Welcome back, fellow word sleuths and linguistic adventurers! There’s nothing quite like the daily ritual of diving into a fresh crossword grid, is there? That delightful blend of challenge, wit, and the sheer satisfaction of seeing those empty squares fill up. Some days, the answers flow like a perfectly brewed coffee; other times, a single, deceptively simple
crossword clue
can halt your progress, demanding every ounce of your deductive reasoning. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on one such intriguing brain-teaser that undoubtedly made more than a few solvers pause and ponder.
The particular
crossword clue
that caught my eye and sparked this discussion is: “Hold out against unruly sister (6)“. Just six letters, but oh, what a journey those six letters can send you on! At first glance, it appears quite straightforward. An action, a description, a clear word length. Yet, as any seasoned solver knows, the best
crossword clues
are rarely what they seem on the surface. This isn’t just a vocabulary test; it’s a testament to the ingenious wordplay and subtle misdirection that makes the world of crosswords so utterly addictive.
What makes this specific
crossword clue
so captivating is its potential for duality. Is “Hold out against” a literal instruction to find a synonym for resistance? Or is “unruly sister” a cryptic indicator, hinting at something far more nuanced than a sibling squabble? The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
like this lies in its ability to simultaneously present a plausible surface reading while concealing a much cleverer solution beneath. It’s a masterclass in ambiguity, designed to gently nudge your brain in multiple directions before the “aha!” moment hits.
When faced with a
crossword clue
of this caliber, the usual mental acrobatics begin. Do we look for synonyms for “hold out against” like ‘resist’ or ‘oppose’? And how does “unruly sister” then fit into that equation? Is it an adjective modifying a noun that acts as a synonym? Or is it a hint at a specific type of wordplay? Could it be a double definition, where both parts of the clue lead to the same answer, perhaps with one part being quite literal and the other delightfully abstract? The best
crossword clues
invite this kind of mental exploration, stretching your vocabulary and your capacity for lateral thinking.
This isn’t a
crossword clue
designed to be solved in a blink. It’s the kind that begs for a closer look, perhaps a walk around the block, or even a return visit after other intersecting answers have started to populate the grid. The magic often happens when you reconsider the different meanings of each word, or when a particular idiom or phrase suddenly clicks into place. The power of a good
crossword clue
is its ability to make you feel incredibly clever when you finally unravel its secrets.
So, if you’ve been staring at “Hold out against unruly sister (6)” in your latest puzzle, or if you’re just curious about the mechanics behind such clever linguistic puzzles, you’ve landed in the perfect spot. We’re going to delve deeper into why this particular
crossword clue
stands out as a brilliant example of cryptic craftsmanship, and why unraveling its layers is such a rewarding experience for any crossword enthusiast. Get ready to sharpen those pencils and prepare for a fascinating breakdown of what makes a truly great
crossword clue
!
Available Answers:
RESIST.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Sunday, 15 June 2025