ambiguity crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're looking for answers to the "ambiguity crossword clue," you've come to the right place. We've compiled all possible solutions, organized by letter count, to help you complete your puzzle quickly and easily.
Solutions for "ambiguity crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
DOUBT: Uncertainty or indecision.
VAGUE: Not clearly expressed or understood.
4 Letters
HAZE: A state of mental confusion or uncertainty.
9 Letters
OBSCURITY: The state of being unclear, vague, or unknown.
FUZZINESS: Lack of clarity or definite shape; vagueness.
11 Letters
UNCERTAINTY: The state of being unsure or having multiple possible interpretations.
UNCLEARNESS: The quality of being difficult to understand or comprehend.
12 Letters
EQUIVOCATION: The use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing oneself.
13 Letters
AMBIGUOUSNESS: The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
More About "ambiguity crossword clue"
The term "ambiguity" in crosswords can refer to a clue designed to have multiple possible meanings, making it a favorite tool for crossword setters to challenge solvers. It's not just about finding a synonym; it's about discerning which of several valid synonyms fits the puzzle's constraints and the setter's intent. This often requires a deeper understanding of wordplay, idioms, and the various nuances of language.
Clues related to "ambiguity" might lead to answers that describe a state of being unclear, uncertain, or open to various interpretations. Common answers often revolve around concepts like vagueness, doubt, or the act of obscuring meaning. Recognizing these patterns can significantly speed up your solving process when faced with a tricky ambiguous clue.
Understanding the context is key. Is it a cryptic crossword, where wordplay and double meanings are paramount? Or is it a standard crossword, where a more straightforward, yet still multi-faceted, definition might be sought? The type of puzzle often dictates the depth of ambiguity you should expect.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Examine Neighboring Clues: Before fixating on an ambiguous clue, try to solve any surrounding entries. The letters from these solved words will provide invaluable hints, narrowing down the possibilities for the ambiguous answer.
- Consider All Meanings: For words in the clue that have multiple definitions (e.g., 'bank' as a financial institution or a river's edge), brainstorm synonyms for each definition. One of them is likely the intended path.
- Look for Wordplay Indicators: In cryptic crosswords, specific words or punctuation can indicate wordplay (e.g., 'perhaps', 'might', question marks). These are strong signals that the clue isn't literal and might contain an ambiguity.
- Check Word Length: Even with an ambiguous clue, the required letter count is fixed. This is your most powerful constraint. Eliminate any possible answers that don't match the length, regardless of how well they fit a meaning.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'ambiguity' mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, 'ambiguity' often refers to a clue that can have multiple interpretations, requiring the solver to consider different meanings or synonyms to find the correct answer that fits the letter count and intersecting words. It's a common technique to make clues more challenging.
How can I identify ambiguous clues?
Look for clues that use words with multiple dictionary meanings, or those that could be interpreted literally or figuratively. Puns, double meanings, or phrases like 'might be' or 'perhaps' are strong indicators of an ambiguous clue designed to mislead or offer several paths.
What's the best strategy for solving ambiguous clues?
The best strategy is often to first fill in any surrounding words you know. These intersecting letters will narrow down the possibilities for the ambiguous clue. Then, brainstorm synonyms for all possible interpretations of the clue and see which ones fit the available letters and length. Don't be afraid to try out a word tentatively.