NY Times Crossword
January 22, 2018
Paolo Pasco (adapted)

The answers to the first five clues follow a certain pattern which is revealed by the answer to the sixth clue.

1. Georgia monument to the Confederacy
2. It can change the meaning of spoken words
3. Metaphor for a hard hit or impact
4. Performing well - informally
5. Deadly flaw in the Space Shuttle Challenger
6. Natural process illustrated by the first words of clues #1-5

Answers: 

1. STONE Mountain
2.   TONE of voice
3.      TON of bricks
4.         ON his game
5.            O- rings
6.               Erosion 

Each clue progressively loses a first or last letter.