There’s a unique thrill that washes over every dedicated solver when a fresh crossword puzzle lands in their lap. That crisp paper, the tantalizing blank grid, the promise of an intellectual journey – it’s an experience unto itself. And then, you dive in. You pick off a few easy ones, get a foothold, and start feeling that satisfying flow as letters fill the squares. But every now and then, a particular crossword clue stops you dead in your tracks, not because it’s impossible, but because it’s brilliantly designed to make you
think
in layers.
This week, that moment arrived with a specific entry: “Unlike 18-Across.”
Ah, the relational clue! These are often the true gems of any well-crafted crossword. They demand not just knowledge of words, but an understanding of context, a memory for what you’ve already unearthed, and a nimble mind ready to pivot. When you first encounter a crossword clue like “Unlike 18-Across,” it’s like a little puzzle within a puzzle. You can’t tackle it head-on. It’s a deferred gratification, a promise of a future eureka moment, patiently waiting for its counterpart to be revealed.
My initial approach, as always, was to scan the surrounding entries. Are there any other crossword clues that seem interconnected? Is there a theme emerging? Sometimes, the entire theme of a puzzle revolves around such contrasts, making the “Unlike” structure even more potent. But even without an overarching theme immediately apparent, this type of crossword clue signals a delightful challenge. You circle it, perhaps make a mental note, and continue solving other, more straightforward clues, all the while keeping 18-Across in the back of your mind like a persistent earworm.
The beauty of “Unlike 18-Across” lies in its economy of words, yet its vast potential for meaning. It’s concise, elegant, and utterly reliant on another part of the grid. This isn’t just a simple synonym or a straightforward definition. It’s an exercise in antonyms, in conceptual opposites, in finding the flip side of a linguistic coin. It forces you to consider not just
what
18-Across is, but
what it isn’t
. What attributes does 18-Across possess that its opposite would entirely lack? What actions does 18-Across imply that its counterpart would unequivocally refute?
The moment 18-Across finally starts to fill in, letter by precious letter, is a moment of pure crossword solver’s bliss. You might have been struggling with a tricky corner, or perhaps a long answer across the middle finally clicked, illuminating adjacent squares. And then, there it is: 18-Across, fully formed. As soon as those letters coalesce into a recognizable word or phrase, your brain immediately snaps back to our target crossword clue. “Unlike 18-Across.”
The mental gears start turning furiously. If 18-Across is [imagine your own answer here], then what is its direct opposite? Is it a single word? A compound phrase? Does it have the same number of letters? Many times, a cleverly constructed “Unlike” crossword clue will lead to an answer that mirrors the letter count of its predecessor, adding another layer of satisfaction. Sometimes, the contrast is stark; other times, it’s nuanced, requiring a deeper dive into synonyms and their antonyms. This is where the true art of crossword clue construction shines.
This particular crossword clue truly embodies the essence of what makes daily puzzles so engaging. It’s a journey of discovery, a testament to the interconnectedness of language, and a wonderful reminder that sometimes, the best way to understand something is to define what it isn’t. The satisfaction of finally filling in that blank, knowing you’ve cracked not one but two related clues, is unparalleled. It’s a moment that makes all the head-scratching worthwhile, a testament to the mental gymnastics demanded by a truly great crossword.
What are some of your favorite relational crossword clues? How do you tackle them? Share your thoughts – we all learn from fellow solvers!
Available Answers:
MALE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Tuesday’s Daily By Matthew Stock & Mark Valdez / Ed. Patti Varol