Independent Cryptic #12156

2025-09-24

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Across

1a

Not cheap to move memorial (8)

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5a

Plenty returned before space taken (6)

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9a

Brutal sex stops haemorrhoids scarring initially (8)

Generating...

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

( IT [sex] contained in [stops] PILES [haemorrhoids]) + S ( first letter of [initially] S carring)

10a

Return for match (6)

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12a

Serbians upset with lousy fellow European citizens (13)

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15a

Periodically loud clear and bright (5)

Generating...

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

LURID ( letters 1 and 3 [periodically] of L o U d) + RID (clear)

16a

Noise made in speech from Earl belligerent after losing silver (9)

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17a

Scold Republican supporter of Trump entering shelter (9)

Generating...

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

( R [Republican] + MAGA [a person who believes Donald Trump will Make America Great Again; a Trump supporter]) contained in (entering) TENT (a shelter)

19a

John Doe's day out in boat (5)

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20a

Mother and son only intended to suppress a problem dealing with society (13)

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22a

Fruit in cold alcoholic drink with no head (6)

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23a

Eccles's corn reportedly is debilitating malady (8)

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25a

Flat ring used to be in this place briefly (6)

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26a

Begin as best-performing solicitor (8)

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Down

1d

Top talent's potential (10)

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2d

Lace fruit carrier's no joke (3)

Generating...

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

pun NET (small shallow basket for fruit such as strawberries) excluding (no) PUN (quip; joke)

3d

Bridge designer to allow elevated crossing point (7)

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4d

Areas for grazing antelopes supporting historical Sumerian city (12)

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6d

Social media platform spreading hatred with society (7)

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7d

Eccles fine I fancy in biochemistry? (11)

Generating...

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

Anagram of (fancy) ECCLES FINE I

8d

Distinction in nanotechnology (4)

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11d

When communist is beginning to talk about 'Our Katie Perry' perhaps (12)

Generating...

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

AS + ( TROT [ TROT skyist; communist] + IS + T [ first letter of {beginning to} T alk] containing [about] OUR )

13d

Tear up terms for fixing old hearing aids (11)

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14d

One leaving concerning opinion results in bad feeling (10)

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18d

Mostly free (7)

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19d

Food provider of say Queen Elizabeth II the former monarch (7)

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21d

Small milk container is lighter (4)

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24d

I use derivative of Esperanto (3)

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