Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.
Quick Navigation - Table of Contents
- Today's Puzzle Difficulty
- Across Clues Table (36 clues)
- Across Clues - Detailed Hints
- Down Clues Table (39 clues)
- Down Clues - Detailed Hints
- Expert Solving Strategies
- Today's Puzzle Statistics
Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate
Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!
Across Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | 1. Longtime CBS procedural with multiple spinoffs | 4 |
| 2A | 5. Highly capable | 5 |
| 3A | 10. Ctrl+S command | 4 |
| 4A | 14. Alternative to check or credit card | 4 |
| 5A | 15. Secondary subject for a college student | 5 |
| 6A | 16. Short video | 4 |
| 7A | 17. Appropriately named bus driver on "The Simpsons" | 4 |
| 8A | 18. Alternative to épée or foil, in British English | 5 |
| 9A | 19. Tokarczuk who won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature | 4 |
| 10A | 20. Classic Hanukkah treat | 13 |
| 11A | 23. Brownish-yellow fabric | 5 |
| 12A | 24. Institution of higher education, to a Brit | 3 |
| 13A | 25. Sleeper's breathing problem | 5 |
| 14A | 27. Lead-in to "drink and be merry" | 3 |
| 15A | 28. Classic classroom party treat | 7 |
| 16A | 31. Antitrust enforcement org. | 3 |
| 17A | 32. Unfortunate accident | 6 |
| 18A | 34. Clever | 6 |
| 19A | 36. Highly pleased about | 7 |
| 20A | 38. Colored, as church glass | 7 |
| 21A | 39. Classic Halloween treat | 9 |
| 22A | 41. It's part of the job | 4 |
| 23A | 44. Prefix with classic | 3 |
| 24A | 45. Carve | 4 |
| 25A | 49. Take advantage of | 3 |
| 26A | 50. "Where'd you hear that?" | 7 |
| 27A | 54. Dream Team country, for short | 3 |
| 28A | 55. Take responsibility | 6 |
| 29A | 57. Cry from a movie director | 6 |
| 30A | 59. Classic Yuletide treat | 15 |
| 31A | 63. Prayer ender | 4 |
| 32A | 64. This should clear things up! | 5 |
| 33A | 65. Reject, as a bill | 4 |
| 34A | 66. Nothing, in Nogales | 4 |
| 35A | 67. Cries out | 5 |
| 36A | 68. Biblical garden | 4 |
Across Clues - Strategic Hints
1A: "1. Longtime CBS procedural with multiple spinoffs"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NCIS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2A: "5. Highly capable"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
- Similar words include: virtuoso, whiz, wizard
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADEPT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3A: "10. Ctrl+S command"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (sports) the act of preventing the opposition from scoring
- Similar words include: make unnecessary, redeem, pull through
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAVE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4A: "14. Alternative to check or credit card"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that money in the form of bills or coins
- Similar words include: cash in, hard cash, immediate payment
- Opposite of: credit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CASH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5A: "15. Secondary subject for a college student"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a young person of either sex
- Similar words include: nestling, tiddler, small-scale
- Opposite of: major
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINOR
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6A: "16. Short video"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a metal frame or container holding cartridges; can be inserted into an automatic gun
- Similar words include: lop, magazine, cut short
- Opposite of: unclip
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLIP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7A: "17. Appropriately named bus driver on "The Simpsons""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTTO
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8A: "18. Alternative to épée or foil, in British English"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle
- Similar words include: saber, cavalry sword
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SABRE
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9A: "19. Tokarczuk who won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLGA
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10A: "20. Classic Hanukkah treat"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHOCOLATECOIN
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11A: "23. Brownish-yellow fabric"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a sturdy twilled cloth of a yellowish brown color used especially for military uniforms
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KHAKI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12A: "24. Institution of higher education, to a Brit"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNI
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13A: "25. Sleeper's breathing problem"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that transient cessation of respiration
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APNEA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14A: "27. Lead-in to "drink and be merry""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that take in solid food
- Similar words include: eat up, deplete, corrode
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15A: "28. Classic classroom party treat"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that small cake baked in a muffin tin
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUPCAKE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16A: "31. Antitrust enforcement org."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an independent agency of the united states federal government that maintains fair and free competition; enforces federal antitrust laws; educates the public about identity theft
- Similar words include: Federal Trade Commission
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FTC
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17A: "32. Unfortunate accident"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
- Similar words include: bad luck, misadventure, mischance
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MISHAP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18A: "34. Clever"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
- Similar words include: sharp, shrewd
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASTUTE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19A: "36. Highly pleased about"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROUDOF
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20A: "38. Colored, as church glass"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that color with a liquid dye or tint
- Similar words include: tarnish, varnished, maculate
- Opposite of: unstained
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAINED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21A: "39. Classic Halloween treat"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANDYCORN
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22A: "41. It's part of the job"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
- Similar words include: tax, chore, undertaking
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TASK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23A: "44. Prefix with classic"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (used as a combining form) recent or new
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24A: "45. Carve"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that make an etching of
- Similar words include: engrave
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETCH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25A: "49. Take advantage of"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the act of using
- Similar words include: role, usage, economic consumption
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26A: "50. "Where'd you hear that?""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAYSWHO
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27A: "54. Dream Team country, for short"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that north american republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in north america plus alaska in northwest north america and the hawaiian islands in the pacific ocean; achieved independence in 1776
- Similar words include: the States, US, America
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USA
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28A: "55. Take responsibility"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEPUP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29A: "57. Cry from a movie director"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANDCUT
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30A: "59. Classic Yuletide treat"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHRISTMASCOOKIE
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31A: "63. Prayer ender"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a primeval egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at thebes
- Similar words include: Amon, Amun
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMEN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
32A: "64. This should clear things up!"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a refractive surgery procedure that reshapes the cornea
- Similar words include: laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LASIK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
33A: "65. Reject, as a bill"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a vote that blocks a decision
- Similar words include: disallow, forbid, prohibit
- Opposite of: allow, permit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VETO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
34A: "66. Nothing, in Nogales"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a quantity of no importance
- Similar words include: null, cipher, aught
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NADA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
35A: "67. Cries out"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a sharp high-pitched cry (especially by a dog)
- Similar words include: yap, yelping, yelp
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YELPS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
36A: "68. Biblical garden"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
- Similar words include: promised land, Garden of Eden, heaven
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDEN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
Down Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | 1. Sgt. or cpl. | 3 |
| 2D | 2. Go off a ski jump, say | 8 |
| 3D | 3. "Oh, really?" | 8 |
| 4D | 4. Tried to identify, in a way, as a wrapped gift | 5 |
| 5D | 5. Playground retort | 4 |
| 6D | 6. 1990s internet option | 6 |
| 7D | 7. With all judges present | 6 |
| 8D | 8. ___ de Rossi, "Arrested Development" actress | 6 |
| 9D | 9. Aspen or pine | 4 |
| 10D | 10. Reporter's big get | 5 |
| 11D | 11. Just for grins | 8 |
| 12D | 12. Short version of an impactful story | 8 |
| 13D | 13. Org. regulating water safety | 3 |
| 14D | 21. Insect that emerges en masse every 13 or 17 years | 6 |
| 15D | 22. Kind of salad whose dressing contains anchovies | 6 |
| 16D | 23. Former N.B.A. star Shawn with the nickname "Reign Man" | 4 |
| 17D | 26. Nailed, as a test | 4 |
| 18D | 29. "Once ___ a time ..." | 4 |
| 19D | 30. Character played by Bruce Lee on "The Green Hornet" | 4 |
| 20D | 33. ___ Finn | 4 |
| 21D | 35. One of three on the pitchfork in "American Gothic" | 4 |
| 22D | 37. Big Apple org. that's going to blazes? | 4 |
| 23D | 38. Flat-bottomed boat | 4 |
| 24D | 40. "That's correct!" | 3 |
| 25D | 41. Resident of Pisa or Lucca | 6 |
| 26D | 42. Condition that may require an inhaler | 6 |
| 27D | 43. Get more than a little mad | 6 |
| 28D | 46. Like many a dress shirt, with "in" | 6 |
| 29D | 47. Top execs, colloquially ... or what 20-, 28-, 39- and 59-Across are, phonetically? | 6 |
| 30D | 48. Make negative remarks about | 6 |
| 31D | 50. Not on the up and up, slangily | 3 |
| 32D | 51. In a fitting way | 5 |
| 33D | 52. Breaks (into), as a computer system | 5 |
| 34D | 53. Middle name for Lennon starting in 1969 | 3 |
| 35D | 56. "Escape (The ___ Colada Song)" | 4 |
| 36D | 58. Sign of peace | 4 |
| 37D | 60. Sallie or Fannie follower | 3 |
| 38D | 61. Hand-y communication method, for short? | 3 |
| 39D | 62. Drink slowly | 3 |
Down Clues - Strategic Hints
1D: "1. Sgt. or cpl."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NCO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2D: "2. Go off a ski jump, say"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATCHAIR
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3D: "3. "Oh, really?""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISTHATSO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4D: "4. Tried to identify, in a way, as a wrapped gift"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
- Similar words include: escape from, shake, judder
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOOK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5D: "5. Playground retort"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMSO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6D: "6. 1990s internet option"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIALUP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7D: "7. With all judges present"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENBANC
Remember this word for future puzzles!
8D: "8. ___ de Rossi, "Arrested Development" actress"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PORTIA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
9D: "9. Aspen or pine"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
- Similar words include: tree diagram, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, corner
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10D: "10. Reporter's big get"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the quantity a scoop will hold
- Similar words include: scoop out, goop, Georgia home boy
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCOOP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11D: "11. Just for grins"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLINFUN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12D: "12. Short version of an impactful story"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a brief literary description
- Similar words include: sketch
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VIGNETTE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13D: "13. Org. regulating water safety"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment
- Similar words include: Environmental Protection Agency
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14D: "21. Insect that emerges en masse every 13 or 17 years"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that stout-bodied insect with large membranous wings; male has drum-like organs for producing a high-pitched drone
- Similar words include: cicala
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CICADA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15D: "22. Kind of salad whose dressing contains anchovies"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that conqueror of gaul and master of italy (100-44 bc)
- Similar words include: Gaius Julius Caesar, Sidney Caesar, Julius Caesar
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAESAR
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16D: "23. Former N.B.A. star Shawn with the nickname "Reign Man""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KEMP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17D: "26. Nailed, as a test"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that succeed at easily
- Similar words include: sail through, sweep through, nail
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18D: "29. "Once ___ a time ...""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UPON
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19D: "30. Character played by Bruce Lee on "The Green Hornet""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KATO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20D: "33. ___ Finn"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that toweling consisting of coarse absorbent cotton or linen fabric
- Similar words include: huckaback
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUCK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21D: "35. One of three on the pitchfork in "American Gothic""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that prong on a fork or pitchfork or antler
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TINE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22D: "37. Big Apple org. that's going to blazes?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FDNY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23D: "38. Flat-bottomed boat"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any of various flat-bottomed boats with sloping ends
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCOW
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24D: "40. "That's correct!""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an affirmative
- Opposite of: no
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25D: "41. Resident of Pisa or Lucca"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a resident of tuscany
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUSCAN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26D: "42. Condition that may require an inhaler"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that respiratory disorder characterized by wheezing; usually of allergic origin
- Similar words include: bronchial asthma, asthma attack
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASTHMA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27D: "43. Get more than a little mad"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEERED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28D: "46. Like many a dress shirt, with "in""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that fit snugly into
- Similar words include: tuck, insert, gather
- Opposite of: untucked
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUCKED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29D: "47. Top execs, colloquially ... or what 20-, 28-, 39- and 59-Across are, phonetically?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CSUITE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30D: "48. Make negative remarks about"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HATEON
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31D: "50. Not on the up and up, slangily"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that type genus of the suidae
- Similar words include: genus Sus
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
32D: "51. In a fitting way"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that with competence; in a competent capable manner
- Similar words include: capably, competently, ably
- Opposite of: incompetently
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APTLY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
33D: "52. Breaks (into), as a computer system"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that one who works hard at boring tasks
- Similar words include: ward-heeler, hack on, taxicab
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HACKS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
34D: "53. Middle name for Lennon starting in 1969"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that united states musician (born in japan) who married john lennon and collaborated with him on recordings (born in 1933)
- Similar words include: Yoko Ono
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
35D: "56. "Escape (The ___ Colada Song)""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PINA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
36D: "58. Sign of peace"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any of numerous small pigeons
- Similar words include: plunk, peacenik, dive
- Opposite of: hawk
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOVE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
37D: "60. Sallie or Fannie follower"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
38D: "61. Hand-y communication method, for short?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the sign language used in the united states
- Similar words include: American sign language
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
39D: "62. Drink slowly"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a small drink
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
Expert Solving Strategies
Start Smart
Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.
Decode the Clues
Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.
Use Cross-References
Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.
Build Vocabulary
Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.
Today's Puzzle Stats
36 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
75 Total Clues
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