Not sincere or candid (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: DEVIOUS (10 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Not sincere or candid (7)" with 10 letters is " DEVIOUS"."Devious" refers to someone who is deceitful, dishonest, or not straightforward in their actions or intentions.
Understanding the Not Sincere or Candid Crossword Clue
Not sincere or candid serves as a clear definitional clue in crossword puzzles. The clue "not sincere or candid" directly describes devious behavior, which involves deliberate deception, indirect methods, and a lack of genuine honesty. This type of straightforward clue relies on solvers understanding character traits and behavioral descriptions, making it accessible to anyone familiar with personality vocabulary and social dynamics.
The enumeration (7) indicates a single seven-letter word, which immediately points toward "DEVIOUS" as the most fitting solution. This letter count helps eliminate shorter alternatives and guides solvers toward adjectives that precisely describe dishonest or manipulative behavior patterns.
Related Crossword Terms and Behavioral Variations
- "Cunning and sly" - emphasizing the strategic aspect of devious behavior
- "Not straightforward" - focusing on indirect communication methods
- "Underhanded in approach" - highlighting secretive or deceptive tactics
- "Scheming by nature" - emphasizing the planning element of devious actions
Expert Tips for Solving Character Trait Crossword Clues
- Behavioral Vocabulary Expansion: Build familiarity with adjectives describing personality traits, as crosswords frequently feature clues about human characteristics and social behavior patterns.
- Antonym Recognition: Practice identifying opposite relationships, particularly when clues use "not" or similar negating words that signal reverse definitions.
- Psychology Knowledge Application: Understanding basic personality types and behavioral patterns helps solvers quickly identify answers for character-related clues.
- Letter Pattern Memorization: Seven-letter adjectives often follow predictable patterns, and "DEVIOUS" provides an excellent example of how negative trait words frequently appear in crossword solutions.
Not sincere or candid Crossword Clue - FAQs
Q: Why is "devious" the best answer for "not sincere or candid"?
A: "Devious" perfectly captures both aspects - the lack of sincerity (genuine feeling) and the absence of candor (honest communication) - while fitting the seven-letter requirement.
Q: Are there other seven-letter answers for this clue?
A: While alternatives like "cunning" or "crafty" share similar meanings, "devious" most accurately encompasses both the insincerity and lack of candor specified in the clue.
Q: How common is this type of character trait clue?
A: Personality and behavioral clues appear frequently in crosswords because they test vocabulary knowledge while relating to universal human experiences.
Q: What difficulty level does this clue represent?
A: This represents an intermediate-level clue, requiring understanding of behavioral vocabulary but not advanced wordplay or cryptic techniques.
