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
Ars published a story a few months ago on spaceflight patches from NASA, SpaceX, Russia, and the NRO, the US government's spy satellite agency, which is responsible for some of the most head-scratching mission logos.
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ArsTechnica, 17 May 2025
This is not their first head-scratching loss of the year.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2025
Still, imagery and data collected by the probe's instruments are portraying some head-scratching puzzlement.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 6 May 2025
Although Williams has flashed talent, he’s also made head-scratching mistakes throughout his young career and is entering the final year of his contract.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
ArsTechnica, 17 May 2025
This is not their first head-scratching loss of the year.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2025
Still, imagery and data collected by the probe's instruments are portraying some head-scratching puzzlement.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 6 May 2025
Although Williams has flashed talent, he’s also made head-scratching mistakes throughout his young career and is entering the final year of his contract.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-scratching
Noun
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Plus, the bars are shaped like an ‘S’ and a ‘C’, so there’s no confusion as to which is which.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 May 2025
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According to him, people who engage in financial education come from a place of need, such as growing a family, facing credit denial, having confusion about financial systems, or starting over after immigration or other major life events.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
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The views of rooftops, treetops, and (if the fog cooperates) the Bay are nothing short of cinematic.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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Zero visibility strategy: In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Long story short, the uncontrolled airflow of a standard blow dryer can create tangles galore on loose to tight curl patterns while the nozzle detachment used to create a smooth blowout effect does away with curls entirely.—
Georgia Day,
Vogue,
14 May 2025
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Before Carrier’s tangle of fraudulent loans collapsed and was exposed in court, there were signs of trouble.—
Anjeanette Damon,
ProPublica,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-scratching. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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