INSERT-A-WORD LXIII 

Insert a word form the right-hand column into one of the words in the left-hand column to make a longer word.

1. PATE            ELL 

2. CONE          RAT

3. GAL             ME

4. ACE             PIE   

5. CAR             SUM

6. ON                LOB

7. PIE               AFT

8. CRY             LET 

 

Answers:

 

1. PA LET TE - PALETTE

2. CON SUM E - CONSUME

3. G LOB AL -GLOBAL

4. A PIE CE - APIECE

5. C ELL AR - CELLAR

6. O ME N - OMEN

7. PI RAT E - PIRATE

8. CR AFT Y - CRAFTY  

NY Times Crossword

May 18, 2026

Rena Cohen 

 

The answers to the first four clues will have something in common that is hinted at by the fifth clue.

 

1. Pioneering hybrid car

2. Like the code of Hammurabi 

3. Gardener's alliterative trimming tool 

4. Legendary Monty Python sketch featuring John Cleese 

5. Advice for the over-ambitious

 

Answer to Clue 5:

Start small

 

Answers to Clues 1-4:

 

1. Toyota Prius

2. Babylonian

3. Weed whacker

4. Ministry of Silly Walks 

 

Each clue answer stars with a word meaning "small":

1. TOYota

2. BABYlonian

3. WEEd 

4. MINIstry 

 

  

I am a 7-letter word telling of budding growth and life.

Behead me and I lead upward

Behead me and I am a fragrance or odor

Behead me and little value do I express

Answer:

NASCENT

ASCENT

SCENT

CENT

 

Credit:
Braingle   

1. Fill in the blanks with the same letters in the same order to complete common words:

_ _ _ H

_ _ _ ON

_ _ _ TLE

 

2. Fill in the blanks with the same letters in the same order to complete common words:

 

_ _ _ TIME

_ _ _ SING

_ _ _ SAGE

_ _ _ SPORT

_ _ _ SWORD 

 

Answers:

 

1. BATH

    BATON

    BATTLE

 

2. PASTIME

    PASSING

    PASSAGE

    PASSPORT

    PASSWORD  

Fill in the blanks to make common words such that each word is related to the word above it and below it.  

MUSCLE

B _ _ _ _

S _ _ _

P _ _ _ _

PLATE

 

Answer:
 

MUSCLE

BEACH

SAND

PAPER

PLATE                                 

 

 

RHYMING OXYMORONS 

An oxymoron is a figure of speech using apparently contradictory words or ideas. The contrast is intended to draw attention to the implied meaning ("sweet sorrow" / business ethics). At other times, the contrast is just a  curiosity of language (press release /adult children). 

Can you think of an oxymoronic phrase that rhymes with the phrases below? 

Ex: BOLD MUSE - OLD NEWS 

 

1. BEST GHOST

2. TWO GUYS

3. VIOLENT TEAM 

4. BONE FEATHER

5. TWEEZER CHURN

6. FANDOM BORDER

7. TRY MICE

8. WIG CALF 

9. BORE LAMES

10. MUMBO BLIMP 

11. HOUND DISSING

 

Answers:

 

1. GUEST HOST

2. TRUE LIES

3. SILENT SCREAM

4. ALONE TOGETHER

5. FREEZER BURN

6. RANDOM ORDER

7. DRY ICE

8. BIG HALF

9. WAR GAMES

10. JUMBO SHRIMP 

11. FOUND MISSING 

 

Credit:

Braingle: 1-4  

 UNUSUAL WORDS CXXXI

Can you give a simple definition of these less-frequently-used words?

1. DOYEN

2. ALLELE 

3. REGENT

4. EPITOME

5. CLOYING

6. PARADIGM 

7. EGREGIOUS

8. RECONDITE 

9. MALFEASANCE 

10. BLANDISHMENTS

11. RECRUDESCENCE

 

Answers:

 

1. DOYEN - Most respected, experienced, or senior member of a group

 

2. ALLELE - A specific variant or version of a gene  

 

3. REGENT - A person appointed to govern a state or kingdom temporarily on behalf of a monarch - typically when the monarch is a minor, absent, or incapacitated / a member of the governing board of a university

 

4. EPITOME - A perfect example, the ultimate representation of a certain quality, type, or idea

 

5. CLOYING - Excessively rich, sweet, or sentimental - as behavior

 

6. PARADIGM - A standard model or over-arching framework / A clear example of how something should be done

 

7. EGREGIOUS - Glaringly, exceptionally bad or offensive

 

8. RECONDITE - Difficult or impossible for the average person to understand, obscure

 

9. MALFEASANCE - Intentional wrongdoing, misconduct, or illegal behavior - especially by a public official

 

10. BLANDISHMENTS - Flattering, coaxing, or enticing words to persuade someone to do something - insincere, with the intent to manipulate

 

11. RECRUDESCENCE -  Sudden, abrupt reappearance or revival of something negative - such as a disease or racial violence - after a period of dormancy, abatement, or temporary remission