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Friday, July 24, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 24, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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: 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. Bit of radiological work 4
2A 5. Component that may emerge from Earth's asthenosphere 5
3A 10. What drones might be mistaken for 4
4A 14. Dudes 4
5A 15. Dirt pie ingredients 5
6A 16. As it's happening 4
7A 17. Criminals in the oil industry? 10
8A 19. "Your guide to a better future" website 4
9A 20. It makes one red in the face 9
10A 21. Animals considered divine messengers in Shinto culture 4
11A 22. Aperitif with black currant liqueur 3
12A 23. Not full-bodied 4
13A 24. Like a politically diverse U.S. state 6
14A 26. When doubled, like a perfect outcome 3
15A 27. Start of a protest 3
16A 28. "Mark Twain" biographer Chernow 3
17A 29. Not show-stopping? 13
18A 33. Segue into a thesis statement 13
19A 34. "Don't sweat the small stuff!" 13
20A 35. Spanish diminutive suffix 3
21A 36. Fire 3
22A 37. One of 17 in Monopoly: Abbr. 3
23A 38. Drinks are on me! 6
24A 40. Terminal datum 4
25A 42. Like a strong bond 3
26A 45. Mine line 4
27A 46. Group with defining traits? 9
28A 48. Foul mood 4
29A 49. Tropical fruit with white flesh and a deep-red rind 10
30A 50. All the ___ 4
31A 51. "That much is obvious" 5
32A 52. A tall one may be inflated 4
33A 53. 2019 Grammy-winning album for Tyler, the Creator 4
34A 54. Rimes with rhymes 5
35A 55. Beta tester, e.g. 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Bit of radiological work"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of scanning; systematic examination of a prescribed region
  • Similar words include: run down, glance over, read
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Component that may emerge from Earth's asthenosphere"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that molten rock in the earth's crust
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAGMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. What drones might be mistaken for"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown; especially those considered to have extraterrestrial origins
  • Similar words include: UFO, flying saucer, unidentified flying object
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UFOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Dudes"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
  • Similar words include: macintosh, mack, mac
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MACS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Dirt pie ingredients"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chocolate cookie with white cream filling
  • Similar words include: oreo cookie, oreo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. As it's happening"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that inhabit or live in; be an inhabitant of
  • Similar words include: be, live on, hot
  • Opposite of: recorded, dead
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Criminals in the oil industry?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARTFORGERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. "Your guide to a better future" website"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CNET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. It makes one red in the face"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLOWNNOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Animals considered divine messengers in Shinto culture"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that distinguished from bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
  • Similar words include: cervid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Aperitif with black currant liqueur"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Not full-bodied"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having relatively few calories
  • Similar words include: calorie-free, low-cal, light
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. Like a politically diverse U.S. state"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a purple color or pigment
  • Similar words include: violet, purpleness, empurpled
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PURPLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. When doubled, like a perfect outcome"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a victory (as in a race or other competition)
  • Similar words include: gain ground, succeed, come through
  • Opposite of: losings, fail
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "27. Start of a protest"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that and nothing more
  • Similar words include: merely, just, only
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "28. "Mark Twain" biographer Chernow"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chadic language spoken in northern nigeria
  • Similar words include: Bokkos, Daffo
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "29. Not show-stopping?"

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BINGEWATCHING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Segue into a thesis statement"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERESTHETHING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. "Don't sweat the small stuff!""

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIFESTOOSHORT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Spanish diminutive suffix"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "36. Fire"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.
  • Similar words include: tin can, stool, arse
  • Opposite of: hire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "37. One of 17 in Monopoly: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "38. Drinks are on me!"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BARCAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "40. Terminal datum"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a movable barrier in a fence or wall
  • Similar words include: logic gate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "42. Like a strong bond"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta associated with old age and hypertension
  • Similar words include: abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AAA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "45. Mine line"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that joint consisting of a line formed by joining two pieces
  • Similar words include: furrow, wrinkle, crinkle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "46. Group with defining traits?"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WORDNERDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "48. Foul mood"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of agitated irritation
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "49. Tropical fruit with white flesh and a deep-red rind"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that east indian tree with thick leathery leaves and edible fruit
  • Similar words include: Garcinia mangostana, mangosteen tree
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANGOSTEEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "50. All the ___"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feeling of intense anger
  • Similar words include: furore, madness, furor
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "51. "That much is obvious""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IKNOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "52. A tall one may be inflated"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
  • Similar words include: story, taradiddle, tarradiddle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "53. 2019 Grammy-winning album for Tyler, the Creator"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IGOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "54. Rimes with rhymes"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEANN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "55. Beta tester, e.g."

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who makes use of a thing; someone who uses or employs something
  • Similar words include: drug user, substance abuser, exploiter
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Insulting talk, informally 5
2D 2. U.S. soccer legend ___ Lloyd 5
3D 3. Fox or Foxx 5
4D 4. Warning next to a suspicious link, perhaps 4
5D 5. Venus, or sometimes Mercury 11
6D 6. Lingo 5
7D 7. Silly sorts 5
8D 8. Cry from a toddler during snack time 4
9D 9. Jack or jenny 3
10D 10. Bad gut feeling? 5
11D 11. Text that's often unread 9
12D 12. Stretttccched out 8
13D 13. Place 3
14D 18. Modern deception 10
15D 21. Cookware sometimes used over campfires 10
16D 24. "Drop it!" 11
17D 25. Language of Barbados: Abbr. 3
18D 26. Tool for a sting 4
19D 27. Hons 4
20D 29. Words said while preparing to leave 9
21D 30. School described as "the chief nurse of England's statesmen" 4
22D 31. Follower of "Doctor" or "That's" 3
23D 32. Bring on 4
24D 33. Run into trouble 8
25D 34. Gay ___ (1970s movement) 3
26D 39. Serve a function 5
27D 40. Fixin' to 5
28D 41. Element whose name comes from the Greek for "inactive" 5
29D 42. Tracts 5
30D 43. Singer whose album titles represent ages 5
31D 44. Recipient of Emmys in different categories for the same role 5
32D 46. Respond to the alarm 4
33D 47. "Is the whole world against me?" 4
34D 48. Guru's honorific 3
35D 49. "Cool" quantity 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Insulting talk, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
  • Similar words include: nip, nose drops, peck
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. U.S. soccer legend ___ Lloyd"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Fox or Foxx"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a theatrical performer
  • Similar words include: player, thespian, doer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Warning next to a suspicious link, perhaps"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NSFW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Venus, or sometimes Mercury"

11 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORNINGSTAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Lingo"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
  • Similar words include: cant, lingo, vernacular
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARGOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Silly sorts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
  • Similar words include: goofball, zany, cuckoo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEESE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Cry from a toddler during snack time"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english statesman who opposed henry viii's divorce from catherine of aragon and was imprisoned and beheaded; recalled for his concept of utopia, the ideal state
  • Similar words include: Sir Thomas More, more than, to a greater extent
  • Opposite of: fewer, less
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Jack or jenny"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: arse, fucking, buttocks
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Bad gut feeling?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a circumscribed inflammatory and often suppurating lesion on the skin or an internal mucous surface resulting in necrosis of tissue
  • Similar words include: ulceration
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ULCER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Text that's often unread"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FINEPRINT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Stretttccched out"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVERLONG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Place"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: bent, exercise set, correct
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Modern deception"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONLINESCAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Cookware sometimes used over campfires"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUTCHOVENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. "Drop it!""

11 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUTTHATDOWN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Language of Barbados: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Tool for a sting"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
  • Similar words include: conducting wire, telegram, cable
  • Opposite of: unwire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Hons"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Words said while preparing to leave"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEFOREIGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. School described as "the chief nurse of England's statesmen""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Follower of "Doctor" or "That's""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a united nations agency to coordinate international health activities and to help governments improve health services
  • Similar words include: World Health Organization
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Bring on"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a newly hired employee
  • Similar words include: take, lease, engage
  • Opposite of: fire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Run into trouble"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HITASNAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "34. Gay ___ (1970s movement)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Serve a function"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
  • Similar words include: provide, ply, supply
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Fixin' to"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GONNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Element whose name comes from the Greek for "inactive""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless and odorless inert gas; one of the six inert gases; comprises approximately 1% of the earth's atmosphere
  • Similar words include: Ar, atomic number 18
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARGON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "42. Tracts"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
  • Similar words include: expanse, country, field
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AREAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "43. Singer whose album titles represent ages"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADELE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "44. Recipient of Emmys in different categories for the same role"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASNER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "46. Respond to the alarm"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)
  • Similar words include: waken, backwash, Wake Island
  • Opposite of: sleep, cause to sleep
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "47. "Is the whole world against me?""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETTU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "48. Guru's honorific"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SRI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "49. "Cool" quantity"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cypriot monetary unit equal to one thousandth of a pound
  • Similar words include: millilitre, mile, cc
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIL

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

35 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

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Last updated: July 24, 2026 at 06:07 AM

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