Work through the levels. Reveal the Spangram only when you’re truly ready.
Today’s clue: “Leave nothing out”
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.
A common synonym for 'complete' that fits the grid, but the editor opted for other words.
Meaning 'complete' as in 'utter nonsense,' it seems thematic but isn't part of the set.
Used to mean 'complete' as in 'sheer luck,' another plausible synonym not included.
The noun form of a theme adjective, it might be mistaken for an answer but isn't one.
a textbook decoy
The clue 'Leave nothing out' makes the theme of synonyms for 'complete' easy to deduce, and once FULL or WHOLE is spotted, the rest—COMPLETE, ENTIRE, TOTAL, UNDIVIDED—fall into place quickly because they are all familiar synonyms. The spangram ITSALLTHERE is a perfect thematic phrase that becomes obvious after a few words are found, and its 11-letter length helps it visually bridge the grid. UNDIVIDED stands out as slightly less common in everyday use for 'complete,' but it fits neatly once the pattern is recognized. The puzzle’s mild challenge comes from avoiding traps like ABSOLUTE or UTTER, which also mean completeness but weren’t included.
The clue 'Leave nothing out' is a straightforward instruction that hints at the idea of completeness. It plays on the concept of ensuring everything is present, which is exactly what the theme words and the spangram ITSALLTHERE convey. The spangram feels like a direct response to the clue—after checking for completeness, you might say, 'It’s all there.' Together, they form a neat, conversational puzzle.
The editor chose a set of everyday adjectives that all act as synonyms for 'complete' but each with a slightly different nuance: COMPLETE (not lacking), ENTIRE (undivided), FULL (no capacity left), TOTAL (absolute), UNDIVIDED (not fragmented), and WHOLE (in one piece). The spangram ITSALLTHERE anchors the set with a colloquial phrase that sums up the concept. By avoiding rarer synonyms like 'plenary' or 'integral,' the puzzle remains accessible. The inclusion of UNDIVIDED is clever, as it’s less commonly used as a direct synonym but still fits the pattern, adding a subtle layer.
