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Sunday, September 28, 2025

NYT Down Clues Answers September 28, 2025 - All 69 Vertical Solutions & Expert Hints

NYT Down Today September 28, 2025: Complete Vertical Clues Walkthrough

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 69 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: June 22 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | January 24 2024 NYT Clues Solutions | August 12 2022 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for September 28, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Sunday, September 28, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date September 28, 2025
Day of Week Sunday
Total Down Clues 69 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Tricky

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 69 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. Title heroine described as "handsome, clever and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition"
2 Down 2. Dough
3 Down 3. Fly-catching bird with a name derived from Greek
4 Down 4. Driveway goo
5 Down 5. As a whole
6 Down 6. Moves elsewhere
7 Down 7. Tenured profs, often
8 Down 8. Small battery … or an org. that might help with a battery
9 Down 9. It's all in your head
10 Down 10. Mother of Joseph and Benjamin, in the Bible
11 Down 11. Book after Song of Solomon
12 Down 12. French cocktail made with crème de cassis
13 Down 13. Mirrored
14 Down 14. Reasoned conclusion
15 Down 15. Brewski
16 Down 16. Bulldog fan in Connecticut
17 Down 17. Santa ___
18 Down 18. Stellar
19 Down 19. Van ___ Avenue, thoroughfare in San Francisco
20 Down 28. Minds one's P's and Q's
21 Down 31. Contribute (to), as one's reputation
22 Down 34. Been asleep, say
23 Down 35. Texter's "Beats me"
24 Down 36. Small inlet
25 Down 38. Li'l
26 Down 43. One-named singer born in Nigeria
27 Down 45. Skier's conveyance
28 Down 46. Online site for DIYers
29 Down 47. Time out, perhaps
30 Down 48. Info commonly shown on a board game box
31 Down 50. Clown around with food?
32 Down 51. City SE of Phoenix
33 Down 52. Purpose of some cameras
34 Down 55. Reaches a shared opinion about
35 Down 56. Holistic contentment
36 Down 57. Some beans or sauces
37 Down 59. "E pluribus ___"
38 Down 62. Sport
39 Down 65. Matrix
40 Down 67. Sun bloc?
41 Down 68. Pretty ___ picture
42 Down 70. Moving around
43 Down 72. Attack
44 Down 74. You can put a ring on it
45 Down 76. Back
46 Down 78. Came back, as hair
47 Down 79. Music's Fatboy Slim and David Guetta, informally
48 Down 81. Error message on a Blu-ray device
49 Down 83. Targeted (to)
50 Down 85. Key for a quick exit
51 Down 92. Boils with rage
52 Down 95. Liberal-leaning
53 Down 97. Chinese "nut" that's really a fruit
54 Down 98. Makes small in comparison
55 Down 99. Government debt obligations, familiarly
56 Down 100. 40 winks
57 Down 101. ___ fatale
58 Down 102. Gets 40 winks
59 Down 103. Letter-shaped train track piece
60 Down 104. "To ___ own self be true"
61 Down 105. Sharpened
62 Down 106. George of "Star Trek"
63 Down 107. Bad thing to discover in the pantry
64 Down 108. AA or JJ, e.g.
65 Down 111. Jazz singer Sylvia ___
66 Down 113. Come to
67 Down 114. "For sure"
68 Down 116. Org. that merged with the U.F.C. in 2023
69 Down 117. Kind of party

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:

Complete Down Solutions:


1 Down: "1. Title heroine described as "handsome, clever and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 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 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EMMA


2 Down: "2. Dough"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: M____H
  • Similar words: clams, kale
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: informal terms for money
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MOOLAH


3 Down: "3. Fly-catching bird with a name derived from Greek"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P____E
  • Similar words: Sayornis phoebe, quintet
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PHOEBE


4 Down: "4. Driveway goo"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'R'
  • Similar words: mariner, pitch
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TAR


5 Down: "5. As a whole"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: O_____L
  • Similar words: boilers suit, boilersuit
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OVERALL


6 Down: "6. Moves elsewhere"

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
  • Similar words: resettle
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: settle in a new place
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RESETTLES


7 Down: "7. Tenured profs, often"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P__S
  • Similar words: PhD, Ph.D.
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PHDS


8 Down: "8. Small battery … or an org. that might help with a battery"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AAA


9 Down: "9. It's all in your head"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P____E
  • Similar words: soul, mind
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PSYCHE


10 Down: "10. Mother of Joseph and Benjamin, in the Bible"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: R____L
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RACHEL


11 Down: "11. Book after Song of Solomon"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: I____H
  • Similar words: Book of Isaiah
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ISAIAH


12 Down: "12. French cocktail made with crème de cassis"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'R'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KIR


13 Down: "13. Mirrored"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: A__D
  • Similar words: caricature, ape
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: imitate uncritically and in every aspect
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer APED


14 Down: "14. Reasoned conclusion"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: I_______E
  • Similar words: illation
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer INFERENCE


15 Down: "15. Brewski"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C_____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer COLDONE


16 Down: "16. Bulldog fan in Connecticut"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'I'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ELI


17 Down: "17. Santa ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: M____A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MONICA


18 Down: "18. Stellar"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: A____L
  • Similar words: stellar
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ASTRAL


19 Down: "19. Van ___ Avenue, thoroughfare in San Francisco"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: N__S
  • Similar words: cape
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a strip of land projecting into a body of water
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NESS


20 Down: "28. Minds one's P's and Q's"

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: behave, carry
  • Opposite of: misbehave
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BEHAVES


21 Down: "31. Contribute (to), as one's reputation"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: R_____D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: return or recoil
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer REDOUND


22 Down: "34. Been asleep, say"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: L__N
  • Similar words: lie in, rest
  • Opposite of: stand
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LAIN


23 Down: "35. Texter's "Beats me""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'K'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IDK


24 Down: "36. Small inlet"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RIA


25 Down: "38. Li'l"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: I__Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ITSY


26 Down: "43. One-named singer born in Nigeria"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S__E
  • Similar words: de Sade, Marquis de Sade
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SADE


27 Down: "45. Skier's conveyance"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: T__R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TBAR


28 Down: "46. Online site for DIYers"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: E__W
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EHOW


29 Down: "47. Time out, perhaps"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: V______N
  • Similar words: holiday
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer VACATION


30 Down: "48. Info commonly shown on a board game box"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: A______L
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AGELEVEL


31 Down: "50. Clown around with food?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: M______D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MCDONALD


32 Down: "51. City SE of Phoenix"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: C______R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CHANDLER


33 Down: "52. Purpose of some cameras"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S______Y
  • Similar words: security system, certificate
  • Opposite of: insecurity
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the state of being free from danger or injury
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SECURITY


34 Down: "55. Reaches a shared opinion about"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: A______N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AGREESON


35 Down: "56. Holistic contentment"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'W' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: W______S
  • Similar words: health
  • Opposite of: illness
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer WELLNESS


36 Down: "57. Some beans or sauces"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S__S
  • Similar words: soy, soja bean
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SOYS


37 Down: "59. "E pluribus ___""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: U__M
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer UNUM


38 Down: "62. Sport"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'W' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: W__R
  • Similar words: fag, wear out
  • Opposite of: refresh
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: impairment resulting from long use
  • This is Down clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer WEAR


39 Down: "65. Matrix"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: A___Y
  • Similar words: regalia, range
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: an orderly arrangement
  • This is Down clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARRAY


40 Down: "67. Sun bloc?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 40

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NBA


41 Down: "68. Pretty ___ picture"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 41

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ASA


42 Down: "70. Moving around"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: A___R
  • Similar words: about, up
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: out of bed
  • This is Down clue number 42

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ASTIR


43 Down: "72. Attack"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: S_____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 43

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SETUPON


44 Down: "74. You can put a ring on it"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: E_____E
  • Similar words: ear lobe
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the fleshy pendulous part of the external human ear
  • This is Down clue number 44

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EARLOBE


45 Down: "76. Back"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: D____D
  • Similar words: fight down, oppose
  • Opposite of: attack
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: argue or speak in defense of
  • This is Down clue number 45

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DEFEND


46 Down: "78. Came back, as hair"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: G____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 46

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GREWIN


47 Down: "79. Music's Fatboy Slim and David Guetta, informally"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: disk jockey, disk-jockey
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a person who announces and plays popular recorded music
  • This is Down clue number 47

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DJS


48 Down: "81. Error message on a Blu-ray device"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'C'
  • Word pattern: N____C
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 48

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NODISC


49 Down: "83. Targeted (to)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: G____D
  • Similar words: pitch, gear
  • Opposite of: ungeared
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: set the level or character of
  • This is Down clue number 49

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GEARED


50 Down: "85. Key for a quick exit"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'C'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 50

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ESC


51 Down: "92. Boils with rage"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: S_____D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 51

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SEESRED


52 Down: "95. Liberal-leaning"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: L_____T
  • Similar words: left-of-center, left-wing
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a person who belongs to the political left
  • This is Down clue number 52

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LEFTIST


53 Down: "97. Chinese "nut" that's really a fruit"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: L____I
  • Similar words: litchi nut, litchi tree
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 53

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LITCHI


54 Down: "98. Makes small in comparison"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: D____S
  • Similar words: overshadow, nanus
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a person who is markedly small
  • This is Down clue number 54

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DWARFS


55 Down: "99. Government debt obligations, familiarly"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: T____S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 55

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TBONDS


56 Down: "100. 40 winks"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: S____A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)
  • This is Down clue number 56

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SIESTA


57 Down: "101. ___ fatale"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: F___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 57

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FEMME


58 Down: "102. Gets 40 winks"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: R___S
  • Similar words: ease, rest
  • Opposite of: be active
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: something left after other parts have been taken away
  • This is Down clue number 58

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RESTS


59 Down: "103. Letter-shaped train track piece"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: I___L
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 59

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IRAIL


60 Down: "104. "To ___ own self be true""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 60

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer THINE


61 Down: "105. Sharpened"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: H___D
  • Similar words: hone, perfect
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: sharpen with a hone
  • This is Down clue number 61

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HONED


62 Down: "106. George of "Star Trek""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: T___I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 62

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TAKEI


63 Down: "107. Bad thing to discover in the pantry"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: S___L
  • Similar words: odour, scent
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 63

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SMELL


64 Down: "108. AA or JJ, e.g."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: P__R
  • Similar words: yoke, partner off
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a set of two similar things considered as a unit
  • This is Down clue number 64

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PAIR


65 Down: "111. Jazz singer Sylvia ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S__S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 65

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SYMS


66 Down: "113. Come to"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Similar words: follow, live
  • Opposite of: differ
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
  • This is Down clue number 66

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARE


67 Down: "114. "For sure""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'S'
  • Opposite of: no
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: an affirmative
  • This is Down clue number 67

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer YES


68 Down: "116. Org. that merged with the U.F.C. in 2023"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'W' and ends with 'E'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 68

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer WWE


69 Down: "117. Kind of party"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'N'
  • Similar words: biddy
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: adult female chicken
  • This is Down clue number 69

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HEN

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

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. 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 69 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.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: September 28, 2025 at 05:12 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, September 28 2025 down clues

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