Decryptic #5 - 2nd July 2026
Solution & wordplay explained · Published 2 July 2026
The solved grid and a clue-by-clue explanation of every piece of wordplay in this Decryptic daily. It's a past puzzle, and the archive lets you play older crosswords. Today's crossword is always free to play.
The solved grid
1R
U
2N
3E
N
4D
R
5E
S
6U
L
T
E
E
P
W
T
P
7A
L
L
T
O
G
E
T
H
E
R
8G
L
L
C
E
Y
I
A
9P
A
Y
T
H
E
B
I
L
L
S
N
O
A
E
G
L
10U
G
L
Y
A
S
11S
I
N
B
I
N
H
U
T
12C
A
13R
B
14U
R
E
T
15O
R
S
I
A
A
T
B
K
T
K
16N
O
B
L
E
S
A
V
A
G
E
N
B
R
N
P
R
17J
O
Y
R
I
D
I
N
G
18I
N
S
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Across
1 Across Sprint found in some guru needs development (3) → RUN Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “guru needs”.
3 Across Conclusion when unrest led, disturbed (3,6) → END RESULT Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “unrest led”.
7 Across Everyone united - in unison (3,8) → ALL TOGETHER Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 3 and 8 letters long.
9 Across Remunerate the invoices - meet expenses (3,3,5) → PAY THE BILLS Charade
Join three pieces end to end, 3, 3 and 5 letters long.
10 Across Repulsive, like a transgression - very unattractive (4,2,3) → UGLY AS SIN Charade
Join three pieces end to end, 4, 2 and 3 letters long.
12 Across Fuel mixers in British spelling, losing a T (11) → CARBURETORS Deletion
Remove 1 letter from the middle of a longer word.
16 Across Rousseau's idealized figure - beagles nova wildly reimagined (5,6) → NOBLE SAVAGE Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “beagles nova”.
17 Across Happiness found in equestrian sport - that's reckless driving (9) → JOYRIDING Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 3 and 6 letters long.
18 Across Advantages found initially in numerous situations (3) → INS Initialism
Take the first letter of each: in, numerous, situations.
Down
1 Down Practical politics from politer kail, scrambled (11) → REALPOLITIK Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “politer kail”.
2 Down A name found in channel lyrics (5) → NELLY Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “channel lyrics”.
3 Down Landmark era marked by aluminium's chemical symbol (7) → EPOCHAL Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 5 and 2 letters long.
4 Down Nerd holds a little between musical notes D and B (5) → DWEEB Container
Put a 3-letter run inside a 2-letter word.
5 Down Chemical group hidden in methyl acetate (5) → ETHYL Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “methyl acetate”.
6 Down Having revolted, purines broken up oddly (7) → UPRISEN Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “purines”.
8 Down Going great - mob facing those who break them up (11) → GANGBUSTERS Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 4 and 7 letters long.
10 Down Eerie when not shrewd (7) → UNCANNY Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 2 and 5 letters long.
11 Down The whole thing when he bangs around wildly (7) → SHEBANG Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “he bangs”.
13 Down Jewish teacher - Respected Ancient Biblical Books Interpreted, initially (5) → RABBI Initialism
Take the first letter of each: Respected, Ancient, Biblical, Books, Interpreted.
14 Down Womb chambers concealed in outer island (5) → UTERI Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “outer island”.
15 Down Alright, a Greek letter names the African mammal (5) → OKAPI Charade
Join three pieces end to end, 2, 1 and 2 letters long.