Decryptic #9 - 6th July 2026
Solution & wordplay explained · Published 6 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
1A
F
2T
E
3R
G
4L
O
5W
6T
W
A
S
R
E
I
A
O
7P
R
E
P
A
R
E
R
S
8N
T
9H
I
A
L
H
E
O
R
10C
O
M
E
11T
O
T
E
R
M
S
A
L
R
U
P
12T
W
E
A
13K
U
14B
O
15C
C
I
I
I
E
A
T
16O
R
17D
I
N
A
R
Y
18J
O
E
A
N
O
G
O
S
L
19S
A
L
20P
A
21T
C
H
O
U
L
I
E
I
I
N
R
T
22P
O
D
23N
E
C
E
S
S
A
R
Y
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Across
1 Across Warm radiance when flow great is broken (9) → AFTERGLOW Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “flow great”.
6 Across Scottish two hiding in outward journey (3) → TWA Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “outward”.
7 Across Before peelers come those who get things ready (9) → PREPARERS Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 3 and 6 letters long.
8 Across To the utmost degree, concealed in month (3) → NTH Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “month”.
10 Across Negotiate - arrive at conditions (4,2,5) → COME TO TERMS Charade
Join three pieces end to end, 4, 2 and 5 letters long.
12 Across Musical note accompanying the feeble makes an adjustment (5) → TWEAK Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 1 and 4 letters long.
14 Across Italian bowls, as leaders of both opposing clubs contest indicate (5) → BOCCI Initialism
Take the first letter of each: both, opposing, clubs, contest, indicate.
16 Across Average person - regular fellow with a cup of coffee (8,3) → ORDINARY JOE Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 8 and 3 letters long.
19 Across Musical notes turned up reveal tree (3) → SAL Reversal
Reverse a run of letters to build the answer, which begins with “S”.
20 Across Fragrant plant oil from optic haul, oddly rearranged (9) → PATCHOULI Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “optic haul”.
22 Across Italian river with a note produces case (3) → POD Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 2 and 1 letters long.
23 Across Any recess, wildly rearranged, is essential (9) → NECESSARY Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “any recess”.
Down
1 Down Raisins atop a dish, mixed up, represent hopes (11) → ASPIRATIONS Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “raisins atop”.
2 Down Electra, confused, produces syrup (7) → TREACLE Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “electra”.
3 Down Kingdom found when lamer is broken up (5) → REALM Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “lamer”.
4 Down Fib or recline (3) → LIE Double definition
Look for two different meanings of the same word.
5 Down Clean vessel - that is a laundry tub (7) → WASHTUB Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 4 and 3 letters long.
6 Down Printer cartridge hidden in button error (5) → TONER Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “button error”.
9 Down Ship to Italy scrambled shows warmth to guests (11) → HOSPITALITY Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “ship to Italy”.
11 Down Musical note before one full of regret - more accurate (5) → TRUER Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 1 and 4 letters long.
13 Down Monarch pins down the ringleader (7) → KINGPIN Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 4 and 3 letters long.
15 Down Break in verse from a saucer, scrambled (7) → CAESURA Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “a saucer”.
17 Down Distributed, as found within condoled message (5) → DOLED Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “condoled”.
18 Down Johnson losing his conclusion reveals loos (5) → JOHNS Deletion
Remove 2 letters from the end of a longer word.
21 Down Twitch from Totally Irritating Convulsion, initially (3) → TIC Initialism
Take the first letter of each: Totally, Irritating, Convulsion.