Wednesday's NYT Down Oct 08 - Full Vertical Grid Solutions
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 40 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: November 02 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | August 27 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | January 11 2023 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | October 08, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Wednesday |
| Total Down Clues | 40 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 40 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. It shares a 27-mile border with 27-Across |
| 2 Down | 2. Erupting hot springs |
| 3 Down | 3. "New and improved" and "For a limited time only" |
| 4 Down | 4. Kanga's kid in "Winnie-the-Pooh" |
| 5 Down | 5. Truth's alternative |
| 6 Down | 6. Where volleyball and racquetball were invented, in brief |
| 7 Down | 7. Demonym suffix |
| 8 Down | 8. Elm and Maple are common ones: Abbr. |
| 9 Down | 9. Grouch |
| 10 Down | 10. East Coast counterpart to Dreyer's in the freezer aisle |
| 11 Down | 11. Trampled |
| 12 Down | 12. Lacking principles |
| 13 Down | 15. Elder son of Isaac |
| 14 Down | 17. Positive swings |
| 15 Down | 21. More than 2,000 years ago, for short |
| 16 Down | 23. 23andMe mailing |
| 17 Down | 24. Martini or Negroni spirit |
| 18 Down | 25. "I can ___" |
| 19 Down | 28. Something you can be under when in court |
| 20 Down | 29. Go extinct |
| 21 Down | 30. Somewhat |
| 22 Down | 31. Ariana ___, Best Supporting Actress winner for 2021's "West Side Story" |
| 23 Down | 33. Receipts |
| 24 Down | 34. Cries of enlightenment |
| 25 Down | 37. Official authorization |
| 26 Down | 38. Conference ___ (college athletic association) |
| 27 Down | 39. Brouhahas |
| 28 Down | 40. Dresses warmly, with "up" |
| 29 Down | 41. Place to buy a fir at Christmas |
| 30 Down | 42. Elaborate |
| 31 Down | 43. Tundras and deserts, e.g. |
| 32 Down | 47. ___ de gallo (Mexican salsa) |
| 33 Down | 48. Scrutinize |
| 34 Down | 50. Like soufflés |
| 35 Down | 51. Bog |
| 36 Down | 52. "10 and up" preceder |
| 37 Down | 53. Degrees of success, for short? |
| 38 Down | 56. Course for becoming bilingual, for short |
| 39 Down | 57. Prefix with -morphic |
| 40 Down | 58. Noggin knock |
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:
- January 21 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
- October 12 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
- June 18 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
- January 11 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. It shares a 27-mile border with 27-Across"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: A_____A
- Similar words: Hayastan
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ARMENIA
2 Down: "2. Erupting hot springs"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: G_____S
- Similar words: geyser
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a spring that discharges hot water and steam
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
GEYSERS
3 Down: "3. "New and improved" and "For a limited time only""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: A_____K
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ADSPEAK
4 Down: "4. Kanga's kid in "Winnie-the-Pooh""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'O'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ROO
5 Down: "5. Truth's alternative"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: D__E
- Similar words: daring, make bold
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DARE
6 Down: "6. Where volleyball and racquetball were invented, in brief"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: Y__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
YMCA
7 Down: "7. Demonym suffix"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Similar words: east southeast
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the compass point midway between east and southeast
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ESE
8 Down: "8. Elm and Maple are common ones: Abbr."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STS
9 Down: "9. Grouch"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'B'
- Word pattern: C__B
- Similar words: Phthirius pubis, holler
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CRAB
10 Down: "10. East Coast counterpart to Dreyer's in the freezer aisle"
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
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EDYS
11 Down: "11. Trampled"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: R_____R
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RANOVER
12 Down: "12. Lacking principles"
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
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AMORAL
13 Down: "15. Elder son of Isaac"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'U'
- Word pattern: E__U
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ESAU
14 Down: "17. Positive swings"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'S'
- Similar words: up
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: raise
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
UPS
15 Down: "21. More than 2,000 years ago, for short"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'E'
- Similar words: B.C.E.
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BCE
16 Down: "23. 23andMe mailing"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: D____T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DNAKIT
17 Down: "24. Martini or Negroni spirit"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'N'
- Similar words: gin rummy, snare
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: strong liquor flavored with juniper berries
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
GIN
18 Down: "25. "I can ___""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: R____E
- Similar words: touch on, link up
- Opposite of: dissociate
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: make a logical or causal connection
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RELATE
19 Down: "28. Something you can be under when in court"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'H'
- Word pattern: O__H
- Similar words: expletive, curse word
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OATH
20 Down: "29. Go extinct"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: D____T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DIEOUT
21 Down: "30. Somewhat"
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 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ATAD
22 Down: "31. Ariana ___, Best Supporting Actress winner for 2021's "West Side Story""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: D____E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DEBOSE
23 Down: "33. Receipts"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: G__E
- Similar words: logic gate
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a movable barrier in a fence or wall
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
GATE
24 Down: "34. Cries of enlightenment"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 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 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AHAS
25 Down: "37. Official authorization"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'W' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: W_____T
- Similar words: endorsement, justify
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
WARRANT
26 Down: "38. Conference ___ (college athletic association)"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'A'
- Similar words: Army, U. S. Army
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
USA
27 Down: "39. Brouhahas"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: U_____S
- Similar words: brouhaha, tumultuousness
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a state of commotion and noise and confusion
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
UPROARS
28 Down: "40. Dresses warmly, with "up""
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: roll up, wad
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BUNDLES
29 Down: "41. Place to buy a fir at Christmas"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: T_____T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TREELOT
30 Down: "42. Elaborate"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
- Similar words: lend, MBD
- Opposite of: take away
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ADD
31 Down: "43. Tundras and deserts, e.g."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: B____S
- Similar words: biome
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BIOMES
32 Down: "47. ___ de gallo (Mexican salsa)"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: P__O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PICO
33 Down: "48. Scrutinize"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'V' and ends with 'T'
- Similar words: ex-serviceman, veterinarian
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a doctor who practices veterinary medicine
- This is Down clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
VET
34 Down: "50. Like soufflés"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 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 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EGGY
35 Down: "51. Bog"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: M__E
- Similar words: bog down, grind to a halt
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
- This is Down clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MIRE
36 Down: "52. "10 and up" preceder"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A__S
- Similar words: geezerhood, historic period
- Opposite of: rejuvenate
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: how long something has existed
- This is Down clue number 36
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AGES
37 Down: "53. Degrees of success, for short?"
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 37
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PHDS
38 Down: "56. Course for becoming bilingual, for short"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'L'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 38
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ESL
39 Down: "57. Prefix with -morphic"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'O'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 39
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ISO
40 Down: "58. Noggin knock"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'P'
- Similar words: whop, bonk
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 40
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BOP
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 40 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.
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