A troublesome toast

1 Across Giving oneself exaggerated importance (7 letters)

Sentence hint A simple thank-you sounded ____ once the speechwriter added three royal titles.

Next hint: synonyms

Synonyms and close equivalents grandiose, self-important, pretentious

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4 Across Express an idea clearly in words (10 letters)

Sentence hint He knew why the song mattered but could not ____ the reason until his sister prompted him.

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Synonyms and close equivalents express, put into words, formulate

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5 Across Made dull through overuse (9 letters)

Sentence hint The groom crossed out a ____ opening about two hearts beating as one.

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Synonyms and close equivalents trite, stale, overused

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6 Across A concise observation phrased as a general truth (8 letters)

Sentence hint The grandmother offered one ____ about patience and then told the story behind it.

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Synonyms and close equivalents maxim, adage, saying

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7 Across Frequently wandering from the main subject (10 letters)

Sentence hint Her ____ draft moved from the wedding to railway schedules and back again.

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Synonyms and close equivalents rambling, meandering, tangential

Next word · 1 Down →

1 Down A quality that moves someone deeply (9 letters)

Sentence hint The empty chair by the window gave the otherwise cheerful toast an unexpected ____.

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Synonyms and close equivalents pathos, tenderness, emotional force

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2 Down An expression repeated so often that it has lost force (6 letters)

Sentence hint The writer replaced a tired ____ with the precise words the couple had spoken.

Next hint: synonyms

Synonyms and close equivalents stock phrase, commonplace, platitude

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3 Down Inclined to talk at length (10 letters)

Sentence hint The normally ____ uncle surprised us with a toast of exactly nine words.

Next hint: synonyms

Synonyms and close equivalents talkative, garrulous, voluble

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