as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
poorly worded instructions that must have resulted in a lot of head-scratching
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of head-scratching
As head-scratching as that sounds, the nature of Monopoly won't change at all.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2025
Considering the head-scratching moves that the Jets' ownership has made, they have been given the lowest grade possible in the NFLPA annual report cards.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
All of this has made Sunday’s seeding release one of the most head-scratching in recent NCS memory.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont finally broke his silence about the trade, making some really head-scratching comments about the situation.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2025
Considering the head-scratching moves that the Jets' ownership has made, they have been given the lowest grade possible in the NFLPA annual report cards.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
All of this has made Sunday’s seeding release one of the most head-scratching in recent NCS memory.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont finally broke his silence about the trade, making some really head-scratching comments about the situation.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-scratching
Noun
-
However, since the start of 2025, there has been confusion among many in college mental health about how to comply with the intentions of the federal government.—
Eric Wood,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The bill would directly conflict with federal law, opening the door for homeowners to face confusion regarding what is permitted.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Morning Fog Effect: Coastal Chilean Wine Perhaps the most visible manifestation of the Humboldt's influence is the morning fog.—
Jill Barth,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
On Thursday at 11:09 p.m. a dense fog advisory was issued by the NWS San Diego CA valid for Friday between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. for Orange County Coastal.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The possible legal tangle between Minnesota and the Trump administration mirrors a similar situation between the administration and Maine, whose leaders have also refused to follow Trump’s anti-trans sports order.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Bateman and his team had been studying tau tangles, the abnormal clumps of protein that form inside the neurons of people with Alzheimer's.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-scratching. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share