Have you ever been sailing through a puzzle from The Sydney Morning Herald, only to hit a roadblock with a clue like “swollen, bloated”? You mentally run through words like “full,” “big,” or “round,” but nothing clicks. You’re not alone. This deceptively simple clue trips up solvers by having multiple possible answers. But with the right strategy and tools like Dan Word, the path to “aha!” becomes clear.
Let’s solve it and sharpen your skills for the next tricky clue.
The Quick Answer: Top Solutions for “Swollen, Bloated”
Based on the most common crossword database results, the primary answers for a 5-letter clue fitting “swollen, bloated” are PUFFY and TUMID.
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PUFFY is the most direct synonym, commonly used to describe something swollen with air or fluid, like puffy eyes or a puffy face.
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TUMID is a more formal or medical term meaning swollen or distended, often used in cryptic crosswords.
Other strong 5-letter candidates include BLOAT, GASSY, and PROUD. If your puzzle allows for more letters, SWOLLEN (7 letters) or INFLATED (8 letters) are also excellent fits.
The exact answer depends on your specific puzzle’s letter count and intersecting words.
Why This Clue Is So Tricky
This clue is a classic example of a crossword setter’s craft. Its difficulty lies in its breadth.
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Too Many Synonyms: The English language is rich with words for this condition. Your mind might jump to SWELLEN, DISTENDED, ENLARGED, or EXPANDED. All are correct in general use, but only one fits the grid.
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Literal vs. Figurative Meanings: Words like PROUD, RICH, or ARROGANT can mean “bloated” with pride or self-importance, not just physical swelling. The clue doesn’t specify which meaning is intended.
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Common Crossword “Fill”: Short, vowel-heavy words like PUFFY and TUMID are favourites of compilers because they help connect longer words in the grid. Recognising these common “crosswordese” words is a key solving skill.
The table below summarises the most likely answers to help you narrow it down:
| Answer | Letter Count | Best For/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PUFFY | 5 | The most common, everyday synonym. |
| TUMID | 5 | A classic crossword word; more formal/medical. |
| GASSY | 5 | Implies bloating caused by gas. |
| SWOLLEN | 7 | A very direct answer; often clued as “puffed up”. |
| INFLATED | 8 | Can be physical (like a balloon) or metaphorical (like an ego). |
How to Use Dan Word to Solve It (And Clues Like It)
When you’re stuck, a solver like Dan Word is your best mate. Here’s how to use it effectively for Australian puzzles:
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Visit danword.com.
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Enter the Clue: Type “swollen bloated” (or your exact clue) into the search bar.
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Refine with Length: If you know the answer is 5 letters, use the length filter or add the pattern
?????. This is crucial for a clue with many options. -
Review the Results: Dan Word will list answers by relevance. Scan for PUFFY or TUMID first, then check the others against your crossing letters.
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Aussie Solver Tip: Be mindful of spelling. Australian crosswords often use British English (e.g., “odour” not “odor”). Dan Word’s UK-centric database usually aligns well, but it’s something to double-check if an answer seems off.
Pro Tips for Australian Crossword Enthusiasts
To move from getting unstuck to unstoppable, keep these local strategies in mind:
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Know Your Sources: Familiarise yourself with the style of our major puzzles. The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald / The Age crosswords often have different setters with distinct preferences for vocabulary—some favour everyday words, others enjoy more obscure terms.
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Context is King: Look at the crossing words. If the intersecting answer is clearly Australian (e.g., a local place name or slang), the solver is likely expecting a more common word like PUFFY.
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Build Your Toolkit: Besides Dan Word, explore other solvers like The Crossword Solver for a second opinion. For particularly fiendish cryptic clues in papers like The AFR, a dedicated Australian cryptic crossword guide can be invaluable.
Your Crossword Questions Answered
Q: What are the best 5-letter answers for “swollen, bloated”?
A: The top contenders are PUFFY and TUMID. GASSY and BLOAT are also strong possibilities depending on the puzzle’s context.
Q: How accurate is Dan Word for Australian crosswords?
A: It’s highly accurate for standard clues. Its database includes clues from international publications that share common crossword vocabulary with Australian puzzles. It’s an excellent first port of call.
Q: Is there a difference between “swollen” and “bloated” in crosswords?
A: Often, no—they are used as synonyms. However, in a very precise clue, “bloated” might hint more at an internal fullness (from gas or fluid), while “swollen” could refer to an external limb or surface. The pairing “swollen, bloated” suggests the setter wants a word that broadly covers both.
Q: What’s a 7-letter word for “puffed up” that could be related?
A: SWOLLEN is a prime 7-letter answer for “puffed up”. BLOATED itself is also a 7-letter option for this concept.
Mastering clues like “swollen, bloated” is about learning the common crossword answers and using smart tools to check your hunches. Now that you know to look for PUFFY or TUMID, that roadblock is gone for good.
What was the last crossword clue that had you stumped? Share it in the comments below, and let’s solve it together. For more weekly solving tips and deep dives into classic Aussie crossword clues, subscribe to our newsletter. Happy solving
