second-guess

UK: /ˌsɛkəndˈgɛs/ US: (sek′ənd ges′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈsec•ond-ˈguess,  v. [~ + object]

1. to criticize or correct (someone, or someone's actions) after something has happened:
   It's easy to second-guess him now for what he did.
2. to predict the actions or intentions of:
   tried to second-guess his partner.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sec•ond-guess  (sek′ənd ges′), v.t. 

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.

• 1945–50

sec′ond-guess′er, n.