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 (38 clues)
- Down Clues - Detailed Hints
- Expert Solving Strategies
- Today's Puzzle Statistics
Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging
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. Fall behind | 3 |
| 2A | 4. Angle symbol, in geometry | 5 |
| 3A | 9. Indonesian getaway spot | 4 |
| 4A | 13. Ginger ___ | 3 |
| 5A | 14. Some fountain drinks | 5 |
| 6A | 15. Boardroom V.I.P. | 4 |
| 7A | 16. Checkmate in chess or gin in gin rummy | 3 |
| 8A | 17. "Heyo!" | 5 |
| 9A | 18. Congressional staffer | 4 |
| 10A | 19. Hospital worker tending to newborns | 13 |
| 11A | 22. Creature that moves at an average speed of 0.03 miles per hour | 5 |
| 12A | 23. Pendulum's path | 3 |
| 13A | 24. Awards for ad agencies | 5 |
| 14A | 28. Mystique | 4 |
| 15A | 31. Bar attraction with a saddle and horns | 14 |
| 16A | 36. 1985 mystery film with three different endings | 4 |
| 17A | 37. Buffoons | 5 |
| 18A | 38. Director DaCosta of "The Marvels" | 3 |
| 19A | 39. Key not found on a Mac | 3 |
| 20A | 40. ___ asada | 5 |
| 21A | 41. Kiss or Heart | 4 |
| 22A | 42. Segments of Earth's lithosphere | 14 |
| 23A | 45. Gritty film genre | 4 |
| 24A | 46. Suggest | 5 |
| 25A | 47. Classic British cars | 3 |
| 26A | 49. Concern for a singer or a salesman | 5 |
| 27A | 53. Iconic 1977 Queen hit ... or a hint to 19-, 31- and 42-Across | 13 |
| 28A | 58. Coffee, informally | 4 |
| 29A | 59. Birthplace of Marlon Brando and Warren Buffett | 5 |
| 30A | 60. Many a groan-inducing joke | 3 |
| 31A | 61. Egg-shaped | 4 |
| 32A | 62. "Caution: Wet ___" | 5 |
| 33A | 63. Antlered animal | 3 |
| 34A | 64. Cohort also known as "Zoomers" | 4 |
| 35A | 65. Climbs without a partner, e.g. | 5 |
| 36A | 66. Sponsored posts, e.g. | 3 |
Across Clues - Strategic Hints
1A: "1. Fall behind"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the act of slowing down or falling behind
- Similar words include: jail, meanwhile, immure
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2A: "4. Angle symbol, in geometry"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the 8th letter of the greek alphabet
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THETA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3A: "9. Indonesian getaway spot"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an island in indonesia to the east of java; striking volcanic scenery; culture is known for elaborate dances and rituals and for handicrafts
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BALI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4A: "13. Ginger ___"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5A: "14. Some fountain drinks"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that large genus of african trees bearing kola nuts
- Similar words include: cola, Cola, genus Cola
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COLAS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6A: "15. Boardroom V.I.P."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the chief executive department of the united states government
- Similar words include: White House
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXEC
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7A: "16. Checkmate in chess or gin in gin rummy"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a victory (as in a race or other competition)
- Similar words include: come through, advance, winnings
- Opposite of: fail, lose
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
8A: "17. "Heyo!""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)
- Similar words include: bellowing, holloa, roar
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOLLA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
9A: "18. Congressional staffer"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer
- Similar words include: auxiliary, adjutant, aide-de-camp
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIDE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10A: "19. Hospital worker tending to newborns"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEONATALNURSE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11A: "22. Creature that moves at an average speed of 0.03 miles per hour"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that freshwater or marine or terrestrial gastropod mollusk usually having an external enclosing spiral shell
- Similar words include: escargot
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNAIL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12A: "23. Pendulum's path"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
- Similar words include: curve, arch, spark
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARC
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13A: "24. Awards for ad agencies"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (greek mythology) the muse of history
- Similar words include: Clio
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLIOS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14A: "28. Mystique"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure
- Similar words include: nimbus, aureole, gloriole
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AURA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15A: "31. Bar attraction with a saddle and horns"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MECHANICALBULL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16A: "36. 1985 mystery film with three different endings"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a slight indication
- Similar words include: cue, clew, hint
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLUE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17A: "37. Buffoons"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a compact mass
- Similar words include: oaf, gawk, chunk
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLODS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18A: "38. Director DaCosta of "The Marvels""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19A: "39. Key not found on a Mac"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
- Similar words include: EL, altitude, elevation
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20A: "40. ___ asada"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARNE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21A: "41. Kiss or Heart"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an unofficial association of people or groups
- Similar words include: dance orchestra, stria, stripe
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAND
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22A: "42. Segments of Earth's lithosphere"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TECTONICPLATES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23A: "45. Gritty film genre"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOIR
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24A: "46. Suggest"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GETAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25A: "47. Classic British cars"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that one thousandth (1/1,000) gram
- Similar words include: atomic number 12, magnesium, milligram
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MGS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26A: "49. Concern for a singer or a salesman"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
- Similar words include: lurch, gear, huckster
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PITCH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27A: "53. Iconic 1977 Queen hit ... or a hint to 19-, 31- and 42-Across"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEWILLROCKYOU
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28A: "58. Coffee, informally"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an island in indonesia to the south of borneo; one of the world's most densely populated regions
- Similar words include: coffee
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAVA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29A: "59. Birthplace of Marlon Brando and Warren Buffett"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in the missouri river valley in northeastern nebraska
- Similar words include: Maha
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMAHA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30A: "60. Many a groan-inducing joke"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a humorous play on words
- Similar words include: punning, paronomasia, wordplay
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31A: "61. Egg-shaped"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
- Similar words include: elliptic, ellipse, ovoid
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVAL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
32A: "62. "Caution: Wet ___""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a substance used as a coating to protect or decorate a surface (especially a mixture of pigment suspended in a liquid); dries to form a hard coating
- Similar words include: rouge, blusher, key
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAINT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
33A: "63. Antlered animal"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called `elk' in europe and `moose' in north america
- Similar words include: wapiti, Cervus elaphus, European elk
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
34A: "64. Cohort also known as "Zoomers""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENZ
Remember this word for future puzzles!
35A: "65. Climbs without a partner, e.g."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any activity that is performed alone without assistance
- Similar words include: solo
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOLOS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
36A: "66. Sponsored posts, e.g."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a public promotion of some product or service
- Similar words include: advertisement, advertizing, ad
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
Down Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | 1. Settings for some bocce games | 5 |
| 2D | 2. Extraterrestrial | 5 |
| 3D | 3. Birthplace of Columbus | 5 |
| 4D | 4. Birth name of Marvel Comics' Black Panther | 7 |
| 5D | 5. Owl's sound | 4 |
| 6D | 6. Jazzy Fitzgerald | 4 |
| 7D | 7. Like most N.B.A. players | 4 |
| 8D | 8. Yogi's pose | 5 |
| 9D | 9. Yogi, once | 7 |
| 10D | 10. x or y | 4 |
| 11D | 11. Beginning of a story, for a journalist | 4 |
| 12D | 12. Bartender's supply | 3 |
| 13D | 20. Specialized subject | 5 |
| 14D | 21. Eurasian mountain range | 5 |
| 15D | 25. Like Peruvian pyramids | 5 |
| 16D | 26. Offshore drilling site | 6 |
| 17D | 27. Wall-mounted light fixture | 6 |
| 18D | 29. Attack | 5 |
| 19D | 30. Skirt style introduced by Christian Dior | 5 |
| 20D | 31. Exam for a future doc | 4 |
| 21D | 32. Actress Pompeo of "Grey's Anatomy" | 5 |
| 22D | 33. Big name in carving knives | 5 |
| 23D | 34. Skilled | 5 |
| 24D | 35. Young fellows | 4 |
| 25D | 40. One of more than 30 dogs owned by Queen Elizabeth II throughout her life | 5 |
| 26D | 41. Hand-dyed fabric | 5 |
| 27D | 43. Vice-presidential candidate of 2024 | 7 |
| 28D | 44. Pet sitters? | 7 |
| 29D | 48. Spills (over) | 5 |
| 30D | 50. Ambitious and high-energy, say | 5 |
| 31D | 51. "The Little Engine That ___" | 5 |
| 32D | 52. Many men on dating shows | 5 |
| 33D | 53. What a surfer might ride | 4 |
| 34D | 54. Broadway's "Dear ___ Hansen" | 4 |
| 35D | 55. Reaction to a hilarious text | 4 |
| 36D | 56. Commute option | 4 |
| 37D | 57. "I'm in trouble!" | 4 |
| 38D | 58. Light run | 3 |
Down Clues - Strategic Hints
1D: "1. Settings for some bocce games"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a field of cultivated and mowed grass
- Similar words include: lawn
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAWNS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2D: "2. Extraterrestrial"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
- Similar words include: exotic, estrange, extraterrestrial being
- Opposite of: acquaintance, citizen
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIEN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3D: "3. Birthplace of Columbus"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a seaport in northwestern italy; provincial capital of liguria
- Similar words include: Genova
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENOA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4D: "4. Birth name of Marvel Comics' Black Panther"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TCHALLA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5D: "5. Owl's sound"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
- Similar words include: shucks, boo, razzing
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOOT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6D: "6. Jazzy Fitzgerald"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELLA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7D: "7. Like most N.B.A. players"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a garment size for a tall person
- Similar words include: magniloquent, marvellous, marvelous
- Opposite of: short
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
8D: "8. Yogi's pose"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (hinduism) a posture or manner of sitting (as in the practice of yoga)
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASANA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
9D: "9. Yogi, once"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEARCUB
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10D: "10. x or y"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions
- Similar words include: axis of rotation, axis vertebra, bloc
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXIS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11D: "11. Beginning of a story, for a journalist"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the introductory section of a story
- Similar words include: lead-in, lead
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEDE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12D: "12. Bartender's supply"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
- Similar words include: chalk, icing, internal-combustion engine
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13D: "20. Specialized subject"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a position particularly well suited to the person who occupies it
- Similar words include: corner, ecological niche, recess
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NICHE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14D: "21. Eurasian mountain range"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a mountain range in western russia extending from the arctic to the caspian sea; forms part of the traditional boundary between europe and asia
- Similar words include: Ural Mountains
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: URALS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15D: "25. Like Peruvian pyramids"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a member of the quechuan people living in the cuzco valley in peru
- Similar words include: Inka, Inca
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCAN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16D: "26. Offshore drilling site"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that rig used in drilling for oil or gas
- Similar words include: oil rig, drill rig, drilling rig
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OILRIG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17D: "27. Wall-mounted light fixture"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a shelter or screen providing protection from enemy fire or from the weather
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCONCE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18D: "29. Attack"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUNAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19D: "30. Skirt style introduced by Christian Dior"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight
- Similar words include: adjust, line up, align
- Opposite of: skew
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALINE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20D: "31. Exam for a future doc"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MCAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21D: "32. Actress Pompeo of "Grey's Anatomy""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELLEN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22D: "33. Big name in carving knives"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUTCO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23D: "34. Skilled"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
- Similar words include: whiz, superstar, practiced
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADEPT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24D: "35. Young fellows"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a boy or man
- Similar words include: sonny boy, lad, fellow
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25D: "40. One of more than 30 dogs owned by Queen Elizabeth II throughout her life"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that either of two welsh breeds of long-bodied short-legged dogs with erect ears and a fox-like head
- Similar words include: Welsh corgi
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORGI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26D: "41. Hand-dyed fabric"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a dyed fabric; a removable wax is used where the dye is not wanted
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BATIK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27D: "43. Vice-presidential candidate of 2024"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIMWALZ
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28D: "44. Pet sitters?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAPCATS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29D: "48. Spills (over)"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that wet feed (especially for pigs) consisting of mostly kitchen waste mixed with water or skimmed or sour milk
- Similar words include: mush, squish, slosh
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLOPS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30D: "50. Ambitious and high-energy, say"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TYPEA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31D: "51. "The Little Engine That ___""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COULD
Remember this word for future puzzles!
32D: "52. Many men on dating shows"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a well-built sexually attractive man
- Similar words include: lump, hunk
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUNKS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
33D: "53. What a surfer might ride"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
- Similar words include: undulation, beckon, roll
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAVE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
34D: "54. Broadway's "Dear ___ Hansen""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVAN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
35D: "55. Reaction to a hilarious text"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LMAO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
36D: "56. Commute option"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
- Similar words include: railing, vilify, inveigh
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAIL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
37D: "57. "I'm in trouble!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OHNO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
38D: "58. Light run"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a sharp change in direction
- Similar words include: ramble on, even up, trot
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JOG
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
38 Down Clues
74 Total Clues
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