clues
Evidence for detectives
Clues is the plural of clue—pieces of evidence or information that help solve a puzzle, mystery, or problem.
Detectives follow clues to catch criminals; crossword solvers work from clues to fill in answers.
The detective gathered clues at the crime scene.
To be clueless is to lack understanding entirely.
Indirect suggestions
- suggestionsProposed ideas or advice
- tipsExtras for servers
- pointersIndicators that guide
- indicationsEvidence suggesting something
leads · cues · inklings · intimations · signposts · nudges · whispers · glimpses
Crime fiction identifying perpetrator
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- noirHard-boiled film genre
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
enigma · secrets · thriller · crime · twist · culprit · murder · motive
Professional crime investigator
- sleuthPrivate investigator
- interrogateQuestion formally and persistently
- witnessOne who attests
- suspectBelieve to be likely
scene · inquiry · deduction · surveillance · stakeout · undercover · informant · interview
Clue-based letter grid
- jigsawPuzzle or curve-cutting tool
- riddlePuzzling question to solve
- cryptogramCoded message puzzle
- anagramReshuffled letter word
trivia · wordplay · logic · solution · brainteaser · acrostic · cipher · decoder
Facts supporting truth
- forensicsScientific crime-scene analysis
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
alibi · ballistics · proof · documentation · artifact · trace · footprints · hair
hints
Indirect suggestions
- suggestionsProposed ideas or advice
- tipsExtras for servers
- pointersIndicators that guide
indications · leads · cues · inklings · intimations · signposts · nudges · whispers · glimpses · signals
whodunit
Crime fiction identifying perpetrator
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- noirHard-boiled film genre
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
intrigue · enigma · secrets · thriller · crime · twist · culprit · murder · motive · sleuth
detective
Professional crime investigator
- sleuthPrivate investigator
- interrogateQuestion formally and persistently
- witnessOne who attests
suspect · scene · inquiry · deduction · surveillance · stakeout · undercover · informant · interview · search
crossword
Clue-based letter grid
- jigsawPuzzle or curve-cutting tool
- riddlePuzzling question to solve
- cryptogramCoded message puzzle
anagram · trivia · wordplay · logic · solution · brainteaser · acrostic · cipher · decoder · hidden
evidence
Facts supporting truth
- forensicsScientific crime-scene analysis
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- DNAHereditary code molecule
testimony · alibi · ballistics · proof · documentation · artifact · trace · footprints · hair · fibers
- Charadesacting, miming, gestures, pantomime, guessing
- game mechanicslevels, rules, cooldown, points, health points
- true crimetrue crime, cold case, crime docs, unsolved mystery, murder mystery
- clueshint, hints, cue, cues, tip
- crossword puzzlegrid, squares, blanks, answers, letters
- detective wordsevidence, crime, motive, suspect, culprit
cluesconcealment
Act of hiding something
obfuscation · cover-ups · hides · withholds · secrets
cluesanswers
Reactions to queries
solutions · revelations · explanations · proofs · conclusions
cluesred herrings
Misleading clues or information
misdirections · decoys · distractions · misinformation · wild goose chases
- no clueState of ignorance
- get a clueBecome aware, finally
- have a clueGrasp the situation
- clued inMade aware of something
- has a cluePossesses helpful information
- clue inProvide inside information