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
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
Adding a running back at the right price wouldn't be a bad idea, but choosing to target that position over defense is just a head-scratching proposition.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Nix is certainly one of them, with a couple of head-scratching incompletions on third down in the second half.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
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
Adding a running back at the right price wouldn't be a bad idea, but choosing to target that position over defense is just a head-scratching proposition.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Nix is certainly one of them, with a couple of head-scratching incompletions on third down in the second half.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-scratching
Noun
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The abrupt departure stunned the crowd, prompting confusion both in the audience and among his bandmates.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
25 Oct. 2025
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Teddy’s reasoning is a confusion of save-the-world alarmism, garden-variety derangement, unhealed trauma, and single-minded revenge.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Neptune retrograde in Pisces, on the other hand, dissolves the fog of illusion, which also serves as an invitation to confront an emotional truth with clarity and compassion.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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What is normal in the state of dementia, where connections are not being made, where tangle is all, objects take on a curious aspect, and where there is an unpleasant flavor to the hours?—
Joy Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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In a yarn shop, a tangle of tariffs Sara Heckman’s shop Apricot Yarn & Supply sells yarn from around the world.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-scratching. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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