Certainly ends justify the means (3)
The Minute Cryptic clue “Certainly ends justify the means” (3) was set for Saturday, October 3, 2026. Below is the answer — blurred until you tap — followed by the definition, the wordplay and why the letters land where they do.
Certainly ends justify the means
(3)
No spoilers — the answer stays blurred until you tap.
The clue, colour-coded
How this clue works
The definition
Certainly
Our definition here is 'Certainly', and our answer will be another word for that.The wordplay
justify the means
This clue's fodder is 'justify the means'. We'll use these letters (or some of them) to construct our answer, as guided by the clue's indicator(s).The answer
The clue reads “Certainly ends justify the means” (3). The definition part — “Certainly” — points straight at YES, and the rest of the clue builds it through wordplay.
Minute Cryptic publishes a short walkthrough for this clue — watch Ben Stuart’s own explanation →
What YES means
An affirmative expression; an answer that shows agreement or acceptance.
“Was that a yes?”A vote of support or in favor/favour of something.
“The workers voted on whether to strike, and there were thirty "yeses" and one "no".”To agree with, affirm, approve.
“Did he yes the veto?”To attempt to flatter someone by habitually agreeing
aye, nod, yea, agree, consent
This clue’s puzzle day
This clue was the Minute Cryptic for Saturday, October 3, 2026. Open the October 3, 2026 puzzle page for that day’s write-up, or browse the full Minute Cryptic archive.