head-scratch·ing
ˈhed-ˌskra-chiŋ 
informal
: the act or activity of scratching one's head while pondering or puzzling over something difficult to understand
—used figuratively
Every year, around the middle of October, the finalists for the National Book Awards are announced to general bafflement. Specifically, it's the fiction shortlist that provokes head-scratching.—
Laura Miller
Laura MillerThis is, ahem, a very complex scientific process involving a great deal of head-scratching and thoughtful staring.—Tom Jordan
Tom Jordan
also
: confusion
informal
: difficult to understand : causing puzzlement or confusion
… the system can lead to head-scratching results …—Mark Bechtel
Mark Bechtel… we'll be revisiting some of the best, worst, and most head-scratching moments from our archives.—Doug Brod
Doug Brod
head-scratchingly
adverb
head-scratchingly poor decisions
Examples of head-scratching in a Sentence
Noun
poorly worded instructions that must have resulted in a lot of head-scratching
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Baker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Riley’s most head-scratching play call of the season appeared early in the fourth quarter, with rain steadily falling on Notre Dame Stadium.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
The head-scratching only begins there.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
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.
Noun
If that stretch wasn’t enough, Florida returned to another head-scratching theme — an inability to field 11 players — in the fourth quarter.
—Matt Baker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Riley’s most head-scratching play call of the season appeared early in the fourth quarter, with rain steadily falling on Notre Dame Stadium.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Matchweek eight saw the Premier League’s 20 teams create 55 big chances, the highest of the season — yet, those opportunities brought multiple head-scratching misses, including a couple with game-state-altering potential.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
The head-scratching only begins there.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head-scratching. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share