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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of head-scratching
The Hollywood Reporter was there for the celebrity run-ins, secret conversations and head-scratching sights before and during the ceremony in Sin City.
—
Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
There are some big swings which tip into head-scratching territory, including an ending that doesn’t really work, but as first films go, it’s startlingly assured stuff.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 May 2025
It came wrapped in the same bow, ultimately, as the other 40: a jumbled box of hanging deliveries and head-scratching fundamental mistakes.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 May 2025
Minnesota has high highs as a team but low lows and can play head-scratching basketball at times.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
There are some big swings which tip into head-scratching territory, including an ending that doesn’t really work, but as first films go, it’s startlingly assured stuff.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 May 2025
It came wrapped in the same bow, ultimately, as the other 40: a jumbled box of hanging deliveries and head-scratching fundamental mistakes.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 May 2025
Minnesota has high highs as a team but low lows and can play head-scratching basketball at times.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-scratching
Noun
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump last week contains dozens of complex tax and other provisions that have generated confusion and misinformation.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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This leads to confusion and frustration when their air conditioning is unexpectedly limited.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Using a mosquito 'bucket of doom' is much cheaper than getting a pest control service to come fog or spray your yard.—
Elliott Harrell,
Southern Living,
4 July 2025
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Heavy rain pelted the rescuers, who also battled fog and 45 mph wind gusts, according to officials.—
Sara Schilling
July 2,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2025
Noun
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In my experience, most sea salt sprays require some sort of trade-off: either tons of volume but tangles, or great wave definition but very little body.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
Glamour,
26 June 2025
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One of the most aggressive garden invaders, bindweed rapidly rambles through perennials and shrubs, creating a leafy tangle of stems and foliage.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-scratching. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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