Annoyance…or a result of watching a long tennis match? WSJ Crossword Clue

By Narcissa Kh /

Crossword Answer

1 ? P
2 ? A
3 ? I
4 ? N
5 ? I
6 ? N
7 ? T
8 ? H
9 ? E
10 ? N
11 ? E
12 ? C
13 ? K
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Interactive Solver for Annoyance...or a result of watching a long tennis match? Crossword Clue

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Your Answer 13 Letter
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      Hint 1

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      Think of an idiom that describes both an irritation and a possible physical discomfort from head movements.

      Hint 2

      meaning
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      A '?????????????' is something or someone that is particularly irritating or bothersome.

      Hint 3

      explanation
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      The phrase '?????????????' is a common idiom for something or someone that is very annoying, fitting the first part of the clue. The second part humorously suggests that watching a long tennis match could literally cause neck pain from constantly turning your head to follow the ball.

      Clue Analysis

      The clue “Annoyance…or a result of watching a long tennis match?” is a classic crossword staple, frequently appearing in puzzles like the WSJ crossword. For the puzzle dated September 20 2025, the definitive 13-letter answer is: PAININTHENECK.

      Expert Tip: When you’re stuck, try to analyze the structure of the clue itself. Is it a direct definition, a pun, a fill-in-the-blank, or a pop culture reference? Identifying the type of clue you’re dealing with is a key skill for improving your solving speed.

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      Annoyance...or a result of watching a long tennis match? Crossword Clue