Crossword Clue Crackdown: When Letters Lead You Down Twisting Paths
Welcome back, fellow word wranglers! It’s time once again to delve into the perplexing, occasionally maddening, but always rewarding world of crossword clues. We’re tackling a particularly evocative seven-letter teaser today. This one involves a disappearance and a rather unpleasant experience. Ready to untangle it?
The core of the puzzle here is the phrase “Gone is a version of torments.” This immediately screams out for a clever application of classic crossword tricks. We’re dealing with a seven-letter solution, which is a good starting point. Let’s break down the components of the clue.
First, we have “Gone.” This word immediately suggests concepts like absence, disappearance, or a state of being no longer present. In crossword parlance, “gone” might also indicate a deleted letter or a piece that’s been removed from another word. This could be a deletion indicator, or perhaps we need to consider synonyms for “gone” that have a structural relationship with the solution. Think about verbs and nouns that encapsulate the idea of something being lost.
Next, we have “is a version of.” This is a classic signpost for an anagram, a homophone, or some other form of wordplay where the letters are rearranged or altered slightly. The “version of” hints that we need to take something else and manipulate it. It’s telling us that what follows will somehow transform into the solution.
Then comes “torments.” Ah, yes, a word that conjures images of psychological or physical suffering. But in the crossword context, we must also think of “torments” as a collection of letters, a pool from which our solution might be drawn. Are we looking for an anagram of “torments” perhaps with a letter taken away? Is it a synonym? Or something else entirely?
So, putting it all together, we need a seven-letter word that represents the state of being “gone,” is derived in some way from the word “torments”, and fits perfectly in the grid. Simple, right? Okay, maybe not so simple.
Let’s consider possible strategies. Anagrams are always a good first suspect. Can we rearrange the letters in “torments,” potentially dropping or adding a letter hinted at by the “gone” aspect, to form a valid word? If anagrams fail, let’s explore synonyms for “torments” and see if a rearranged or shortened form appears.
Pay close attention to the subtle wordplay inherent in the clue. The phrasing “Gone is a version of” is carefully crafted to nudge you in the right direction. Don’t be afraid to try a few variations and see if anything clicks. Remember, crossword solving is a process of elimination and persistent experimentation.
Also, consider the context. What other words intersect with this one on the crossword grid? Are there any thematic elements to the overall puzzle that might provide a clue? Sometimes, looking at the bigger picture can unlock even the most stubborn individual entries.
Good luck, and happy puzzling! Let me know in the comments if you’ve cracked the code, and share your reasoning for getting to the right solution. I’m eager to hear your thoughts.
Available Answers:
AGONIES.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 5 September 2025