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
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 
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.
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
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 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share