Half-___ (desultory)

ASSED

"Here’s a helpful hint for the clue "Half-___ (desultory)": "Think of a casual phrase meaning 'done poorly'—the missing part comes after 'half.'" This hint guides the solver toward the informal expression while keeping the answer subtle. It avoids repeating the clue and doesn’t give away "ASSED" directly."

The clue "Half-___ (desultory)" leads to the answer "ASSED" through a combination of wordplay and definition. 1. Definition Hint: The word "desultory" means lacking a plan or purpose, which aligns with the informal phrase "half-assed"—meaning done carelessly or without full effort. 2.