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Friday, August 7, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 07, 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. What suggests that relief is at hand? 10
2A 11. Some 4
3A 15. "News to me" 10
4A 16. Shankar who co-composed the score for 1982's "Gandhi" 4
5A 17. "Well, now everyone will know" 15
6A 19. Family nickname 3
7A 20. Spot for a light punishment 5
8A 21. Eponym of U.S. track and field's Male Athlete of the Year Award 5
9A 22. Member of the World Cup's "Tartan Army" fan base 4
10A 23. Acronymic weapon 5
11A 25. Tree whose name has multiple pronunciations 5
12A 27. Laugh, laugh, laugh 8
13A 30. Geneticist's finding 5
14A 31. Wasteful government spending, informally 4
15A 32. Big name in sandals 4
16A 33. "It's ___ or nothin'!" (classic kids' commercial slogan) 4
17A 34. Many of the characters in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" 5
18A 35. Word with block or platform 4
19A 36. Tangy hybrid 4
20A 37. Gobsmacks 4
21A 38. Elephant mascot of the Alabama Crimson Tide 5
22A 39. Elf, say 8
23A 41. They may be covered 5
24A 42. Opportunity on Mars, say 5
25A 43. Piece of ice in the drink? 4
26A 44. Name of "the other reindeer" in a common Christmas mondegreen 5
27A 46. Waffle patterns 5
28A 48. Where baked Alaska is believed to have been invented, oddly enough: Abbr. 3
29A 51. Field you make tracks in 15
30A 54. Blue rasp-"brr!"-y treat? 4
31A 55. Flying nuisance 10
32A 56. Besmirches 4
33A 57. What someone might get quickly around lunchtime 10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. What suggests that relief is at hand?"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "11. Some"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. "News to me""

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Shankar who co-composed the score for 1982's "Gandhi""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. "Well, now everyone will know""

15 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATSOUTOFTHEBAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "19. Family nickname"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a female person who has the same parents as another person
  • Similar words include: te, sister, International System
  • Opposite of: brother
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "20. Spot for a light punishment"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
  • Similar words include: radiocarpal joint, carpus, articulatio radiocarpea
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WRIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. Eponym of U.S. track and field's Male Athlete of the Year Award"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states athlete and black american whose success in the 1936 olympic games in berlin outraged hitler (1913-1980)
  • Similar words include: Owen, Robert Owen, Sir Richard Owen
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Member of the World Cup's "Tartan Army" fan base"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of scotland
  • Similar words include: Scotsman, Scotchman
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. Acronymic weapon"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. Tree whose name has multiple pronunciations"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wood of a pecan tree
  • Similar words include: Carya illinoensis, pecan tree, Carya illinoinsis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PECAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "27. Laugh, laugh, laugh"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Geneticist's finding"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Wasteful government spending, informally"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that meat from a domestic hog or pig
  • Similar words include: pork barrel, porc
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PORK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Big name in sandals"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. "It's ___ or nothin'!" (classic kids' commercial slogan)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Many of the characters in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a film made by photographing a series of cartoon drawings to give the illusion of movement when projected in rapid sequence
  • Similar words include: animated cartoon, toon, cartoon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Word with block or platform"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
  • Similar words include: dog, bounder, cad
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Tangy hybrid"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large sweet juicy hybrid between tangerine and grapefruit having a thick wrinkled skin
  • Similar words include: ugli fruit, tangelo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UGLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. Gobsmacks"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
  • Similar words include: awe, veneration, fear
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "38. Elephant mascot of the Alabama Crimson Tide"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. Elf, say"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "41. They may be covered"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short musical composition with words
  • Similar words include: vocal, strain, birdsong
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "42. Opportunity on Mars, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who leads a wandering unsettled life
  • Similar words include: bird of passage, roamer, scouter
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "43. Piece of ice in the drink?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large mass of ice floating at sea; usually broken off of a polar glacier
  • Similar words include: iceberg, Alban Berg
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BERG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "44. Name of "the other reindeer" in a common Christmas mondegreen"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small ovoid fruit of the european olive tree; important food and source of oil
  • Similar words include: Olea europaea, European olive tree
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "46. Waffle patterns"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pattern of regularly spaced horizontal and vertical lines
  • Similar words include: power grid, power system, control grid
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "48. Where baked Alaska is believed to have been invented, oddly enough: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. Field you make tracks in"

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MUSICPRODUCTION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "54. Blue rasp-"brr!"-y treat?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "55. Flying nuisance"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "56. Besmirches"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
  • Similar words include: gob, seafarer, mariner
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "57. What someone might get quickly around lunchtime"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Sets (on) 4
2D 2. Cuisine with the #1 dish in a CNN "World's 50 Best Foods" poll 4
3D 3. Intruders in urban trash cans 4
4D 4. Ones who might cut the line, in brief? 3
5D 5. Ski slope vehicle 7
6D 6. Lose affection for 6
7D 7. Wiped out, in slang 5
8D 8. Fusses 4
9D 9. No-nos at some highway intersections 9
10D 10. Trap neighbor 3
11D 11. Relationship-defining question 11
12D 12. Bejeweled target of a heist in "Ocean's Twelve" 10
13D 13. McMullin of Utah politics 4
14D 14. Features of some early presidential portraits 4
15D 18. Whole lot 4
16D 22. Films in which many stars might appear 11
17D 24. Grills, say 4
18D 25. Competitor of Rao's 5
19D 26. One likely to be "healthy, wealthy and wise," per Benjamin Franklin 10
20D 27. Vocal critic 5
21D 28. Iris settings 5
22D 29. Lofty 4
23D 30. Bit of threaded hardware 4
24D 31. Attempt to seize control 9
25D 34. Perspective 4
26D 38. One dish commonly in the 12-dish Sviata Vecheria, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas dinner 7
27D 40. Faire ___ (get by with, in French) 4
28D 41. Charm 6
29D 43. European fixture 5
30D 44. Skip over 4
31D 45. Title boy in a 2021 Pixar film 4
32D 47. Word that comes from Sanskrit for "bread" 4
33D 48. Score somewhat akin to an A- 4
34D 49. Flexible practice? 4
35D 50. Website associated with the domain www.news.com 4
36D 52. Tour org. 3
37D 53. Fields Medal winner Terence 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Sets (on)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that urge to attack someone
  • Similar words include: set, sic
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SICS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Cuisine with the #1 dish in a CNN "World's 50 Best Foods" poll"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of thailand
  • Similar words include: Tai, Central Thai, Siamese
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Intruders in urban trash cans"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
  • Similar words include: crumb, stinker, betray
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Ones who might cut the line, in brief?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rapid automatic system to detect plastic explosives in passengers' luggage using x-ray technology and computers; designed for use in airports
  • Similar words include: male erecticle dysfunction, ED, explosive detection system
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Ski slope vehicle"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNOWCAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Lose affection for"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Wiped out, in slang"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Fusses"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rapid active commotion
  • Similar words include: stir, hustle, flurry
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. No-nos at some highway intersections"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Trap neighbor"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a broad flat muscle on either side of the back
  • Similar words include: latissimus dorsi
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Relationship-defining question"

11 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Bejeweled target of a heist in "Ocean's Twelve""

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. McMullin of Utah politics"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Features of some early presidential portraits"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hairpiece covering the head and made of real or synthetic hair
  • Similar words include: wig, wigging
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "18. Whole lot"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
  • Similar words include: innkeeper, master of ceremonies, boniface
  • Opposite of: parasite
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Films in which many stars might appear"

11 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Grills, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that inquire about
  • Similar words include: take, necessitate, enquire
  • Opposite of: obviate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Competitor of Rao's"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. One likely to be "healthy, wealthy and wise," per Benjamin Franklin"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Vocal critic"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "28. Iris settings"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the part of the eye that contains the iris and ciliary body and choroid
  • Similar words include: uvea
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UVEAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "29. Lofty"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a garment size for a tall person
  • Similar words include: improbable, marvellous, grandiloquent
  • Opposite of: short
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "30. Bit of threaded hardware"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "31. Attempt to seize control"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "34. Perspective"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
  • Similar words include: select, choose, film
  • Opposite of: give, refuse
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. One dish commonly in the 12-dish Sviata Vecheria, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas dinner"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a russian or polish soup usually containing beet juice as a foundation
  • Similar words include: borsht, bortsch, borsh
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BORSCHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Faire ___ (get by with, in French)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Charm"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that induce to have sex
  • Similar words include: score, make
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEDUCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. European fixture"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a basin for washing genitals and anal area
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIDET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. Skip over"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prevent from being included or considered or accepted
  • Similar words include: leave out, exclude, drop
  • Opposite of: include, attend to
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "45. Title boy in a 2021 Pixar film"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "47. Word that comes from Sanskrit for "bread""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "48. Score somewhat akin to an A-"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
  • Similar words include: ix, Nina from Carolina, niner
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "49. Flexible practice?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility that is achieved through the three paths of actions and knowledge and devotion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YOGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "50. Website associated with the domain www.news.com"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "52. Tour org."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "53. Fields Medal winner Terence"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adherent of any branch of taoism
  • Similar words include: Taoist
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAO

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

33 Across Clues
37 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

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Last updated: August 07, 2026 at 05:09 AM

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