second-guess

[sek-uhnd-ges]

verb (used with object)

1. to use hindsight in criticizing or correcting.

2. to predict (something) or outguess (someone).

   We must try to second-guess what he'll do next.

second-guess

verb

1. to criticize or evaluate with hindsight

2. to attempt to anticipate or predict (a person or thing)

Other Word Forms

• second-guesser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of second-guess¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Late in that same game, Giants interim coach Mike Kafka made a bold move that was quickly second-guessed.

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Hurts is second-guessed so often he should probably go ahead and copyright the term.

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“Corporations are willing to assert that information is confidential, commercial information, and more governmental bodies are willing not to second-guess the company’s assertion,” Leatherbury said.

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O’Connor agreed that courts have limited ability to second-guess decisions to drop or not bring charges against defendants.

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More specifically, what behavior experts call “regret aversion” — our tendency to avoid choices that might someday leave us second-guessing ourselves.

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