Synonyms of head-scratching

head-scratching

noun

ˈhed-ˌskra-chiŋ 

as in confusion

a state of mental uncertainty

poorly worded instructions that must have resulted in a lot of head-scratching

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confusion
• fog
• tangle
• bewilderment
• perplexity
• bafflement
• bemusement
• puzzlement
• befuddlement
• discomfort
• discombobulation
• mystification
• maze
• bamboozlement
• embarrassment
• confusedness
• distraction
• distress
• dismay
• muddle
• bewilderedness
• mortification
• discomfiture
• whirl
• commotion
• chagrin
• upset
• agitation
• turmoil
• perturbation
• disturbance
• disquiet
• flurry
• abashment
• disconcertment
• fuss
• fluster
• dither
• bother
• stew

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conviction
• confidence
• certainty
• assurance
• certitude
• positiveness
• sureness

Examples of head-scratching in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The selection committee has, in recent years, made some head-scratching decisions. —Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 11 June 2024

And what if the aesthetic of this delightfully off-kilter, head-scratching experience were indebted to French new wave cinema, particularly Alain Resnais 1961 classic, Last Year at Marienbad? —Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 5 June 2024

Biden’s grad speech full of head-scratching moments, some students turn their backs. —Fox News, 20 May 2024

Maryland’s head-scratching 68-61 loss to Northwestern on Wednesday night seemingly evaporated its already slim hopes of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 29 Feb. 2024