmann, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

It’s been a little over a week since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved back to the UK, and reports indicate that the Suits actress is second-guessing their decision. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 6 Sep. 2026

Sure, both stocks are up about 15% since our April sale, but Bristol's got way too many roadblocks coming up for us to second-guess ourselves. — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

No more second-guessing what the Avengers were talking about. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 27 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