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

Part of it is the Trump effect, which again has pollsters second-guessing themselves, and in particular, which factors matter most in gaming out voter behavior. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024

If Harris wins, Republicans will second-guess their decision to ride with Trump through a third presidential cycle. —Amie Parnes, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024

Such wavering or second-guessing could therefore contribute to the end of an otherwise successful and lucrative NFL career. —Chris Deubert, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

There’s not a lot of hand-wringing or second-guessing. —Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024

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