head-scratcher
noun
head-scratch·er
ˈhed-ˌskra-chər 
plural head-scratchers
informal
: something that is confusing, mysterious, or hard to understand
Police say the real head-scratcher is trying to determine exactly how the thief or thieves fished the koi from the pond and carted them away unnoticed.—
Associated Press
Associated PressWe 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
Given not only how overmatched his roster is on paper, but the fact that Willard himself called the scheduling of this game a head-scratcher, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff Neiburg, a blowout loss by Villanova would hardly be a shocker.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Among other head-scratchers, the Trump-Musk budget team whacked the Internal Revenue Service — a revenue generator — and also cut billions from research, our nation’s one strong suit.
—Jim Nowlan, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
But the manner in which MLB did so was a head-scratcher.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Denver’s late fourth-quarter play-call was the most obvious head-scratcher of any decision against the Titans, as Nix dropped back and fired off an incomplete go-ball to Marvin Mims on a fourth-and-eight with a minute left.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 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.
Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Among other head-scratchers, the Trump-Musk budget team whacked the Internal Revenue Service — a revenue generator — and also cut billions from research, our nation’s one strong suit.
—Jim Nowlan, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
But the manner in which MLB did so was a head-scratcher.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Denver’s late fourth-quarter play-call was the most obvious head-scratcher of any decision against the Titans, as Nix dropped back and fired off an incomplete go-ball to Marvin Mims on a fourth-and-eight with a minute left.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 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 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share