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
To be of service to our readers, Ars has done the work of looking through hundreds of such items presented at the 2025 Consumer Electronic Show, pulling out the most bizarre, unnecessary, and head-scratching items.
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Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2025
But there’s more head-scratching YouTube content for your algorithm to feast on.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
In 2024, Arizona creatures found themselves in some rather unusual situations, and Arizonans were there to catch the cuteness, mayhem and head-scratching moments on camera with these viral videos.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 27 Dec. 2024
Move around the board to solve the head-scratching whodunit as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and other iconic characters, while revealing secret passages, changing staircases, and more along the way.
—Kayla Kitts, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2025
But there’s more head-scratching YouTube content for your algorithm to feast on.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
In 2024, Arizona creatures found themselves in some rather unusual situations, and Arizonans were there to catch the cuteness, mayhem and head-scratching moments on camera with these viral videos.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 27 Dec. 2024
Move around the board to solve the head-scratching whodunit as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and other iconic characters, while revealing secret passages, changing staircases, and more along the way.
—Kayla Kitts, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-scratching
Noun
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Each stanza reflects the confusion, horror and uncertainty that of the battle to keep Fort McHenry — and thus the City of Baltimore — from falling into British hands.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
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Unlike his Western European counterparts, who waver between moral grandstanding and strategic confusion, Duda has taken the only approach that actually strengthens European security: full alignment with American leadership.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Kevin Gordon, a senior investment strategist at Charles Schwab, said the back and forth with tariffs has created a fog of uncertainty for investors, businesses and consumers.—
John Towfighi,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
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Central Sacramento Valley, Southern Sacramento Valley, Carquinez Strait and Delta and Northern San Joaquin Valley are under a dense fog advisory which was issued by the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 4:55 a.m.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
The Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Focus on your waist, not just your weight As the size of a person’s belly grows, studies show the memory center of the brain shrinks and hallmark signs of Alzheimer’s disease can appear — namely beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN,
25 Feb. 2025
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Unwinding the tangle of sanctions — as well as countermeasures enacted by the Russian government — would be a long and complicated process.—
Patricia Cohen,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-scratching. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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