Independent Cryptic #12089

2025-07-08

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Across

1a

Pence leading prayer renouncing Republican corruption (6)

Generating...

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

P (pence) + O r ISON (a prayer) excluding (renouncing) R (Republican)

4a

Make play of son ahead of grave pronouncement in court (6)

Generating...

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

S (son) + ( RIP [Rest In Peace, a sentiment that may be found inscribed on a grave] contained in [in] CT [court])

9a

Role performed in middle of ancient past (4)

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10a

Unyielding sailor receiving order that's distressing (10)

Generating...

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

HARD (unyielding) + ( TAR [sailor] containing [receiving] OBE [Order {of the British Empire}])

11a

Doctor spreading KY Jelly wiping backside (6)

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12a

Very bad Ebola discovered breaking westwards spooks papers (8)

Generating...

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

BOL ( letters remaining in e BOL a when the outer letters E and A are removed [dis-covered]) contained in (breaking) ( CIA [Central Intelligence Agency; spooks] + ID [identity papers])

13a

Men inside bend over backwards after doctor provides lubricant (8)

Generating...

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

MO (Medical officer; doctor) + ( OR [other ranks; me] contained in [inside] TOIL [work very hard; bend over backwards [also work very hard [to accommodate or please])

15a

Press applauds ending with a twist (5)

Generating...

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

CLAP S (applauds) with the the final two letters (ending) P S reversed (with a twist) to form CLA S P

17a

Good grass cut to get new putting surface (5)

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19a

Released university study about fencing land (8)

Generating...

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

U (university) + ( DEN [study] reversed [about] containing [fencing] MOOR [open land])

23a

American policemen managed to capture one that may have defaced monuments (8)

Generating...

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

A (American) + CID (Criiminal Investigation Department; policemen) + ( RAN [managed] containing [to capture] I [Roman numeral for one])

24a

Neutralise some revolutionary Soviet agents (6)

Generating...

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

NEGATE ( reversed [revolutionary] hidden word in [some] sovi ET AGEN ts)

26a

Gets prickly bits with staler crackers (10)

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27a

Checked out like old King Edward? (4)

Generating...

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

EYED (old potatoes , such as King Edwards generate seed buds [ EYE s] as they get older and hence become EYED ) double definition

28a

Tempt to go down briefly during date (6)

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29a

Timely reminder (6)

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Down

1d

Station loo doesn't close and there's no remedy to it (7)

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2d

Served up unknown seaweed that's not really meant to be swallowed (5)

Generating...

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

( Y [letter frequently used to represent an unknown value in equations] + NORI [seaweed]) all reversed (served up; down entry)

3d

Nil-nil encapsulating the dull second half performance of players? (7)

Generating...

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

O-O (nil-nil) containing (encapsulating) ( THE + LL [ second half of the four letters in du LL )

5d

Limit constrains worker withdrawing rest of the kitty? (6)

Generating...

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

CAP (limit) containing (constrains) ANT (worker) reversed (withdrawing)

6d

Unravelling big oil promo uncovered embarrassing entanglement (9)

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7d

With first pick of transport band's crew rule out crawlers (7)

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8d

Enigmatic scoundrel uses readiness to believe (13)

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13d

Stick up for fool (3)

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14d

Some balls and parties regularly end having taken in excess (9)

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16d

Skipping English Charlie possibly upset school (3)

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18d

Socialists holding my data (7)

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20d

Married and kinky: no rest for the fabulously wicked? (7)

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21d

Ask in hospital department concerning a temperature (7)

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22d

A girl agitated about pressing matter? (6)

Generating...

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

Anagram of (agitated) A GIRL + C (circa; about)

25d

Shifting over stare at morning glow (5)

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