The Sunday Crossword No 73, Sunday 13 Sep 2026, Incognito

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ACROSS

1   Reducing trimming of feathers (7,4) CUTTING DOWN [C&DD]

9   Extra-terrestrial and Neil Armstrong initially returned (5) ALIEN {NEIL}{Ar...g}<=

10 Safe after Truman releases an elephant (9) TRUMPETER {PETER}<=>{TRUMan}

11 Plot criminal’s crime (10) CONSPIRACY {CONS}{PIRACY}

12 I’m leaving Tim with old female at youth centre to get food (4) TOFU {Tim}{O}{F}{yoUth}

13 Claw found in hospital once (5) TALON [T]

15 Woo with song and dance, perhaps, Ms. Williams, accompanied by musical notes (8) SERENADE {SERENA}{D}{E}

17 Organisation of brat and punk becomes insolvent (8) BANKRUPT*

19 Violently step on small cockroaches, for example (5) PESTS {STEP}*{S}

22 Destructive flier from Cambridge destroyed in absence of Edgar (4) ICBM  CaMBrIdge*

23 Sam returned with criminal carrying recipe for cheese (10) MASCARPONE {SAM<=}{CA{R}PONE}

26 What Adam was to Eve? One of the ship’s crew! (5,4) FIRST MATE [DD] Did she have a second one?

27 Insertion from Indiana group (5) INSET {IN}{SET}

28 Some savage tribals may be recruiters (4-7) HEAD-HUNTERS [DD]

DOWN

1   Before noon, vehicle goes around one pile of stones (5) CAIRN {N}<=>{CA{1}R}

2   Pet in Reno produces device to cut into can (3,6) TIN OPENER*

3   Trainee flier follows Indian Navy (6) INTERN {TERN}<=>{IN}

4   University in Indian State with revolutionary water colour painting (7) GOUACHE {GO{U}A}{CHE}

5   Loves Pastor’s expression of dismay (4) OOPS {OO}{P'S]

6   Loans ain’t arranged for citizens (9) NATIONALS*

7   Lucky emblem from master with highlander (6) MASCOT {M}{A SCOT}

8   Greek river bird (6) GROUSE {GR}{OUSE}

14 Boy held ring manufactured for famous flier (9) LINDBERGH {B+HELD+RING}*

16 Skill displayed by old Peter is extraordinary (9) EXPERTISE {EX}{PETER+IS}*

17 What the lawyer was hoping to get in the clothing department? (6) BRIEFS [DD]

18 A harp designed with love by husband for ruler (7) PHARAOH {A+HARP}*{O}{H}

20 Yes... In Spain, seat is modified for afternoon nap (6) SIESTA {SI}{SEAT}*

21 Show and hide? (6) SCREEN [DD]

24 I leave oasis and import model kilns (5) OASTS OAS(-i+t)TS

25 Mountain insect returned after end of June (4) ETNA {ANT<=}<=>{junE}

Reference List

Old = O, Female = F, Musical notes = D,E, Small = S, Recipe = R, University = U, Revolutionary = CHE, Pastor = P, Master = M, Greek = GR, Boy = B, Old = EX, Husband = H, Yes in Spanish = SI, Model = T

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 72, Sunday 06 Sep 2026, Arden

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ACROSS

1   Arrival at home — predator's back! (6) INFLOW {IN}{WOLF<=}

4   Viewed separately, aloo therefore is a plant (8) ACANTHUS {A}{CAN}{THUS}

10 Return some of the oil of tropical palm holding (9) PORTFOLIO [T<=]

11 Loud — loud not even free (5) LURID {LoUd}{RID}

12 Half of congress is back — mostly in an Italian dumpling (7) GNOCCHI {CONGress<=}{CHIc}

13 The noise vanishes with these Australian natives (7) DINGOES {DIN}{GOES}

14 Encourage for a long time to corral the horse (3,2)  EGG ON {E{GG}ON}

15 Silly old man clutched the gold and fell (8) MOORLAND {OLD+MAN}* over {OR}

18 Trick to complete size of paper (8) FOOLSCAP {FOOLS}{CAP} Trick or Tricks?

20 Refuse to eat a child snack (5) NACHO {N{A}{CH}O}

23 Fresh air brings an Australian back in this state (7) ARIZONA {AIR}* with {AN}{OZ}<=

25 Brown man not allowed inside circle (7) TANGENT {TAN}{GENT}

26 Monkey captures flower seller's heart (5) LORIS {fLORISt} They are not Monkeys!

27 Not knowing whether in church organ playing is permitted (9) IGNORANCE {I{ORGAN*}N}{CE}

28 Turn girl into a piece of shipboard machinery (8) WINDLASS {WIND}{LASS}

29 Approves initially after department of personnel training's submission (6) ADOPTS Acrostic

DOWN

1   Disputed case of dog wearing fancy denim (8) IMPUGNED {PUG} in {DENIM}*

2   Pile on pine for some distance (7) FURLONG {FUR}{LONG}

3   Formal inclusion of new plants and herbs used in medicinal preparations (9) OFFICINAL {OFFICI{N}AL}

5   Part of the IT revolution could perhaps be working out (5,9) CLOUD COMPUTING {COULD}* {COMPUTING}

6   Ultimately, cotton may feel too common like synthetic material (5) NYLON Tail Acrostic

7   Complain about old missile (7) HARPOON {HARP ON} over {O}

8   A savage said to go off on the way (6) SADIST {SAID*}{ST}

9   Subject of running machines freely without copyright (5,9) FLUID MECHANICS {FLUID}{MACHINES}* over {C}

16 Glad about inner working in the city (9) LENINGRAD {GLAD+INNER}*

17 Fastness not opposing hair at the bottom (8) FORTRESS {FOR}{TRESS}

19 Moronic interpretation of an alien character (7) OMICRON* Why alien?

21 Straighten out prize list inside (7) CLEANUP {C{LEAN}UP}

22 Fine on permit for undeveloped land (6) FALLOW {F}{ALLOW}

24 One billed inhouse, later (5) OUSEL [T]

Reference List

At home = IN, Loo = CAN, Horse = GG, Child = CH, Australian = OZ, Church = CE, New = N, Old = O, Way = ST, Copyright = C, Fine = F

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 62, Sunday 28 Jun 2026, Arden

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ACROSS

9   A book on coffee - review gets backing (7) ABETTAL {A}{B}{LATTE<=}

10 Point to follow - Harry and you, find some capital (7) YAOUNDE {E} after {AND+YOU}*

11 Slight shortage in hormone (7) INSULIN {INSULt}{IN}

12 Boy describes map of Northern Finland (7) LAPLAND {LA{PLAN}D}

13 Intended to raise, stole a vehicle (9) CARJACKED {CAR{JACK}ED}

15 Aversion for a cricket match - strange to get run out (5) ODIUM {ODI}{rUM}

16 Haunt as hood grabs a part (7) HABITAT {H{A}{BIT}AT}

19 Taken in by a small glove (7) SMITTEN {S}{MITTEN}

20 Caught in a dire situation - it's rock bottom (5) NADIR [T]

21 Resolve matter, or block departure from port (9) ROTTERDAM {MATTER+OR}* over {D}

25 Plant loaded only on west-bound donkey (7) OREGANO {O}{ONAGER<=}

26 The elderly accommodated in a big room with luggage (7) HOLDALL {H{OLD}ALL}

28 See love rejected - it's not a pretty sight (7) EYESORE {EYE}{EROS<=}

29 Copying model on the tracks, say (7) TRACING {T}{RACING}

DOWN

1   America in a mess - set up somewhat by a crazy guy (6) MANIAC [T<=]

2   Drinks beer regularly in a promotional video (6) TEASER {TEAS}{bEeR}

3   Part of retaliation among others (2,2) ET AL [HIPS]

4   Scientist's design check - ignoring insiders (6) PLANCK {PLAN}{Ch.cK}

5   Spins around 2 Greek islands (8) CYCLADES {CYCL{AD}ES}

6   Give and take income - dance is held (10) COMPROMISE {COM{PROM}{IS}E}

7   Girl's inclination for a historian (8) ANNALIST {ANNA}{LIST}

8   Macho males eat radish regularly and keep an eye on their stock (8) HERDSMEN {HE MEN} over {RaDiSh}

14 A torn piece of electrical machinery? (10) ALTERNATOR {A+TORN}* [RA]

16 German city acquiring middle age relic (8) HANGOVER {HAN{aGe}OVER}

17 Harried for special grade lying down (8) BADGERED {GRADE}* in {BED}

18 Nips yield (8) TURNOVER  (spin/turn over)

22 It comes up around a very popular place in South Pacific (6) TAHITI {IT<=} over {A}{HIT}

23 Consists of two parts - dreamy and idyllic from all sides... (6) DYADIC {Dr..mY}{AnD}{Id...iC}

24 ...Informal again in the south of Spain (6) MALAGA [T]

27 Lift bar for a teller of tales (4) LIAR<=

Reference List

Book = B, Point = E, Run = R, Small = S, Departure = D, Only = O, Model = T, Dance = PROM 

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 61, Sunday 21 Jun 2026,Arden

Artwork by Prasanna

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ACROSS

1   Perhaps able to get one married shortly - it's naturally fertilizing (8) BONEMEAL {B{ONE}{Ma...d}EAL*}

5   Rollover I have overlooked... (6) WAIVED {WA{I'VE}D}

10 ...and committed to restrict (7) STAUNCH 

11 Old sailors found, say, a mini wearing girl (7) LASCARS {LAS{CAR}S}

12 Found before court (5) ERECT {ERE}{CT}

13 Strange predilections - not done at face value (4,5) LIST PRICE PREdILeCTIonS*

14 Propagation in half the country (12) INSEMINATION {IN}{SEMI}{NATION}

18 Provide cleanest side for a diner (12) DELICATESSEN* 

21 One on the wagon with a black paint (9) ABSTAINER {A}{B}{STAINER}

23 Cover empty drawer and copy (5) DRAPE {Dr..eR}{APE}

24 In my opinion, covering history is like a painting technique (7) IMPASTO {IM{PAST}O}

25 Country in Europe, is not a representation (7) ESTONIA {E}{IS+NOT+A}*

26 Some are present at a mid-week rush (6) TATAMI [T]

27 Harry Morgan's taking time for such a short distance (8) ANGSTROM {ANGS{T}ROM*}

DOWN

1   Breed born with wealth (6) BASSET {B}{ASSET}

2   Spruce up when finally consumed (6) NEATEN {wheN}{EATEN}

3   "Pick-me-up after one" - sung in a flat pitch (9) MONOTONIC {TONIC}<=>{MONO}

4   Wind and clothesline - metaphorically, seen as a vulnerability (8,6) ACHILLES TENDON*

6   Story-teller makes one sit up (5) AESOP {POSE}{A}<=

7   Perhaps Putin's angry rival is getting clueless (8) VLADIMIR {RIVAL}* over {DIM}

8   Detects record reprints - not counting the odd ones (8) DISCERNS {DISC}{rEpRiNtS}

9   Various cults around Singapore could be seen in a theatre (7,7) PLASTIC SURGEON {CULTS+SINGAPORE}*

15 Direct ones acted and they're related (9) ANECDOTES* [CD]

16 Romantic thought and inclination (8) IDEALIST {IDEA}{LIST}

17 Filmed occasionally, photographed outside top Paris strip joint (8) FLESHPOT {FiLmEd}{SH{Pa..s}OT}

19 Standard to disqualify her, they say (6) BANNER (~ban her)

20 Soothe with an ointment - cover exposed neck (6) BECALM 

22 State after a pile up (5) ASSAM {A}{MASS<=}

Reference List

Court = CT, Black = B, Europe = E, Time = T, Born = B 

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 60, Sunday 14 Jun 2026,

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The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 5, Sunday 25 May 2025, Arden

ACROSS

1   Little grebe's no good, returning in weekend (8) DABCHICK {BAD<=}{CHIC}{weeK} 

5   Managed the police department that's gone bad (6) RANCID {RAN}{CID}

10 Lines crossed filling empty pitcher of beer (7) PILSNER {Pit{LINES*}cheR}

11 Faces death, sure shot (7) ENDURES {END}{SURE*}

12 Wise man takes time to guide (5) STEER {S{T}EER}

13 Just teach in another language, first of all (9) IMPARTIAL {IMPART}{In}{An...r}{La...e}

14 With weapon criminal scared to follow our money carriers (8,4) ARMOURED CARS {ARM}and {SCARED*}<=>{OUR}

18 Commanding height Patton gave in exchange (7,5) VANTAGE POINT* 

21 Tend to bottle anger, northern Irish moss? (9) CARRAGEEN {CAR{RAGE}E}{N}

23 Spare glove let out (5) GAUNT GAUNTlet

24 Left exposed - terrible fiend, this Turkish official (7) EFFENDI {lEFt}{FIEND*}

25 Happiness in reviewing the number one story (7) ELATION {NO 1}{TALE}<=

26 Squeeze both sides briefly - do they produce oil? (6) SESAME {Sq...zE}{SAME}

27 Aliens catching cold, are heading west among others (2,6) ET CETERA {ET{C}{ET}{ARE<=}

DOWN

1   Measure to include record discharge (6) DEPOSE {D{EP}OSE}

2   Risk cover for entire Swan Lake, perhaps (6) BALLET {B{ALL}ET}

3   Payments for American privilege accompanied by a song (9) HONORARIA {HONOR}{ARIA}

4   Can recognise vaguely - is it how the tumor starts? (14) CARCINOGENESIS {CAN+RECOGNISE}*{IS}

6   Steps to take the head off the snake (5) ADDER lADDER

7   Prime number? (8) CARDINAL [DD]

8   Show record miss (8) DISCLOSE {DISC}{LOSE}

9   Attack corner building - not vacant to be let out cheaply (10,4) PEPPERCORN RENT {PEPPER}{CORNER*}{NoT}

15 Run down and study before a tiger is shot (9) DENIGRATE {DEN}{A+TIGER}*

16 First lady's got a hint about people shifted from danger zones (8) EVACUEES {EV{A}{CUE}E'S}

17 Joins Steffi in nets to play (8) ENGRAFTS {EN{GRAF}TS*}

19 Chill with tailless cat on top of stone (6) PUMICE {ICE}<=>{PUMa}

20 Empty street, again zebra lines are in a group (6) STANZA {StreeT}{AgaiN}{ZebrA}

22 Latin year represented in Boolean numbers (5) ANNUM [T]

Reference List

In = CHIC, Time = T, Northern = N, Alien = ET, Record = EP(Extended Play), Cold = C

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 4, Sunday 18 May 2025, Dr. X

ACROSS

1   Doctor offering lung surgery initially for patient (4-9) LONG SUFFERING {OFFERING+LUNG+Su...y}*

8   See 20 Down

9   Prince chatters after consuming ecstasy, makes overtures (9) PREAMBLES {P}{R{E}AMBLES}

11 New beach manor, at a bargain price in France (1,3,6) A BON MARCHE*

12 Lives large on vacation in Capri, say (4) ISLE {IS}{La.gE}

14 Shines in tussle, easily crushing resistance (7) LUSTRES {LUST{R}ES*}

16 Excel in covert operation (7) OVERTOP [T]

17 Worker in NHS, a sad person who is no longer of significance (3-4) HAS-BEEN {BEE} in {NHS+A}*

19 Maiden in bed, extremely eager for enthusiastic kiss (7) SMACKER {S{M}ACK}{Ea.eR}

21 Standard part of oven or microwave (4) NORM [T]

22 Cook sent in more soup (10) MINESTRONE*

25 Thoroughly envy rich English rogue (5,4) EVERY INCH {ENVY+RICH+E}*

26 Favourite student describing a part of a flower (5) PETAL {PET}{A}{L}

27 Outrageous clip with nude belle gets censored (4-9) BLUE-PENCILLED*

DOWN

2   Old fare turned sour and pungent (7) ODOROUS {O}{DO}{SOUR*}

3   Meet to catch ultimately shady character in unofficial trading place (4,6) GREY MARKET {GRE{s..dY}{MARK}ET}

4   Penny enthralled by remarkably pure stimulant (5) UPPER {UP{P}ER*}

5   Fine hot topless dancing in places of lascivious entertainment (9) FLESHPOTS {F}{H+TOPLESS}*

6   Crash close to steep slope (4) RAMP {RAM}{s..eP}

7   Empty group in maths final keeps university students a little stupefied (4,3) NULL SET {N{U}{LL}{St...d}ET}

8   Little difference in coins of low value (5,6) SMALL CHANGE [DD}

10 Get approval for catching extremely loathsome creep running clandestine unit (7,4) SLEEPER CELL {S{Lo...mE}{CREEP*}ELL}

13 Briefly look at huge swimming pool in city on the Black Sea (10) SEVASTOPOL {SEe}{VAST}{POOL*}

15 Awareness of judge grasping crux of testimony (9) SENTIENCE {SENT{testImony}ENCE}

18 Unusual stamp featuring ancient city's queen (7) SURREAL {S{UR}{R}EAL}

20 & 8A Be aware of what is going on, like a tennis umpire? (4,3,5) KNOW THE SCORE [DD]

23 Moral principle in quote about capturing hearts (5) ETHIC {CI{H}TE<=}

24 Promotion in class hotel for model (4) HYPE (-t+h)HYPE

 

Reference List

Prince = P, Ecstasy = E, Resistance = R, Maiden = M, English = E, Student = L, Old = O, Penny = P, Fine = F, University = U, Ancient city = UR, Queen = R, Hearts = H, Hotel = H, Model = T

The Hindu Crossword on Sunday No 3, Sunday 11 May 2025, Afterdark

Rangoli by Gowri

Artwork by Prasanna

ACROSS

1   By mistake, diners get in with constituents (11) INGREDIENTS*

9   Would-be kings evaluate head of navy inside along with son (7) PRINCES {PRI{Navy}CE}{S}

10 Nothing right in Tamil Nadu, commotion in storm (7) TORNADO {T{0}{R]N}{ADO}

11 Comfort on lady's stand (5) EASEL {EASE}{L}

12 Club's new interior is standard (9) CRITERION {C}{INTERIOR*}

13 Short points provided at last (5) SWIFT {S}{W}{IF}{aT}

15 Police officer's good character gets endorsement (9) SIGNATURE {SI}{G}{NATURE}

18 Say, NRI can overcome resistance to become popular (9) DESIRABLE {DESI}{R}{ABLE}

21 Few directions before initially taking dessert (5) SWEET {S}{W}{E}{E}{Ta...g}

22 Authorize to buy AC for individual (9) CHARACTER {CHAR{AC}TER}

24 Song about her? My creation (5) RHYME*

26 Performance with clarinet! Not new, it is redone (7) RECITAL CLARInET*

27 Traditions of sect at old city's eccentric basically (7) CULTURE {CULT}{UR}{Ec...c}

28 Severely delays Peter's order (11) DESPERATELY*

DOWN

1   Excited papers covered empress in a bizarre way (9) IMPRESSED {I{EMPRESS*}D}

2   Profits of Godrej and Infosys nearly sank as per sources (5) GAINS Acrostic

3   Criminal and academician held by eccentric escort in lift (9) ESCALATOR {ESC{AL}{A}TOR*}

4   Home school started primarily for tiny creatures (7) INSECTS {IN}{SECT}{St...d}

5   Catching nefarious gent accepting money (7) NETTING {NET{TIN}G*}

6   Distribute in function (5) SERVE [DD]

7   Let audit expose indulgence (8) LATITUDE*

8   Spin on both sides covering two overs shortly (4) SOON {Sp{O}O}iN}

14 Demand Indian viewpoint... (8) INSTANCE {IN}{STANCE}

16 ... as a ritual conducted by another country (9) AUSTRALIA*

17 Hector met Rex, really regularly uncommonly (9) EXTREMELY {MET+REX}*{rEaLlY}

19 Conceals lost bet terribly (7) BOTTLES*

20 Painful condition for listener, a child has basically excruciating pain (7) EARACHE {EAR}{A}{CH}{Ex...g}

22 Centre court edge otherwise corner on the 5th (4) CORE {Co..t}{OR}{c..nEr}

23 Worked in a class to educate disciples in the front (5) ACTED Acrostic

25 Solvers use you mostly in a wrong way (5) YOUSE {USE+YOu}*

Reference List

Son = S, Right = R, Lady = L, Club = C, Points = S,W,E, Good = G, Resistance = R, Directions = S,W,E, New = N, Criminal = AL, Academician = A, Indian = IN, Child = CH

The Hindu Sunday Crossword No 2, Sunday 04 May 2025, Gussalufz

STATUESQUE

ACROSS

1   Bits of matter, unstable, originating near space (5) MUONS Acrostic &lit

4   Modify a robot, perhaps, eliminating erratic antics from organised terror campaigns (9) REPROGRAM {tERROR+caMPAiGns}*

9   Going away from conflict after South shelled closer to neighbourhood (7) OUTWARD {WAR}<=>{sOUTh} and {n...oD}

10 A loud, never-ending party with one stoned and green (7) AVOCADO {A}{VOCAl}{DO}

11 Fancy glass heliport around one lawmaker's office (14) LEGISLATORSHIP {GLASS+HELIPORT}* over {1}

12 Green tea oddly a part of one's make-up? (4) GENE {GrEeN+tEa}

13 Emergency worker's norm in the morning: dice bananas (9) PARAMEDIC {PAR}{AM}{DICE*}

17 Mysterious hit list includes initials of your parents? That's a serious problem (9) TYPHLITIS {HIT+LIST}* over {Your}{Pa...s}

19 Chief's ECG monitor providing regular readings (4) EMIR {Ecg+MonItoR}

22 You'll find out soon that W.C. is broken—express disapproval and walk back and forth (5,4,5) WATCH THIS SPACE {THAT+WC}*{HISS}{PACE}

25 Oregon's rolling by at last, mountains coming up (7) OROGENY {OREGON*}{bY}

26 She eats very well, somewhat mocking our metabolism (7) GOURMET [T]

27 Many orbit weirdly, showing deviation (9) ABNORMITY*

28 Right, lock doesn't open, key's tip rough? (5) ROCKY {R}{lOCK}{keY}

DOWN

1   Work unofficially with Spooner's crackpot force (9) MOONLIGHT (~loon might to moonlight)

2   Shape of cut has grown unevenly (7) OCTAGON {Of+CuT+hAs+GrOwN}

3   Thin box, susceptible at the edges (6) SPARSE {SPAR}{Su...lE}

4   Upcoming sprinter inspires Germany, favoured to get VIP treatment (3,6) RED CARPET {RAC{D}ER<=}{PET}

5   Possibly grand plan to turn Liberal into Independent? Fiasco, ultimately (5) PIANO {P(-l+i}IAN}{f...cO}

6   Furry creatures in love largely pose problems (8) OPOSSUMS {O}{POSe}{SUMS}

7   Prepared to examine makeshift bomb? (7) READIED {READ}{IED}

8   Movies struggle to get released, netting nothing in cattle calls (4) MOOS {MOvieS} over {0}

14 In a grating voice: "God alone holds power" (9) RASPINGLY {RA}{S{P}INGLY}

15 Find faults with item's woodwork (9) CARPENTRY {CARP}{ENTRY}

16 Recycled phone—gather, mostly, it's safe (3-5) ALL-CLEAR {(-c)ALL(+c)C}{LEARn}

18 Company policy restricts unreasonably (7) PLATOON {PLA{TOO}N}

20 Rank Florida city around second, approximately (7) MIASMIC {MIA{S}MI}{C}

21 Publishing company is the plaintiff (6) ISSUER {IS}{SUER}

23 Filthy minds filled with "glandular organs" (5) THYMI [T]

24 Final piece of fish was skinless (4) CODA {COD}{wAs}

Reference List

Party = DO, Norm = PAR, Right = R, Germany = D, Liberal = L, Independent = I, Power = P, Second = S, Approximately = C

The Hindu Sunday Crossword No 1, Sunday 27 Apr 2025, Incognito

Everyman comes to an end from today onwards.

ACROSS

8   Branch stimulant (4) SPUR [DD}

9   Muse: Wrongly rate Oscar (5) ERATO {RATE+O}*

10 Time sun is at its highest, anyway (4) NOON <=>

11 Ipecac mixture? It is usually found on top of a tall mountain (3,3) ICE CAP*

12 Steer one van backing up in front of entrance (8) NAVIGATE {1}{VAN}<={GATE}

13 Mistakenly praised a legendary place (8) PARADISE*

15 Removing plank during Central Park renovation results in a depression in the ground (6) CRATER {CEnTRAl+paRk}*

17 America rejected playing siren for beginning of day (7) SUNRISE {US<=}{SIREN*}

19 Endless glare around moving ice in river of snow (7) GLACIER {GLA{ICE*}Re}

22 The French aristocrat is discharged without punishment (3,3) LET OFF {LE}{TOFF}

24 Badly averse to gorges (8) OVEREATS*

26 Silly men in Asia start to criticize forgetful person (8) AMNESIAC {A{MEN*}SIA}{Cr...e}

28 Stumped after golfers' warning: There are lot of trees here (6) FOREST {ST}<=>{FORE}

30 Shoot sack (4) FIRE [DD]

31 Random number generator for character in Sesame Street (5) ERNIE [DD]

32 Tar leaves veteran at sea! Not odd! (4) EVEN VEtEraN*

DOWN

1   Sweetheart's picture is amazing (4) EPIC {swEet}{PIC}

2   Shedding last piece of outfit, matriarch writhes in place of rest (8) ARMCHAIR MAtRIARCH*

3   Oracle's location given by president in National Capital Territory (6) DELPHI {DEL{P}HI}

4   Mountain prince (7) RAINIER [DD]

5   Unspoken: Number 21 is wrong (3-5) NON-VOCAL {N}{VOLCANO*}

6   Removing outer parts, imagines confusing puzzle (6) ENIGMA iMAGINEs*

7   Customary behaviour from wife about commencement of trouble (4) WONT {W}{ON}{Tr...e}

14 Entertain and take advantage of after morning (5) AMUSE {USE}<=>{AM}

16 Throw out! Throw out short professional from project after end of last phase! (5) EJECT {proJECT}<=>{p..sE}

18 Adds at the end, "Fix fuses in new order" (8) SUFFIXES*

20 Wails, consuming her fruits (8) CHERRIES {C{HER}RIES}

21 It might blow its top destroying cool van (7) VOLCANO*

23 Started operation on English editor (6) OPENED {OP}{EN}{ED}

25 French engineer's file design consumed iron (6) EIFFEL {EIF{FE}L*}

27 Chief guy hugs setter (4) MAIN {MA{I}N}

29 She would drop husband and pick up large contraption to go down the mountainside (4) SLED {S(-h+l)LE}{D} DOWN on double duty?

Reference List

Oscar = O, The in French = LE, Aristocrat = TOFF, Stumped = ST, President = P, Number = N, Wife = W, Husband = H, Large = L, Down = D

The Sunday Crossword No 3354, Sunday 20 Apr 2025

ACROSS

1   Aplomb – or kind of a trick? (10) CONFIDENCE [DD]

6   4, whichever way you look at it! (4) BOOB<=>

9   Cutter between Channel Islands, losing direction, distressed (7) INCISOR {IN}{CI}{SORe}

10 Bullfighter Damon shown exit, we hear (7) MATADOR {(~matt)MAT A DOOR}

12 ‘Paella?’ groaned displaced American writer (5,5,3) EDGAR ALLAN POE*

14 Jury’s findings after court’s thrown out Italian scorer (5) VERDI VERDIct

15 Runners’ trainers? (9) BEANPOLES [CD]

16 Excess denim – rare – fancy! (9) REMAINDER*

18 Part of caterpillar going slowly (5) LARGO [T]

20 Per Spooner, the time for gardening had come: no-one told me (3,3,1,2,4) HOW WAS I TO KNOW (~now was i to hoe how was i to know)

23 To begin with, thoroughbred turned, went at moderate pace (7) TROTTED {Th...d}{ROTTED}

24 Mix using seeds to augment relish – delicious, primarily? (7) MUSTARD Acrostic Semi&lit

25 Confines swans (4) PENS [DD]

26 Buff and shine statue, mostly vigorously (10) ENTHUSIAST {SHINE+STATUe}*

DOWN

1   Prune extract (4) CLIP [DD]

2   Heavily armed and dim – peacekeepers flipping! (7) NUCLEAR {UN<=>NU}NUCLEAR

3   At home, Mark supposing that Everyman is able take time to be petty (13) INSIGNIFICANT {IN}{SIGN}{IF}{I CAN}{T}

4   Fright being topless, a mistake (5) ERROR tERROR

5   Chair reupholstered with lamé fabric (5,4) CAMEL HAIR {CHAIR+LAME}*

7   Crossword setter’s into dictionary, mate: that’s kind of complex (7) OEDIPAL {OED}{I}{PAL}

8   Where you might get a flat top – hopefully not from the tenor (10) BARBERSHOP [CD/Semi&lit]

11 They go up and down in tailspin, storm raging (13) TRAMPOLINISTS*

13 Somewhat extrovert, he topes too much (4-3-3) OVER-THE-TOP [T]

15 Badly bred, dined staying in PJs? (9) BEDRIDDEN*

17 Butcher’s second wife unhappy (3,4) MOW DOWN {MO}{W}{DOWN}

19 Basic facts; a little conflict’s arisen (3,4) RAW DATA {A}{TAD}{WAR}<=

21 Va-va-voom, or emphatically minimal speed? (5) OOMPH {00 MPH}

22 Change hearts of greedier visitors (4) EDIT {greEDier}{visITors}

Reference List

Court = CT, Peacekeepers = UN, Time = T, Second = MO, Wife = W

The Sunday Crossword No 3353, Sunday 13 Apr 2025

24A

ACROSS

1   Detective Inspector, cop, old copper, last thing in obnoxiousness: dinosaur! (10) DIPLODOCUS {DI}{PLOD}{O}{CU}{o...sS}

6   Nothing new about Welshman (4) OWEN {O}{NEW<=}

9   Jalopy in which conductor confined? (10) RATTLETRAP {RATTLE}{TRAP}

10 Rowers swaggered (4) CREW [DD]

12 Snob: one who calls everyone simply ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’? (4-7) NAME-DROPPER [C&DD]

15 Catchy song remixed, Warmonger – No Good (7) EARWORM WARMONgER*

16 One’s just arrived, consumed by inert gas (7) NEONATE {ATE}<=>{NEON}

17 Sally’s beginning to wear uniform – twice, as a rule (7) USUALLY {SALLY}* with {U} and {U}

19 Polymeric rows, ornately twisted – essential in nutrition, primarily? (7) PROTEIN Acrostic &lit

20 Pages describing Scotsman Oscar having row with keyboardist (5,6) PIANO PLAYER {P{IAN}{O}P}{LAYER}

23 The writer swindles revered figure (4) ICON {I}{CON}

24 From prison, runs into trouble – who sees it all? (3,7) BIG BROTHER {B(-r)IG}{B(+r)ROTHER}

25 Standard choice of extremes of Neoplatonism (4) NORM {N or M}

26 Meets anger flexibly for treaties (10) AGREEMENTS*

DOWN

1   As you heard, one who’ll stain clothes is awful (4) DIRE (~dyer)

2   Meaty spread for the Crown (4) PATE [DD]

3   English actor to flourish following location of Disney World (7,5) ORLANDO BLOOM {BLOOM}<=>{ORLANDO}

4   ‘Best opera? Time’s running out! Time’s running short!’ … ‘I’m not sure’ (7) OPTIMUM {OPera}{TIMe}{UM}

5   African’s somewhat smug and annoying (7) UGANDAN [T]

7   Lacks power supply in offices etc (10) WORPLACES*

8   City’s owner, surprisingly, Banks (3,7) NEW ORLEANS {OWNER*}{LEANS}

11 Yogurt: ‘moo’ or ‘oat’, principally? Irritated parent’s testy response (2,2,4,4) GO TO YOUR ROOM {YOGURT+MOO+OR+Oat}*

13 Topless – impertinence – starting again! (10) RESUMPTION pRESUMPTION

14 Minstrel with horn going round queen, old and grumpy (10) TROUBADOR {T{R}{O}UBA}{DOUR}

18 Flogging – initially taking seconds, becoming year – crying in pain (7) YELLING (-s+y)YELLING

19 Outstanding isle for exile: constantly speak up (7) PAYABLE {ELBA<=}<=>{sPeAk} (Correction - {ELBA}{YAP}<= - See comments)

21 Feature observed in etching (4) CHIN [T]

22 A woman – a flower – Everyman with chance? Almost (4) IRIS {I}{RISk}

Reference List

Detective Inspector = DI, Old = O, Good = G, Uniform = U, Scotsman = IAN, Oscar = O, Runs = R, Queen = R, Seconds = S, Year = Y