Welcome back, fellow word sleuths! There are some
crossword clues
that just sit there, staring back at you, almost daring you to unlock their secrets. They might seem straightforward at first glance, a simple definition wrapped in a neat little package. But then, as you turn it over in your mind, a whole world of possibilities opens up, leading you down various delightful, and sometimes frustrating, linguistic rabbit holes. Today, we’re diving headfirst into one such captivating
crossword clue
that recently caught my eye and sparked a good deal of contemplation: ‘Finished, no longer working (7)‘.
At first blush, this particular
crossword clue
feels remarkably precise. We have two distinct phrases, “Finished” and “no longer working,” which appear to be pointing towards a singular concept. The parenthetical (7) immediately tells us we’re looking for a seven-letter word, a crucial piece of information that narrows down our search considerably. This isn’t one of those cryptic
crossword clues
designed to send you spinning through obscure anagrams or clever charades. No, this appears to be a good old-fashioned definition clue, challenging our vocabulary and our ability to find the perfect, succinct word that encapsulates both ideas.
The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
like this lies in its deceptive simplicity. “Finished” could mean completed, done, over. “No longer working” suggests something that has ceased to function, or perhaps retired from service, or even expired. The intersection of these two concepts is where the magic happens. Are we talking about a project that’s been brought to completion? A machine that has broken down? A person who has ended their career? Or perhaps something more abstract, a condition or a state of being? Deciphering a
crossword clue
often involves considering all these angles.
When faced with such a
crossword clue
, I always try to consider the grammatical form of the expected answer. Given the wording, the seven-letter solution is almost certainly an adjective or a past participle acting as an adjective. It describes the state of something or someone. This eliminates a vast number of nouns or verbs that might otherwise fit parts of the definition. It’s a classic technique in composing
crossword clues
– using a descriptive phrase that hints strongly at the word’s part of speech without explicitly stating it. This subtly guides the solver without giving away too much.
The challenge in solving
crossword clues
like “Finished, no longer working (7)” isn’t just about knowing the dictionary definition; it’s about understanding the subtle nuances and connotations. Does “finished” imply a positive completion, or simply an end? Does “no longer working” suggest obsolescence, damage, or simply a cessation of activity by choice? These slight differences can lead you down paths that are technically correct for one part of the clue but fail to perfectly align with the other. The elusive synergy between the two descriptive phrases is key to unlocking this type of
crossword clue
.
It’s a testament to the art of crossword setting that such a concise
crossword clue
can provoke so much thought. It invites you to sift through your mental lexicon, weighing each potential seven-letter candidate against both “Finished” and “no longer working.” The ultimate satisfaction comes from that ‘aha!’ moment, when the perfect word clicks into place, fulfilling both conditions flawlessly. This particular
crossword clue
stands as a great example of how simple phrasing can lead to a deeply engaging and rewarding solve. It’s a classic, requiring precision in thought and vocabulary. What an excellent example of a well-posed
crossword clue
!
Available Answers:
DEFUNCT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Wednesday, 15 October 2025