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
Figuring out how to get rid of dandruff can be a real head-scratcher.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
He’s been all across the map in Denver’s first two preseason games: a 61-yard bomb against Arizona last week, a 25-yard head-scratcher the week before against San Francisco.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2025
Here is a real head-scratcher: The contribution to U.S. GDP growth from data center spending is now the same as that from consumer spending, according to Apollo Management.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
The jury’s still out on the first head-scratcher.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratcher
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Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
He’s been all across the map in Denver’s first two preseason games: a 61-yard bomb against Arizona last week, a 25-yard head-scratcher the week before against San Francisco.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2025
Here is a real head-scratcher: The contribution to U.S. GDP growth from data center spending is now the same as that from consumer spending, according to Apollo Management.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
The jury’s still out on the first head-scratcher.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 13 Aug. 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 11 Sep. 2025.
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