TRIPLE WORD SCORE III
Credit: GAMES Magazine
August, 2001
Bob Stigger

Each of the three words in each clue below plays a different role in leading to a one-word answer. One of them is a synonym for the answer word. Another can be placed in front of the answer word to make a new word. Still another can be place behind the answer word to form a different new word. The three words are listed in random order, and the number in parentheses indicates the number of letters in the answer word.

For example, the clue words ADO ALLOTMENT ALLY (6) lead to the answer word RATION. The synonym is ALLOTMENT, ADO can be placed in front of RATION to make ADORATION, and ALLY can be placed behind RATION to make RATIONALLY.

1. ABOVE  LEFT  COME (4)
2. MARY  STOOD  PRIM (4)
3. EAR  LEG  FINISH (3)
4.TROLL  TAIL  GOLD (4)
5. STUDY  DROID  WAR (3)
6. DANCE  ODD  AD (4)
7. TURN  CRUCIAL  NOTE (3)
8. ANT  ASSERT  EX (5)
9. UNDER  SWELL  LAND (6)
10. CRITICIZE (harshly)  HANDLE  DUST (3)

HINTS:
The synonym words are:
1. ABOVE
2. STOOD
3. FINISH
4. TROLL
5. STUDY
6. DANCE
7. CRUCIAL
8. ASSERT
9. LAND
10. CRITICIZE (harshly)

Answers:

1. OVER  (leftover, overcome)
2. ROSE  (primrose, rosemary)
3. END  (legend, endear)
4. FISH  (goldfish, fishtail)
5. DEN  (warden, dendroid)
6. BALL (oddball, ballad)
7. KEY  (turnkey, keynote)
8. CLAIM (exclaim, claimant)
9. GROUND  (underground, groundswell)
10. PAN  (dustpan, panhandle)