Undermines

Latest answer — August 28, 2026

3 Down

Scroll down for rest of crossword answers

Clue explained

SAPS means undermines or weakens, as in “constant criticism saps confidence.” It is the third-person singular present-tense verb form of SAP.

Clue type:
Word form
An illustration showing erosion weakening the ground beneath a foundation.

Telegraph Quick Crossword

This clue's Friday, August 28, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Ovum
  2. 3Pose
  3. 5Global extremes
  4. 8Lit up (anag.)
  5. 9Theoretical
  6. 10Wild goat
  7. 11Advocacy
  8. 13Incredible
  9. 15Innocuous
  10. 17Indolent
  11. 19Italian dish
  12. 20News exclusive
  13. 21Unsettling
  14. 22Vote against
  15. 23Once called

Down

  1. 1Satisfy huge hunger
  2. 2Sullivan's partner
  3. 3Undermines
  4. 4Sin
  5. 5Intermittent
  6. 6Trio on the England football shirt
  7. 71930s US child star
  8. 12Muse of epic poetry
  9. 14Et cetera
  10. 16Wanderer
  11. 18Observe

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Ovum — Answer: EGG. Hint: Think of the cell that can be fertilized. 🥚
  2. 3. Pose — Answer: SIT. Hint: A photographer may ask you to do this. 📸
  3. 5. Global extremes — Answer: POLES. Hint: Find these at the top and bottom of the globe. 🌍
  4. 8. Lit up (anag.) — Answer: TULIP. Hint: A glowing meaning is hiding in a letter jumble. 💡
  5. 9. Theoretical — Answer: APRIORI. Hint: This describes an idea considered before practical experience. 🤔
  6. 10. Wild goat — Answer: IBEX. Hint: Look for this sure-footed goat on rocky mountain slopes. 🏔️
  7. 11. Advocacy — Answer: ESPOUSAL. Hint: It means strong support for a cause or idea. 📣
  8. 13. Incredible — Answer: EXTRAORDINARY. Hint: This describes something far beyond the ordinary. ✨
  9. 15. Innocuous — Answer: HARMLESS. Hint: Nothing dangerous or offensive is meant here. 🙂
  10. 17. Indolent — Answer: IDLE. Hint: Picture someone avoiding work and effort. 😴
  11. 19. Italian dish — Answer: RAVIOLI. Hint: Think of pasta parcels filled with savory goodness. 🍝
  12. 20. News exclusive — Answer: SCOOP. Hint: A reporter's prized first-hand story is this. 📰
  13. 21. Unsettling — Answer: EERIE. Hint: Think of something that sends shivers down your spine! 👻
  14. 22. Vote against — Answer: NAY. Hint: Cast the negative vote in a formal decision. 🗳️
  15. 23. Once called — Answer: NEE. Hint: Use this term before someone’s former name. 📜

Down

  1. 1. Satisfy huge hunger — Answer: EATLIKEAHORSE. Hint: A ravenous diner may need to consume an enormous amount. 🍽️
  2. 2. Sullivan's partner — Answer: GILBERT. Hint: Name the lyricist who teamed with composer Arthur Sullivan. 🎭
  3. 3. Undermines — Answer: SAPS. Hint: Quietly weakens someone’s strength, support, or authority. 🧱
  4. 4. Sin — Answer: TRANSGRESSION. Hint: This is a serious violation of a moral or religious rule. ⚖️
  5. 5. Intermittent — Answer: PERIODIC. Hint: It happens repeatedly, with gaps in between. 🔄
  6. 6. Trio on the England football shirt — Answer: LIONS. Hint: Three heraldic beasts appear on England’s football badge. 🦁
  7. 7. 1930s US child star — Answer: SHIRLEYTEMPLE. Hint: Think of the curly-haired star known for “The Good Ship Lollipop.” 🎬
  8. 12. Muse of epic poetry — Answer: CALLIOPE. Hint: This is the Muse traditionally invoked by epic poets. 📜
  9. 14. Et cetera — Answer: ANDSOON. Hint: A phrase meaning “and more of the same.” ➕
  10. 16. Wanderer — Answer: ROVER. Hint: Picture a roaming traveler—or a vehicle exploring Mars. 🚶
  11. 18. Observe — Answer: ESPY. Hint: To spot or notice something is to do this. 👀

The answer to “Undermines” in the The Telegraph Quick crossword is SAPS — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Telegraph Quick crossword on August 28, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 3-Down. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Undermines” answer

SAPS (4 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is SAPS.

What does SAPS mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of SAPS is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(verb)

  • gradually weaken or destroy (a person's strength or power)

When else has “Undermines” appeared?

The Telegraph Quick reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

August 28, 2026 (most recent) → SAPS. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Undermines”?

The answer is SAPS, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Telegraph Quick crossword on August 28, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Undermines”?

4 letters: SAPS.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Telegraph Quick crossword on August 28, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 3-Down.

Can “Undermines” have a different answer?

Yes — The Telegraph Quick sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's Telegraph Quick answers?

The full grid for August 28, 2026 is on the Telegraph Quick answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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