Daily hard — 2026-08-26

Across

1. 4. Past tense of a verb meaning to renounce or desert. (7)
2. 5. Individuals comfortable in social settings, yet enjoy solitude. (9)
3. 7. Leader of armed forces, often in conflict regions (7)
4. 10. Barrier to hold back water in a river (3)
5. 12. Relating to the countries of Northern Europe (6)
6. 14. Awarded a document confirming a qualification. (12)
7. 15. Famous performing killer whale at SeaWorld. (5)
8. 19. Five-line stanzas found in poetry. (9)
9. 20. He composed the 1892 opera based on a mountain legend (8)
10. 21. Legal system's rules guiding formal actions (10)
11. 23. Thinks again about a decision or opinion. (11)
12. 24. A way to show appreciation for delicious cuisine. (11)
13. 25. Italian manufacturer known for high-performance motorcycles. (6)

Down

1. 1. What you might feel after a visit to the dentist. (9)
2. 2. The behaviour of a nomadic group in search of resources (5)
3. 3. Given name of the Czech-born writer Kohout. (5)
4. 6. A common mood when one is irritable or sulky (10)
5. 8. Manage without something essential. (9)
6. 9. What a bride may do before the ceremony, often with her veil. (7)
7. 11. Scornful remarks often spoken with a curled lip. (6)
8. 13. Nickname of a famous Irish footballer, known for his pace. (5)
9. 16. This brand launched 'Pong', one of the first arcade games (6)
10. 17. Term for someone who digs for gold or treasure. (6)
11. 18. Individual who explores software vulnerabilities, sometimes ethically. (6)
12. 21. A classic boxing move, made famous by many fighters (5)
13. 22. A term synonymous with kingship or sovereignty. (8)