head-scratcher
noun
head-scratch·er
ˈhed-ˌskra-chər 
plural head-scratchers
informal
: something that is confusing, mysterious, or hard to understand
We love college football for nothing if not the belief—hope even—that at any moment the unexpected could happen. Young as it is, this season has already provided its share of jaw-droppers and head-scratchers.—
Holly Anderson
Holly AndersonExamples of head-scratcher in a Sentence
why he chose to sink all of his money into a failing business is a real head-scratcher
Recent Examples on the Web
The real head-scratcher came Wednesday night when New Orleans traded up from No. 23 to No. 13 with the Atlanta Hawks to take Maryland big man Derik Queen — and gave up a 2026 unprotected first-round pick in the process.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2025
One of the dumbest Marmol decisions in a career full of head-scratchers.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Eagles' decision to move on from CJ Gardner-Johnson at the start of the offseason was a bit of a head-scratcher at the time.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
While Utah is blessed with stunning landscapes and tremendous natural resources (home to five national parks), understanding how the sale of millions of acres of federal lands might be part of a solution to the affordable housing crisis in that state is seen as a head-scratcher by many.
—Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratcher
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.
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2025
One of the dumbest Marmol decisions in a career full of head-scratchers.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Eagles' decision to move on from CJ Gardner-Johnson at the start of the offseason was a bit of a head-scratcher at the time.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
While Utah is blessed with stunning landscapes and tremendous natural resources (home to five national parks), understanding how the sale of millions of acres of federal lands might be part of a solution to the affordable housing crisis in that state is seen as a head-scratcher by many.
—Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratcher
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head-scratcher. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share