Search Clues

Thursday, September 10, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 10, 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: 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. TikTok stars, to many 5
2A 6. Locale for an old flame? 4
3A 10. Shell in the water 4
4A 14. December air 5
5A 15. Who's that woman in Paris? 4
6A 16. Red-haired outdoorsman in Genesis 4
7A 17. Per_w_nkle? 10
8A 19. Rider's line 4
9A 20. Raison d'___ 4
10A 21. Holding liable 7
11A 23. More apt to cut in line, say 7
12A 26. Keep from leaving port through low visibility 5
13A 27. New Year's date, concisely 6
14A 28. Simulator of coastal phenomena 8
15A 31. Cleared of dust, say 5
16A 32. Targets for hawks 4
17A 33. Literary name that's a letter short of its holder's occupation 3
18A 34. Proc_dur_? 15
19A 38. Horror director Aster 3
20A 39. Starting points of many Jewish observances 4
21A 40. Dull and dim 5
22A 41. Abstract 8
23A 44. Oldest sister on "The Brady Bunch" 6
24A 45. Bad spelling, perhaps 5
25A 46. Ground-dwelling game bird of the western U.S. 7
26A 47. Portmanteau for a radical environmentalist 7
27A 49. ["Your fly is open"] 4
28A 50. Choo-choo noise 4
29A 51. Grou_ of _or_oises? 10
30A 56. Dance done in concentric circles 4
31A 57. Leaves for drinks 4
32A 58. Construction site sight 5
33A 59. Decides to take part, with "in" 4
34A 60. Skin-care brand with a "cheer"-ful sounding name 4
35A 61. Filler akin to "like ..." or "I mean ..." 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. TikTok stars, to many"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a material effigy that is worshipped
  • Similar words include: graven image, matinee idol, god
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDOLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Locale for an old flame?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any piece of cord that conveys liquid by capillary action
  • Similar words include: taper
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WICK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Shell in the water"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
  • Similar words include: Isaac Hull, Kingston-upon Hull, Cordell Hull
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HULL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. December air"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that joyful religious song celebrating the birth of christ
  • Similar words include: Christmas carol
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAROL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Who's that woman in Paris?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Red-haired outdoorsman in Genesis"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) the eldest son of isaac who would have inherited the covenant that god made with abraham and that abraham passed on to isaac; he traded his birthright to his twin brother jacob for a mess of pottage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Per_w_nkle?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Rider's line"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
  • Similar words include: draw rein, rule, rein in
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Raison d'___"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Holding liable"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that put or pin the blame on
  • Similar words include: blame, charge, find fault
  • Opposite of: absolve
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLAMING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. More apt to cut in line, say"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by aggressive ambition and energy and initiative
  • Similar words include: pushful, pushy
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUSHIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. Keep from leaving port through low visibility"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. New Year's date, concisely"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Simulator of coastal phenomena"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Cleared of dust, say"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sweep across or over
  • Similar words include: tangle, drag, sail
  • Opposite of: unswept
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWEPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Targets for hawks"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
  • Similar words include: shiner, mouse, computer mouse
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Literary name that's a letter short of its holder's occupation"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states writer and poet (1809-1849)
  • Similar words include: Edgar Allan Poe
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Proc_dur_?"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Horror director Aster"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Starting points of many Jewish observances"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) adam's wife in judeo-christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; god created eve from adam's rib and placed adam and eve in the garden of eden
  • Similar words include: Eve, even, eve
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Dull and dim"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
  • Similar words include: muddy, dreary, grubby
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DINGY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. Abstract"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
  • Similar words include: precis, abstract, outline
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SYNOPSIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Oldest sister on "The Brady Bunch""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Bad spelling, perhaps"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
  • Similar words include: damn, bane, anathemise
  • Opposite of: bless, communicate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CURSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Ground-dwelling game bird of the western U.S."

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Portmanteau for a radical environmentalist"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. ["Your fly is open"]"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the utterance of a sound similar to clearing the throat; intended to get attention, express hesitancy, fill a pause, hide embarrassment, warn a friend, etc.
  • Similar words include: hem
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AHEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. Choo-choo noise"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the dull explosive noise made by an engine
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. Grou_ of _or_oises?"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Dance done in concentric circles"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Leaves for drinks"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
  • Similar words include: afternoon tea, teatime, Camellia sinensis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. Construction site sight"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states writer (1871-1900)
  • Similar words include: Grus, Harold Hart Crane, stretch out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "59. Decides to take part, with "in""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that select as an alternative over another
  • Similar words include: opt, choose, prefer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "60. Skin-care brand with a "cheer"-ful sounding name"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "61. Filler akin to "like ..." or "I mean ...""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Winter coat? 3
2D 2. Word with trader or tripper 3
3D 3. Something you might search for in vein? 3
4D 4. Despair 8
5D 5. Find a spot for, as on a schedule 8
6D 6. Utah's ___ State University 5
7D 7. Laid up 3
8D 8. Grooved parts of golf irons 9
9D 9. Go *clunk* 8
10D 10. Solitary sort 6
11D 11. Min_sc_le q_antity? 11
12D 12. Reposed 4
13D 13. Pipe organ? 4
14D 18. Not busy 4
15D 22. Season 3
16D 23. Represent 6
17D 24. Incautious 6
18D 25. Pla_e for a _ase? 11
19D 28. Supplies for a diaper change 5
20D 29. Annoying knuckling 6
21D 30. Like 29 winners in the first 50 New York City Marathons 6
22D 32. Rotating feature at the cinema 9
23D 35. Take responsibility for, in a way 8
24D 36. Pitching staff? 8
25D 37. Evidence of burning rubber 8
26D 42. Release volatile compounds to the air 6
27D 43. Vent opening? 3
28D 44. When doubled, Hawaiian for "very strong" 4
29D 46. Irreverent 5
30D 47. Say again 4
31D 48. Dice, e.g. 4
32D 52. Remote power source 3
33D 53. Completely savage 3
34D 54. Middle name shared by Sean and John Lennon 3
35D 55. Ground water? 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Winter coat?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
  • Similar words include: Methedrine, icing, meth
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Word with trader or tripper"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that time for earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
  • Similar words include: daytime, solar day, twenty-four hour period
  • Opposite of: night
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Something you might search for in vein?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Despair"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Find a spot for, as on a schedule"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Utah's ___ State University"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of magnetic flux equal to 100,000,000 maxwells
  • Similar words include: Wb, E. H. Weber, Wilhelm Eduard Weber
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEBER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Laid up"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
  • Similar words include: badly, complaint, ominous
  • Opposite of: well
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Grooved parts of golf irons"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Go *clunk*"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Solitary sort"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one retired from society for religious reasons
  • Similar words include: anchorite, recluse, troglodyte
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERMIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Min_sc_le q_antity?"

11 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Reposed"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
  • Similar words include: lie in, consist, lie down
  • Opposite of: arise, stand
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Pipe organ?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUNG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Not busy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people who are free
  • Similar words include: discharge, gratuitous, disengage
  • Opposite of: confine, freeze
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Season"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how long something has existed
  • Similar words include: senesce, geezerhood, maturate
  • Opposite of: rejuvenate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Represent"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Incautious"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not alert to danger or deception; ; ; - o.j.campbell
  • Opposite of: wary
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNWARY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Pla_e for a _ase?"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Supplies for a diaper change"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of rubbing or wiping
  • Similar words include: pass over, wipe, rub
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIPES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Annoying knuckling"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Like 29 winners in the first 50 New York City Marathons"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of kenya
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KENYAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Rotating feature at the cinema"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Take responsibility for, in a way"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Pitching staff?"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Evidence of burning rubber"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. Release volatile compounds to the air"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "43. Vent opening?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. When doubled, Hawaiian for "very strong""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. Irreverent"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that improperly forward or bold
  • Similar words include: saucy, overbold, impudent
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SASSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "47. Say again"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
  • Similar words include: resound, reverberate, repeat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "48. Dice, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the irregular motion of waves (usually caused by wind blowing in a direction opposite to the tide)
  • Similar words include: chopper, chop up, hack
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. Remote power source"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

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!

33D: "53. Completely savage"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
  • Similar words include: goat god, trash, pan out
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "54. Middle name shared by Sean and John Lennon"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

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: "55. Ground water?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEW

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

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: September 10, 2026 at 08:15 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment