Welcome back to the blog, fellow word enthusiasts and puzzle adventurers! There’s nothing quite like the mental workout a truly clever crossword clue provides, especially when it’s a cryptic one that makes you pause, ponder, and then finally,
click
. Today, we’re diving into a prime example of cryptic brilliance, a challenge that perfectly illustrates the satisfaction of deciphering layered wordplay.
The crossword clue on our radar today is:
“Steer convertible and synchronise again (5)“
.
At first glance, a cryptic crossword clue like this can seem like a jumble of words. But for seasoned solvers, and those learning the ropes, it immediately signals a fascinating journey into linguistic gymnastics. Understanding the anatomy of such a crossword clue is your first step towards unlocking its secret. Every cryptic clue has two main components: a precise definition of the answer and a cunning piece of wordplay. Both must lead to the exact same solution.
Let’s break down the definition aspect first. In our featured crossword clue, “synchronise again” is clearly the defining part. When you encounter a definition in a cryptic crossword clue, think broadly about synonyms, related actions, or phrases that mean the same thing. What does it mean to “synchronise again”? Consider verbs that describe this action. The beauty is often in the simplicity, but the challenge lies in finding the precise word that fits. Keep the five-letter length in mind – it’s a crucial constraint that narrows down your options considerably. Brainstorming synonyms that are exactly five letters long is a key strategy here.
Now, for the wordplay, which is where the real fun – and sometimes the initial frustration – begins with a cryptic crossword clue. The phrase “Steer convertible” is our golden ticket to understanding the wordplay mechanism. The word “convertible” in a cryptic crossword context is a classic indicator. It’s not referring to a car, but rather to the
convertibility
of letters. This strongly suggests an anagram. Anagrams are words or phrases formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase. Indicators like “convertible,” “mixed,” “broken,” “rearranged,” “jumbled,” “shaken,” “confused,” or “mad” are all signposts telling you to shuffle some letters around.
So, if “convertible” is our anagram indicator, what exactly are we converting? Usually, the anagram fodder – the letters to be rearranged – will appear adjacent to the indicator. In this case, “Steer” is perfectly positioned to be the source of our letters. Your task then becomes to take the letters from “Steer” and rearrange them. But remember, the definition “synchronise again” must still be met, and the final word must be exactly five letters long.
The elegance of this particular crossword clue lies in how seamlessly the indicator and fodder merge. It sounds like a natural, if slightly poetic, phrase, but it’s loaded with specific instructions for the solver. This is the hallmark of a well-crafted cryptic crossword clue – a deceptive simplicity that masks intricate construction.
Approaching such a crossword clue requires patience and a systematic approach. First, isolate the definition and brainstorm potential answers. Second, identify the wordplay type (here, an anagram) and the specific letters you need to rearrange. Then, combine these two insights. Does one of your five-letter synonyms for “synchronise again” also happen to be an anagram of “Steer”? If so, you’ve cracked it! If not, you might need to rethink your synonyms or re-evaluate the anagram fodder. Sometimes a cryptic crossword clue will have a slightly more complex fodder, but here, the setup is quite direct.
Every successful solve of a challenging crossword clue builds your intuition for future puzzles. This clue serves as an excellent masterclass in recognizing anagrams, distinguishing definition from wordplay, and appreciating the cleverness that goes into creating these linguistic puzzles. Keep practicing, keep observing these patterns, and soon, clues like “Steer convertible and synchronise again (5)” will become less of a mystery and more of a welcome mental workout. Happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
RESET.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 7 November 2025