SECOND THOUGHT Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

second thought

noun

Definition of second thought

as in doubt

a feeling of guilt, doubt, worry, etc., that you have after you have decided to do something or after something has happened After she agreed to lend him the money, she had second thoughts. She was having second thoughts about getting married.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of second thought Subscriptions like Billie cover this for you without a second thought. — Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping, 30 Nov. 2022 In America, the allure of material comfort is accepted without a second thought. — Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2022 Would Daenerys Targaryen have lit that place up without a second thought? — Lauren Morgan, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2022 As the existing workforce exits the industry and new technological innovation changes how projects are imagined and built, the industry has a unique opportunity to attract a new type of worker who may never have given construction a second thought. — Mark Schwartz, Forbes, 17 May 2021 See All Example Sentences for second thought

Recent Examples of Synonyms for second thought

Noun

In most other franchises, a 4-2 road trip through two New York boroughs could calm the speculation, but one with such enormous standards — and that has already taken drastic action — doesn’t receive that benefit of the doubt.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Without a doubt, opponents of the deal will seize on that as evidence of its being exploitative and will demand renegotiation on that basis.

— Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of doubt

Noun

Someone may be ready to build with you, but hesitation, mixed signals, or too many moving pieces could slow the process down.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
But the full game tape shows those are few and far between — his hesitation and questionable decisions make the lowlights a near-constant.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hesitation

Browse Nearby Words

second sight

second thought

second thoughts

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Second thought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20thought. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of second thought

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes