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Question from a real bummer, perhaps? - The Atlantic Crossword Clue
Across
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The clue "Big stretches, maybe" includes a question mark, signaling wordplay. "Big stretches" metaphorically refers to long periods of time, which can be expressed as "AGES." Thus, AGES is the correct solution, as it figuratively suggests long durations or "big stretches" of time.
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The answer is SEAM because a seam is the line or junction where two materials are joined together. In welding, this refers to the visible line created where two metal pieces are fused. It directly matches the clue's description of the "line between welded materials."
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The clue "Be far from fixed" suggests movement or wandering, as something that is not fixed is not stationary. "ROAM" perfectly fits because it means to travel or move freely without being fixed to one place, aligning with the clue's description.
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The answer "ALSO" fits the clue as it means "word of inclusion," often used to add or include something. Furthermore, "ALSO" is an anagram of "LAOS," a country name, fulfilling both elements of the clue: its definition and the wordplay aspect.
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The clue "Por ___ lado ..." is a Spanish phrase meaning "On the other hand...". The blank in the phrase is logically filled by "otro," which translates to "other" in English. The foreign language (Spanish) clue signals that the answer is also in Spanish, making OTRO the correct solution.
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The answer "NITS" fits the clue "Lousy little things" because nits are the eggs of lice ("lousy" relates to lice), which are very small, troublesome, and unpleasant. The clue uses wordplay, as "lousy" cleverly hints at lice, making "NITS" an accurate and fitting solution.
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The clue "Players at the top of their game?" uses a pun. "Top of their game" refers to excellence or being the best, and in sports or performance, the best players are often called "All-Stars." The question mark signals the playful wordplay, linking the phrase to the literal group of top players: ALLSTARS.
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LYDIA KO is a professional golfer who has been a champion on the LPGA of Korea Tour. She also won an Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, representing New Zealand, showcasing her exceptional talent and aligning perfectly with the clue's description.
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The clue "Opportunity to gossip privately" suggests a situation where individuals can communicate discreetly. "SIDECHAT" fits as it refers to a private or informal conversation that happens parallel to the main discussion, often to share gossip or personal remarks quietly. The term humorously captures the idea of secretive chatter.
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AGAR is a gelatinous substance derived from seaweed, commonly used as a medium in petri dishes to grow and study microorganisms in scientific cultures. The clue refers to "cultures" in the biological sense, making AGAR the correct answer.
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The answer is AZUL because it refers to Azul Brazilian Airlines, a major Brazilian air carrier founded by David Neeleman, who also founded JetBlue. "Azul," meaning "blue" in Portuguese, connects to JetBlue's name, making it a fitting and clever nod to its founder’s branding.
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The answer is RHYS because Matthew Rhys is a well-known Welsh actor. He starred in acclaimed projects like The Americans and Perry Mason. The clue specifies "Welsh actor," directly pointing to his nationality and career, making RHYS the correct and precise solution.
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TARO is the answer because it is a starchy root vegetable commonly used in Filipino cuisine, including sinigang, a traditional sour soup. Taro thickens the broth and adds a creamy texture to the dish, making it a frequent ingredient in some sinigang recipes.
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The clue "C'est, here" combines French ("C'est" meaning "It is") with English ("here"). This bilingual play suggests translating "C'est" into English as "It is," leading to the contraction "It's" or "ITS." The answer reflects the seamless switch between languages within the clue.
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The clue "Bored Ape 'art'" with quotation marks indicates a conceptual or specific reference. Bored Ape art refers to digital artwork from the "Bored Ape Yacht Club," popularized as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). NFTs are unique digital assets often tied to blockchain-certified art, like Bored Ape pieces. Hence, the answer is NFT.
Down
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The answer "ARO" completes the word "aromantic." Aromantic describes someone who experiences little to no romantic attraction. The blank (___mantic) hints that the answer is a prefix or part of the word forming this term related to romance (or lack thereof).
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The clue involves wordplay. A "real bummer" could refer to a cigarette smoker seeking a light. The phrase "Got a light?" is a common way to ask for a light for a cigarette. Hence, "GOTALIGHT" perfectly fits the playful context of the clue.
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The clue "Infancy" refers to the beginning or early stage of something, much like infancy marks the start of life. The phrase "EARLY DAYS" is synonymous with these initial stages, making it the perfect solution to describe the concept of infancy.
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The answer "SMOLDERS" fits because it figuratively describes someone quietly displaying or "betraying" their anger or rage, much like how smoldering is a slow, subdued burn beneath the surface. It conveys suppressed emotions, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning.
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The clue “Top of the Christmas season?” uses wordplay. "Top" refers to a hat, and "Christmas season" points to Santa, a central figure of the season. Together, it describes the iconic SANTAHAT, which literally "tops" Santa's outfit and represents the festive spirit.
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The answer is ELIA KAZAN because he was a notable film and theater director who testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) during the 1950s. His testimony, in which he named others with alleged Communist ties, became infamous during the Red Scare era.
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The clue "Manufactured support" uses wordplay. ASTROTURF refers to artificial grass ("manufactured") and is also a term for fake grassroots movements that simulate genuine public support ("support"). This double meaning ties directly to the clue’s pun-like nature indicated by the question mark.
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Sphagnum is a type of peat moss, a non-vascular plant commonly found in wetlands and bogs. The category it refers to is "moss," making MOSS the correct answer. This clue relies on recognizing Sphagnum as a genus of mosses.
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The motto on the state seal of Virginia is "Sic Semper Tyrannis," which translates to "Thus always to tyrants." The clue specifies a Latin word, and "Sic" is the first word of this phrase, making it the correct answer.
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The Gulabi Gang is a women’s activist group based in India, known for their distinctive pink attire. A "sari" is a traditional Indian garment commonly worn by women. The clue specifies a "pink garment," aligning with the group's signature dress code, making SARI the correct answer.
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The clue "Something that can be drawn" uses wordplay. "Lot" refers to a method of selection, like drawing lots to decide something (e.g., drawing names or straws). This plays on the dual meaning of "drawing" as pulling or selecting randomly, not sketching.
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Solving today’s The Atlantic Crossword Puzzle and stuck on the 9-letter answer to the Question from a real bummer, perhaps? clue? Don’t worry, Lady Puzzle Pro has you covered! Whether you want the answer right away, revealed letter by letter, or this wordplay seems too puzzling, keep reading for the explanation.
Question from a real bummer, perhaps? Answer Explained
The answer is GOTALIGHT.
This clue uses conversational misdirection. The phrase “Got a light?” is a casual request for a lighter, often used by someone about to smoke. The setup - “a real bummer” - hints not at a negative person, but at someone who bums a cigarette. The humor comes from reinterpreting “bummer” as a noun derived from the slang verb “to bum.” It’s a perfect example of cryptic-style surface trickery: what sounds gloomy turns out to be literal and social.
Now that you've cracked the 2D Question from a real bummer, perhaps? clue, you're one step closer to completing today’s The Atlantic Crossword Puzzle! If you're still stuck on other clues, don't worry, we've got you covered. Explore more The Atlantic Crossword answers right here, or check out our tools for solving the Bracket City, Stacks, or NYT The Daily Crossword.
Today’s The Atlantic Crossword Highlights
This Friday puzzle balances clever wordplay with historical and cultural depth. Solvers move from Hollywood’s midcentury politics to modern slang, from lab culture to social culture. The grid highlights precision in language employing scientific mediums, manufactured support, and subtle anagrams while keeping a witty, conversational tone. It rewards broad curiosity, touching science, sports, and media. A few clues may stump at first, but each “aha!” moment feels earned, making this an especially satisfying end-of-week challenge.
Here’s what caught our attention today:
About The Atlantic Crossword and The Atlantic Games
A Daily Puzzle for Every Solver
The Atlantic Crossword is a daily digital crossword designed to challenge and delight solvers of all levels. It was launched in 2018 and has since become a standout offering among modern crosswords, with fresh clues and clever themes.
Weekday Progression: From Easy to Tricky
- Monday to Friday: The puzzle starts small on Monday and increases in size and difficulty throughout the week.
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You can access the crossword directly on The Atlantic’s website or via their mobile app.
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Want to solve with friends? The Atlantic Crossword includes a Social Play option that lets you invite others to collaborate in real time, perfect for puzzling together from afar.
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Most daily puzzles are free to play. However, some bonus content, like archives and special puzzles, may be reserved for Atlantic subscribers.
Part of a Growing Puzzle Lineup
The crossword is just one part of The Atlantic’s puzzle suite. Other original games include:
- Bracket City: The Atlantic’s fan-favorite game, where you solve nested clues to uncover events from that day in history. Need help solving the clues? Try our Bracket City Answers and Hints.
- Stacks: A fresh take on wordplay and strategy, where you sort layered word tiles into tidy stacks. Stuck on today’s set? Use our Stacks Solver.
- Fluxis: A daily blend of language and logic, where the goal is to uncover a secret pattern. Try our Fluxis Solver!
- Caleb’s Inferno: A monthly, high-difficulty puzzle from Caleb Madison that challenges even elite solvers.