SECOND THOUGHTS Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

second thoughts

noun

plural of second thought

as in irresolutions

a feeling of guilt, doubt, worry, etc., that you have after you have decided to do something or after something has happened After she agreed to lend him the money, she had second thoughts. She was having second thoughts about getting married.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for second thoughts

Noun

Even if Shipilova's death is an isolated incident, Russia's history of hiding information related to sensitive matters could leave many outside observers with doubts, Hoffman said.

— Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Messi’s quiet reserve, so at odds with Maradona’s defiant swagger, fueled doubts about his patriotism.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of doubts

Noun

Chief Justice John Roberts was one of several justices whose questions suggested misgivings about aspects of each side's position.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
But the new direction caused misgivings for some conservative supporters of the institution, such as Graves, who joined the regents as one of the three Republican congressional appointees in 2023.

— Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of misgivings

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

second thought

second thoughts

secrecy

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Second thoughts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20thoughts. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of second thoughts

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

etiquette

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes