Ironclad Orc army (5)
The Minute Cryptic clue “Ironclad Orc army” (5) was set for Monday, August 31, 2026. Below is the answer — blurred until you tap — followed by the definition, the wordplay and why the letters land where they do.
Ironclad Orc army
(5)
No spoilers — the answer stays blurred until you tap.
The clue, colour-coded
How this clue works
The definition
army
Our definition here is 'army', and our answer will be another word for that.The wordplay
Iron + Orc
This clue's fodder is 'Iron' and 'Orc'. We'll need to find a short substitute for one of these and use it with the letters of the other to construct our answer, as guided by the clue's indicator(s).The answer
The clue reads “Ironclad Orc army” (5). The definition part — “army” — points straight at FORCE, and the rest of the clue builds it through wordplay.
Minute Cryptic publishes a short walkthrough for this clue — watch willn’s own explanation →
What FORCE means
Strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigour; might; capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect.
“the force of an appeal, an argument, or a contract”Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion.
To violate (a woman); to rape.
To exert oneself, to do one's utmost.
police, police department, police service, effect, personnel, forcefulness, strength
This clue’s puzzle day
This clue was the Minute Cryptic for Monday, August 31, 2026. Open the August 31, 2026 puzzle page for that day’s write-up, or browse the full Minute Cryptic archive.