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
Synonyms
Examples of head-scratching in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebChris Morris, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
The head-scratching announcement of a plan to have a plan comes as pressure mounts on Democrats over the looming fiscal crisis.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Yet that hardly accounts for the bulk of the head-scratching cases.
—USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Beyoncé's wax figure is the latest in a long line of head-scratching celebrity likenesses.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2024
This really gets back to the head-scratching performance of Miami’s offense in big games this season.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2024
That desperation to find an identity shows most in the Warriors’ sometimes head-scratching rotation pattern.
—Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024
The circumstances of their struggle made this a head-scratching mystery as much as a standard-fare loss.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Here’s our rundown of all the highs, lows, and head-scratching choices from this year’s Grammy nominations.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 10 Nov. 2023
Peter Warren, Dallas News, 15 Mar. 2023
Noun
Tesla might make its numbers on the sale of its vehicles, but the automaker has a curious side gig: offering head-scratching products.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
The head-scratching announcement of a plan to have a plan comes as pressure mounts on Democrats over the looming fiscal crisis.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Yet that hardly accounts for the bulk of the head-scratching cases.
—USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Beyoncé's wax figure is the latest in a long line of head-scratching celebrity likenesses.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2024
This really gets back to the head-scratching performance of Miami’s offense in big games this season.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2024
That desperation to find an identity shows most in the Warriors’ sometimes head-scratching rotation pattern.
—Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024
The circumstances of their struggle made this a head-scratching mystery as much as a standard-fare loss.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Here’s our rundown of all the highs, lows, and head-scratching choices from this year’s Grammy nominations.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 10 Nov. 2023
Adjective
Mason Marchment broke his head-scratching 32-game scoreless drought in his first game playing with Domi.
—Peter Warren, Dallas News, 15 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'head-scratching.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near head-scratching
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head-scratching. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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