| FUDGE | Deliberately obscure 20 down 23 (5) |
| BLUR | Obscure, 20 Across group (4) |
| DOUBLESPEAK | Deliberately obscure language (11) |
| DELPHIC | Ambiguous or deliberately obscure |
| SUGAR | 20 down 23 that's in 14 (5) |
| SMOKE | 20 down 23 seeing papal cigar? (4,5) |
| BLINK | ___ Twice, 2024 comedy thriller film starring 7 Down, 23 Down, 25 Down, and 27 Down (5) |
| HELLO | 23 down 23 down for 24? (5,7) |
| CHRIS | 19 down 23 7, 1998, Conservative, getting right into his painting, framing female one (5,5) |
| WOMAN | _ _ 1984, superhero sequel starring 28 Across, 21 Down, 23 Down & 24 Down (6) |
| STEVE | Actor, 19 down 23 7, 1999 (5,7) |
| SNAKE | As found in the 3 down, 23 across (5) |
| HORSE | As found in the 3 down, 23 across (5) |
| TIGER | As found in the 3 down, 23 across (5) |
| TASTE | Sophistication close to worthless in home of the 19 down 23 (5) |
| HOLY | 20 down 23 seeing papal cigar? (4,5) |
| DOGGONE | 20 down 23 where kennel empty? (7) |
| BLOOMING | 20 down 23 out (8) |
| RENEGADE | Quisling, Frenchman with-holding 20 down 23 (8) |
| CRUMBS | 20 down 23 has nan in bits, say (6) |
