TWO OUT OF THREE VII

Anagram two of the three words in each clue to get a synonym of the third word. 

Ex: ACORN, PLOT, SPICY

Ans: ACORN + SPICY = CONSPIRACY (plot)

 

1. TEMPT, ZEAL, TAINT

2. AVERT, STORY, RAIN

3. DATE, TULIP, CLICHE

4. LULU, DRUM, HINGE

5. TINS, SHONE, LEDGE

6. FARCE, RANG, SMELL 

 

HINTS:

One of the words to be anagrammed:

1. TAINT

2. RAIN

3. DATE

4. DRUM

5. TINS

6. RANG

 

Answers:

 

1. TAINT + ZEAL = TANTALIZE (tempt)

2. AVERT + RAIN = NARRATIVE (story)

3. DATE + TULIP = PLATITUDE (cliche)

4. DRUM + HINGE = HUMDINGER (lulu)

5. TINS + LEDGE = GLISTENED (shone)

6. RANG + FARCE = FRAGRANCE (smell)

 

SYNONYM/ANAGRAM CCCXL

The two words on each line can be anagrammed into one - beginning with the given letter. The meanings of the anagrams are given below the clues.

1. ELM + RYE = M

2. NEW + KILT = T

3. GAB + EARL = A

4. PIN + HOLD = D 

5. ZAP + TREE = T

6. CAP + HER = P  

7. LACE + NAIL = A

8. CARD + TOME = D 

9. CORAL + PRICE = R  

10. MINE + EXPERT = E 

 

Meanings of the anagrams:

1. Only

2. Sparkle

3. Math

4. Mammal

5. Circus thriller

6. Give a sermon, say

7. United group

8. Politics 

9. Mutual exchange

10. Trial 

Answers:

 

1. MERELY

2. TWINKLE

3. ALGEBRA

4. DOLPHIN

5. TRAPEZE

6. PREACH

7. ALLIANCE

8. DEMOCRAT

9. RECIPROCAL

10. EXPERIMENT 

MISSING LINKS CCXXXIII

Each group below shares a Missing Link - that its, its members have something in common, obvious or not. For example, RIVERS, NOSES, & VIOLINS can all have BRIDGES.

1. Saw..........Talk..........Land

2. Par..........Easy..........Drawn

3. Tin..........Silver..........Black

4. Finger..........Foul..........Felt 

5. Mouse..........Goal..........Trip

6. Mail..........Letter..........Store 

7. Hay..........Gold..........Yellow 

8. Door..........Coach..........Fright 

9. Small..........Silver..........Window

10. Guard..........Shop..........Language

 

Answers:

 

1. Table

2. Over

3. Kinds of smiths

4. Tip

5. Field

6. Chain

7. Fever

8. Stage

9. Screen

10. Body  

 

 

            

 

NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle

July 5, 2026

Will Shortz (3-8)

 

The two words in each pair below can be changed to new ones by adding the same two letters to the end of the first word and to the beginning of the second word. One of the answers is a two-word phrase.

 

Ex: PAPA - PRESS

Ans: PAPACY - CYPRESS

 

1. TOT - BARK

2. DEBT - DEAL 

3. LATER - READY

4. HABIT - TEMPT

5. SINCE - VENUE

6. SURGE - STAGE 

7. BLANK - CHING 

8. SHACK - GROOM

 

Answers:

 

1. TOTEM - EMBARK

2. DEBTOR - ORDEAL 

3. LATERAL - ALREADY

4. HABITAT - ATTEMPT

5. SINCERE - REVENUE

6. SURGEON - ON STAGE  

7. BLANKET - ETCHING 

8. SHACKLE - LEGROOM 

 

The words below are the first half of words made up of two smaller words - but they are not compounds. For example, PAGE and ANT could be joined together to get PAGEANT, but PAGEANT is not a compound word (like BEDROOM), since its two parts are not related. Can you think of the other half of the words below to make longer - but not compound - words? 

1. ASP

2. END

3. FUR 

4. NAP 

5. ANT

6. BUD

7. CURT

8. PLUM

9. GALL

10. MEDAL 

 

Answers:

 

1. ASPHALT

2. ENDEAR

3. FURROW

4. NAPKIN

5. ANTHEM

6. BUDGET

7. CURTAIL

8. PLUMMET

9. GALLEON

10. MEDALLION  

ADD A LETTER - GET A NEW WORD CCCIX

Add the designated letter to each word and re-arrange the letters to get a new word.

1. DUET + E = E 

2. LAMP + S = P

3. MARE + L = R  

4. CHORE + I  = H

5. EBONY + G = B 

6. READY + R = D

7. PLUME + A = A

8. ARMOR + E = R

9. MANLY + H = H 

10. SALAMI + E = M 

 

HINTS:

First letters of the new words:

1. E

2. P

3. R

4. H

5. B

6. D

7. A

8. R

9. H

10. M

 

Answers:

 

1. ETUDE

2. PSALM

3. REALM

4. HEROIC

5. BYGONE

6. DREARY

7. AMPULE

8. REMORA

9. HYMNAL

10. MALAISE  

 

 

Universal Sunday Crossword

July 12, 2026

Paul Coulter

DANCING PARTNERS 

 

The answer to each clue (lower case) below is related to the accompanying name, word, or phrases (upper case) - according to a certain pattern. Can you solve the clues and determine the connections?

 

1. Safari sights - GOLDIE HAWN 

 

2. Bittersweet feelings - SINGLES' BAR

 

3. Villainous characters in white coats - FILM TEASER

 

4. Household like the one in "The Brady Bunch" - SNAPDRAGON

 

Answers to Clues:

 

1. Wild animals

2. Mixed emotions

3. Mad scientists

4. Blended family

 

Relation of clue answers to the accompanying name, word, or phrases:

 

Anagrams of the accompanying name, word, or phrases correspond to the clue answers:

 

1. GOLDIE HAWN - WHALE, DINGO (wild animals)

2. SINGLES' BAR - ANGER, BLISS (mixed emotions)

3. FILM TEASER - FERMI, TESLA (mad scientists)

4. SNAPDRAGON - GRANDPA, SON (blended family)