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
One of the biggest head-scratching decisions of this past season was seeing the Giants let running back Saquon Barkley go, only to sign with the Super Bowl champion Eagles and have a career year.
—
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
There are still sycophants and acolytes, but no savvy producers to make his head-scratching moves appear to make sense.
—Laura Bassett, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2025
The labyrinthine saga dating from 1977, when the original Grove Isle covenant was signed, provokes intense head-scratching.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Along the way, there was an over-the-top, head-scratching marching band interlude and a bloody brawl.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
There are still sycophants and acolytes, but no savvy producers to make his head-scratching moves appear to make sense.
—Laura Bassett, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2025
The labyrinthine saga dating from 1977, when the original Grove Isle covenant was signed, provokes intense head-scratching.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Along the way, there was an over-the-top, head-scratching marching band interlude and a bloody brawl.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-scratching
Noun
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However, severe cases of extremely high blood pressure may lead to symptoms resembling anxiety or panic, such as headache, vision changes, vomiting, confusion, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort or pain.—
Angela Ryan Lee,
Health,
15 May 2025
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Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
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 28 May. 2025.
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