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Finding The Answers Within

Spoiler Alert: The answers for today's on-air challenge are given below. Read no further if you're playing along with the audio.

On-air challenge: The on-air puzzle this week consists of some of the runner-up entries from our two-week creative challenge. Every answer has six or more letters.

Last Week's Challenge: Write a clue for a word in which the answer has six or more letters. The clue should both define or describe the answer and contain the answer in consecutive letters. Entries were judged on accuracy of the cluing, specificity, naturalness of syntax and overall elegance.

Best Answer: In cold weather most attempt to keep this set low. (thermostat) — Mike Strong, Mechanicsburg, Penn.

Runners Up:

  • Its members are chosen at elections every six years (Senate) — Steve Stein, Highland Park, N.J.
  • The electric light bulb he developed is only one of his many inventions (Edison) — Nick Marritz, Washington, D.C.
  • No doubt about it, an iceberg sank her. (Titanic) — Dan Axtell, Westminster, Vt.
  • A place to hear the fire crackle (hearth) — William Pahle, Chicago
  • Season of snow intermixed with ice (winter) — Jonathan Black, Brockport, N.Y.
  • Not Mercury, but the other messenger of the gods (Hermes) — William Sittig, Washington, D.C.
  • "She said 'love, honor, and obey' once to Jay-Z" (Beyonce) — John Byrne, Dorchester, Mass.
  • On a wedding band I am on display (diamond) — Holly Ashworth, Oak Park, Ill.
  • Worth one's trust (honest) — Steve Worona, Montpelier, Vt.
  • Internet wit, tersely (twitter) — Andy Sfeir, Portland, Ore.
  • One who does not believe that he is the work of a creator (atheist) — Mike Strong, Mechanicsburg, Penn.
  • As puzzle fans, we're always seeking this (answer) — Tom Shieber, Cooperstown, N.Y.
  • Honorable Mentions:

  • Those who use stones shouldn't live in glass ones (houses) — Eric Buetens, Stuart, Fla.
  • When Siskel was there with Ebert, he ate Raisinets (theater) — Peter Collins, Ann Arbor, Mich.
  • Will's smart interlocutor, Rachel (Martin) — Jeremy Kahan, Skokie, Ill.
  • You might need these if you are hopeless on skis (lessons) — Jennie Callas, Lake Bluff, Ill.
  • Element of an improper jury trial (perjury) — Pat Felice, Patchogue, N.Y.
  • This can is terrific for storing tea (canister) — Helen Davis, Valencia, Calif.
  • You wouldn't hear this where synods convene (heresy) — Paul Birnbaum, Bronx, N.Y.
  • Someone who appreciates the technical brilliance of art (esthete) — Alison Chapman, Cambridge, Mass.
  • Like NFL linemen or Mouseketeer ears (enormous) — Tom Pepper, Edina, Minn.
  • Next week's challenge: Name a famous actress of the past whose last name has two syllables. Reverse the syllables phonetically. The result will name an ailment. What is it?

    Submit Your Answer

    If you know the answer to next week's challenge, submit it here. Listeners who submit correct answers win a chance to play the on-air puzzle. Important: Include a phone number where we can reach you Thursday at 3 p.m. Eastern.

    Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

    NPR's Puzzlemaster Will Shortz has appeared on Weekend Edition Sunday since the program's start in 1987. He's also the crossword editor of The New York Times, the former editor of Games magazine, and the founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (since 1978).