Fix earlier account, deleting chapter in distress

Latest answer — August 10, 2026

16 Down

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Clue explained

PREORDAIN means “fix” or determine beforehand, giving the definition “Fix earlier”. The word is built around PRE (“earlier”) and the distressed form of PAIN (“distress”), with the clue’s account-and-chapter wording supplying the intervening letter changes.

Clue type:
Definition
An illustration representing a predetermined course of events.

Times Cryptic Crossword

This clue's Monday, August 10, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Nobbled horse – a thing attempting to unseat leader?
  2. 7Manner of one expected to succeed on radio
  3. 9Puritan concealing disgusting source of extreme advantage
  4. 10Beat corporation power, securing hope initially
  5. 11Drew near to line twisting around castle
  6. 12Song I’m obliged to follow that is limited by technique
  7. 13Black king evading opponent’s piece?
  8. 15Software permitted water plant to be trimmed in part of orchard
  9. 17Lack of knowledge? An opening for college in blighted region
  10. 19Golf beset by dreadful sound of woe
  11. 20Statement from ally indicating religious position
  12. 22Endless drama in accommodation cost? Move elsewhere
  13. 24Biblical character reflected one lament
  14. 25Unexpected money club’s carrying round? It’s on the table
  15. 27Beam of light ready to be periodically blocked
  16. 28I am mostly the person that’s ill-disposed?

Down

  1. 1Joint payment arrangement includes one
  2. 2German linguist dour in broadcast
  3. 3Small group’s small outing?
  4. 4Optical issue certainly apparent in damaged retina
  5. 5That woman starts to boss all in queen’s place
  6. 6Salt turned up in stock
  7. 7Untrustworthy sort breaking trade rule
  8. 8Cup match perhaps cut short to fix substitute
  9. 11Noticed iron tainted cosmetic
  10. 14Information on each record linked to unknown family history
  11. 16Fix earlier account, deleting chapter in distress
  12. 18Practical approach is entrenched in field
  13. 19Pair of images: basin, then tiny gutted church
  14. 21With wicket falling, blocks snicks
  15. 23From the outset, not entirely too proud for love
  16. 26Fix cup match

The answer to “Fix earlier account, deleting chapter in distress” in the The Times Cryptic crossword is PREORDAIN — a 9-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Times Cryptic crossword on August 10, 2026, a Monday puzzle, at 16-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.

“Fix earlier account, deleting chapter in distress” answer

PREORDAIN (9 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 PREORDAIN.

What does PREORDAIN mean?

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

(verb)

  • decide or determine (an outcome or course of action) beforehand

When else has “Fix earlier account, deleting chapter in distress” appeared?

The Times Cryptic 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 10, 2026 (most recent) → PREORDAIN. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Fix earlier account, deleting chapter in distress”?

The answer is PREORDAIN, a 9-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Times Cryptic crossword on August 10, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Fix earlier account, deleting chapter in distress”?

9 letters: PREORDAIN.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Times Cryptic crossword on August 10, 2026 (a Monday puzzle), at 16-Down.

Can “Fix earlier account, deleting chapter in distress” have a different answer?

Yes — The Times Cryptic 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 Times Cryptic answers?

The full grid for August 10, 2026 is on the Times Cryptic answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

The Times Cryptic Crossword is published by The Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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