Across
- 2. His ---- excuse for not completing the project, claiming his dog ate his flash drive, was immediately rejected by his professor.
- 4. The ---- instructions for assembling the new furniture left everyone feeling confused.
- 7. The team's spirit was ---- by the coach's encouraging speech, leading them to victory in the final moments of the game.
- 8. The seasoned detective was known for his sharp mental -----, which allowed him to notice clues others often missed.
- 9. The ---- of smartphones means that people are almost always reachable, no matter where they are.
- 10. The supervisor's ---- feedback, while blunt, was exactly what the employee needed to improve their performance.
Down
- 1. The coastal town experienced a massive ----- of tourists during the peak of summer, overwhelming local restaurants.
- 3. The new superhero movie aims to ---- the classic values of justice and self-sacrifice.
- 5. The artist used an ---- watercolor to create the dark, stormy background of the painting.
- 6. The politician's gaffe became instant ----- for late-night talk shows and online memes.