head-scratching
Causing confused thought
Head-scratching describes something puzzling or confusing—the kind of thing that makes you scratch your head in bewilderment.
A head-scratching decision defies easy explanation.
A head-scratching mystery resists solution.
The term can also function as a noun for the act of puzzling over something: There was much head-scratching among analysts after the announcement.
Puzzling question to solve
- enigmaSomething hard to fathom
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
- brainteaserPuzzle demanding clever thought
- stumperUnanswerable question
poser · puzzler · mystery · problem · question · dilemma · quandary · paradox
Causing confusion or bewilderment
- bafflingImpossible to understand
- perplexingCausing mental confusion
- confoundingCausing surprise or confusion
- mystifyingCausing complete confusion
befuddling · stupefying · flummoxing · mind-boggling · inexplicable · incomprehensible · unfathomable · inscrutable
Puzzling and obscure
- crypticObscure in meaning
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
- strangeUnusual or unfamiliar
- oddUnusual or not even
peculiar · curious · weird · bizarre · inexplicable · unexplained · unsolved · baffling
riddle
Puzzling question to solve
- enigmaSomething hard to fathom
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
- brainteaserPuzzle demanding clever thought
stumper · poser · puzzler · mystery · problem · question · dilemma · quandary · paradox · contradiction
puzzling
Causing confusion or bewilderment
- bafflingImpossible to understand
- perplexingCausing mental confusion
- confoundingCausing surprise or confusion
mystifying · befuddling · stupefying · flummoxing · mind-boggling · inexplicable · incomprehensible · unfathomable · inscrutable · impenetrable
enigmatic
Puzzling and obscure
- crypticObscure in meaning
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
- strangeUnusual or unfamiliar
odd · peculiar · curious · weird · bizarre · inexplicable · unexplained · unsolved · baffling · puzzling
challenging
Hard to accomplish
complicated · complex · intricate · problematic · demanding · taxing · tough · hard · difficult · vexing
- confusionconfusion, confused, bewilderment, perplexity, baffled
- thinkingthinking, reasoning, thought, ponder, contemplate
head-scratchingcrystal-clear
Completely transparent or understandable
obvious · self-explanatory · self-evident · straightforward · clear-cut
head-scratchingno-brainer
Self-evident decision
easy · simple · effortless · uncomplicated · elementary
head-scratchingunsurprising
Causing no astonishment
expected · predictable · natural · logical · sensible
head, scratch, heads, headed, heading, header, headless, headfirst, headlong