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
The guilt or second-guessing that follows is your subconscious telling you there’s more beneath the surface.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Courts will not second-guess the safety measures employers adopt, even when those measures infringe on an employee’s privacy, unless the measures are unreasonable under the circumstances.
—Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
Biden finished his one term in the White House with low-approval ratings and facing second-guessing from fellow Democrats about his late decision to end his 2024 reelection, a move some Democrats blame for Trump's victory over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
To make matters worse, countries are second-guessing each other.
—Ed Newton-Rex, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-guess
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Courts will not second-guess the safety measures employers adopt, even when those measures infringe on an employee’s privacy, unless the measures are unreasonable under the circumstances.
—Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
Biden finished his one term in the White House with low-approval ratings and facing second-guessing from fellow Democrats about his late decision to end his 2024 reelection, a move some Democrats blame for Trump's victory over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
To make matters worse, countries are second-guessing each other.
—Ed Newton-Rex, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-guess
Cite this Entry
“Second-guess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-guess. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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