Wednesday NYT Down Solutions October 29, 2025 - Every Vertical Clue Decoded with Hints
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: Xwordhint Crossword Answers September_24 | September 14 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | December 04 2021 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | October 29, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Wednesday |
| Total Down Clues | 40 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Tricky |
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. Still red, say |
| 2 Down | 2. Not much |
| 3 Down | 3. Jupiter and Mars |
| 4 Down | 4. "In a way" |
| 5 Down | 5. Pick up on |
| 6 Down | 6. Loosens up |
| 7 Down | 7. Response to "Speak!" |
| 8 Down | 8. Cold-weather cryptid |
| 9 Down | 9. Neighborhood in Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" |
| 10 Down | 10. Knock back a few |
| 11 Down | 11. Big bully |
| 12 Down | 12. Aquarium diagnostic |
| 13 Down | 17. World capital near the 60th parallel |
| 14 Down | 18. Enlighten |
| 15 Down | 23. "Sorry, that's incorrect" |
| 16 Down | 24. Restaurant chain acronym |
| 17 Down | 26. Word with still or shelf |
| 18 Down | 27. "New Jack City" co-star, 1991 |
| 19 Down | 28. Spanish name found in "business" |
| 20 Down | 29. Fastener with an onomatopoeic name |
| 21 Down | 33. Bring up |
| 22 Down | 34. Pot grower? |
| 23 Down | 36. What contains a lot of darn stuff? |
| 24 Down | 37. The "Amigos" of film, e.g. |
| 25 Down | 38. Big name in magic |
| 26 Down | 41. Beer brand on "The Simpsons" |
| 27 Down | 43. Feminist sex educator Shere ___ |
| 28 Down | 44. Pompous people |
| 29 Down | 45. Non-pharmacological component of a clinical trial |
| 30 Down | 47. Pristine, as land |
| 31 Down | 48. Veterans Day event |
| 32 Down | 49. Lake that's the "thumb" of New York's Finger Lakes |
| 33 Down | 50. Certain Ivy Leaguers |
| 34 Down | 51. Rags, e.g. |
| 35 Down | 55. What a bargain hunter hopes to pay |
| 36 Down | 56. Ides of March rebuke |
| 37 Down | 59. Depend (on) |
| 38 Down | 60. Old map inits. |
| 39 Down | 62. Sound of a good car engine |
| 40 Down | 63. Designation for the Toledo Mud Hens |
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:
- August 19 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
- April 27 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
- March 20 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
- July 21 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. Still red, say"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: R__E
- Similar words: uncommon, rarefied
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RARE
2 Down: "2. Not much"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: A__T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ABIT
3 Down: "3. Jupiter and Mars"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: P_______S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PAGANGODS
4 Down: "4. "In a way""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'H'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ISH
5 Down: "5. Pick up on"
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
- Similar words: notice, discover
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: discover or determine the existence
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DETECT
6 Down: "6. Loosens up"
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: dampen, buffer
- Opposite of: stand
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: make (images or sounds) soft or softer
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SOFTENS
7 Down: "7. Response to "Speak!""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'F'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ARF
8 Down: "8. Cold-weather cryptid"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'I'
- Word pattern: Y__I
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
YETI
9 Down: "9. Neighborhood in Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: S__O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SOHO
10 Down: "10. Knock back a few"
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
- Similar words: sop up, soak up
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: take in
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
IMBIBE
11 Down: "11. Big bully"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: M____E
- Similar words: meany, unkind person
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a person of mean disposition
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MEANIE
12 Down: "12. Aquarium diagnostic"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: P____T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PHTEST
13 Down: "17. World capital near the 60th parallel"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: O__O
- Similar words: Christiania
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OSLO
14 Down: "18. Enlighten"
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
- Similar words: enlighten
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: make understand
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EDIFY
15 Down: "23. "Sorry, that's incorrect""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: U__O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
UHNO
16 Down: "24. Restaurant chain acronym"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: I__P
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
IHOP
17 Down: "26. Word with still or shelf"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: L__E
- Similar words: lifespan, lifetime
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a characteristic state or mode of living
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LIFE
18 Down: "27. "New Jack City" co-star, 1991"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: I__T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ICET
19 Down: "28. Spanish name found in "business""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: I__S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
INES
20 Down: "29. Fastener with an onomatopoeic name"
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: ginger snap, cracking
- Opposite of: inelasticity
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the act of catching an object with the hands
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SNAP
21 Down: "33. Bring up"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: R__R
- Similar words: hind end, fundament
- Opposite of: head
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the back of a military formation or procession
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
REAR
22 Down: "34. Pot grower?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: A__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ANTE
23 Down: "36. What contains a lot of darn stuff?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: S_______T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SEWINGKIT
24 Down: "37. The "Amigos" of film, e.g."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: T__O
- Similar words: threesome, triad
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TRIO
25 Down: "38. Big name in magic"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: P__N
- Similar words: Pennsylvania, William Penn
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PENN
26 Down: "41. Beer brand on "The Simpsons""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'F'
- Word pattern: D__F
- Similar words: plum duff
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DUFF
27 Down: "43. Feminist sex educator Shere ___"
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
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HITE
28 Down: "44. Pompous people"
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: prig, snob
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SNOBS
29 Down: "45. Non-pharmacological component of a clinical trial"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 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 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PLACEBO
30 Down: "47. Pristine, as land"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: U____D
- Similar words: untracked, pathless
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: lacking pathways
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
UNTROD
31 Down: "48. Veterans Day event"
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: troop, promenade
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a ceremonial procession including people marching
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PARADE
32 Down: "49. Lake that's the "thumb" of New York's Finger Lakes"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: O____A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ONEIDA
33 Down: "50. Certain Ivy Leaguers"
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 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ELIS
34 Down: "51. Rags, e.g."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: C____S
- Similar words: fabric, textile
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CLOTHS
35 Down: "55. What a bargain hunter hopes to pay"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: L__S
- Opposite of: more
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LESS
36 Down: "56. Ides of March rebuke"
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 36
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ETTU
37 Down: "59. Depend (on)"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: R__Y
- Similar words: swear, trust
- Opposite of: mistrust
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: have confidence or faith in
- This is Down clue number 37
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RELY
38 Down: "60. Old map inits."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: U__R
- Similar words: Soviet Union, Russia
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 38
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
USSR
39 Down: "62. Sound of a good car engine"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'M'
- Similar words: seethe, thrum
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 39
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HUM
40 Down: "63. Designation for the Toledo Mud Hens"
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 40
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AAA
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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