head-scratch·ing
ˈhed-ˌskra-chiŋ 
informal
: the act or activity of scratching one's head while pondering or puzzling over something difficult to understand
—used figuratively
Every year, around the middle of October, the finalists for the National Book Awards are announced to general bafflement. Specifically, it's the fiction shortlist that provokes head-scratching.—
Laura Miller
Laura MillerThis is, ahem, a very complex scientific process involving a great deal of head-scratching and thoughtful staring.—Tom Jordan
Tom Jordan
also
: confusion
informal
: difficult to understand : causing puzzlement or confusion
… the system can lead to head-scratching results …—Mark Bechtel
Mark Bechtel… we'll be revisiting some of the best, worst, and most head-scratching moments from our archives.—Doug Brod
Doug Brod
head-scratchingly
adverb
head-scratchingly poor decisions
Examples of head-scratching in a Sentence
Noun
poorly worded instructions that must have resulted in a lot of head-scratching
Recent Examples on the Web
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Here’s the problem: Warner Bros. granted a head-scratching $118 million to spend on production (replicating Pattinson doesn’t come cheap!) and another $80 million on marketing.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025
Peter Warren, Dallas News, 15 Mar. 2023
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Noun
More news: How Evan Engram Transforms Broncos Offense With Bo Nix
The Texans have made some head-scratching moves, such as trading away star left tackle Laremy Tunsil, coincidentally to the Commanders.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Here’s the problem: Warner Bros. granted a head-scratching $118 million to spend on production (replicating Pattinson doesn’t come cheap!) and another $80 million on marketing.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Mason Marchment broke his head-scratching 32-game scoreless drought in his first game playing with Domi.
—Peter Warren, Dallas News, 15 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head-scratching. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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