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
Wanda Sykes never second-guessed her decision to have a double mastectomy after she was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.
—Eileen Finan, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
No more second-guessing, its smart display shows exactly how much life is left and how quickly your devices are charging.
—Juhi Wadia, PCMAG, 7 Feb. 2025
Thomas Webster at the Jan. 6 Rally Inevitably, some of the outcomes were ripe for second-guessing.
—Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 6 Feb. 2025
Costa Brava Catalonia While Barcelona residents have made tourists second-guess a visit to Catalonia’s capital, take the opportunity to escape the crowds and head to Costa Brava.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2025
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Eileen Finan, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
No more second-guessing, its smart display shows exactly how much life is left and how quickly your devices are charging.
—Juhi Wadia, PCMAG, 7 Feb. 2025
Thomas Webster at the Jan. 6 Rally Inevitably, some of the outcomes were ripe for second-guessing.
—Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 6 Feb. 2025
Costa Brava Catalonia While Barcelona residents have made tourists second-guess a visit to Catalonia’s capital, take the opportunity to escape the crowds and head to Costa Brava.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for second-guess
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 16 Feb. 2025.
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