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as in to speculate (about)
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of second-guess
That ruling gave courts more power to second-guess federal agencies’ interpretation of the laws that govern their activities.
—
Arthur Allen, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025
Kenley Jansen clearly isn’t one to second-guess himself, not after 16 years in the major leagues and 470 saves.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
It’s been nine months since the 2024 election — more than enough time for voters to reassess and second-guess their choices at the ballot box.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
Hyde Tyler then also encountered Wednesday, but appeared to second-guess himself and simply tossed her through a window, knocking her unconscious instead of killing her.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-guess
Arthur Allen, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025
Kenley Jansen clearly isn’t one to second-guess himself, not after 16 years in the major leagues and 470 saves.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
It’s been nine months since the 2024 election — more than enough time for voters to reassess and second-guess their choices at the ballot box.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
Hyde Tyler then also encountered Wednesday, but appeared to second-guess himself and simply tossed her through a window, knocking her unconscious instead of killing her.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-guess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-guess
Verb
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The Fed and the Markets both appear to be trying to outguess each other.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes,
23 Sep. 2021
Verb
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In the final moments of Episode 8, he’s being held hostage with the newfound realization Wendy and the rest of the Lost Boys have been able to outsmart him.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
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Because some of them act like complete idiots, but Wendy is constantly outsmarting everyone.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bluebonnet Reading’s biblical content creates controversy Religion professors from Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University have analyzed the curriculum, which has little acknowledgement of other religions such as Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Sep. 2025
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The Brits and Irish were desperate for a change in fortune, so their captain Dai Rees analyzed the playing styles of the two teams and figured out a winning strategy.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Footage released by the Philippine government shows a Chinese coast guard cutter colliding with a People's Liberation Army Navy destroyer after being outmaneuvered by a Philippine fisheries bureau vessel.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
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That one of the biggest and most economically central industries got outmaneuvered by a sector that was, until recently, on the fringes speaks to the new pecking order.—
Rachel Witkowski,
semafor.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Supreme Court disagreed, reasoning the membership relationship between UNLV and the NCAA didn’t warrant a finding of state action by the NCAA.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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Michell was reasoning from Newton’s laws.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cross goes on the run with Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz) in a race to outwit the assassins and reveal the truth.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Sep. 2025
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Ben Shapiro, Pete Buttigieg, Michael Knowles, Alex O’Connor—these are professional debaters capable of outwitting and outreasoning almost any audience member unfamiliar with traditional debate techniques, regardless of the topic or claim being considered.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Banda believes that, with Usagi dead, Arisu will choose to stay in Borderland.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
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Many of singer D4vd’s friends in the Los Angeles music scene had come to believe that Celeste Rivas Hernandez was his 19-year-old girlfriend, long before the 15-year-old’s body was found dismembered in the trunk of his Tesla, which had been abandoned in the Hollywood hills a month earlier.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Johnson thwarted Messi again just before halftime with a heads-up save from close range.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
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Its pull could be enough to interact with Tropical Cyclone Nine – the possible soon-to-be Hurricane Imelda – in the Atlantic Ocean and thwart major damage in North and South Carolina.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Second-guess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second-guess. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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