Alright, fellow word wranglers and linguistic gladiators, gather ’round! Another day, another delightful tangle of letters and cryptic whispers to unravel. If you’re anything like me, your morning routine isn’t complete without that satisfying
thump
of the newspaper hitting the porch, or the digital equivalent of firing up your favourite
crossword puzzles
app. Today, we’re diving headfirst into a real beauty, a
crossword clue
that initially gave me pause but then, oh, the elegance of its construction!
The
crossword clue
in question, the one that’s been tickling my brain cells all morning, is:
“Nothing is blocking greeting – may start extreme belief (8)“
.
Doesn’t that just sing to you? It’s got all the hallmarks of a classic, well-crafted
cryptic crossword clue
. For those of us who live for the daily challenge, dissecting these linguistic masterpieces is half the fun. This particular
crossword clue
promises a rewarding “aha!” moment, and trust me, it delivers.
Let’s break it down, without giving away the ghost, of course. When approaching any
crossword clue
, especially one with such a rich texture, the first step is always to identify the definition. In many cryptic clues, the definition often sits at one end of the clue – either the very beginning or the very end. Look at the phrasing here: “may start extreme belief”. Does that sound like a direct definition of an eight-letter word? Absolutely. It paints a vivid picture of the
concept
we’re aiming for. This is where your inner thesaurus gets a workout. What words, precisely eight letters long, could align with “extreme belief”? Keep a few possibilities in mind; the wordplay will confirm the right one.
Now, for the wordplay, the true heart of any challenging
crossword clue
. “Nothing is blocking greeting.” This part is where the magic happens, where the constructor plays with our expectations and offers clever misdirection.
“Nothing” is a classic
crossword clue
element. In the world of
word puzzles
, “nothing” very often translates to a specific letter or symbol. Think about what that single letter or symbol represents in scorekeeping or simply as a placeholder for absence. Have you got it? Good.
Next, we have “is blocking”. This phrase is highly suggestive of an insertion. If something is “blocking” something else, it implies that one thing is
inside
or
around
another. It’s a very common indicator in
crossword puzzles
for placing one set of letters within another. So, we’re looking to insert our “nothing” element somewhere.
And what is it blocking? “Greeting.” Ah, “greeting”! Another incredibly rich vein for
crossword clue
constructors. How many ways can one say hello, or offer a salutation, in a concise, crossword-friendly manner? There are many short, common forms of address that fit perfectly into wordplay. Think of the simplest, most universal ways we greet one another. Consider the length of these common greetings.
So, the puzzle here is to take a particular “greeting,” then place the “nothing” inside it, and the resulting eight-letter word should perfectly match our definition of “extreme belief.” It’s a beautiful synergy of components. The elegance lies in how the seemingly disparate parts – a void, a welcome, and a strong conviction – coalesce into a single, satisfying solution.
When you’re trying to solve this, write out your potential “nothing” (there’s usually one or two common ones). Then, list a few common “greetings.” Try inserting the “nothing” into the “greeting.” Does the combination form a word? If so, is that word eight letters long? And most importantly, does it align with the definition of “extreme belief”?
This specific
crossword clue
is a fantastic example of why we love
solving crosswords
. It challenges our vocabulary, our lateral thinking, and our knowledge of the clever conventions that make these
brain teasers
so addictive. It’s not just about knowing the answer; it’s about appreciating the journey to get there.
So, take another look:
“Nothing is blocking greeting – may start extreme belief (8)“
. Give it a whirl yourself before checking any external help. The satisfaction of cracking a
crossword clue
like this purely through your own deduction is unparalleled. Happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
NIHILISM.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 8 July 2025