NYT Crossword Down September 24, 2025: All 39 Vertical Answers & Strategic Tips
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 39 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: March 08 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | July 15 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | February 03 2023 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 24, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Wednesday |
| Total Down Clues | 39 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Medium |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 39 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. Viola of "The Woman King" |
| 2 Down | 2. "So long, Oahu!" |
| 3 Down | 3. Wrinkle smoother |
| 4 Down | 4. Part of a flight |
| 5 Down | 5. Clothing chain that began as a surf shop |
| 6 Down | 6. Like some tutoring and eldercare |
| 7 Down | 7. Smooching on a park bench, e.g., for short |
| 8 Down | 8. One who's given many instructions nowadays |
| 9 Down | 9. G.P.A. enhancer |
| 10 Down | 10. Neutralizing serum |
| 11 Down | 11. Masonry |
| 12 Down | 12. 100 C-notes |
| 13 Down | 15. Stately shade provider |
| 14 Down | 19. 2011 Peace Nobelist ___ Johnson Sirleaf |
| 15 Down | 21. Word aptly hidden in "unspoiled enclave" |
| 16 Down | 25. Lightheaded sorts? |
| 17 Down | 27. Capsule |
| 18 Down | 28. [Shocking!] |
| 19 Down | 29. Least-populous Canadian province: Abbr. |
| 20 Down | 31. Ones paying or receiving alimony |
| 21 Down | 32. Future amaryllis, e.g. |
| 22 Down | 33. Colleague |
| 23 Down | 34. Colorful ring-tailed mammals of Asia |
| 24 Down | 38. Spy novelist Deighton |
| 25 Down | 39. Most-populous Canadian province: Abbr. |
| 26 Down | 40. Festival at the end of Ramadan, informally |
| 27 Down | 42. Like the scent of some air fresheners |
| 28 Down | 43. Floor model, often |
| 29 Down | 46. Swiss cough drop brand |
| 30 Down | 47. Squealed: Var. |
| 31 Down | 49. Word with double or free |
| 32 Down | 51. Hurdles for future J.D.s |
| 33 Down | 52. Nestlé bars filled with tiny bubbles |
| 34 Down | 53. Skillful |
| 35 Down | 54. Key of Mozart's Symphony No. 6: Abbr. |
| 36 Down | 55. Squealer |
| 37 Down | 56. Thick piece |
| 38 Down | 58. Cashless deal |
| 39 Down | 60. U.K. award |
Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues
Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:
- February 03 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
- July 15 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
- February 25 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
- Ny Times Crossword Answers May 05 2025
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. Viola of "The Woman King""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: D___S
- Similar words: Jefferson Davis, John Davys
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DAVIS
2 Down: "2. "So long, Oahu!""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: A___A
- Similar words: ciao
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ALOHA
3 Down: "3. Wrinkle smoother"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'X'
- Word pattern: B___X
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BOTOX
4 Down: "4. Part of a flight"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: S__P
- Similar words: ill-use, footfall
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STEP
5 Down: "5. Clothing chain that began as a surf shop"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: P____N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PACSUN
6 Down: "6. Like some tutoring and eldercare"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: I____E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
INHOME
7 Down: "7. Smooching on a park bench, e.g., for short"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'A'
- Similar words: organizer, organiser
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PDA
8 Down: "8. One who's given many instructions nowadays"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'I'
- Word pattern: S__I
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SIRI
9 Down: "9. G.P.A. enhancer"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: E___A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EASYA
10 Down: "10. Neutralizing serum"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: A_______N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an antibody that can neutralize a specific toxin
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ANTITOXIN
11 Down: "11. Masonry"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: S_______K
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: masonry done with stone
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STONEWORK
12 Down: "12. 100 C-notes"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'G'
- Word pattern: T__G
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TENG
13 Down: "15. Stately shade provider"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'M'
- Similar words: elm tree, elmwood
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ELM
14 Down: "19. 2011 Peace Nobelist ___ Johnson Sirleaf"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: E___N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ELLEN
15 Down: "21. Word aptly hidden in "unspoiled enclave""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: E__N
- Similar words: Garden of Eden, paradise
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EDEN
16 Down: "25. Lightheaded sorts?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: B_____S
- Similar words: blond, blonde
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a person with fair skin and hair
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BLONDES
17 Down: "27. Capsule"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'D'
- Similar words: seedpod, seedcase
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
POD
18 Down: "28. [Shocking!]"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'G'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OMG
19 Down: "29. Least-populous Canadian province: Abbr."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'I'
- Similar words: I. M. Pei, Ieoh Ming Pei
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: United States architect (born in China in 1917)
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PEI
20 Down: "31. Ones paying or receiving alimony"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: E__S
- Similar words: x, X
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a man who was formerly a certain woman's husband
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EXES
21 Down: "32. Future amaryllis, e.g."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'B'
- Word pattern: B__B
- Similar words: electric light, light bulb
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BULB
22 Down: "33. Colleague"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: A_______E
- Similar words: comrade, colligate
- Opposite of: dissociate
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ASSOCIATE
23 Down: "34. Colorful ring-tailed mammals of Asia"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: R_______S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
REDPANDAS
24 Down: "38. Spy novelist Deighton"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'N'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LEN
25 Down: "39. Most-populous Canadian province: Abbr."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'T'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ONT
26 Down: "40. Festival at the end of Ramadan, informally"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'D'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EID
27 Down: "42. Like the scent of some air fresheners"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: P___Y
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PINEY
28 Down: "43. Floor model, often"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: D__O
- Similar words: demonstration, exhibit
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a visual presentation showing how something works
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DEMO
29 Down: "46. Swiss cough drop brand"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: R____A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RICOLA
30 Down: "47. Squealed: Var."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: N____D
- Similar words: irritate, nettle
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: cause annoyance in; disturb
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NARKED
31 Down: "49. Word with double or free"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: A___T
- Similar words: agentive role, federal agent
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AGENT
32 Down: "51. Hurdles for future J.D.s"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: L___S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LSATS
33 Down: "52. Nestlé bars filled with tiny bubbles"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A___S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AEROS
34 Down: "53. Skillful"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: A___T
- Similar words: mavin, ace
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
- This is Down clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ADEPT
35 Down: "54. Key of Mozart's Symphony No. 6: Abbr."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'F' and ends with 'J'
- Word pattern: F__J
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
FMAJ
36 Down: "55. Squealer"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'T'
- Similar words: stinker, shit
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 36
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RAT
37 Down: "56. Thick piece"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'B'
- Word pattern: S__B
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: block consisting of a thick piece of something
- This is Down clue number 37
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SLAB
38 Down: "58. Cashless deal"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: S__P
- Similar words: trade, barter
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an equal exchange
- This is Down clue number 38
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SWAP
39 Down: "60. U.K. award"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 39
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OBE
Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues
Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:
Why Start with Down Clues?
- Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
- Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
- Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
- Down answers often help solve Across clues
Down Clue Patterns to Recognize
- Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
- Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
- Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
- Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
- Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically
Time-Saving Down Techniques
| Technique | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Scan all Down first | Get a mental map of the vertical flow |
| Fill short Down words | 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors |
| Use crossing letters | Across letters help confirm Down answers |
| Look for themes | Related Down answers often share a theme |
Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues
What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?
Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.
Should I solve Down or Across clues first?
Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.
How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?
Today's NYT crossword has 39 Down clues.
Are Down clues easier than Across clues?
Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.
How do Down clues interact with Across clues?
Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.
No comments:
Post a Comment