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

The guilt or second-guessing that follows is your subconscious telling you there’s more beneath the surface. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Courts will not second-guess the safety measures employers adopt, even when those measures infringe on an employee’s privacy, unless the measures are unreasonable under the circumstances. —Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025

Biden finished his one term in the White House with low-approval ratings and facing second-guessing from fellow Democrats about his late decision to end his 2024 reelection, a move some Democrats blame for Trump's victory over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025

To make matters worse, countries are second-guessing each other. —Ed Newton-Rex, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 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