hindsight

noun

hind·​sight ˈhīn(d)-ˌsīt How to pronounce hindsight (audio)
: perception of the nature of an event after it has happened
In hindsight, it's clear there were alternatives.
Hindsight is twenty-twenty.

Examples of hindsight in a Sentence

It's easy for us to say that the war was wrong, but we have the advantage of hindsight.
Recent Examples on the Web In hindsight, Schneider agreed some jokes crossed a line and should be cut from episodes that continue to air or can still be streamed. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2024 Great victories look more ambiguous in hindsight, and catastrophic defeats sometimes have silver linings. Andrew Exum, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hindsight 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hindsight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hindsight was in 1866

Dictionary Entries Near hindsight

Cite this Entry

“Hindsight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hindsight. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hindsight

noun
hind·​sight ˈhīn(d)-ˌsīt How to pronounce hindsight (audio)
: realization of the meaning or importance of an event only after it has happened

More from Merriam-Webster on hindsight

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