Welcome back, puzzle enthusiasts! There’s nothing quite like settling down with a fresh crossword puzzle, a warm beverage, and the satisfying click of a pen against paper. We chase that ‘aha!’ moment, the sudden clarity that transforms a jumble of words into a perfectly formed answer. But sometimes, a particular crossword clue lands on the page, stops you dead in your tracks, and makes you truly pause. It’s those delightful brain-teasers that make solving crosswords such an enduring passion, pushing us to think laterally, creatively, and sometimes, a little cryptically.
Today, we’re diving headfirst into one such intriguing challenge: “Dishearten daughter and another relative (5).” Just reading that, you can almost feel the gears in your mind starting to turn, can’t you? This isn’t your average straightforward definition; this crossword clue invites you into a world of layered meaning and clever misdirection, a hallmark of excellent puzzle construction.
What makes this particular crossword clue so captivating? For starters, its brevity, combined with seemingly disparate elements. We have “dishearten,” a verb laden with emotional weight, immediately drawing our thoughts towards feelings of discouragement or sorrow. Then, the familial connection is introduced: “daughter and another relative.” This conjures images of family trees, relationships, and the intricate web of kin. And finally, the tantalizing “(5),” letting us know our solution is a crisp, five-letter word, demanding precision in our deduction.
When faced with a crossword clue like this, the initial instinct might be to jump straight to a single definition for “dishearten” or to list every relative you can think of. But the beauty of such a well-crafted puzzle lies in its ability to combine these elements in unexpected ways. Is “dishearten” a direct definition? Or is it part of the wordplay, perhaps indicating a manipulation of letters within another word? And what about “daughter and another relative”? Are we looking for two separate entities that combine to form the answer, or is “daughter” a component of a larger, more general term for a relative? These are the fascinating questions that swirl in a solver’s mind, creating a delightful mental workout.
Decoding this type of crossword clue often requires stepping back from the obvious and considering all possible interpretations. It’s about recognizing the potential for homophones, anagrams, hidden words, or even clever double definitions that play on multiple meanings of a single word. The skilled crossword setter loves to lead us down one path only for us to discover the true route was hidden in plain sight, just beyond our initial assumptions. This is where the magic of a great crossword puzzle truly shines.
So, take a moment with “Dishearten daughter and another relative (5).” Ponder its elements. Consider the nuances of each word. How might “dishearten” apply to letters? How could “daughter” and “another relative” be intertwined in a five-letter solution? This isn’t just about finding the answer; it’s about appreciating the journey, the mental gymnastics required to untangle such a brilliant piece of wordplay. It’s why we keep coming back to the daily crossword, day after day, eager for the next challenge. The thrill of understanding how all the pieces fit together is the ultimate reward for any crossword clue enthusiast.
Available Answers:
DAUNT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Sunday, 12 October 2025