second-guess

American  

[sek-uhnd-ges] / ˈsɛk əndˈgɛs /

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.

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second-guess British  

verb

1. to criticize or evaluate with hindsight

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

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Other Word Forms

• second-guesser
  noun

Etymology

Origin of second-guess

First recorded in 1945–50

Explanation

When you second-guess something, you either predict what will happen in the future, or look back and reevaluate something that happened in the past. You might second-guess your decision to wear shorts after it starts snowing. You can second-guess how your favorite player will perform in the Super Bowl, but you won't know until you watch the game. And then you might second-guess the way your team played. The first use of second-guess has you guessing what someone will do. The second, which is more common in the U.S., comes from baseball slang, "for a fan who loudly questions decisions by players."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

second-guess

You are trying to second-guess what the goalkeeper will do, and he is trying to do the same to you, but at the same time you are battling negative thoughts about whether you will miss.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

Powell said he wasn’t staying to second-guess Warsh and that he would keep a low profile.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 3, 2026

"You shouldn't let a single Missouri jury second-guess that judgment."

From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026

Instead, it was just a steady stream of corporate and economic headlines chipping away at risk appetite, forcing both speculators and value investors to second-guess everything they thought they knew.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 7, 2026

As soon as he was ready, before he could second-guess himself, he led his horse into the river.

From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo