HEAD-SCRATCHERS Synonyms: 20 Similar Words

head-scratchers

noun

plural of head-scratcher

as in mysteries

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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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.

Recent Examples of head-scratchers Some lineup decisions were head-scratchers, but there was a mandate to try to develop the young guys as much as possible, and Warsofsky gave them a longer leash. — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026 The Oscar-winning actor playing Zorro is Jean Dujardin, whose run of awards accolades for The Artist remains one of those peculiar head-scratchers. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026 The extraordinary strength of that lineup seems even more pronounced following the conclusion of a 2026 festival that, by consensus and by comparison, was a bit of a disappointment—not without its good and even great films, though with many head-scratchers in between. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-scratchers

Noun

For new discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines, follow NPR's Short Wave podcast.

— Will Stone, NPR, 8 July 2026
However, even though the JWST has been able to use its MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) and NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) to study Centaurus A like never before, there are still mysteries to be solved about this structure.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of mysteries

Noun

In 2024, now grown and with her adoptive father’s approval, the young woman sets off with a wealthy merchant to piece together the historical enigmas surrounding the ancient Sumpa kingdom.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 June 2026
Bob Gray is one of the big enigmas in the book that are intentionally put there to create tension and are never solved.

— Scott Huver, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026

Definition of enigmas

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“Head-scratchers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-scratchers. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of head-scratchers

noun

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