head-scratcher

noun

head-scratch·er ˈhed-ˌskra-chər

plural head-scratchers

Synonyms of head-scratcher next

informal

: something that is confusing, mysterious, or hard to understand

We love college football for nothing if not the belief—hope even—that at any moment the unexpected could happen. Young as it is, this season has already provided its share of jaw-droppers and head-scratchers.—

Holly Anderson

Examples of head-scratcher in a Sentence

why he chose to sink all of his money into a failing business is a real head-scratcher

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

As always, there are still head-scratchers, like big nominations for the Beatles and Jacob Collier. —

Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024 But many of those 10 state propositions are head-scratchers. —

George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 After a slow start to the year (though the close Week 2 win over Boise is hardly a head-scratcher at this point), both Gabriel and the 8-0 Ducks (5-0 Big Ten) have been on fire since Week 3. —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024 Strange laws are often head-scratchers in terms of trying to figure out why the law was created in the first place. —

Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for head-scratcher

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of head-scratcher was in 1902

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Head-scratcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head-scratcher. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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