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The Fourth commandment? - The Atlantic Crossword Clue

Across

  • The clue "Sound of enlightenment" suggests a nonverbal expression made upon realizing something. "OHH" represents the drawn-out "oh" sound people make when they understand or have an insight, matching the clue perfectly. Its quotation marks signal a spoken or nonverbal sound as the answer.

  • The clue, appearing in quotes, suggests a spoken phrase synonym describing something unusual. "It's odd" directly translates to "This is unusual," aligning perfectly in meaning. The ellipsis (...) implies a conversational tone, reinforcing the phrase-like answer. Hence, ITSODD fits logically and contextually as the solution.

  • The clue "Sheepish sound?" includes a question mark, signaling wordplay or a pun. "Sheepish" hints at something related to sheep, and the sound sheep make is "BAA." The pun lies in the dual meaning of "sheepish" as both embarrassed and literally about sheep. Thus, the answer is BAA.

  • The clue "In a more timely fashion" refers to doing something earlier or quicker. The word "SOONER" fits this definition, as it means happening earlier or before something else, corresponding to being more timely. It aligns perfectly with the given clue.

  • "Romance that might blossom at the beach" hints at a fleeting, seasonal love often associated with summer vacations by beaches. "SUMMER LOVE" captures both the romantic and seasonal aspects, aligning perfectly with the playful nature of the clue.

  • The answer "ENBIES" is a phonetic spelling of "NBs," short for "nonbinary." Nonbinary people identify outside the gender binary of male and female, and "enbies" is a commonly used term to describe individuals who are nonbinary. The clue directly points to this inclusive identity term.

  • The clue "Cause to pause" fits the answer STUN because to "stun" someone means to shock, astonish, or daze them, effectively halting their actions or thoughts momentarily—a figurative "pause" caused by extreme surprise or impact. The wordplay emphasizes this sudden, striking effect.

  • The answer is OPRAH because Oprah Winfrey is the celebrity who founded the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). The clue cleverly uses "OWN" in capital letters to hint at the name of her network, playing on the pun with "started her OWN."

  • SSRI stands for "Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor," a class of antidepressant drugs that includes Zoloft and Prozac. These medications work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain to treat depression and anxiety. The clue asks for an abbreviation, matching SSRI perfectly.

  • The phrase "steel trap" metaphorically refers to a sharp, quick, and retentive memory. A "sieve," by contrast, is known for letting things slip through, like its holes. This creates a playful oppositional metaphor, suggesting a forgetful mind that fails to retain information; hence, the answer is "SIEVE."

  • The answer "GOD" completes the title "God of War Ragnarök," a 2022 video game. It belongs to the "God of War" series, where players follow Kratos, a Spartan demigod, and his son in a storyline rooted in Norse mythology. This makes "GOD" the apt solution.

  • The clue "Loving leader?" uses wordplay with the phrase "leader" referring to the first letter of "Loving." The first letter of "Loving" is "L," and "ever" often follows in phrases like "loving ever after." So, "EVER" aligns as the playful answer.

  • The clue "Source of many computer mishaps" hints at a common issue in computing. Often, errors in using computers are caused not by the machine but by human mistakes. This is referred to as a "USER ERROR," aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning.

  • The clue "The Fourth commandment?" uses a play on words. "Fourth of July" celebrations are synonymous with FIREWORKS. The pun connects "Fourth" to the holiday, and "commandment" suggests a strong association, as fireworks are a tradition almost commanded for this event. Hence, the answer is FIREWORKS.

  • The clue "Ish!" in quotes suggests a spoken or informal expression. "Ish" can mean "approximately" or "sort of." ORSO is the Italian word for "bear," and "orso" can loosely align with "bear-ish" or "sort of like a bear," playing on the informal tone of the clue.

  • The clue "Driver's aid?" uses wordplay, hinted by the question mark. It refers not to a car driver but a golf driver. In golf, a "tee" is the small stand that aids a golfer by holding the ball steady, especially when using a driver club. Hence, the answer is TEE.

Down

  • The phrase "sticky brain" in the clue metaphorically refers to being mentally stuck or fixated on something. To "obsess" is to experience such intense focus or preoccupation.

  • The question mark in "Ghosts someone?" indicates wordplay. To "ghost" someone means to cut off communication, often leaving a lingering emotional impact. Similarly, a "haunt" can be something or someone that lingers or occupies one's mind, paralleling the idea of being "ghosted." Thus, "HAUNTS" fits perfectly.

  • The clue "Backyard-barbecue staples" refers to popular and essential food items typically served at barbecues. HAMBURGERS are a classic choice for such gatherings, as they are easy to grill and widely enjoyed. The plural "staples" matches the plural answer, ensuring the fit is logical and correct.

  • The clue "Now it's clear" is a conversational phrase indicating realization or understanding. The answer, "ISEE," mimics how one might react when something becomes comprehensible or clear in everyday speech, aptly fitting the clue's tone and meaning.

  • The clue “Body parts that might be sculpted” refers to the artistic practice of sculpting the human form. TORSOS, the central part of the body excluding the head, arms, and legs, are a common focus in sculpture due to their anatomical detail and aesthetic appeal. Hence, the answer is TORSOS.

  • The solfège system is a method for teaching pitch and sight-singing in music, using syllables like Do, Re, Mi, etc. "Sol" is one of these syllables, representing the fifth note of the scale. The question mark hints at wordplay, referencing the musical term. Hence, the answer is SOL.

  • The answer is ONO because Yoko Ono, a renowned avant-garde artist, musician, and activist, created the rock musical New York Rock in 1994. This clue directly references her by name, making ONO the correct and straightforward solution.

  • The answer "DEV" refers to Dev Patel, a well-known actor who starred in the 2021 film Monkey Man, which he also co-wrote and directed. The clue directly points to this actor, making "DEV" the correct solution.

  • In the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid, Jaden Smith plays the character Dre Parker, a young boy who moves to China and learns martial arts. The clue refers to this role explicitly, making "DRE" the correct answer.

  • The clue "Little black-and-white treat" describes a small version of the iconic Oreo cookie, known for its black chocolate wafers and white cream filling. The word "little" suggests a mini version, thus leading to the answer MINIOREO. It's a smaller, bite-sized treat!

  • The answer "PIERRE" refers to Aaron Pierre, an actor who plays a young Mufasa in The Lion King prequel film, Mufasa: The Lion King. The clue specifically names Mufasa and connects it to an actor, leading to Aaron Pierre, known for this role.

  • The clue "Opposite of grant" refers to reversing or rescinding something that has been given or allowed. "Grant" means to give or permit, while "REVOKE" means to take back or cancel, making it the direct opposite. Therefore, REVOKE is the fitting answer.

  • The word "AVERS" means to declare or assert something as true, which aligns with "states positively" in the clue. Both express confidence or affirmation in making a statement, making AVERS the correct answer.

  • The answer "HER" comes from the lyrics of the song by the band 76th Street. The lyrics express someone yearning for another person—using "HER" as the object of their desire, fitting perfectly within the context and structure of the clue.

  • The clue "Free lawn-watering service?" with a question mark signals wordplay. DEW fits as it naturally forms on grass overnight, "watering" it without cost. This play on words ties the service (watering) to the natural phenomenon (dew).

  • The clue "Enigmatic craft: abbr." refers to something mysterious ("enigmatic") and abbreviated ("abbr."). UFO, short for "Unidentified Flying Object," describes a mysterious "craft" often associated with unidentified aerial phenomena, fitting the clue perfectly.

  • The clue "Elton John title?" with a question mark signals wordplay. Elton John was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998, granting him the title "Sir." Hence, "Sir" is the fitting answer, referring to his formal honorific title.

  • "Veg out" suggests being idle or doing nothing, while "all night" hints at extended inactivity. "ROT" cleverly aligns with this, as it implies sitting idle or wasting away, metaphorically "vegging out" for too long.

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Solving today’s The Atlantic Crossword Puzzle and stuck on the 9-letter answer to the The Fourth commandment? 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.

The Fourth commandment? Answer Explained

The answer is FIREWORKS.

“The Fourth commandment?” is a playful clue that relies entirely on the question mark. Without it, you might start thinking about the Ten Commandments and wonder which one is fourth. The question mark tells you to look for a different interpretation. Here, “The Fourth” refers to the Fourth of July, the U.S. Independence Day holiday. Instead of a religious commandment, the clue jokingly suggests the one thing everyone is expected to do on that day: enjoy FIREWORKS. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July celebrations since the earliest years of the United States, symbolizing patriotism and marking the holiday with colorful public displays and neighborhood celebrations. The clue turns a familiar phrase in an unexpected, festive direction.

Now that you've cracked the 29A The Fourth commandment? 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

I just finished today’s Saturday Atlantic Crossword, and it was a fitting challenge for the Fourth of July. The larger Saturday grid definitely took some work, but the holiday-themed entries made it especially fun to solve.
My favorite clue was “The Fourth commandment?” for FIREWORKS. The question mark is doing all the work there—it isn't referring to the biblical commandment at all, but to the almost universal expectation that Independence Day ends with a fireworks display. HAMBURGERS for “Backyard-barbecue staples” was another nice seasonal touch, tying the puzzle to one of the most familiar Fourth of July traditions.
Beyond the holiday nods, the puzzle had the kind of clever clueing I expect on a Saturday, with enough tricky moments to make the finish feel earned. It was a satisfying solve and a fun way to celebrate the day.

Here’s what caught our attention today:

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