Let's get cryptic at Burning Man - Annotated Answers
Here are the clues and answers for our 2026 cryptic crossword puzzle Let’s get cryptic at Burning Man with explanations of the wordplay:
Definitions are underlined. ()* = Anagram, ()← = Reversal, ()♫ = Homophone; anagram indicators are labeled ‘anagrind’|
Across |
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1 |
Endlessly accumulate tiny ice particles (4) HOAR[D](=accumulate)(deletion last letter: endlessly) |
HOAR |
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3 |
Secret traveler‘s stash (8) Double definition (2nd meaning is (4,4)) |
STOWAWAY |
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9 |
Rhododendron’s first flower in Russia’s country (5) R[hododendron] (first letter) + URAL (flower=river in Russia) |
RURAL |
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10 |
Let close without fit (7) END(=close) surrounding(=without) ABLE(=fit) |
ENABLED |
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11 |
Some singles plan a debauchery in prime location at Burning Man (9) [singl]ES PLAN A DE[bauchery] (hidden: some) |
ESPLANADE |
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12 |
Single oddly produces short comedy show (3) S[i]N[g]L[e](odd letters: oddly) |
SNL |
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13 |
Library features article on small islands (6) A(=article; in grammar) + ISLES(=small island) |
AISLES |
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14 |
Bike not allowed at Burning Man loaded with nothing and collected debris (6) MOPED(=bike not allowed at burning man) containing(=loaded with) O(=nothing) |
MOOPED |
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18 |
Overturned fundraising committee limit (3) (PAC)←(=fundraising committee; reversal: overturned) |
CAP |
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20 |
Subject with exaggerated self-expression in orgy dome, for instance? (5,4) THEME(=subject) + CAMP(=exaggerated self-expression) |
THEME CAMP |
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22 |
In picture cops have a suspicion (7) IMAGE(=picture) containing(=cops, using object fronting word order) IN |
IMAGINE |
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23 |
Carmen perhaps works (5) Double definition |
OPERA |
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24 |
American spotted slit in overall (2,1,5) A(=American) + SAW(=spotted) + HOLE(+slit) |
AS A WHOLE |
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25 |
Roll over red light (4) BUN(=roll) containing(=over) R(abbr: red) |
BURN |
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Down |
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1 |
Mount pipe around centerpiece of art (5) HOSE(=pipe) + containing(=around) aRt (central letter) |
HORSE |
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2 |
Applicable in reconstruction of poor spa (7) (POOR SPA)*(anagrind: reconstruction of) |
APROPOS |
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4 |
Anthem played for wooden effigy (3, 3) (ANTHEM)*(anagrind: played) |
THE MAN |
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5 |
It goes under water to grieve loudly (5) (WAIL(=to grieve))♫(homophone: loudly) |
WHALE |
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6 |
Take weeks for time in conferences to arrive at steps (5) TALKS(=conferences)(substitution(Take…for…in) T(abbr: time)->W(abbr: weeks)) |
WALKS |
| 7 |
Sang oddly confused with double energy (7) (ODDLY+E+E)*(anagrind: confused) (using 2x E(abbr: energy)) |
YODELED |
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8 |
Could you begin to pay rent? (6) P[ay](first letter: begin to) + LEASE(=rent) |
PLEASE |
|
13 |
Peeled taro and pureed cacti? This helps to keep your cool in the desert (7) [t]AR[o](deletion outer letters: peeled) + (CACTI)*(anagrind: pureed) |
ARCTICA |
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15 |
I stomach, like, many a meal at Burning Man (3-3) ONE(=I) + POT(=stomach/belly) |
ONE-POT |
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16 |
Cover with gold in tableland (7) PLATE(=cover) + AU(=gold; periodic table) |
PLATEAU |
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17 |
Concerning meat display (6) RE(=concerning) + VEAL(=meat) |
REVEAL |
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19 |
Drama on a beach in Spain (5) PLAY(=drama) + A |
PLAYA |
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20 |
Flamboyant highlights covering body part (5) [flamboyan]T HIGH[lights](hidden: covering) |
THIGH |
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21 |
Naked curled up in lap (5) (IN LAP)*(anagrind: curled up) |
PLAIN |