Where Can I Find Examples Of A Rejected Crossword Clue?

There are a few predictable traps that turn perfectly good entries into rejects, and I can’t help but rant about them a little because they’re so avoidable. Editors often dump clues for being factually wrong (a date, a chemical symbol, a name that’s been misremembered), or for using wildly obscure vocabulary that only a handful of grad students would know. Then there’s the tone problem — clues that are unintentionally rude, needlessly sexual, or culturally insensitive get cut fast. Beyond ethics and accuracy, technical issues matter: wrong enumeration, inconsistent use of abbreviations, or clues that don’t actually match the entry when you parse them cleanly will fail a sanity check. Another big category is crosswordese and stale fill. If your grid relies on a stack of ancient fillers and a new, clever clue would require two of them to be replaced, editors sometimes reject the clue to preserve overall quality. Theme misfires are brutal too — a themed entry that breaks the revealed pattern or betrays the puzzle’s internal logic gets rejected. I try to think like a solver: fair surfaces, clean grammar, solvable crossings, and mainstream knowledge usually keep clues in the puzzle. It’s a balancing act, and when a clue survives the editor’s knife it’s a small victory I never take for granted.

Got a clue that feels flat-out wrong? Here's my go-to approach that usually gets editors to listen. First, note the essentials: puzzle title or publication, date, puzzle ID (if there is one), the exact clue text, the grid entry it produced, and the crossing letters. I always take a screenshot of the grid and the offending clue so there’s no ambiguity about which puzzle I mean. Then I check quick reference sources—dictionary definitions, style guides, or original-language sources if it’s a translation issue—to gather evidence. Next I write a short, polite message. I lead with the exact puzzle details, paste the clue and fill, explain why it’s misleading or incorrect, and include links or quotes from references. If I can, I suggest an alternative clue or explain how the current clue violates a rule (ambiguity, incorrect facts, offensive language, etc.). I send this through the publication’s official feedback channel—website form, puzzle email, or the app’s feedback option—and I copy the constructor or post on their social account if that’s customary. Editors aren’t adversaries; they appreciate precise, civil reports. I usually sign off with a friendly line and a quick note that I enjoy the puzzles, which seems to help the message land. I’ve had a few rejections reversed this way, so it feels worth the effort.