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

History and hindsight have made it a little difficult to contextualize what the Lakers accomplished last winter, the team hoisting a trophy and hanging a banner after winning the NBA’s first in-season tournament championship.

From Los Angeles Times

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

But now, with the benefit of hindsight, Bowman thinks that Garland waited too long, given the foreseeable procedural hurdles to any prosecution of this complexity and Trump’s unmatched ability to challenge such a case.

From Slate

Hindsight is very handy, but I was surprised with the timing of some of the changes England made, as I didn't feel they were necessary.

From BBC