Anagram indicator

ruin

“ruin” is an anagram indicator in cryptic crosswords.

An anagram clue gives you the exact letters of the answer in a jumbled order, plus a word that signals the mix-up — words suggesting disorder, change, or breakage.

Clue types
Anagram
Forms
ruin, ruins, ruined, ruining
Subtlety
moderate
Part of speech
verb, adjective, participle
Themes
destruction
Worked example

Desserts ruined under pressure (8)

Answer: STRESSED

Definition: "under pressure". "ruined" signals an anagram. Rearrange the letters of "Desserts" (8 letters). Anagram of DESSERTS gives STRESSED, meaning under pressure.


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