Hints & Solutions[]
Highlight the white text inside the block for hints ranging from vague to specific...
Hint 1:
This is a fairly standard crossword except 13 squares need to be replaced with a new letter. In all replacement cases both the across and down will form a new word.
Hint 2:
Most every word is fairly common.
More difficult/unusual words are
Across: 30, 32, 44, 62
Down: 6, 11, 12, 29, 49, 51
Hint 3:
There is only one conflict per column, so once you find it you know the rest of the letters in that column are right
Hint 4:
The next section contains the answer. Do not reveal unless you want to be spoiled
The Solution:
Across clues: 1. WORSHIPS, 9. WAVER, 14. RIO, 15. BANAL, 16. ARISE, 17. EDWARDIAN, 18. TIER, 19. NEUTER, 21. RID, 22. VINE, 24. TENTS, 28. ANN, 30. BOSUN, 32. RADII, 33. FATALIST, 35. ARENT, 36. TEA, 37. GULPS, 39. MART, 41. CHAPS, 44. MCII, 46. PEWS, 48. HIDE, 49. REACT, 50. BRAT, 51. AZORES, 52. NIP, 54. RAKE, 55. PARTED, 58. IOU, 59. ITEMS, 60. ROAD, 61. ONUS, 62. FESSED, 63. SPY, 64. MUSH.
Down clues: 1. WREN, 2. BIDE, 3. ROW, 4. SEAT, 5. HARE, 6. INDRAFT, 7. PAIR, 8. SLAIN, 9. HANDBAGS, 10. APT, 11. VIII, 12. ESE, 13. REGENT, 20. UNDERBAKES, 22. VOLUMES, 23. AUSPICIOUS, 24. TRAMP, 25. EAR, 26. TINT, 27. WITCH, 29. NAE, 31. SIL, 34. TAPER, 38. SIT, 40. AERATE, 42. WIZARD, 43. ADORNS, 45. CANING, 47. STEMS, 49. REEDY, 50. BRIG, 51. APSE, 53. PUSH, 56. RAP, 57. DOM.
New word pairs formed are: MESSED/BRIM, WARSHIPS/AIDE, PETS/UNDERTAKES, CANAL/SCAT, TENTH/HITCH, CLAPS/LIZARD, READ/ADORES, PARSED/SAP, SAVER/SANDBAGS, ANISE/ANT, MESH/CANINE, VISE/SUSPICIOUS, TIES/RESENT.
The keyword is MATCHLESSNESS.