“Feasted on.” Just two words, a simple verb phrase, and yet for many a
crossword clue
like this can stop a solver dead in their tracks. It’s the kind of seemingly straightforward prompt that, upon deeper inspection, reveals layers of potential meaning, making it a classic example of what makes
crossword puzzles
both challenging and utterly addictive.
When a
crossword clue
presents itself in this form – a past-tense verb followed by a preposition – it immediately signals a few things to the seasoned
crossword solver
. Firstly, the past tense is paramount. Whatever the answer, it’s almost certainly going to be a past participle or an irregular past tense verb. This is your first and most crucial filter. If the
daily crossword
has this clue, you know the ending is likely -ED, or it’s one of those tricky irregular verbs that
crossword puzzles
love to throw in.
Secondly, the “on” is key. It implies direct action, consumption, or perhaps focus. “Feasted” itself suggests eating, often heartily, but also, in a more metaphorical sense, taking great pleasure or delight in something. Did someone feast on a magnificent meal? Or did they feast on the scenery, or a juicy piece of gossip? This duality is where many a
crossword clue
gets its deceptive power. Is the answer literal, or is the
crossword puzzle
designer hinting at a figurative usage? This is where your vocabulary and understanding of word nuances truly come into play when tackling a tricky
crossword clue
.
Approaching this kind of
crossword clue
requires a methodical strategy. Beyond just considering the tense, think about synonyms for “feasted.” What other words describe eating a lot? What words describe enjoying something immensely? Brainstorming a list of potential verbs is always a great first step. Then, you match these potential words against the available letter count in the grid. If it’s a seven-letter word, for instance, you can immediately discard anything that doesn’t fit that precise length.
Another vital technique for any
crossword clue
of this nature is leveraging the intersecting words. Even if you’re stumped by “Feasted on,” a few letters filled in from crossing answers can provide the much-needed breakthrough. Perhaps the first letter is a ‘D’, or the third letter is a ‘V’. These hints are gold, helping you narrow down your list of possibilities dramatically. It’s a fundamental principle of effective
crossword puzzle
solving: use every piece of information the grid gives you.
The brilliance of a
crossword clue
like “Feasted on” lies in its ability to simultaneously be direct and yet offer room for misdirection. It tests your ability to think synonymously, to consider context, and to be aware of the subtle traps that can be laid by clever clue construction. Don’t be afraid to try out a few options in your head, or even lightly in the grid, to see if they fit the emerging pattern of the surrounding words. The satisfaction of cracking such a
crossword clue
and seeing the grid fall into place is, for many, the very essence of why we keep coming back to our
crossword puzzles
day after day. Keep those pencils sharp, fellow solvers!
Available Answers:
ATE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Monday’s Daily By Amanda Cook / Ed. Patti Varol