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Guardian Cryptic Crossword Answers — July 22, 2026

Hints and a step-by-step reveal for July 22, 2026. Nothing is shown until you ask for it.
July 22, 2026

Crossword clues and answers

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Across

14 clues
  1. 1Sort of holiday some rugby players must have time forPACKAGE
  2. 5Cup of tea turned up with a little Bounty Bar?BREWPUB
  3. 9Possibility of outlet store finally openingEVENT
  4. 10I worked with cash register she’s discarded – it’s oldGERIATRIC
  5. 11Confused as senior coppers demanded …DISORDERED
  6. 12… commanding officer essentially use the truncheonCOSH
  7. 14Firm steal something many people like to driveHARDBARGAIN
  8. 18Goodness – neighbour’s entrance buzzer rings with excessive force – I must hideBENEVOLENCE
  9. 21Show off contribution to murderCROW
  10. 22A Western losing Oscar – that’s unexpectedACCIDENTAL
  11. 25It must go through on time they regularly stressREITERATE
  12. 26Order Andrew’s source to meet King Charles, sayARRAY
  13. 27Fool taking smack maybe loves to escapeDINGBAT
  14. 28Drunk dwelt on disappointmentLETDOWN

Down

16 clues
  1. 1Maintains focus for cryptic cluesPLEADS
  2. 2Without using tons, strangely it does not enhance crisp flavourCHEESE
  3. 3David Beckham makes one eat dessert firstAFTERSHAVE
  4. 4Silver lining – occasionally he’ll get two below parEAGLE
  5. 5Supply gum rubber – wanting metre on new roll?BURGERBUN
  6. 62 seconds to read advertising watchdog’s emailEDAM
  7. 7Walkman – perhaps as Spooner relates playing …PERSONAL
  8. 8… one from The Strokes (unoriginal pop group, according to him)BACKHAND
  9. 13Allowed to take caravan briefly – that is assuming posh car up front is connected? Not soIRRELEVANT
  10. 15Can rule Tottenham’s first 11 out – ultimately not up for itRELUCTANT
  11. 16Made cloudy as former students smokedOBSCURED
  12. 17See 2ANDONION
  13. 19See 7STEREO
  14. 20Teasing related to exploitPLAYON
  15. 23One wood is perfectIDEAL
  16. 24Perhaps Rosemary is writing her bookHERB

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Every clue links to a dedicated answer page. Use the list below to scan the complete fill without opening the interactive board.

Across

  1. 1. Sort of holiday some rugby players must have time for

    Answer: PACKAGE

  2. 5. Cup of tea turned up with a little Bounty Bar?

    Answer: BREWPUB

  3. 9. Possibility of outlet store finally opening

    Answer: EVENT

  4. 10. I worked with cash register she’s discarded – it’s old

    Answer: GERIATRIC

  5. 11. Confused as senior coppers demanded …

    Answer: DISORDERED

  6. 12. … commanding officer essentially use the truncheon

    Answer: COSH

  7. 14. Firm steal something many people like to drive

    Answer: HARDBARGAIN

  8. 18. Goodness – neighbour’s entrance buzzer rings with excessive force – I must hide

    Answer: BENEVOLENCE

  9. 21. Show off contribution to murder

    Answer: CROW

  10. 22. A Western losing Oscar – that’s unexpected

    Answer: ACCIDENTAL

  11. 25. It must go through on time they regularly stress

    Answer: REITERATE

  12. 26. Order Andrew’s source to meet King Charles, say

    Answer: ARRAY

  13. 27. Fool taking smack maybe loves to escape

    Answer: DINGBAT

  14. 28. Drunk dwelt on disappointment

    Answer: LETDOWN

Down

  1. 1. Maintains focus for cryptic clues

    Answer: PLEADS

  2. 2. Without using tons, strangely it does not enhance crisp flavour

    Answer: CHEESE

  3. 3. David Beckham makes one eat dessert first

    Answer: AFTERSHAVE

  4. 4. Silver lining – occasionally he’ll get two below par

    Answer: EAGLE

  5. 5. Supply gum rubber – wanting metre on new roll?

    Answer: BURGERBUN

  6. 6. 2 seconds to read advertising watchdog’s email

    Answer: EDAM

  7. 7. Walkman – perhaps as Spooner relates playing …

    Answer: PERSONAL

  8. 8. … one from The Strokes (unoriginal pop group, according to him)

    Answer: BACKHAND

  9. 13. Allowed to take caravan briefly – that is assuming posh car up front is connected? Not so

    Answer: IRRELEVANT

  10. 15. Can rule Tottenham’s first 11 out – ultimately not up for it

    Answer: RELUCTANT

  11. 16. Made cloudy as former students smoked

    Answer: OBSCURED

  12. 17. See 2

    Answer: ANDONION

  13. 19. See 7

    Answer: STEREO

  14. 20. Teasing related to exploit

    Answer: PLAYON

  15. 23. One wood is perfect

    Answer: IDEAL

  16. 24. Perhaps Rosemary is writing her book

    Answer: HERB

Recent Guardian Cryptic Crossword answers

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