Wednesday Slot in The SMH/Age (D&LS)

Hi All,

Last year my wife and I made our debut in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age with the publication of a cryptic and quick on the puzzles page in the NS slot.

We now have a permanent slot on a Wednesday replacing DP, who had faithfully contributed every week since 1992. We have a different style but will endeavour to keep DP fans happy and establish our own place at the same time.

Our designation is “D&LS”.

David & Linda Stickley

Posted in AFR Cryptic, The Stickler | 3 Comments

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 31/10/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (24/10/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 31 October, Clue Hints
















The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
A question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.

Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.

A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
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AFR Cryptic (24/10/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 LATER
A little peripheral (a terminal) in the future (5) peripheraL A TERminal
4 SUSTAINED
American wearing black is held up (9) US inside STAINED
9 CHALICE
Chap mostly left very cold water in drinking cup (7) (CHA)p + L + ICE
10 EXISTED
Was left outside entrance to stadium (7) EXITED outside (S)tadium
11 THEATRE CRITIC
Sort of erratic jerk chasing the drama expert (7,6) (Anagram of ERRATIC + TIC) after THE
14 SCAM
Computers backed a fraudulent business scheme (4) MACS reversed
15 CROWS NEST
Snow formed in top place where there’s a lookout (5,4) Anagram of SNOW inside CREST
18 INTERCEPT
Check adjustment to tent price (9) Anagram of TENT PRICE
19 BRIO
Spirit revealed primarily in facts of life? (4) (R)evealed inside BIO
21 THREE-DAY EVENT
The veteran, Dye, arranged a horse-riding contest (5-3,5) Anagram of THE VETERAN DYE
24 NUPTIAL
Wedding finished in translation of Latin (7) UP inside anagram of LATIN
26 APRICOT
Orange-yellow rice mostly prepared in a cooker (7) (RIC)e inside (A + POT)
27 EMERGENCE
Men spread throughout Greece orchestrated development (9) MEN scattered throughout anagram of GREECE
28 SALLY
Set out on an excursion south with friend (5) S + ALLY
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 LACK
Want trousers trimmed on both sides (4) s)LACK(s
2 TOASTMASTER
Preview plugged by a most excited host (11) TASTER outside anagram of A MOST
3 RAIDER
Condition broken by a footballer from Canberra (6) RIDER outside A
4 SPECTACLE
Caretaker, originally in set place, arranged exhibition (9) (C)aretaker inside anagram of SET PLACE
5 SWEDE
European married in the middle of Messenia (5) WED inside mes(SE)nia
6 APIARIST
A doddery pair is heading to the person with hives (8) A + anagram of PAIR + IS +(T)he
7 NET
Clear obstacle dividing court (3) Double Definition
8 DEDICATION
Editor recalled speech about a commitment (10) ED reversed + (DICTION outside A)
12 THEORETICAL
The exam containing quote about abstract (11) THE + [ORAL outside (CITE reversed)]
13 ASSISTANCE
Help as is needed in position (10) AS + (IS inside STANCE)
16 ON THE TAKE
Greek character, king, imprisoned by one accepting bribes (2,3,4) (THETA +K) inside ONE
17 FREEZING
Complimentary spirit is very cold (8) FREE + ZING
20 DEBRIS
One who’s coming out with teacher picked up rubbish (6) DEB + (SIR reversed)
22 ALL-IN
Occupation within borders without restrictions? (3-2) c(ALLIN)g
23 STAY
Support postponement (4) Double Definition
25 PEE
Noble giving up right to visit ladies, say (3) PEER minus R

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 24/10/2024, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (17/10/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.

















The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) on the INSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.

A word or series of words that signify the position of wordplay elements in the answer.

Examples: before, after, leading, in the middle of, under (down only) etc.

The entire answer is found by reversing part of the clue, or a synonym for part of the clue. A suitable reversal indicator will be present.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) on the INSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
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AFR Cryptic (17/10/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CURDLE
Clot formed by last drop of blood in ruptured ulcer (6) bloo(D) inside anagram of ULCER
4 MOPISH
Listless cleaner is employed by hospital (6) MOP + IS + H
9 TAPAS
Knock, for instance, Spanish snacks (5) TAP + AS
10 INSENSATE
Unfeeling elected politicians finally entering house (9) IN + [politician(S) inside SENATE]
11 PROTEST
Rubbish aired in nuisance’s public demonstration (7) ROT inside PEST
12 PERSIST
Sharks’ frontrunner is tackled by forward last (7) [(S)harks + IS] inside PERT
13 APEX
Point made by a former lover after power (4) A + (EX after P)
14 RECOMMENCE
Millions the writer invested in record once to make a fresh start (10) (M + ME) inside (REC + ONCE)
16 REACHES OUT
Extends the arms and touches ear awkwardly (7,3) Anagram of TOUCHES EAR
18 BAHT
Club accepting hard Asian currency (4) BAT outside H
21 BARASSI
Foolish person, one at the end of bar, is an Aussie Rules legend (7) (ASS + I) after BAR
22 TRADING
Art sent back with little damage is in the marketplace (7) ART reversed + DING
24 TEARS INTO
One artist out of control attacks violently (5,4) Anagram of ONE ARTIST
25 SWIFT
Reel for winding yarn was originally secured by bolt (5) (W)as inside SIFT
26 MENTAL
Mad people shortened story (6) MEN + TAL(e)
27 LAMENT
Unconvincing part of bible, a tale of woe (6) LAME + NT
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CUT-UP
Trade union involved in competition is annoyed (3-2) TU inside CUP
2 REPROVE
Veteran, inside, always recalled censure (7) PRO inside (EVER reversed)
3 LISTED
Leaned over and completed a roll (6) Double Definition
4 MASS PRODUCTION
Large-scale manufacture affected components of poor music stand (4,10) Anagram of POOR MUSIC STAND
5 PANORAMA
Comprehensive survey work not restricted in a South American republic? (8) w)OR(K inside PANAMA
6 STATION
Doctor’s immediately operating after one appointment (7) STAT + (ON after I)
7 DISTRESS SIGNAL
Unsettled lass is resting after doctor’s initial call for help (8,6) Anagram of LASS IS RESTING after (D)octor
8 VESTMENT
Ceremonial garment taken from tomb, oddly used in different events (8) (T)o(M)b inside anagram of EVENTS
13 ACROBATS
Top performers steal from one taking part in performances (8) (ROB + A) inside ACTS
15 CHESS SET
He’s in weird sects with men that normally sit on board (5,3) HES inside anagram of SECTS
17 AIR-RACE
White people, say, losing initial flying competition (3-4) (f)AIR + RACE
19 ASININE
Silly, like 1 + 9? (7) AS + I + NINE
20 NAUSEA
Vomiting passengers in Cessna use antiemetics? (6) cessNA USE Anteimetics
23 GET AT
Reach rickety gate ahead of time (3,2) Anagram of GATE + T

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 17/10/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (10/10/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.



















A word or phrase that defines the answer. All cryptic clues usually have a minimum of one definition which will be located at the beginning or end of the clue.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
A question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.

Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.

A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

AFR Cryptic (10/10/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 FLEABITE
A piece secured by bolt is a slight inconvenience (8) (A + BIT) inside FLEE
5 BALLAD
Everyone sitting tight during dreadful song (6) ALL inside BAD
10 RIGHT
What authors do in speech appropriately (5) Sounds like WRITE
11 SALESROOM
Vessel with cargo of alcohol returned to secure marketing area (9) (ALE inside SS) + MOOR reversed
12 FUNDAMENTALIST
Strict, amusing lady, not heartless, people wanted for events? (14) FUN + DAME + N(o)T + ALIST
14 TOME
It should be read as far as I’m concerned (4) TO ME
15 PARTY PIE
One tucked into standard variety finger food (5,3) I inside (PAR + TYPE)
18 AIR
Broadcast couple with no introduction (3) (p)AIR
19 EXCUSE ME
Former copper missed initially in court’s apology (6,2) EX + CU + [(M)issed inside SEE]
20 ETON
English school some compare to Newington (4) comparE TO Newington
23 IRREPROACHABLE
Faultless Irish preacher Albo misinterpreted (14) IR + anagram of PREACHER + ALBO
26 PENALISED
Is deal reviewed after writer is punished for breaking rules? (9) Anagram of IS DEAL after PEN
27
See 18-down
28 CHOOSE
Pick out carbon ring wedged in flexible pipe (6) C + (O inside HOSE)
29 DEFENDED
Justified government employee rolled over (8) FED reversed + ENDED
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 FOREFATHER
Predecessor of retired referee with a change of heart (10) OF reversed + REF + anagram of HEART
2 ERGONOMIC
Move by number in organised crime designed to maximise efficiency (9) (GO + NO) inside anagram of CRIME
3 BATMAN
Crime fighter is not far from bank with ATM installed (6) (BAN)k outside ATM
4 TOSSED
Threw and kicked around empty sacks? (6) TOED outside S(ack)S
6 ABSOLUTE
Complete slob found drunk inside a tradie’s vehicle (8) Anagram of SLOB inside (A + UTE)
7 LOOPS
Turns bobbin around (5) SPOOL reversed
8 DOME
Party men cut off head (4) DO + (ME)n
9 SLOT CAR
Small racer’s fate sealed by the result of serious damage (4,3) LOT inside SCAR
13 REINVENTED
Brake, exposed to air, is replaced with an entirely new version (10) REIN + VENTED
15 PIE
Dish that is served after starter of prawns (3) IE after (P)rawns
16 PITA BREAD
Food bill grabbed by private investigator in connection with study (4,5) TAB inside (PI + READ)
17 AS WELL AS
No less than a grand donated by a school (2,4,2) A + SWELL + A + S
18 & 27-across AMBROSE EVENT
& 27-across Observe men at revamped golf format (7,5) & 27-across Anagram of OBSERVE MAN AT
21 SADDLE
Micro-organisms in the end spoil meat (6) microorganism(S) + ADDLE
22 CHEESE
Chef mostly accepting view about dairy product (6) (CHE)f outside (SEE reversed)
24 RINGO
He played drums with part of string orchestra (5) stRING Orchestra
25 EPIC
Grand hotel not used by the police implicated in corruption (4) Anagram of THE POLICE minus HOTEL

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 10/10/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (3/10/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 10 October, Clue Hints


























The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

A question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.

Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A word or series of words that signify the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.

A word or series of words that signify the removal of a letter, letters, word or words (or their equivalents) from other parts of the clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: taken from, decreased by, less.

A question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.

Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The entire answer is found by reversing part of the clue, or a synonym for part of the clue. A suitable reversal indicator will be present.
A word or series of words that signify the loss of one letter at the start or end of a word or string of letters.

Examples: beheaded, cut short, endless, nearly, largely etc.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
A word or series of words that signify the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.

The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

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AFR Cryptic (3/10/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CACTUS
Members of unsympathetic ACTU subdivision desert plant (6) unsympathetiC ACTU Subdivision
5 RACISTS
Cold is contracted by strike-breakers and prejudiced people (7) (C + IS) inside RATS
9 DISCOUNTENANCE
Cold treatment continues awkwardly in social event (14) Anagram of CONTINUES inside DANCE
11 RANKLE
Irritate joint after start of run (6) ANKLE after R
12 DEPONENT
Testifier opened, oddly, not without heart (8) Anagram of OPENED + N(o)T
14 DOER
Editor, losing it, upset mover and shaker (4) Anagram of EDITOR minus IT
15 MANCHESTER
Different merchants handling English household linen (10) Anagram of MERCHANTS outside E
18 PATRONISER
Condescending person gently hit upstanding individual carrying on (10) PAT + (RISER outside ON)
19 MIND
Listen to extracted material in audience (4) Sounds like MINED
22 LITTORAL
Large trail to redeveloped strip of coastal land (8) L + anagram of TRAIL TO
24 SQUEAK
Converted Quakers with no right to whine (6) Anagram of QUAKERS minus R
26 GALVANISED IRON
Vehicle is covered by a lodger in moulded tin (10,4) (VAN + IS) inside anagram of A LODGER IN
27 COPILOT
AI agent and officer linked to one group (7) COP + I + LOT
28 RATIFY
Sign please, with no initial (6) (g)RATIFY
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 ALIGNMENT
Latin men arranged holding grand evening (9) Anagram of LATIN MEN outside G
3 TACKLE
Deal with creek detailed in report (6) CK inside TALE
4 SHUT
Front of secure shelter is closed (4) (S)ecure + HUT
5 RETRENCHED
Traffic stopper, outside new centre (hospital), should be dismissed (10) RED outside (anagram of CENTRE + H)
6 CONDONED
Prisoner, finished with fraud finally, is forgiven (8) CON + DONE + frau(D)
7 SINGE
Slightly burn grass with butt of cigarette? (5) SING + cigarett(E)
8 SHELTER
Female left territory’s asylum (7) SHE + L + TER
10 ARID
Dry and bitter but not cold (4) ACRID minus C
13 CAPITALIST
Tycoon set a limit on a schedule at the end of it (10) CAP + [(A + LIST) after IT]
16 TAILED OFF
Man of means, internally troubled, gradually declined (6,3) AILED inside TOFF
17 MONORAIL
Blast following re-building of moon transporter (8) RAIL after anagram of MOON
18 PELAGIC
Oceanic wind picked up in picture (7) GALE reversed inside PIC
20 DUKE
Nobleman is outstanding around king (4) DUE outside K
21 SQUIRT
Short person, a woman’s escort, not finishing on time (6) SQUIR(e) + T
23 TULIP
Bulbous flower one left in place upside-down (5) [(I +L) inside PUT] reversed
25 FEAR
Contents of safe – a real concern (4) saFE A Real

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 3/10/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (26/9/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.


















The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters, then the entire result is reversed. The type of container clue involved is determined by an appropriate containment indicator.
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AFR Cryptic (26/9/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SEETHING
Observe matter in a highly agitated state (8) SEE +THING
5 HOBART
Watering hole located in stormy centre of Australia (6) BAR inside HOT
9 ADDER
Summer competition table without a definite leader (5) (l)ADDER
10 HAPPENING
Layer shielding software in grand event (9) HEN outside APP + IN + G
12 CHANDELIER
Cleaner hid broken light fitting (10) Anagram of CLEANER HID
13 BEST
Defeat brutal person with no heart (4) BE(a)ST
15 SCOTTISH
Antiquated tax aggravated this group of people in the UK (8) SCOT + anagram of THIS
16 BOSTON
American city street involved in blessing (6) ST inside BOON
18 FURORE
Stir caused by fur (or ermine) in short supply (6) FUR (OR Ermine)
19 HISTORIC
Famous tenor in choir is out of tune (8) T inside anagram of CHOIR IS
22 ALTO
High elements of dial tone (4) diAL TOne
23 COSTA RICAN
Assortment of narcotics divided up by a person from Central America (5,5) Anagram of NARCOTICS outside A
25 TRAVELLER
Teller, accepting enthusiastic praise, cut off mobile salesperson (9) TELLER outside (RAV)e
26 GENOA
One may be pulled back in middle of navigation? (5) ONE reversed inside navi(GA)tion
27 RATTLE
Irritating sound Telstra corrected with seconds to go (6) Anagram of TELSTRA minus S
28 BASTILLE
Live outside a peaceful prison in France (8) BE outside (A + STILL)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 STANCES
Cessna manoeuvred around airport’s terminal positions (7) Anagram of CESSNA outside airpor(T)
2 ENDEAVOUR STRAIT
Northern channel broadcast an overused feature (9,6) Anagram of AN OVERUSED + TRAIT
3 HEREDITARY
Family time recorded in present journal (10) T inside (HERE + DIARY)
4 NIHILIST
Revolutionary turned in hard one on schedule (8) IN reversed + H + I + LIST
6 OXER
Dog without lead jumped fence (4) (b)OXER
7 ALIMENTARY CANAL
Internal passage a claimant nearly ruptured (10,5) Anagram of A CLAIMANT NEARLY
8 TIGHTEN
Give an extra turn to strong character in speech (7) Sounds like TITAN
11 PEED
Visited the ladies, say, with strong backing (4) DEEP reversed
14 FORTHRIGHT
Direct towards Human Resources in firm (10) FOR + (HR inside TIGHT)
17 WISTERIA
Water is sprayed around one climbing plant (8) Anagram of WATER IS outside I
18 FLATTER
Fine coffee maker’s back to dispense sugar (7) F + LATTE + make(R)
20 CONCAVE
Crumpled can found buried in cove curved inwards (7) Anagram of CAN inside COVE
21 FOIL
Thin sheet-metal baffle (4) Double Definition
24 FELL
Level went down (4) Double Definition

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