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Puzzle | Jan. 18, 2025

No Such Puzzle: National Thesaurus Day Heterographosynonyms

For each #NoSuchPuzzle in January, we provide a sentence with two words removed. The two words are heterographs (words that are pronounced the same but spelled differently) for two synonyms (words that mean the same). We provide the lengths of the removed words. Find the two removed words.

Example Puzzle: 


Example:   Unfortunately, the boy scout still __(5)__ some of the gear he'll need for his __(4)__-long camping trip.   Answer:   Unfortunately, the boy scout still LACKS some of the gear he'll need for his WEEK-long camping trip.  LACKS ~ LAX = WEAK ~ WEEK

Unfortunately, the boy scout still __(5)__ some of the gear he'll need for his __(4)__-long camping trip. 

Solution: Unfortunately, the boy scout still LACKS some of the gear he'll need for his WEEK-long camping trip. 
LACKS ~ LAX = WEAK ~ WEEK 
 

Puzzle One: 


Puzzle 1: The ship was __(6)__ by workers who had to shout to be heard over the deep __(4)__ of the thrumming engine.

The ship was __(6)__ by workers who had to shout to be heard over the deep __(4)__ of the thrumming engine. 

Puzzle One Answer
 

Puzzle Two: 


Puzzle 2: The shoemaker made a small __(4)__ in the leather using his __(3)__.

The shoemaker made a small __(4)__ in the leather using his __(3)__. 

Puzzle Two Answer 
 

Puzzle Three:


Puzzle 3: I used to __(5)__ hard at pictures of the Mongolian __(6)__, trying to spot camouflaged animals hiding in the grass.

I used to __(5)__ hard at pictures of the Mongolian __(6)__, trying to spot camouflaged animals hiding in the grass.


Be sure to check back next Saturday at 9 a.m. for the final puzzle!


Interested in other puzzles? Head to NSA.gov/Puzzles for the latest cryptologic challenges from NSA's puzzling community.