Clever Clue of the Month

August 2026
Clue: One who tries not to overshadow the star?....MAKEUPARTIST
Constructors: Barbara Lin & Jess Rucks; Editor: Patti Varol
LAT, Saturday, August 15, 2026

Clever Clue Nominees

Please vote for the best clue from August. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced in a few days.

Dead zones?................................TOMBS
Science fiction channel?...................WORMHOLE
It isn't not a feature of this clue........DOUBLENEGATIVE
People hold complicated positions on it....TWISTERMAT
One who tries not to overshadow the star?..MAKEUPARTIST
They might raise your kids.................BOOSTERSEATS

Clever Clue of the Month

July 2026
Clue: Slice of Life or nick of Time?................PAPERCUT
Constructors: Gus Bloxham & Bharati Hemaddy
Editor: Will Shortz
NYT, Tuesday, July 14, 2026 

Clever Clue Nominees

Please vote for the best clue from July. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced in a few days.

Crash specialist...........................TECH
Takes a hand in Vegas, perhaps.............ELOPES
Delights?..................................DIMS
Org. for successful female club owners?....LPGA
Slice of Life or nick of Time?.............PAPERCUT
Card on which age is literally just a
number.....................................FAKEID

 

Clever Clue of the Month

June 2026
Clue: Streaming device................FIREHOSE
Constructor: David P. Williams; Editor: Stanley Newman
Newsday, Saturday, June 27, 2026

Clever Clue Nominees

Please vote for the best clue from June. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced in a few days.

House hunter?..............................MOUSER
He’s had 40+ jobs since the ’60s (surfer,
boxer, barista…)...........................KEN
Exercise that may wind up in a
playground?................................FIREDRILL
One concerned with transparency in the
workplace?.................................GLASSBLOWER
Maker of sole music?.......................TAPSHOE
Streaming device...........................FIREHOSE

Clever Clue of the Month

May 2026
Clue: Navel brass?....................................................BELLYBUTTONRING
Constructor: Karen Steinberg; Editor: Patti Varol
LAT, Saturday, May 16, 2026