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
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
Cite this Entry
“Second-guess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-guess. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.
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