Work through the levels. Reveal the Spangram only when you’re truly ready.
Today’s clue: “All-knowing”
A gentle direction — no specifics.
Closer — the category is coming into focus.
Near-direct — only read if you’re stuck.
Direction only.
Getting closer.
Near-direct.
6 theme words — lengths in random order
Spaces not counted in total
All theme words — shuffled
These words fit the theme on the surface, but aren’t part of today’s solution. Knowing them ahead of time can save you minutes of searching.
Directly means a highly intelligent person, fitting the clue, but it's not in today's set.
A classic term for a wise person, often sought in advice, yet missing from the board.
Associated with all-knowing prophecy, but not hidden in this puzzle's answers.
A learned academic title that feels right for 'all-knowing,' but it's absent here.
a textbook decoy
The difficulty stems from the spangram BIGBRAIN being a less obvious compound, but once you find a few theme words like EXPERT or MAVEN, the rest of the grid unlocks quickly. Placing AUTHORITY early reveals the pattern that all answers are nouns for knowledgeable figures, which narrows the search. The spangram's placement across opposite sides can be spotted once you see letters like B, I, G and B, R, A, I, N scattered, requiring a second look. The biggest surprise is how many synonyms for 'smart person' exist, making it easy to second-guess your initial find.
The clue 'All-knowing' seems over-the-top until you realize the puzzle is about people who claim or are assumed to know everything. It directly hints at titles like guru and pundit. The spangram BIGBRAIN then adds a modern, playful twist—referring to someone with a big brain, i.e., a genius. So the puzzle plays with both formal and informal terms for the very knowledgeable, making the solve a fun vocabulary workout.
The editor deliberately chose nouns for people of high intellectual standing, from workplace titles (SPECIALIST) to media commentators (PUNDIT) and cultural experts (GURU). Notably absent are informal terms like 'whiz' or straight synonyms like 'genius,' keeping the set cohesive and slightly formal. The spangram BIGBRAIN bridges the gap by representing the slang concept that encompasses all these roles. This selective vocabulary makes the puzzle feel like a celebration of expertise rather than a generic list.
