hindsight

[ hahynd-sahyt ]

noun

1. recognition of the realities, possibilities, or requirements of a situation, event, decision etc., after its occurrence.

hindsight

/ ˈhaɪndˌsaɪt /

noun

1. the ability to understand, after something has happened, what should have been done or what caused the event
2. a firearm's rear sight

Word History and Origins

Origin of hindsight¹

First recorded in 1850–55; hind ¹ + sight

Example Sentences

If the show was aligning itself to the guest host’s sensibilities, you have to wonder with hindsight if scheduling Burr to host days after such a divisive election was the right choice.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps, in hindsight, the answer will be obvious.

From BBC

I told my fiancé over the chicken strip special at O’Charley’s that I believed in women’s rights, though in hindsight I had very little knowledge of what that really meant.

From Salon

It creates distance and allows the audience to look back with the benefit of hindsight and additional growth.

From Salon

“So in hindsight now, when I look at the incidents, there is a little bit of disappointment because without that I think Lando could have fought for victory.”

From BBC