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

Donaldson has never second-guessed his decision, and is excited about this new chapter. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 21 Nov. 2025

McDaniel exposed himself to a ton of second-guessing by not having the Dolphins kick what would have been a chip-shot field goal that could have given Miami the lead late in regulation; imagine carrying that into a bye week if the Commanders had won the game. —CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025

Why dare to second-guess the desires of a generation not your own? —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2025

If Barnwell's prediction comes true, then that likely means McCarthy had a rather uninspiring final eight games to close out the year, and the Vikings could be second-guessing whether or not the Michigan alum is, in fact, the QB of the future. —Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

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