Welcome back, fellow wordplay enthusiasts! There’s nothing quite like that daily ritual, isn’t there? The fresh grid, the promise of new challenges, and that satisfying
click
as a particularly tricky
crossword clue
finally yields its secrets. It’s a mental workout, a vocabulary test, and a delightful escape all rolled into one.
Today, we’re shining a spotlight on a
crossword clue
that, at first glance, might seem straightforward but carries a wonderfully precise qualification. The clue in question is “Choose (by ballot) (5)“.
Now, “choose” itself is a broad verb, isn’t it? We choose our clothes, our words, our dinner. There are countless synonyms and shades of meaning. If this
crossword clue
simply said “Choose (5)”, we’d be rummaging through a much larger mental dictionary – pick, select, opt for, and so many more options would immediately spring to mind. This is where the true artistry of a well-crafted
crossword clue
comes into play.
The magic, and indeed the specificity, lies entirely in that crucial parenthetical phrase: “(by ballot)”. This isn’t just any act of choosing; it’s a very particular, formalized process. It immediately directs our thoughts away from casual selections and towards something much more official, often involving a formal vote, a poll, or a structured decision-making process within a group or organization.
When tackling a
crossword clue
like this, the first step is always to identify the core definition, which is “Choose.” Then, and this is critical, we apply the filtering power of the qualifier. The “(by ballot)” tells us precisely
how
the choosing occurs. This instantly narrows down the field of potential 5-letter synonyms dramatically. We’re looking for a word that specifically implies selection through the act of casting a vote, whether it’s for a candidate, a proposal, or a representative.
It’s a fantastic example of how even a seemingly simple
crossword clue
can demand a nuanced understanding of vocabulary and context. It forces you to consider not just
what
an action is, but
how
it is performed. This kind of precision is what makes the daily crossword puzzle such a rewarding and endlessly fascinating challenge. It hones your ability to spot subtle distinctions in language, making you a sharper solver with every grid you complete.
So, as you ponder this particular 5-letter
crossword clue
, think about the formal procedures, the democratic processes, and the definitive act of casting a decision. The answer, when it clicks, is perfectly aligned with both the definition and its crucial qualifier. We’ll dive deeper into the solution and its linguistic journey next.
Available Answers:
ELECT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Monday, 18 August 2025