second-guess

verb

sec·​ond-guess ˌse-kᵊŋ-ˈges How to pronounce second-guess (audio)
-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 coachBruce 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 marketTime
second-guesser noun

Examples of second-guess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even his decision to choose the politically flawed Kamala Harris as his running mate and then turn the nomination over to her in July 2024 without any internal Democratic Party process will be rightly second-guessed for many years. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 Forty days is plenty of time to second-guess yourself. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024 Sarah helps leaders enhance their executive presence, replace second-guessing with decisive action, and equips them to live powerfully and lead fluently. Sarah Mann, Harvard Business Review, 14 Nov. 2024 But his decision not to step aside after one term — and the party’s lack of appetite for a competitive primary against him — will be second-guessed by those who feel such a process would either have strengthened Harris or produced a better nominee. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for second-guess 

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of second-guess was in 1941

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 1 Dec. 2024.

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
second-guesser noun

More from Merriam-Webster on second-guess

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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