October 4, 2026Clue № 23

Cryptic clue for October 4, 2026

Reign with a change of heart R→F — just act(5)

Free substitution cryptic crossword clue from Icqu Cryptic (5). Solve it with hints — the answer and full breakdown publish the next day, or the moment you solve it.

5 lettersdifficulty 4/5par 3

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Answer & breakdown

Substitution

AnswerFEIGN

Definitionactat the back of the clue

WordplayReign with a change of heart R→F — justindicator: with a change of heart

BuildREIGN [R→F] → FEIGN

Court intrigue: reign with a change of heart R→F becomes mere act. REIGN [R→F] → FEIGN; the crown is costume, the letter does the treachery.

How this substitution cryptic clue works

Swap one letter of a real word for another. The indicator flags the change; the build shows the exact replacement.

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Bonus 3

1Large, we hear, as a grate (5)Open →2Useless aviation, evenly inspected (4)Open →3Soaked through after 'satur8d' weather (9)Open →

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