No 14791, Tuesday 12 May 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 20D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Most annoyed with extremely obnoxious head of syndicate in summit (8) CROSSEST {CR{Ob...uS}{Sy...e}EST}

5   Gorgeous associate goes bare, intoxicated after drink (6) SUPERB {BaRE}*<=>{SUP}

10 One captivated by young lady working in office (7) MISSION {1} in {MISS}{ON}

11 See 3 Down

12 Left to inquire about patient at centre for eye surgery (5) LASIK {L}{AS{patIent}K}

13 Extremely tense guys entering a club for relaxation (9) ABATEMENT {TensE}{MEN} in {A}{BAT}

14 Stylish fellow on island lied about relationships for affairs (12) INFIDELITIES {IN}{F}{I}{LIED*}{TIES}

18 A few words after fellow involved in deceit gets long term of imprisonment (4,8) LIFE SENTENCE {SENTENCE}<=>{LI{F}E}

21 One evaluating flight, spin etc in cricket match with plan to trap India's opener (4,5) TEST PILOT {TEST}{P{In..a}LOT}

23 Group going topless on excellent Hawaiian island (5) LANAI {cLAN}{A1}

24 Large lizards in Antigua, nasty (7) IGUANAS [T]

25 CIA list about right-leaning characters (7) ITALICS*

26 Rodent in hotel behind park caught by energetic person (6) GOPHER {H}<=>{P} in {GOER}

27 Moves forward, kills extremely peculiar female monsters (8) OGRESSES prOGRESSES

DOWN

1   Observe beautiful European falling for Prince (6) COMPLY COM(-e+p)PLY

2   Torment in sob session (6) OBSESS [T]

3 & 11 What tortoise might do to take a risk (5,4,4,3) STICK ONES NECK OUT [C&DD]

4   Make a big thing of American involved in deplorable liaisons with teens (14) SENSATIONALISE {A} in {LIAISONS+TEENS}*

6   Fun clearly to host a relative (5) UNCLE [T]

7   Old erotic novel is popular (8)  EXOTERIC {EX}{EROTIC}*

8   Venture by American group backing Tesla's trial of a product in final stage (4,4) BETA TEST {BET}{A}{SET<=}{T}

9   Promising band in arena after struggle (10,4) ENGAGEMENT RING {RING}<=>{ENGAGEMENT}

15 Charge stylish college head ensnaring university student (9) INCULPATE {IN}{C}{PATE} over {U}{L}

16 Dope, heroin and gin? Horrible habit (8) CLOTHING {CLOT}{H}{GIN*}

17 Bad defeat for one on cricket field (3,5) OFF STUMP {OFF}{STUMP}

19 Pranks by comic in cast (6) ANTICS*

20 Wife is winner of American beauty contest (6) ?I?S?S (Addendum - MISSUS {MISS US} - See comments)

22 Tubular pasta in stall, extremely nice (5) PENNE {PEN}{NicE}

Reference List

Associate = A, Drink = SUP, Left = L, Stylish = IN, Fellow = F, Island = I, Hotel = H, Park = P, European = E, Prince = P, American = A, Tesla = T, College = C, University = U, Student = L, Heroin = H

No 14790, Monday 11 May 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 22D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Displays anxiety about lout at centre following husband (5,3) HANGS OUT {ANGS{lOUt}T}<=>{H}

5   Stumble over daughter's three-legged stand (6) TRIPOD {TRIP}{O}{D}

10 Novel released around end of year (7) UNTRIED {UNT{yeaR}IED}

11 See 3 Down

12 Constant stench in estuary (5) CREEK {C}{REEK}

13 Rugged mesomorph wins easily (5,4) ROMPS HOME*

14 Reading about extremely terse Republican's meddlesomeness (12) INTERFERENCE {IN{TersE}{R}FERENCE}

18 Manage to crush confident barbarian in a game (8,4) TREASURE HUNT {TREA{SURE}{HUN}T}

21 Actress playing flirtatious role is naughty to be sure, close to perfect (9) SOUBRETTE {TO+BE+SURE+p...cT}* 

23 Join teleconference to secure information of military value (5) INTEL [T]

24 One chanting is emotional, having finally lost love (7) INTONER {INN{losT}{0}ER}

25 Attacking cartel after receiving assistance (7) RAIDING {R{AID}ING}

26 Proceed with Mafia boss to have small boy sponsored at baptism (6) GODSON {GO}{D{S}ON}

27 Beginning to train hard by playing tennis, becoming most lean (8) THINNEST {Tr..n}{H}{TENNIS}*

DOWN

1   Squat to acquire primarily attractive hip and buttock (6) HAUNCH {H{At...e}UNCH}

2   Crazy person from northern state (6) NUTTER {N}{UTTER}

3 & 11 What inexperienced boxer might do to show resolve (5,4,4,3) STICK ONES CHIN OUT [C&DD]

4   Government official and corrupt treasurer deny stealing cash at first (14) UNDERSECRETARY {TREASURE+DENY}* over {Cash}

6   Checks earthenware in small boxes (5) REINS [T]

7   Piano for fellow? Great present (8) PROPOUND PRO(+p-f)POUND

8   Bird in spot on exotic tree by lake (8) DOTTEREL {DOT}{TREE}*{L}

9   Dregs of society face home truths unhappily (4,2,3,5) SCUM OF THE EARTH*

15 Princess captivated by tenor in fantastic performance (9) RENDITION {DI} in {TENOR+IN}*

16 Concealing distress, remains inside (8) STASHING {ST{ASH}ING}

17 Removed passage in document (8) DEDUCTED {DE{DUCT}ED}

19 Sick artiste giving up ultimately injurious habit (6) ATTIRE {ARTIsTE}*

20 Pale after onset of bacterial disease (6) BLIGHT {LIGHT}<=>{Ba...l}

22 Musical form with recurring theme playing in star's latest party (5) R?N?O (Addendum - RONDO {ON} in {staR){DO} - See domments)

Reference List

Husband = H, Over = O, Daughter = D, Constant = C, Republican = R, Small = S, Hard = H, Northern = N, Piano = P, Fellow = F, Lake = L, Princess = DI, Playing = ON, Party = DO