| BROKENHEART | Metaphor for great sadness, and a description of this puzzle's fifth parted word |
| HEARTRENDING | Causing one to feel great sadness and pity (12) |
| COLOR | This puzzle's fifth wheel, I believe you can hue it |
| DIVIDEDHIGHWAY | Route with lanes of opposing traffic separated by a barrier, and a description of this puzzle's fourth parted word |
| CRACKEDWISE | Made sarcastic remarks, and a description of this puzzle's first parted word |
| TORNCURTAIN | 1966 Hitchcock film set in East Germany, and a description of this puzzle's sixth parted word |
| SLICEDBREAD | Food that the "best thing" is compared to, and a description of this puzzle's second parted word |
| DETACHEDHOUSES | Homes that don't share walls with other homes, and a description of this puzzle's third parted word |
| STRIFE | "A heart full of joy and gladness; Will always banish sadness and ...; So always look for the silver lining; And try to find the sunny side of life" |
| SILVER | "A heart full of joy and gladness; Will always banish sadness and strife; So always look for the ... lining; And try to find the sunny side of life" |
| HARDEDGED | Gritty ... and a description of this puzzle, which is also a hint to completing eight answers |
| SILVERSTREAK | 1976 comedy film, and a description of this puzzle's center |
| FASTBREAK | Basketball strategy, and a description of this puzzle's longest answers |
| SERVICEANIMAL | Nonhuman helper, and a description of this puzzle's mascots? |
| ICEBREAKER | Get-to-know-you game, and a description of this puzzle's theme |
| INSTRUMENTAL | Playing a part in, or a description of this puzzle's audio clips |
| STEMCELLS | Subject of some medical research ... or a description of this puzzle's theme? |
| CARTALK | NPR show from 1977 to 2021, and a description of this puzzle's theme |
| DROPSDOWN | Opens, as a menu ... or a description of this puzzle's circled letters? |
| SLUSHPILE | Common assignment for editorial assistants ... or a description of this puzzle's circled letters? |
