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Show the word gridAll 16 words — you figure out the groups
Show the themesCategory names only, no words revealed
One word per groupTheme name + one word per category
Full solutionAll words and explanations
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Word grid
All 16 words, sorted alphabetically. Group them into four categories of four.
ALIBI
CHALLENGE
CHORD
CLUE
CONTEST
DEAL
DETECTIVE
DISPUTE
HUE
MATCH
POSE
QUESTION
SHADE
SUSPECT
TINGE
TONE
Themes
The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.
TINTStraightforward
COMPONENTS OF A MYSTERYModerate
TAKE ISSUE WITHTricky
STRIKE A ___Devious
One word per group
Theme name plus one word from each category.
TINTStraightforward
WORDS FOR A SUBTLE VARIATION OF COLOR+ 3 more…
COMPONENTS OF A MYSTERYModerate
THINGS YOU'D FIND IN A WHODUNIT+ 3 more…
TAKE ISSUE WITHTricky
TO OBJECT TO OR ARGUE AGAINST SOMETHING+ 3 more…
STRIKE A ___Devious
WORDS THAT FOLLOW 'STRIKE A ___'+ 3 more…
Full solution
TINTStraightforward
HUE,SHADE,TINGE,TONE
HUE, SHADE, TINGE, and TONE are all synonyms for a slight variation or quality of color, i.e., a tint.
COMPONENTS OF A MYSTERYModerate
ALIBI,CLUE,DETECTIVE,SUSPECT
ALIBI, CLUE, DETECTIVE, and SUSPECT are all classic components of a mystery story or crime investigation.
TAKE ISSUE WITHTricky
CONTEST,CHALLENGE,DISPUTE,QUESTION
CONTEST, CHALLENGE, DISPUTE, and QUESTION all mean to take issue with or oppose something.
STRIKE A ___Devious
CHORD,DEAL,MATCH,POSE
CHORD, DEAL, MATCH, and POSE all complete the phrase 'STRIKE A ___', as in strike a chord, strike a deal, strike a match, or strike a pose.