Ever stumbled upon a
crossword clue
that just makes you pause? One that, at first glance, paints a vivid picture, almost a mini-story, before you remember you’re deep in the fascinating world of cryptic crosswords? Today, we’re diving into exactly that kind of brain-tickler: “A regent’s set out to alienate (8).”
This particular
crossword clue
is a fantastic example of why we love these puzzles so much. It’s got that deceptive surface reading that pulls you in. You might initially picture a powerful regent, perhaps a bit of a tyrant, actively trying to distance themselves or others from their influence. It sounds like a scene from a historical drama, doesn’t it? But, as seasoned solvers of
cryptic crossword clues
know, the real magic, the true challenge, lies beneath the surface.
When tackling a compelling
crossword clue
like this, the first step is always to separate the definition from the wordplay. The definition is the part of the clue that gives you the meaning of the answer, much like a dictionary entry would. In “A regent’s set out to alienate (8),” what part do you think is guiding us towards the meaning we’re looking for? Most likely, “to alienate” is our prime suspect for the definition, hinting at a word that means to cause someone to feel hostile, distant, or estranged. That’s our target meaning for this 8-letter word.
Now for the truly fun part: the wordplay. This is where
cryptic crossword clues
truly shine, transforming everyday phrases into a delightful linguistic puzzle. The remaining part of the clue, “A regent’s set out,” is where the constructor hides the key to forming our answer. Here, astute solvers will immediately home in on certain keywords or phrases that often signal specific types of wordplay. It’s these indicators that unlock the hidden mechanics of the
crossword clue
.
One of the most common and immensely satisfying forms of wordplay in
crossword clues
is the anagram. Anagrams involve rearranging the letters of one or more words to form a new word or phrase. And constructors love to use a variety of clever indicators, known as anagrinds, to signal that an anagram is at play. Think about phrases like “mixed up,” “confused,” “broken,” “rearranged,” “jumbled,” “in disarray,” or, as in our current
crossword clue
, “set out.”
“Set out” is indeed a classic anagrind. When you see “set out” (or similar phrases that imply disarray or rearrangement), it often means you need to take the letters of the preceding phrase and shuffle them around to find your answer. So, in this instance, we’re looking at the phrase “A regent’s” as our collection of letters to be rearranged. It’s crucial to remember that the apostrophe ‘s’ can sometimes represent ‘is’ or ‘has’ in cryptic clues, or it can simply be possessive, adding those letters into the mix for the anagram fodder. Always count your letters carefully to ensure you have the full set for the anagram.
So, for this intriguing
crossword clue
, the challenge is clear: take the letters from “A regent’s,” rearrange them, and find an 8-letter word that means “to alienate.” It’s a beautiful dance between meaning and manipulation, a true test of vocabulary and pattern recognition. These kinds of
crossword clues
are immensely rewarding once you crack them, offering that wonderful “aha!” moment that keeps us coming back for more daily puzzles.
Whether you’re a daily solver or just dabbling in the world of puzzles, tackling a
crossword clue
like “A regent’s set out to alienate (8)” is a fantastic mental workout. It sharpens your wit, expands your vocabulary, and hones your ability to spot those subtle hints hidden in plain sight within the wordplay. Don’t rush it; savour the process. Play with the letters, try different combinations, and keep that definition firmly in mind.
We won’t spoil the answer here – the joy is in the journey of discovery, after all! But we hope this breakdown of how to approach such a
crossword clue
gives you a solid starting point. What are your initial thoughts on this one? Have you already spotted the cunning twist? Keep an eye out for more
crossword clue
analysis and tips right here! Happy solving!
Available Answers:
ESTRANGE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 5 December 2025