Extremely upset by a recent awful… - Parseword #290 Hints & Answer

Parseword #290 Nov 14, 2026 Clue by Liari (Unch) Hard

Extremely upset by a recent awful comment (9)

Hint 1 · Which end is the definition?

The definition is at the right-hand end of the clue — a single word. Leave it alone and parse everything else.

Hint 2 · Which transforms are used?

3 steps, using Selection, Anagram and Join.

Hint 3 · The signal words

Watch “extremely” and “awful” and “by” — they tell you which transform to apply.

Hint 4 · The definition itself

“comment” is the definition. The answer means the same thing.

Hint 5 · The first step

Start with “extremely upset” → UT (Selection, signalled by “extremely”).

Reveal the answer

UTTERANCE

The full parse, step by step

extremely upset→utSelectionSignal: “extremely”
a recent awful→teranceAnagramSignal: “awful”
ut by terance→utteranceJoinSignal: “by”

Definition“comment” = UTTERANCE

Easter egg

Try turning “extremely upset” into 🚣 Capsized? in the game — it's a hidden joke the setters planted.

About this puzzle

Parseword #290 went live at 08:00 UTC on Saturday, November 14, 2026: “Extremely upset by a recent awful comment”, a 9-letter answer from a clue by Liari (Unch). The official parse takes 3 steps, using Selection, Anagram, Join.

The hints above go from gentle to specific: which end of the clue holds the definition, which transforms the parse needs, the signal words, the definition itself and finally the first step. Every step of the official solution — what was selected, what it became and which word signalled it — is inside the answer reveal, so nothing is spoiled until you choose.

Parseword clues follow the same rules as any cryptic crossword clue. If a transform here was new to you, our guide to cryptic clue types covers each one with examples, and today's Minute Cryptic is good next-step practice.

More Parseword answers

Today's puzzle, with the same spoiler-safe hints, is always on Parseword Answer Today.

Date	Clue	Answer
Nov 13, 2026	In Peru, agreed to protect a remote expedition	SAFARI
Nov 12, 2026	Officers initially regret returning cash in France	EURO
Nov 11, 2026	Disorganized cremation missing a speaker	INTERCOM

Unofficial fan guide — not affiliated with or endorsed by Parseword or its creators. The clue and its parse belong to their setters and are quoted for reference; the hints are our own.