as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
why he chose to sink all of his money into a failing business is a real head-scratcher
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Recent Examples of head-scratcher
Another head-scratcher: singles swapping out Tinder for run clubs.
—
André Wheeler, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Here's the biggest head-scratcher: Because Anna lives at the same time as both Ellie's stepsister and her grandmother, Daniel is both Ellie's stepdad and her great-grandfather.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2024
Mainland China ETFs with Shanghai and Shenzhen stocks had risen above the 10% daily limit up, and the STAR Board above their 20% daily limit up, which was a bit of a head-scratcher.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
But as is often the case with the DMV, Monday’s announcement was a bit of a head-scratcher, coming after months of attempts by the agency to update its mess of a website and clarify the multiple test-taking options for older drivers.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for head-scratcher 
André Wheeler, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Here's the biggest head-scratcher: Because Anna lives at the same time as both Ellie's stepsister and her grandmother, Daniel is both Ellie's stepdad and her great-grandfather.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2024
Mainland China ETFs with Shanghai and Shenzhen stocks had risen above the 10% daily limit up, and the STAR Board above their 20% daily limit up, which was a bit of a head-scratcher.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
But as is often the case with the DMV, Monday’s announcement was a bit of a head-scratcher, coming after months of attempts by the agency to update its mess of a website and clarify the multiple test-taking options for older drivers.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for head-scratcher
Thesaurus Entries Near head-scratcher
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-scratcher. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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