second-guess
verb
sec·ond-guess
ˌse-kᵊŋ-ˈges 
-kən(d)-
second-guessed; second-guessing; second-guesses
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
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
Time
second-guesser
noun
Examples of second-guess in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other justices appeared to agree that the government had provided sufficient explanation as currently required under the law, and that State Department decisions on visas should not be second-guessed by judges.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
That fact led to plenty of second-guessing afterward.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024
The Nuclear Medicine Clarification Act does not second-guess the radiation level that NRC has determined could indicate potential problems in handling nuclear materials.
—Pam Kohl and Bill Kiser, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024
In situations that call for a compliment, don’t second-guess yourself.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
Torian said his position is that the General Assembly did its job — passed a balanced budget with bipartisan support — and should not be asked by the governor to second-guess itself.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Other programs with Arizona’s expectations might respond to the 77-72 loss to Clemson with months of second-guessing and hand wringing.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Stop second-guessing and start believing in yourself.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
In his interview, Trump did not offer a prescription of his own for the Israel-Hamas conflict, a point made by opponents who accused the former president of again second-guessing allies.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
That fact led to plenty of second-guessing afterward.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024
The Nuclear Medicine Clarification Act does not second-guess the radiation level that NRC has determined could indicate potential problems in handling nuclear materials.
—Pam Kohl and Bill Kiser, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024
In situations that call for a compliment, don’t second-guess yourself.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
Torian said his position is that the General Assembly did its job — passed a balanced budget with bipartisan support — and should not be asked by the governor to second-guess itself.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Other programs with Arizona’s expectations might respond to the 77-72 loss to Clemson with months of second-guessing and hand wringing.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Stop second-guessing and start believing in yourself.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
In his interview, Trump did not offer a prescription of his own for the Israel-Hamas conflict, a point made by opponents who accused the former president of again second-guessing allies.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'second-guess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near second-guess
Cite this Entry
“Second-guess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-guess. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share