cunning crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're stuck on the clue "cunning crossword," you've come to the right place. Below you'll find comprehensive answers, explanations, and tips to help you complete your puzzle and master similar challenges in the future.
Solutions for "cunning crossword" by Letter Count
3 Letters
SLY: Meaning cleverness, especially in a devious way, often used to describe someone who is cunning.
4 Letters
WILY: Characterized by craftiness and cunning, often implying deceit or trickery, perfectly fitting the clue.
6 Letters
CRAFTY: Skilled in devising clever and often deceptive plans. This word is a direct synonym for cunning and frequently appears as an answer for similar clues.
SHREWD: Having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute. While 'shrewd' can be positive, it often carries an undertone of cunning, particularly in business or strategic contexts, making it a viable answer.
More About "cunning crossword"
The term "cunning" in crosswords often points towards clues that are designed to mislead or require a non-obvious interpretation. It's not just about finding a synonym; it's about unraveling a clever piece of wordplay. Such clues might use double meanings, homophones (words that sound alike), anagrams, or even be part of a larger cryptic construction.
When a crossword clue feels "cunning," it's usually a signal from the setter that you need to engage your lateral thinking. Don't just jump to the first definition that comes to mind. Consider all possible meanings of each word in the clue, and how they might combine to form a hidden meaning or a wordplay mechanism. These are often the most rewarding clues to solve!
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze Wordplay: If a clue seems "cunning," look for indicators of anagrams (e.g., "confused," "mixed up"), homophones (e.g., "heard," "audibly"), or hidden words ("part of the…").
- Think Synonyms, Broadly: Sometimes a cunning clue is simply looking for a less common synonym or a word that fits in a specific context. Expand your vocabulary by reading widely.
- Check Letter Count: The number of letters in the answer is a critical hint. Use it to eliminate possibilities and narrow down your options quickly.
- Use Intersecting Letters: Don't try to solve "cunning" clues in isolation. Often, filling in a few crossing letters from other answers can make a tricky clue much clearer.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can crossword clues be 'cunning'?
Crossword clues can be 'cunning' through various forms of wordplay such as puns, double meanings, anagrams, or cryptic constructions that hide the true definition of the answer. They often require a lateral thinking approach to solve.
What's the best strategy for solving tricky 'cunning' crossword clues?
For tricky or 'cunning' clues, try to identify the type of wordplay involved (e.g., if it's an anagram, cryptic, or a homophone). Look for synonyms, think outside the box, and consider multiple interpretations of the words in the clue. Sometimes, looking at surrounding solved words can provide crucial letters.
Are there different types of crossword puzzles that use 'cunning' clues?
Yes, while all crosswords can have challenging clues, 'cryptic' crosswords are especially known for their cunning and complex wordplay, relying heavily on hidden meanings, anagrams, and double definitions. Quick crosswords, on the other hand, tend to use more straightforward synonyms.