Fissure Crossword Clue — Genius Answers That Crack the Puzzle Fast!

I know the sinking feeling of a nearly finished Fissure Crossword Clue. You have just one or two empty spots left. Your eyes move to the clue for 14-across, and it simply says fissure. Your mind starts racing. Is it a geological term? Is it something about the human body? Or maybe it is a split between two old friends?

The frustration of being stuck on a single word can ruin a quiet morning. You want to finish the grid and feel that sense of success. You do not want to give up, but you also do not want to spend an hour guessing and messing up the surrounding words. This guide is here to provide the relief you need. I will give you the exact answers and the logic behind them so you can complete your puzzle with a smile.

Solve Your Puzzle with These Top Fissure Answers

When you see the word “fissure” in a crossword, the setter is usually looking for a synonym. The best way to find the right word is to count your squares. Below is a list of the most common answers used by major puzzles like the New York Times, LA Times, and USA Today.

Letters	Top Answer	Context and Usage
3	GAP	A simple opening or a space between two parts.
4	RIFT	Often used for a break in the earth or a social argument.
4	SLIT	A long, narrow cut or opening in a surface.
4	GASH	A deep, long cut, usually referring to an injury.
4	RENT	An old-fashioned word for a tear in fabric or the earth.
5	CRACK	The most common and direct synonym for any fissure.
5	CLEFT	A split or indentation, often seen in nature or anatomy.
5	CHASM	A very deep and wide opening in the ground.
5	SPLIT	A division where something has been broken apart.
6	BREACH	A gap in a wall or a break in a legal agreement.
6	CRANNY	A small, narrow opening, usually in a rock or wall.
7	CREVICE	A narrow opening, especially in a rock face or cliff.
8	CREVASSE	A deep, dangerous crack found in a large glacier.
8	FRACTURE	A break in a hard surface or a human bone.

Choose the Right Word by Using Context Clues

One of the biggest struggles for crossword fans is when a clue has many possible answers. If your grid has four empty boxes, should you use RIFT or SLIT? The secret to picking the right one is to look at the theme of the puzzle and the crossings.

Understand the Geological and Earth Science Meanings

If your puzzle has words like mountain, volcano, or earthquake, the setter wants a geological term. In this case, RIFT, CHASM, or CREVICE are your best options. If the puzzle mentions cold weather, ice, or the Arctic, the answer is almost certainly CREVASSE. A crevasse is a specific type of fissure that forms in ice. Using the wrong word here can throw off your entire corner.

Identify Anatomical and Medical Meanings

Sometimes the crossword is about science or the human body. In anatomy, a fissure is a natural groove in an organ. It might divide the brain into lobes or mark a spot on a bone. If you see clues about biology, try words like CLEFT or SULCUS. A CLEFT is often used to describe a cleft chin. A SULCUS is a more technical term for the grooves in the brain.

Spot Social and Emotional Meanings

Crossword setters love to use double meanings. A fissure can also be a break in a relationship. If the clue hints at a fight, a disagreement, or a group of people splitting up, you are looking for RIFT or SCHISM. A SCHISM is a formal split within a group, such as a church or a political party.

Expert Strategies for Tough Fissure Crossword Clue

If you have the number of letters but still feel stuck, do not worry. You can use these expert tricks to narrow down the answer. These steps help you think like a puzzle creator and find the solution faster.

Use Your Crossings as Allies

Crossword puzzles are like spiderwebs. Every answer is connected to the ones nearby. If you are unsure of a 4-letter word for fissure, look at the down clues that cross it. If one of those words gives you a T at the end, you know the answer must be RIFT or SLIT. If you get an A in the second spot, the answer is likely GASH.

Pay Attention to Grammar and Tense

The clue will always match the answer in its grammatical form. If the clue is “fissures” (plural), your answer must also be plural. Add an S to the end of your guesses, like GAPS or CRACKS. If the clue is “fissured” (past tense), the answer will likely end in “-ed” or be a past-tense verb like SPLIT or TORN.

Watch for the Question Mark

Does the clue say “Fissure?” with a question mark? This is a huge hint. A question mark means the setter is using wordplay or a pun. They might be looking for something less obvious, like CHIP (a small fissure in a plate) or FLAW (a fissure in someone’s character). When you see that question mark, stop thinking literally and start thinking creatively.

If none of the common synonyms above fit your grid, don’t give up. You can use our Advanced Crossword Puzzle Solver to filter results by word length and known letters

Deep Dive into Specific Fissure Synonyms

To truly master the fissure crossword clue, it helps to understand why certain words are chosen over others. Let us look at the deeper meanings of these common answers to help you pick the right one every time.

Why RIFT is a Favorite of Setters

The word RIFT is a favorite because it is short and uses common letters. It appears in almost every major crossword series. In geology, a rift occurs where the crust of the earth is being pulled apart. In a social sense, it means a break in friendly relations. If the clue mentions a “valley” or a “feud,” this 4-letter word is your best bet.

When to Use CREVICE vs CREVASSE

This is a common trap for many solvers. Both words sound the same and mean roughly the same thing. However, they are used in different contexts. A CREVICE is a small, narrow crack, usually in a rock or a wall. You might find a crevice in your garden or on a hiking trail. A CREVASSE is a massive, deep, and very dangerous split in a glacier. If the clue mentions mountain climbing or ice, reach for the 8-letter word.

The Anatomy of a SULCUS

If you are solving a more difficult puzzle, such as a Friday or Saturday New York Times grid, you might run into the word SULCUS. This is a Latin term used in medicine. It refers to the deep grooves in the cerebral cortex of the brain. These fissures are what give the brain its wrinkled look. If the clue mentions “cerebral” or “lobar,” this is likely the answer you need.

Finding a CHINK in the Armor

The word CHINK is a 5-letter answer that often appears in clues about light or walls. It refers to a very narrow opening that allows light or air to pass through. You might see the clue “Fissure that lets in light.” This is a great example of how setters use descriptive language to point you toward a specific synonym.

Why Finding the Right Synonym Matters

Completing a crossword is about more than just filling in boxes. It is about the “aha!” moment when everything clicks into place. When you find the correct word for a clue like fissure, it unlocks the rest of the section. A single correct letter can help you solve three or four other words around it.

I know it feels like a struggle when you are staring at those white squares. But remember, every puzzle is designed to be solved. By understanding the different ways “fissure” is used, you are training your brain to see patterns. This makes you a faster and more confident solver over time.

Advanced Wordplay and Obscure Answers

As you progress from beginner puzzles to advanced ones, you will encounter rare words. These are the “trick” answers that setters use to challenge expert solvers. Knowing these can help you outrank the puzzle and finish the grid.

The Word RIMA

A RIMA is a 4-letter word that refers to a narrow elongated opening. It is a very technical term used in anatomy, specifically regarding the space between the vocal cords. If you have a 4-letter grid that starts with R and ends in A, and none of the common words fit, keep RIMA in mind.

The Word CWM

This is a very rare 3-letter word that sometimes appears in British crosswords. It is a Welsh word for a steep-walled semicircular basin in a mountain. While it is more of a “valley,” some setters use it as a synonym for a large mountain fissure. It is a great word to have in your back pocket for difficult puzzles.

The Word ARROYO

An ARROYO is a 6-letter word often found in puzzles with a Western or Southwestern theme. It refers to a dry creek bed or a narrow canyon carved by water. While it is technically a water feature, it is often described as a fissure or a deep cut in the desert earth.

How to Handle Multiple Word Answers

In some large Sunday puzzles, the answer for a fissure might be more than one word. These are often phrases that describe the state of being split or cracked.

• OPEN UP: A 6-letter phrase that means to create a fissure.
• BREAK APART: A 10-letter phrase for a major division.
• COME UNDONE: Another phrase that can describe a surface failing and cracking.

Always check if your crossword allows for spaces or if you should ignore them when filling in the grid. Most puzzles require you to run the words together without spaces.

Common Fissure Clue Variations

Narrow Fissure in Rock

This is one of the most common ways this clue is written. If you see this, look for CREVICE (7 letters) or RIFT (4 letters). These are the standard answers for rocky terrain.

Deep Fissure in the Earth

This version of the clue is looking for size. The setter wants you to think of something big. Reach for CHASM (5 letters), GORGE (5 letters), or CANYON (6 letters).

Fissure or Gap

When the clue uses two words like this, it is often looking for a word that can mean both. BREACH (6 letters) is a perfect fit here. A breach is a gap in a wall, but it can also be a fissure in a relationship or a contract.

Small Fissure

If the setter emphasizes that the opening is tiny, they are guiding you toward words like CHINK (5 letters) or CRANNY (6 letters). Think of a “nook and cranny” or a “chink in the armor.”

Tips for Completing Your Crossword Grid

I know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed when you have a big blank grid staring back at you. Here are some final tips to help you use these answers effectively.

• Write in Pencil: Unless you are an absolute pro, use a pencil. It reduces the stress of making a mistake.
• Step Away: If you are staring at the word fissure and nothing is coming to mind, take a five-minute break. When you come back, your brain will often see the answer instantly.
• Say it Out Loud: Sometimes reading the clue and the crossing letters out loud can trigger a memory of a word you know but cannot quite place.
• Use a Dictionary: There is no shame in using a crossword dictionary or a site like this to learn. Every time you look up a word, you are learning it for the next puzzle.

Common Answers for Fissure Crossword

What is a 5 letter word for Fissure Crossword Clue?

The most common 5-letter answer for a fissure is CRACK. If that does not fit, try CLEFT or CHASM. All three are very popular with puzzle creators.

Is a rift the same as a fissure?

Yes, in a crossword puzzle, they are the same. RIFT is a 4-letter word that setters use very often because it has common letters that are easy to cross.

What is a deep fissure in the earth called?

The best answer for a very deep fissure is usually CHASM (5 letters). If you have 6 letters, you might try CANYON or GULCH.

What is a 7 letter word for fissure?

The most likely 7-letter answer is CREVICE. It specifically describes a narrow opening in a rock or a wall and is used in almost all major newspaper puzzles.

Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, crossword clues can vary by publisher and date. We are not affiliated with any official puzzle brand. Using this guide does not guarantee a solved puzzle, as answers depend on specific grid constraints. Readers should verify answers with their specific crossword source. We are not liable for any errors or omissions in the content provided.

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