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Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Today's NYT Crossword Down Clues September 23, 2025 - Complete Top-to-Bottom Answers

Tuesday NYT Down Solutions September 23, 2025 - Every Vertical Clue Decoded with Hints

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 41 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: June 17 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | October 01 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | Universal Crossword Guide Solving Tips |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for September 23, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date September 23, 2025
Day of Week Tuesday
Total Down Clues 41 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Easy

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 41 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. "Superman & Lois" airer
2 Down 2. Country that dropped "Western" from its name in 1997
3 Down 3. Things that rain might ruin
4 Down 4. Doesn't give proper respect
5 Down 5. One of the Obama daughters
6 Down 6. Word before deck or hand
7 Down 7. Like generalizations
8 Down 8. Excommunicate, e.g.
9 Down 9. Flies off the handle
10 Down 10. Onetime nickname on the Yankees
11 Down 11. Bowl over
12 Down 12. "Bye!"
13 Down 14. Units of concrete
14 Down 19. Gem that's much mined in Australia
15 Down 24. Waikiki Beach locale
16 Down 25. Necklace or anklet bit
17 Down 28. Many a character on "The Big Bang Theory"
18 Down 29. Long-eared leaper
19 Down 30. Gym sight
20 Down 31. "Paradise Lost," e.g.
21 Down 32. Son of Adam
22 Down 34. Mayo ingredient
23 Down 35. Org. for the Knicks and Mavericks
24 Down 36. Fail to hold, in a way
25 Down 38. Gaping opening
26 Down 40. It's not said seriously
27 Down 41. Blue-skinned race in "Avatar"
28 Down 44. Decreases
29 Down 46. Camilla vis-à-vis William and Harry, informally
30 Down 48. Staple of vegan cooking
31 Down 50. ___ salt
32 Down 52. Humidifier's output
33 Down 53. Atlanta university
34 Down 54. British coins
35 Down 55. Emit, as a large sigh
36 Down 56. Hurt
37 Down 57. Peter the Great and others
38 Down 58. Goes down
39 Down 59. The Big Easy
40 Down 60. Burden
41 Down 64. Place for wallowing

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. "Superman & Lois" airer"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: T___W
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer THECW


2 Down: "2. Country that dropped "Western" from its name in 1997"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: S___A
  • Similar words: Samoan Islands, Samoa i Sisifo
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SAMOA


3 Down: "3. Things that rain might ruin"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P___S
  • Similar words: plan, program
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PLANS


4 Down: "4. Doesn't give proper respect"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S_____S
  • Similar words: rebuff, slight
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLIGHTS


5 Down: "5. One of the Obama daughters"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: S___A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SASHA


6 Down: "6. Word before deck or hand"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: U___R
  • Similar words: speed, upper berth
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the higher of two berths
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer UPPER


7 Down: "7. Like generalizations"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: B___D
  • Similar words: wide, blanket
  • Opposite of: narrow
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: slang term for a woman
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BROAD


8 Down: "8. Excommunicate, e.g."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'N'
  • Similar words: banning, forbidding
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a decree that prohibits something
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BAN


9 Down: "9. Flies off the handle"

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
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LOSESIT


10 Down: "10. Onetime nickname on the Yankees"

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
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AROD


11 Down: "11. Bowl over"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: S__N
  • Similar words: bedaze, stupefy
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a blow
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer STUN


12 Down: "12. "Bye!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: T__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TATA


13 Down: "14. Units of concrete"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S___S
  • Similar words: slab
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: block consisting of a thick piece of something
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLABS


14 Down: "19. Gem that's much mined in Australia"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: O__L
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OPAL


15 Down: "24. Waikiki Beach locale"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: O__U
  • Similar words: Oahu Island
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OAHU


16 Down: "25. Necklace or anklet bit"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: B__D
  • Similar words: pearl, drop
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a small ball with a hole through the middle
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BEAD


17 Down: "28. Many a character on "The Big Bang Theory""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: G__K
  • Similar words: flake, oddball
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a carnival performer who does disgusting acts
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GEEK


18 Down: "29. Long-eared leaper"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: H__E
  • Similar words: rabbit
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HARE


19 Down: "30. Gym sight"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
  • Similar words: matt, matte
  • Opposite of: disentangle
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MAT


20 Down: "31. "Paradise Lost," e.g."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'C'
  • Word pattern: E__C
  • Similar words: epic poem, heroic poem
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EPIC


21 Down: "32. Son of Adam"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: S__H
  • Similar words: Set
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SETH


22 Down: "34. Mayo ingredient"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'G'
  • Similar words: ball, bollock
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EGG


23 Down: "35. Org. for the Knicks and Mavericks"

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 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NBA


24 Down: "36. Fail to hold, in a way"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'G'
  • Similar words: sag down, droop
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a shape that sags
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SAG


25 Down: "38. Gaping opening"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'W'
  • Similar words: gob, hole
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: informal terms for the mouth
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MAW


26 Down: "40. It's not said seriously"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'J' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: J__T
  • Similar words: jocularity, laugh
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer JEST


27 Down: "41. Blue-skinned race in "Avatar""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: N__I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NAVI


28 Down: "44. Decreases"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: L_____S
  • Similar words: lessen, subside
  • Opposite of: increase
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: decrease in size
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LESSENS


29 Down: "46. Camilla vis-à-vis William and Harry, informally"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: S_____M
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer STEPMOM


30 Down: "48. Staple of vegan cooking"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: T__U
  • Similar words: bean curd
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: cheeselike food made of curdled soybean milk
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TOFU


31 Down: "50. ___ salt"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: E___M
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EPSOM


32 Down: "52. Humidifier's output"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: V___R
  • Similar words: vaporization, vaporisation
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer VAPOR


33 Down: "53. Atlanta university"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: E___Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EMORY


34 Down: "54. British coins"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P___E
  • Similar words: penny, centime
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PENCE


35 Down: "55. Emit, as a large sigh"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: H___E
  • Similar words: lift, pant
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HEAVE


36 Down: "56. Hurt"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: A___D
  • Similar words: suffer, yen
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: feel physical pain
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ACHED


37 Down: "57. Peter the Great and others"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: T___S
  • Similar words: tzar, czar
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TSARS


38 Down: "58. Goes down"

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: reflux, ebb
  • Opposite of: tide
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
  • This is Down clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EBBS


39 Down: "59. The Big Easy"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: N__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NOLA


40 Down: "60. Burden"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: O__S
  • Similar words: burden, encumbrance
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: an onerous or difficult concern
  • This is Down clue number 40

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ONUS


41 Down: "64. Place for wallowing"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Similar words: pigpen, pigsty
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
  • This is Down clue number 41

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer STY

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 41 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 23, 2025 at 05:13 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, September 23 2025 down clues

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