LinkedIn Pinpoint #688Answer & Analysis

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What connects "X", "Sting", "Cosmic", "Manta", "Gamma" in LinkedIn Pinpoint 688 — and why? We've got you covered! Try the hints first — you might crack it before the reveal!

Pinpoint #688 Clues:

💡Hover (desktop) or tap (mobile) each clue to see how it connects to the answer

Pinpoint #688 Answer:

The Answer

Words that come before “ray”

ⓘ Scroll down for full analysis

Compact explainer published from verified puzzle data
Published on 2026-03-19

☆Pinpoint 688 Answer & Full Analysis

Quick read: Familiar phrases and everyday terms built with one shared opening word.

Fast strategy: When the first clues are very open-ended, it is often better to wait for a more specific word before locking in a category.

The answer is Words that come before “ray”. Use the table below to check each clue, then skim the compact FAQ for the quickest path to the connection.

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Clue-by-clue evidence

How each clue connects to the answer "Words that come before “ray”"
ClueResolved readWhy it works
X"X-ray"A form of electromagnetic radiation used for imaging inside the body
Sting"Stingray"A flat marine animal with a venomous tail spine
Cosmic"Cosmic ray"High-energy radiation from outer space
Manta"Manta ray"A large species of ray known for its wide fins
Gamma"Gamma ray"Extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation
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Pinpoint #688 Full Analysis

when I saw the first clue, X, I groaned.

A single letter? That could mean almost anything.

My brain immediately split in three directions: maybe it was something about the alphabet, maybe words that start with X, or maybe… X-ray? I decided to go broad and guessed Alphabet.

And that’s when something clicked.

X… Sting… both form very familiar phrases when followed by the same word. X-ray. Stingray.

Okay. Now we’re getting somewhere.

At that point, I could feel the puzzle narrowing. It wasn’t about categories like animals or science. It was structural. A compound word pattern.

I started testing possibilities in my head:

Words ending in “ray”

Words that come before “ray”

Types of rays

“Types of rays” felt too semantic. “Words that come before ray” felt cleaner.

And since both X-ray and stingray are standard, recognizable words, I locked in:

Words ending with “ray.”

Correct. On my second guess.

The remaining clues — Cosmic, Manta, Gamma (high energy radiation) — all fit perfectly:

Cosmic ray

Manta ray

Gamma ray

Once the pattern was visible, everything lined up effortlessly.

This was one of those classic Pinpoint puzzles where the first clue feels wildly open-ended… but the second one pulls the curtain back.

Words that come before “ray”

Test compound word patterns early.** When clues feel disconnected, try pairing them with a shared word.

Don’t overthink single-letter clues. They’re often pointing toward a common phrase.

The second clue is powerful. It often confirms or destroys your first theory quickly.

If two clues form clean compounds, lean into it. Pinpoint loves elegant word constructions.

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Pinpoint #688 — Frequently Asked Questions

Why does "Words that come before “ray”" solve X, Sting, Cosmic, Manta, and Gamma?

The answer is "Words that come before “ray”" because X-ray (A form of electromagnetic radiation used for imaging inside the body); Stingray (A flat marine animal with a venomous tail spine); Cosmic ray (High-energy radiation from outer space); Manta ray (A large species of ray known for its wide fins); Gamma ray (Extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation).

How do X and Sting point to the "Words that come before “ray”" pattern?

Pinpoint's solution here — "Words that come before “ray”" — retroactively makes every clue fit. Each word connects differently: X → X-ray (A form of electromagnetic radiation used for imaging inside the body); Sting → Stingray (A flat marine animal with a venomous tail spine); Cosmic → Cosmic ray (H...

How do you solve Pinpoint #688?

When "X" appears, immediately jot down candidate compounds. "X-ray" jumps out. The decisive moment arrives when "Sting" also fits the same compound family — you're looking at "Words that come before “ray”". Ambiguous first clues are the norm, not the exception — treat clue two as the real starting signal.

Takeaway

The twist: all 5 clues become real words when prefixed with "“ray”".

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