August 2025 Puzzle Solution

Across: 6 Last letter (bottom) of (partne)R contained in birth (DAWN) = DRAWN (pinched), 7 T(enor) + alternate (regularly) letters of sHoUtS = THUS ( like this), 8 DD, 9 Carry ( TOTE) contains (around) anagram (bananas) of REAL = TOLERATE (bear), 11 Press (IRON) + 1st letter (start to) of I(nitiate) +C(onservative) =IRONIC (sneering), 12 Organisation (FORM) preceded (led) by alternate letters (occasionally) of aRsE = (offers) REFORM (change), 14 Anagram (freaking out) of RIOT + NUNS = RUNS INTO (encounters), 15 Bouquet (scent) + computer operator (BOT, as an autonomous program that operates a computer) + anagram (lying around) of LEfT minus (after losing) f(ine) = SCENT BOTTLE (container), 18 bEnSuCcEeDs minus (ignoring) the odd letters follows (after) questioning QUI(z) minus last letter (endless) = QUIESCED (stopped), 19 Reversed (upon return) and hidden (some) in CADETS FOoled = OFSTED (those writing school reports), 20 Reversal (retired) of allowed (LET) with bloke (MAN) in front (to begin) = MANTEL (shelf), 21 CD , 23 F(orce) + former terrorists (ETA) = FETA (cheese), 24 Hidden (extract from) of violenT EXTremist’s = TEXT (book), 25 Doctor (DR) containing (clutching) what looks (but doesn’t sound) like my (OO) + last letter (finally) of drugS = DOORS (exits). 

Down: 1 Alternate letters (from time to time) of GiRl ViEwS containing (entertaining) homophone (broadcast) of my (ooh/OO) = GROOVES (music), 2 Message TWEE(t) minus last letter (cut short) = TWEE ( sentimental), 3 Silence (SH) + homophone (the noise made by) of my (ooh/OE) = SHOE (footwear), 4 Charade of when (AS) + representation (SIGN) + by (AT) + author (I) + directed towards (ON) + (S)ociety = ASSIGNATIONS (dates), 5 Reversal (sent back) of people (TRIBE) contained by (bottles) outer letters (empty) of R(elis)H = REBIRTH (recycling, QM for stretchy def), 8 State (FL for Florida) + reversal (turning) of TO + residences (v)ILLAS minus opening letter (unopened) = FLOTILLAS (groups of ships), 10 Anagram (confused) of MAID + (by) pension payments (NIC) + (gets) satisfactory (U) + (and) overdue (LATE) = ADMINICULATE (support), 13 Anagram (disturbed) of CARTHORSE = ORCHESTRA (we gather its movements, ie of symphony), 14 What Burglar Bill did (ROBbED) minus b (half-heartedly) = undressed? No, the opposite, ie ROBED (dressed), 16 Gallery (TATE) contained (mired) in scandal (MUD) = MUTATED, 17 Anagram (playing) of SOME + alternate letters (occasionally) of dRuMkIt = MEMOIRS (recollections), 21 1st letter (head) of F(tse) + bullish (OXY, it seems! as it sounds/looks like it could mean bullish) = FOXY (shrewd), 22 (F)ellow + homophone (sung) of my (ooh/OO) + last letter (at last) of (gir)L = FOOL (sweet).

Here are the 20 hidden words associated with extreme weather or its results:

AVALANCHE, BLIZZARD, CYCLONE, DERECHO, DROUGHT, FIRESTORM, FLOOD, HABOOB, HAILSTORM, HEATWAVE, HURRICANE, LIGHTNING, MONSOON, SQUALL, SUPERCELL, TEMPEST, THUNDER, TORNADO, TYPHOON, WILDFIRE

Main word: ABDOMINAL

Other words: bimodal, mandola, badman, lambda, almond, daimon, dolman, domain, limbo, adman, admin, modal, nomad, amino, amnia, anima, mania, balm, iamb, lamb, limb, amid, damn, maid, mild, mind, modi, mold, alma, limo, loam, mail, mano, milo, mano, moan, moil, mola, noma, (40 in total) 

NB This is not Intended to be an exhaustive list.