as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
why he chose to sink all of his money into a failing business is a real head-scratcher
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Recent Examples of head-scratcher
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-scratcher
mystery
Noun
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Fox went on to appear in 2009's Sherlock Holmes and 2018's Christmas Survival, as well as guest starring in several British mystery television shows, including Midsomer Murders, Death in Paradise and Downton Abbey.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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The cast for the first (and only) season of the Columbo-esque mystery series also featured Randall Park, Giancarlo Esposito, Susan Kelechi Watson, Edwina Findley, Bronson Pinchot, Mary Wiseman, Julieth Restrepo, Al Mitchell, Mel Rodriguez, Ken Marino, Jason Lee and Jane Curtin, among others.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-scratcher. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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