second-guess

verb

Etymology: A back-formation from second guesser, originally from baseball. First use appears c. 1941.

1. To vet or evaluate; to criticize or correct, often by hindsight, by presuming to have a better idea, method, etc.

   “Please don't try to second-guess the procedure that we have already refined and adopted.”

   “Once she began listening to her instincts and didn't second-guess herself the entire time, her artwork improved noticeably.”

2. To anticipate or predict someone's actions or thoughts by guesswork.

   “In this day and age, it's so easy to stress / 'Cause people are strange and you can never second-guess”

   “The Securities and Exchange Commission says Goldman misled two clients by failing to give adequate disclosure.[…] It is impossible to second-guess the case's outcome. But Goldman is already viewed by many as guilty.”