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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of head-scratching
Punishment for tripping a horse One head-scratching law in New Mexico is one that involves the penalty for tripping a horse.
—
Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 17 Dec. 2024
Dress right For a relaxed city, there are some head-scratching dress codes in Sydney.
—Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2024
But the process wasn’t without stumbles, contradictions and head-scratching decisions.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 10 Dec. 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 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for head-scratching 
Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 17 Dec. 2024
Dress right For a relaxed city, there are some head-scratching dress codes in Sydney.
—Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2024
But the process wasn’t without stumbles, contradictions and head-scratching decisions.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 10 Dec. 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 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for head-scratching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-scratching
Noun
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The issue is Jurgens is dealing with a back injury, hence the confusion about his playing at all.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
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Despite those warnings, the oil company went on to lead a decades-long campaign to sow public confusion about global warming.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Tomorrow through Sunday, onshore winds will return, which will raise the humidity for the Los Angeles area and bring in some coastal fog and clouds.—
Stephanie Fuerte,
NBC News,
16 Jan. 2025
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Initially, Dury's comet hunting venture began close to home in Somerset but heavy mist and fog covered the Mendip Hills, so Dury was forced to head elsewhere.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The diplomatic tangle was particularly complicated for Italy, which is a historic ally of Washington but maintains good relations with Tehran.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2025
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Letting the roast simmer for hours in a mixture of pickled jalapeño brine and fish sauce yields a fall-apart tangle of meat that’s wildly good on soft rolls or over piles of rice.—
Margaux Laskey,
New York Times,
30 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near head-scratching
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-scratching. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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