Guardian Cryptic #29934

2026-02-19

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Across

1a

Scottish symbols left out in ironic pieces (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

SALTIRES less L

5a

Conservative, challenged, losing head, snickered (7)

flowerflowerflower
9a

I will block rejection of unconvincing message (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

I in reverse of LAME

10a

Film company runs a live broadcast (9)

flowerflowerflower
11a

Musical piece: singer tailing off in front of non-mainstream group (9)

flowerflowerflower
12a

Possible result of investigation: academic with double character (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

PROF with the O doubled

13a

Keep a big audience, say, on the radio (5)

flowerflowerflower
15a

Impression received by two clubs almost entirely the same (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

DENT (impression) in II (2) + C[lubs] + AL[L]

18a

Spanish percussion and Scottish rock in Lloyd Webber musical (9)

flowerflowerflower
19a

Energy in assistant is something useful (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

E in ASST

21a

Continue to split Yorkshire city (5)

flowerflowerflower
23a

Mike capturing dismissive sound after company’s funny scenes here (5,4)

Generating...
25a

Fellow sadly wrong about spring as source of amphibians (9)

flowerflowerflower
26a

Invalidates lines in newspaper after backlash? (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

L L in reverse of SUN

27a

Quick scan: beauty, grace and allure at last (4-3)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

LOOKS (beauty) + last letters of gracE and allurE

28a

Recalled vote against including University guy in part of Mexican trip (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

U CAT (guy) in reverse of NAY (a vote against)

Down

1d

First to snatch key amid the rioting shows sneakiness (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

S[natch] + ALT (computer key) in THE*

2d

Leaves magistrates imprisoning Rector for drinking sessions (3,6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

TEA (leaves) + R[ector] in BEAKS (magistrates)

3d

Perhaps Vaughan Williams recording receiving cheer? On the contrary (5)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Acrobatic toy was highabout time? That is about time (5,4)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

T in STUNK (was high) + T in I.E.

5d

Lead meeting to ditch hot, old African city (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

CHAIR (to lead a meeting) less H[ot], plus O[ld]

6d

Queen relocated to palace, embracing King (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

R in (TO PALACE)*

7d

Ranch equipment to remain fresh, trimmed in this way (5)

flowerflowerflower
8d

Unhappy party line about distribution of fuel (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

FUEL* in DO (party) + L[ine]

14d

Air support picked up one’s identification (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

Reverse of SONG (air) AID (support) + I’S

16d

A source of wealth? It’s sick, without question, getting surprised comment about individual (4,5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

QUEASY (sick) less QU + ONE (individual) in MY (surprised comment)

17d

Person in legal affair getting tense, in a stew (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

SOUL (person) in CASE + T[ense]

18d

Painstaking official probing birth membrane (7)

flowerflowerflower
20d

Youngster supporting viewpoint is distraught (5,2)

flowerflowerflower
22d

Expressionless when absorbing racy picture (5)

flowerflowerflower
23d

Engrave Harold’s initial in piece of luggage (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

H[arold] in CASE

24d

Pessimist in Surrey finally turned up, blocking County Council (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

Reverse of IN [surre]Y in C.C.