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

As a result, many people (41%) are second-guessing real tax communications. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025

The Bachelor is back on Monday, and tonight's episode is all about meeting the parents, making big decisions, and maybe even some second-guessing along the way. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

Mercury in Aries leaves no room for second-guessing, so trust your gut and speak your mind — this is the perfect time to make an impact. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025

Parents already second-guess every choice about their child’s care, so acknowledge their strength instead. —Friends Of Karen, Forbes, 1 Mar. 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