Minute Cryptic Answer: “Stretch opposite spring taut to avoid starter humming on and off”
Puzzle #72 · April 28, 2026 · 6-letter answer
Looking for the Minute Cryptic answer for April 28, 2026? The clue “Stretch opposite spring taut to avoid starter humming on and off” is a anagram clue from puzzle #72. Below you’ll find a spoiler-safe hint ladder, a full clue breakdown, and the verified solution.
Reveal the Minute Cryptic answer for April 28, 2026Click to reveal
The answer to the Minute Cryptic clue “Stretch opposite spring taut to avoid starter humming on and off” from April 28, 2026 (puzzle #72) is AUTUMN — a 6-letter answer.
Today's Clue
“Stretch opposite spring taut to avoid starter humming on and off”
Answer length: 6 letters
Reveal hints one at a time — work your way to the answer without getting spoiled!
Answer
Clue Breakdown
AnagramStep-by-step
- 1Read the clue: "Stretch opposite spring taut to avoid starter humming on and off"
- 2Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Stretch opposite spring'. There is a stretch opposite spring and we'll need to find its name." points to the meaning of the answer.
- 3Spot the indicator: "This clue's indicators are 'to avoid', 'starter' and 'on and off'. Two of these are selection indicators. One directs us to take every second letter of some neighbouring fodder, and the other points us to the first letter of a word. Our third indicator is a deletion indicator - we'll need to ignore something in some fodder and pay attention to the rest." signals a anagram operation.
- 4Find the fodder: "This clue's fodder is 'taut' and 'humming'. We'll use these letters (or some of them) to construct our answer, as guided by the clue's indicator(s)" is the material to work with.
- 5Rearrange the letters of "This clue's fodder is 'taut' and 'humming'. We'll use these letters (or some of them) to construct our answer, as guided by the clue's indicator(s)" to form the answer.
- 6The answer is: AUTUMN
Want to learn more about anagram clues? Read the Anagram guide
Why “AUTUMN” fits the clue
In Minute Cryptic Puzzle #72 from April 28, 2026, the clue "Stretch opposite spring taut to avoid starter humming on and off" is a anagram clue. The indicator "This clue's indicators are 'to avoid', 'starter' and 'on and off'. Two of these are selection indicators. One directs us to take every second letter of some neighbouring fodder, and the other points us to the first letter of a word. Our third indicator is a deletion indicator - we'll need to ignore something in some fodder and pay attention to the rest." tells solvers to rearrange the fodder "This clue's fodder is 'taut' and 'humming'. We'll use these letters (or some of them) to construct our answer, as guided by the clue's indicator(s)" into the 6-letter answer AUTUMN. The definition "Our definition here is 'Stretch opposite spring'. There is a stretch opposite spring and we'll need to find its name." confirms that AUTUMN is the intended Minute Cryptic answer for April 28, 2026.
Minute Cryptic 28 Apr 2026 — Frequently Asked
What is the answer to the Minute Cryptic clue "Stretch opposite spring taut to avoid starter humming on and off"?
The answer is AUTUMN (6 letters). It was the Minute Cryptic answer for April 28, 2026, puzzle #72.
When was Minute Cryptic Puzzle #72 published?
Puzzle #72 was published on April 28, 2026.
How many letters are in the Minute Cryptic answer for April 28, 2026?
The Minute Cryptic answer for April 28, 2026 (puzzle #72) is 6 letters long: AUTUMN.
What type of cryptic clue is "Stretch opposite spring taut to avoid starter humming on and off"?
It is a anagram clue. An anagram clue rearranges the letters of a piece of fodder, signalled by an anagram indicator, into the answer.
More Anagram Minute Cryptic answers
- #151 · 17 Jul 2026““Amputee climber got past treacherous drop!” you heard documentary maker say”
- #148 · 14 Jul 2026“Start midday meal around midday”
- #143 · 09 Jul 2026“Weathered tin sign adorning the outskirts of Venice: “Sinking Capital””
- #139 · 05 Jul 2026“One of many on board to witness the start of dawn cycling?”
- #137 · 03 Jul 2026“Roughly sub-zero, for temperature in windswept tundra”
- #134 · 30 Jun 2026“Leather arrangement pulling an equine's head!”
Latest Minute Cryptic answers
- Minute Cryptic · 18 Jul 2026#152“FIFA World Cup semifinals? Good excuse to miss work!”
- Minute Cryptic · 17 Jul 2026#151““Amputee climber got past treacherous drop!” you heard documentary maker say”
- Minute Cryptic · 16 Jul 2026#150“Arthur’s divided over the shape of Camelot’s table for some time?”
- Minute Cryptic · 15 Jul 2026#149“Scoop of lemon gelato with a twist - a little something from the garden”
- Minute Cryptic · 14 Jul 2026#148“Start midday meal around midday”
- Minute Cryptic · 13 Jul 2026#147“Magnificent ring found in ruins of Isengard”
- Minute Cryptic · 12 Jul 2026#146“Bob, Deb and Jacob all have these kinks”
How to use this solution page
Each archive detail page is structured to help solvers learn from a clue instead of jumping straight to the final answer. Start with the definition hint, then reveal the indicator and fodder only if you still need help.
This step-by-step flow mirrors how cryptic clues are normally solved: first identify the likely definition, then work out the instruction, then confirm the letters or words that produce the answer.
If you are practising, try solving the clue before revealing the last panel. If you are researching a past puzzle, use the neighbouring navigation below to compare clue styles across different dates.