Ever feel like your brain enjoys a good workout, but you’re short on time? If so, you’re probably already know about Minute Cryptic! It’s not just a puzzle; it’s a daily dose of delightful wordplay that sharpens your wits without demanding hours of your day. Unlike those monstrous, full cryptic crosswords, Minute Cryptic gives you one brilliant clue to crack the answer. To help you out, here are today’s Minute cryptic answers with hints and breakdown of the clue for Sunday, January 18, 2026 !

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Today’s Minute Cryptic Clue – January 18, 2026

Here’s the cryptic challenge that’s got everyone talking today:

Surrounded by frantic maids shouting “TEA!” (6)

Hints for Today’s Minute Cryptic – January 18, 2026

Stuck in a loop? No worries! Every cryptic clue is a two-part marvel: a straightforward definition and some clever wordplay. Here are some hints to help you untangle today’s puzzle:

  • Think Simple Definition: The first part of the clue, “Surrounded by,” is your direct definition. What’s a six-letter preposition that means in the middle of?
  • Cryptic Clue Type Alert! The word “frantic” is a classic cryptic signal. This tells you that the surrounding letters need to be rearranged.
  • Identify the Fodder: You need to combine the word “maids” with a specific letter suggested by the word “TEA!”
  • Process: Take the five letters in maids and add the single letter that sounds like “tea.” Now, scramble all six of them to find your answer!

Got it? If you’re still puzzling, scroll down for the complete answer!

Today’s Minute Cryptic Answer And Explanation:

Alright, the moment of truth! If you’ve pondered enough, here’s the solution to today’s Minute Cryptic for Sunday , January 18, 2026 !

AMIDST

Here’s the full breakdown:

  • Definition: “Surrounded by” is the direct definition for AMIDST .
  • Wordplay: This is a clever anagram (indicated by “frantic” ). The fodder is the word MAIDS plus the letter T (which is what you hear when someone is shouting “TEA!” ). When you rearrange the letters M-A-I-D-S-T , you get the word AMIDST .

What did you think of today’s Minute Cryptic? That “shouting tea” phonetic trick was a classic bit of cryptic mischief! Did you manage to spot the anagram, or did the frantic maids have you running in circles? Let us know!

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