Search Clues

Showing posts sorted by relevance for query OREOS. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query OREOS. Sort by date Show all posts

Monday, September 22, 2025

September 25, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Related Puzzles

Check out these other crossword solutions and helpful guides:

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, September 25, 2020

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (34 Across, 38 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.2 letters

Across Clues Explained - Friday NYT Crossword September 25, 2020

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. The "stuf" in Double Stuf Oreos 5
2A 6. Keeps track of a count, maybe 4
3A 10. Seoul music 4
4A 14. Balloon material 5
5A 15. Deal breaker? 4
6A 16. Wander 4
7A 17. High anxiety? 10
8A 19. "You don't need to tell me what happened" 4
9A 20. Junior 6
10A 21. Lowest rating in showbiz's Ulmer Scale 5
11A 23. Kind of paste in East Asian cuisine 7
12A 26. Local boundaries? 3
13A 29. Prefix with saccharide or glyceride 3
14A 31. Basketball highlight, informally 3
15A 32. Sets to zero, in a way 5
16A 34. "Star Wars" spinoff set five years after Emperor Palpatine's fall 14
17A 37. It's difficult to go against 7
18A 38. Force feed 7
19A 39. Ones diving right into their work? 14
20A 41. Perfume 5
21A 42. Rump 3
22A 43. Shape of some hooks 3
23A 44. "___ but a scratch!" 3
24A 45. Mythological hunter turned into a stag 7
25A 48. Infantile affliction 5
26A 50. Dreams 6
27A 55. Subject of J. J. Thomson's "plum pudding" model 4
28A 57. Concept in artificial intelligence 10
29A 60. Scrutinize, with "over" 4
30A 61. "Chariots of Fire" filming locale 4
31A 62. Half-bird, half-woman creature 5
32A 63. ___ Choice Awards 4
33A 64. Spots in which to lie low 4
34A 65. Collide into the side of 5

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. The "stuf" in Double Stuf Oreos"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CREME

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Keeps track of a count, maybe"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an official at a baseball game
  • Words that mean the same thing: umpire, ump
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: UMPS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Seoul music"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about music.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: KPOP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Balloon material"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a milky exudate from certain plants that coagulates on exposure to air
  • Words that mean the same thing: rubber-base paint, latex paint
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LATEX

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Deal breaker?"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a lawman concerned with narcotics violations
  • Words that mean the same thing: narcotics agent, nark
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NARC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Wander"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
  • Words that mean the same thing: stray, roll, reeve
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ROVE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. High anxiety?"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a morbid fear of great heights
  • The word looks like this: __________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ACROPHOBIA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. "You don't need to tell me what happened""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ISAW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Junior"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that disparaging terms for small people
  • Words that mean the same thing: shrimp, peewit, half-pint
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PEEWEE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Lowest rating in showbiz's Ulmer Scale"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DLIST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Kind of paste in East Asian cuisine"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about food & drink.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REDBEAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Local boundaries?"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
  • Words that mean the same thing: ALT, EL, elevated
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ELS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "29. Prefix with saccharide or glyceride"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TRI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. Basketball highlight, informally"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OOP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "32. Sets to zero, in a way"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an adjustment made for the weight of the packaging in order to determine the net weight of the goods
  • Words that mean the same thing: bearded darnel, Lolium temulentum, tar
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TARES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. "Star Wars" spinoff set five years after Emperor Palpatine's fall"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: THEMANDALORIAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "37. It's difficult to go against"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a flow of electricity through a conductor
  • Words that mean the same thing: flow, stream, electric current
  • The opposite would be: noncurrent
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CURRENT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "38. Force feed"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)
  • Words that mean the same thing: ration, ration out
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RATIONS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "39. Ones diving right into their work?"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a scientist who studies physical and biological aspects of the seas
  • Words that mean the same thing: oceanographer
  • The word looks like this: ______________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OCEANOGRAPHERS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "41. Perfume"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a distinctive odor that is pleasant
  • Words that mean the same thing: odourise, odour, olfactory property
  • The opposite would be: deodorize, deodourise
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SCENT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "42. Rump"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that either extremity of something that has length
  • Words that mean the same thing: death, close, remainder
  • The opposite would be: begin, beginning
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: END

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "43. Shape of some hooks"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons
  • Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 99, Es, einsteinium
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ESS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "44. "___ but a scratch!""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
  • Words that mean the same thing: Cordyline terminalis, atomic number 22, si
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "45. Mythological hunter turned into a stag"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ACTAEON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "48. Infantile affliction"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that acute abdominal pain (especially in infants)
  • Words that mean the same thing: intestinal colic, griping, gripes
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: COLIC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "50. Dreams"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a specific feeling of desire
  • Words that mean the same thing: regard, care, wish
  • The opposite would be: begrudge
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WISHES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "55. Subject of J. J. Thomson's "plum pudding" model"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
  • Words that mean the same thing: molecule, corpuscle, speck
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ATOM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "57. Concept in artificial intelligence"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: __________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TURINGTEST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "60. Scrutinize, with "over""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that any tiny hole admitting passage of a liquid (fluid or gas)
  • Words that mean the same thing: concentrate, focus, center
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PORE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "61. "Chariots of Fire" filming locale"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about movies/film.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ETON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "62. Half-bird, half-woman creature"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a malicious woman with a fierce temper
  • Words that mean the same thing: harpy bat, Harpia harpyja, tube-nosed fruit bat
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HARPY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "63. ___ Choice Awards"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity
  • Words that mean the same thing: stripling, teenage, adolescent
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TEEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "64. Spots in which to lie low"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Words that mean the same thing: hideaway, lair, hideout
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DENS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "65. Collide into the side of"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TBONE

    Great job if you got it right!

NYT Friday Crossword Down Clues - September 25, 2020 Answers

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Keep the beat, in a way 4
2D 2. Tear 4
3D 3. Verb with a circumflex 4
4D 4. [More tuna, please!] 4
5D 5. Avant-garde 12
6D 6. Card game shout 3
7D 7. Berlioz's "Queen ___" Scherzo 3
8D 8. N.Y.C. event on the last Sunday in June 11
9D 9. Teatro alla ___ 5
10D 10. Kardashian family member 4
11D 11. Rumps 10
12D 12. Monthly releases of a sort 3
13D 13. Hymnbook holder 3
14D 18. Giggle bit 3
15D 22. How a mysterious figure may disappear 12
16D 24. "Be serious!" 11
17D 25. Shape, informally 3
18D 27. Is biased 5
19D 28. Some sensitive info, for short 4
20D 29. 60 10
21D 30. What Ralph Nader did in 2000, 2004 and 2008 5
22D 33. Passionate, confident sort, they say 5
23D 34. Actor Stanley 5
24D 35. "It's ___ from me" 3
25D 36. Something you can't have while standing up 3
26D 37. "It'll ___ you" 4
27D 40. Bio class subject 3
28D 46. Quoted 5
29D 47. Sister channel of HGTV 3
30D 49. "Good" or "ill" thing 4
31D 51. Shot in the dark 4
32D 52. Sub 4
33D 53. "Fantasy Focus" podcast airer 4
34D 54. Lump near a lash 4
35D 55. On point 3
36D 56. The smallest one is called a minimus 3
37D 58. Who joins Gryffindor's Quidditch team in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" 3
38D 59. Good people to know 3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. Keep the beat, in a way"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a sudden very loud noise
  • Words that mean the same thing: blast, clack, spat
  • The opposite would be: boo
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CLAP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Tear"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that any competition
  • Words that mean the same thing: slipstream, speed, rush
  • The opposite would be: linger
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RACE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Verb with a circumflex"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ETRE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. [More tuna, please!]"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)
  • Words that mean the same thing: miaow, mew, miaou
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MEOW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Avant-garde"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that relating to or based on experiment
  • Words that mean the same thing: data-based, observational
  • The word looks like this: ____________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EXPERIMENTAL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Card game shout"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: UNO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Berlioz's "Queen ___" Scherzo"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MAB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. N.Y.C. event on the last Sunday in June"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PRIDEPARADE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Teatro alla ___"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SCALA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Kardashian family member"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a malayan dagger with a wavy blade
  • Words that mean the same thing: creese, crease
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: KRIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Rumps"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Words that mean the same thing: nates, bottom, tooshie
  • The word looks like this: __________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: POSTERIORS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Monthly releases of a sort"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the female reproductive cell; the female gamete
  • Words that mean the same thing: egg cell, ovum
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OVA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Hymnbook holder"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about literature.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation
  • Words that mean the same thing: church bench
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PEW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Giggle bit"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HEE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. How a mysterious figure may disappear"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: INTOTHENIGHT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. "Be serious!""

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DONTGETCUTE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Shape, informally"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that alternative names for the body of a human being
  • Words that mean the same thing: soma, human body, build
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BOD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. Is biased"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical
  • Words that mean the same thing: tend, tilt, incline
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LEANS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Some sensitive info, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SSNS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. 60"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a set with 3 times 20 members
  • Words that mean the same thing: lx, 60, sixty
  • The word looks like this: __________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: THREESCORE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. What Ralph Nader did in 2000, 2004 and 2008"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that broadcast again, as of a film
  • Words that mean the same thing: rebroadcast, rerun
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RERAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. Passionate, confident sort, they say"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in aries
  • Words that mean the same thing: Ram, Aries the Ram
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ARIES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "34. Actor Stanley"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TUCCI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. "It's ___ from me""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a palestinian international terrorist organization that split from the plo in 1974; has conducted terrorist attacks in 20 countries
  • Words that mean the same thing: Fatah-RC, Revolutionary Organization of Socialist Muslims, Arab Revolutionary Brigades
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ANO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. Something you can't have while standing up"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
  • Words that mean the same thing: overlap, lap up, swosh
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LAP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. "It'll ___ you""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
  • Words that mean the same thing: monetary value, toll, price
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: COST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. Bio class subject"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (biochemistry) a long linear polymer of nucleotides found in the nucleus but mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell where it is associated with microsomes; it transmits genetic information from dna to the cytoplasm and controls certain chemical processes in the cell
  • Words that mean the same thing: ribonucleic acid
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RNA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "46. Quoted"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that make reference to
  • Words that mean the same thing: bring up, summon, refer
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CITED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. Sister channel of HGTV"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that have ownership or possession of
  • Words that mean the same thing: have, ain, possess
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OWN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. "Good" or "ill" thing"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a sign of something about to happen
  • Words that mean the same thing: prognostic, augur, foretell
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OMEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "51. Shot in the dark"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a sudden sharp feeling
  • Words that mean the same thing: twinge, knife thrust, dig
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: STAB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "52. Sub"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
  • Words that mean the same thing: paladin, Hero of Alexandria, submarine sandwich
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HERO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "53. "Fantasy Focus" podcast airer"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ESPN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "54. Lump near a lash"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
  • Words that mean the same thing: eye infection, hordeolum, sty
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: STYE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. On point"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward
  • Words that mean the same thing: clever, liable, minded
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: APT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "56. The smallest one is called a minimus"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that one of the digits of the foot
  • Words that mean the same thing: toenail
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TOE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "58. Who joins Gryffindor's Quidditch team in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a chadic language spoken in northern nigeria
  • Words that mean the same thing: Daffo, Bokkos
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "59. Good people to know"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an agency in the department of justice that enforces laws and regulations for the admission of foreign-born persons to the united states
  • Words that mean the same thing: inch, atomic number 49, in
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: INS

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 45 62.5%
Short Answer 17 23.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment 2 2.8%
Sports 2 2.8%
Music 1 1.4%
Food & Drink 1 1.4%
Movies/Film 1 1.4%
History 1 1.4%
Literature 1 1.4%
Abbreviation 1 1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 34
Down Clues 38
Total Clues 72
Average Answer Length 5.2 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 14 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

  • Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
  • Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
  • When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
  • Today is Friday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
  • Most clues today are about general knowledge
  • The average word today has about 5 letters
  • Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
  • Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: September 22, 2025 at 09:44 AM

Monday, October 20, 2025

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 20, 2025 | 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: Medium

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. Apple tablet 4
2A 5. Facing the pitcher 5
3A 10. Time to blow out the candles on a cake, informally 4
4A 14. Informal eatery 4
5A 15. Thanks, in France 5
6A 16. Singer Guthrie 4
7A 17. Says 2 + 2 = 5, e.g. 4
8A 18. Wedding cake figurine 5
9A 19. Last language alphabetically on Google Translate 4
10A 20. Milkshake flavor made with Oreos 13
11A 23. The "A" of I.P.A. 3
12A 24. Pitcher Maddux who won the Cy Young Award in four consecutive years 4
13A 25. Welcome sights for thirsty people in deserts 5
14A 28. Accelerator or brake 5
15A 30. Music genre that Joan Jett "loves" 9
16A 33. Arcing tennis shot 3
17A 35. Member of a convent 3
18A 36. Lavatory, in Liverpool 3
19A 37. Pasta often filled with ricotta 7
20A 41. Listing on the Billboard Hot 100 7
21A 44. 50 years, for Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit" 3
22A 45. Play a part in a play 3
23A 47. "My man!" 3
24A 48. Two-part steakhouse entree 9
25A 52. Bonus 5
26A 56. Filmmaker Miyazaki 5
27A 57. Questions 4
28A 59. Color that means "stop" 3
29A 60. Like some scented stickers 13
30A 64. Sorority's counterpart, in brief 4
31A 66. Mandarin "hello" 5
32A 67. Head ___ heels 4
33A 68. Chauffeured vehicle 4
34A 69. Message often accompanied by an exclamation point in a triangle 5
35A 70. Michelin product 4
36A 71. Alternative to a Lyft 4
37A 72. Jumps 5
38A 73. Make simpler 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Apple tablet"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Facing the pitcher"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Time to blow out the candles on a cake, informally"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Informal eatery"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small restaurant where drinks and snacks are sold
  • Similar words include: coffee bar, coffee shop, coffeehouse
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAFE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Thanks, in France"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Singer Guthrie"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Says 2 + 2 = 5, e.g."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to make a mistake or be incorrect
  • Similar words include: drift, mistake, slip
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Wedding cake figurine"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woman who has recently been married
  • Similar words include: St. Bride, Saint Bride, Saint Brigid
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Last language alphabetically on Google Translate"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the tall negroid people of eastern south africa; some live in kwazulu-natal under the traditional clan system but many now work in the cities
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZULU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Milkshake flavor made with Oreos"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. The "A" of I.P.A."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

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!

12A: "24. Pitcher Maddux who won the Cy Young Award in four consecutive years"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Welcome sights for thirsty people in deserts"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)
  • Similar words include: oasis, haven
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Accelerator or brake"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sustained bass note
  • Similar words include: bike, pedal point, treadle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEDAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Music genre that Joan Jett "loves""

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Arcing tennis shot"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an easy return of a tennis ball in a high arc
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Member of a convent"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woman religious
  • Similar words include: conical buoy, nun buoy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Lavatory, in Liverpool"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a toilet in britain
  • Similar words include: W.C., closet, water closet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Pasta often filled with ricotta"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small circular or square cases of dough with savory fillings
  • Similar words include: cappelletti
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAVIOLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Listing on the Billboard Hot 100"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. 50 years, for Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Play a part in a play"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
  • Similar words include: act as, do, pretend
  • Opposite of: refrain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "47. "My man!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. Two-part steakhouse entree"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "52. Bonus"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a minor actor in crowd scenes
  • Similar words include: redundant, duplicate, surplus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "56. Filmmaker Miyazaki"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "57. Questions"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "59. Color that means "stop""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
  • Similar words include: violent, bolshy, ruby-red
  • Opposite of: gain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "60. Like some scented stickers"

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "64. Sorority's counterpart, in brief"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a social club for male undergraduates
  • Similar words include: fraternity
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "66. Mandarin "hello""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "67. Head ___ heels"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch
  • Similar words include: ended, concluded, all over
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "68. Chauffeured vehicle"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large luxurious car; usually driven by a chauffeur
  • Similar words include: limousine
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "69. Message often accompanied by an exclamation point in a triangle"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action
  • Similar words include: qui vive, alarm, watchful
  • Opposite of: unalert
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "70. Michelin product"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hoop that covers a wheel
  • Similar words include: play out, pall, bore
  • Opposite of: refresh, interest
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "71. Alternative to a Lyft"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "72. Jumps"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
  • Similar words include: jump off, bound, leaping
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "73. Make simpler"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
  • Similar words include: allay, simpleness, comfort
  • Opposite of: difficulty
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. What covers the North Pole 6
2D 2. End of some sentences 6
3D 3. Having a certain natural hairstyle 6
4D 4. Furniture piece for a talk show host 4
5D 5. Shade of yellow 5
6D 6. More abrupt in language 6
7D 7. Hire to the team 7
8D 8. Band with the aptly titled debut album "High Voltage" 4
9D 9. Stratum 4
10D 10. Marketplace with stalls 6
11D 11. Occasion for a percussionist to shine 8
12D 12. With 13-Down, "___ can eat" (restaurant come-on) 3
13D 13. See 12-Down 3
14D 21. Inuit's home 5
15D 22. Time unit aptly hidden in "paleontology" 3
16D 26. University in North Carolina 4
17D 27. Difficult, tiring work 4
18D 29. Comic actress Wong 3
19D 31. Unit of flour 3
20D 32. Door handle 4
21D 34. Untuneful trumpet sound 4
22D 37. Lacking much thought 4
23D 38. Water, in Oaxaca 4
24D 39. Aforementioned 8
25D 40. Hospital area with IVs 3
26D 42. News media 5
27D 43. Crosstown rivals of the Cubbies 3
28D 46. Windpipe 7
29D 49. Decision-making consideration 6
30D 50. Neither here ___ there 3
31D 51. Only black key in a G major scale 6
32D 53. Fodder for "Jeopardy!" 6
33D 54. Alludes (to) 6
34D 55. Not interrupted by commercials ... or shortened like the middle words of 20-, 30-, 48- and 60-Across? 6
35D 58. Ties that are hard to untie 5
36D 61. Super-uptight 4
37D 62. Bit of bathroom dΓ©cor 4
38D 63. Do, re or mi 4
39D 64. It goes around every year 3
40D 65. Short ___ (beef cut) 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. What covers the North Pole"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mass of ice and snow that permanently covers a large area of land (e.g., the polar regions or a mountain peak)
  • Similar words include: ice cap
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICECAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. End of some sentences"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group
  • Similar words include: countersign, watchword, word of honor
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAROLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Having a certain natural hairstyle"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Furniture piece for a talk show host"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DESK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Shade of yellow"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a deep yellow color
  • Similar words include: brownish-yellow, gold, yellow-brown
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMBER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. More abrupt in language"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that brief and to the point; effectively cut short
  • Similar words include: crisp, curt, terse
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TERSER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Hire to the team"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Band with the aptly titled debut album "High Voltage""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Stratum"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
  • Similar words include: level, grade, tier up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Marketplace with stalls"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shop where a variety of goods are sold
  • Similar words include: fair, bazar
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAZAAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Occasion for a percussionist to shine"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. With 13-Down, "___ can eat" (restaurant come-on)"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that quantifier; used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
  • Similar words include: whole, totally, altogether
  • Opposite of: some, partly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. See 12-Down"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Inuit's home"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an eskimo hut; usually built of blocks (of sod or snow) in the shape of a dome
  • Similar words include: iglu
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IGLOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Time unit aptly hidden in "paleontology""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the longest division of geological time
  • Similar words include: aeon
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. University in North Carolina"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Difficult, tiring work"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that work doggedly or persistently
  • Similar words include: footslog, keep one's nose to the grindstone, keep one's shoulder to the wheel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Comic actress Wong"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942)
  • Similar words include: Cassius Marcellus Clay, Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. Unit of flour"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
  • Similar words include: transfuse, loving cup, cupful
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Door handle"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a circular rounded projection or protuberance
  • Similar words include: thickening, boss, node
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "34. Untuneful trumpet sound"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cry plaintively
  • Similar words include: bleat, baa, blate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "37. Lacking much thought"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any red eruption of the skin
  • Similar words include: roseola, blizzard, efflorescence
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "38. Water, in Oaxaca"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that largest known toad species; native to central america; valuable destroyer of insect pests
  • Similar words include: Bufo marinus, agua toad
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGUA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Aforementioned"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Hospital area with IVs"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hospital unit staffed and equipped to provide intensive care
  • Similar words include: intensive care unit
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. News media"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of demanding notice or attention
  • Similar words include: entreat, insistency, fight
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "43. Crosstown rivals of the Cubbies"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. Windpipe"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi
  • Similar words include: windpipe
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRACHEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "49. Decision-making consideration"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that anything that contributes causally to a result
  • Similar words include: ingredient, gene, factor in
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FACTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "50. Neither here ___ there"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "51. Only black key in a G major scale"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. Fodder for "Jeopardy!""

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something of small importance
  • Similar words include: trivium, trifle, small beer
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIVIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "54. Alludes (to)"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make reference to
  • Similar words include: refer, bring up, concern
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REFERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "55. Not interrupted by commercials ... or shortened like the middle words of 20-, 30-, 48- and 60-Across?"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "58. Ties that are hard to untie"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tight cluster of people or things
  • Similar words include: nautical mile, mi, burl
  • Opposite of: unknot, unravel
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "61. Super-uptight"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or related to the anus
  • Similar words include: anal retentive
  • Opposite of: oral
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "62. Bit of bathroom dΓ©cor"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
  • Similar words include: roofing tile
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "63. Do, re or mi"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brief written record
  • Similar words include: remark, notice, take note
  • Opposite of: ignore
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "64. It goes around every year"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acute febrile highly contagious viral disease
  • Similar words include: grippe, influenza
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "65. Short ___ (beef cut)"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that support resembling the rib of an animal
  • Similar words include: poke fun, guy, blackguard
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIB

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

38 Across Clues
40 Down Clues
78 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: October 20, 2025 at 04:00 AM