as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
poorly worded instructions that must have resulted in a lot of head-scratching
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Recent Examples of head-scratching
The play — and Profar’s head-scratching decision — changed the entire inning for Atlanta, as Olson grounded a comebacker to Stroman, starting a double play.
—
Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2025
Anderson was asked about Trump's head-scratching tariff threat during a press conference for his film, which boasts an all-star cast including Benicio del Toro, Tom Hanks, and Scarlett Johansson.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
This July 1 was not as crazy as some from the past, but there were still plenty of head-scratching contracts handed out, and most of them by teams that were not Stanley Cup contenders in April.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 1 July 2025
The reasoning is understood, but Utah's return is head-scratching
The rationale for trading Sexton is sound.
—Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2025
Anderson was asked about Trump's head-scratching tariff threat during a press conference for his film, which boasts an all-star cast including Benicio del Toro, Tom Hanks, and Scarlett Johansson.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
This July 1 was not as crazy as some from the past, but there were still plenty of head-scratching contracts handed out, and most of them by teams that were not Stanley Cup contenders in April.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 1 July 2025
The reasoning is understood, but Utah's return is head-scratching
The rationale for trading Sexton is sound.
—Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-scratching
Noun
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Role Clarity If current employees aren’t sure who owns what, new hires will step straight into the confusion.—
Leyda Lazo,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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There is no confusion when a woman makes a decision regarding her relationship.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Zero visibility strategy: In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
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The clarity provided by such a statement can break through the fog of mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians and allow both to imagine a future worth striving for.—
Ami Ayalon,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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At the river’s edge, a quarter-mile-long Mitsubishi factory was a mountainous tangle of steel.—
Charles Pellegrino,
Rolling Stone,
6 Aug. 2025
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In contrast with the tangle of criminal cases which mostly stalled against Trump, Brazilian courts moved swiftly against Bolsonaro, threatening to end his political career and fracture his right-wing movement.—
Ricardo Brito,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-scratching. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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