Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.
Quick Navigation - Table of Contents
- Today's Puzzle Difficulty
- Across Clues Table (33 clues)
- Across Clues - Detailed Hints
- Down Clues Table (35 clues)
- Down Clues - Detailed Hints
- Expert Solving Strategies
- Today's Puzzle Statistics
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. Conceited sort, disrespectfully | 10 |
| 2A | 11. They're not hard to beat | 4 |
| 3A | 15. Win after ad out, say | 10 |
| 4A | 16. Tire (out) | 4 |
| 5A | 17. Popular loaves for corned beef sandwiches | 10 |
| 6A | 18. Resort that bans snowboarding | 4 |
| 7A | 19. Protectors of a queen | 11 |
| 8A | 21. When Buddhism's Bodhi Day is observed: Abbr. | 3 |
| 9A | 22. Tourist hotspot in Uttar Pradesh | 4 |
| 10A | 23. Epoch that marked the rise of mammals | 6 |
| 11A | 25. "Heaven forbid!" | 5 |
| 12A | 27. Chart-toppers | 8 |
| 13A | 29. Fulfillment center? | 3 |
| 14A | 30. Building managers, informally | 5 |
| 15A | 32. Best-selling 2010 Kitty Kelley celebrity biography | 5 |
| 16A | 33. The sparkle in some cosmetics | 4 |
| 17A | 35. Member of a militant Islamist movement in Afghanistan and Pakistan | 5 |
| 18A | 37. Low-priced car introduced in 1980 | 4 |
| 19A | 38. One bit | 5 |
| 20A | 40. Mentioned | 5 |
| 21A | 42. What isn't anyone's fault? | 3 |
| 22A | 43. Unconvincing way of answering "Did you finish the job?" | 8 |
| 23A | 45. Less likely to bite, perhaps | 5 |
| 24A | 47. Dennis ___, author of "Mystic River" and "Gone Baby Gone" | 6 |
| 25A | 48. The so-called "Prince of Motown" | 4 |
| 26A | 49. Sold-out inits. | 3 |
| 27A | 50. Person giving anonymously | 11 |
| 28A | 56. Gone | 4 |
| 29A | 58. Famous French filmmaker who was the son of a famous painter | 10 |
| 30A | 59. Lead-in to girl | 4 |
| 31A | 60. Something important to do, in office-speak | 10 |
| 32A | 61. High-protein paste | 4 |
| 33A | 62. "You betcha!" | 10 |
Across Clues - Strategic Hints
1A: "1. Conceited sort, disrespectfully"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POMPOUSASS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2A: "11. They're not hard to beat"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
- Similar words include: testicle, ball, nut
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGGS
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3A: "15. Win after ad out, say"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BREAKSERVE
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4A: "16. Tire (out)"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that obscene terms for feces
- Similar words include: ninny, after part, quarter
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POOP
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5A: "17. Popular loaves for corned beef sandwiches"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JEWISHRYES
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6A: "18. Resort that bans snowboarding"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALTA
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7A: "19. Protectors of a queen"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOLDIERANTS
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8A: "21. When Buddhism's Bodhi Day is observed: Abbr."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the last (12th) month of the year
- Similar words include: celestial latitude, December, declination
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEC
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9A: "22. Tourist hotspot in Uttar Pradesh"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a city in northern india; former capital of the mogul empire; site of the taj mahal
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGRA
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10A: "23. Epoch that marked the rise of mammals"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that from 58 million to 40 million years ago; presence of modern mammals
- Similar words include: Eocene epoch
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EOCENE
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11A: "25. "Heaven forbid!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GODNO
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12A: "27. Chart-toppers"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HITSONGS
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13A: "29. Fulfillment center?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
- Similar words include: EL, elevated railway, ALT
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELS
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14A: "30. Building managers, informally"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that take solid or liquid food into the mouth a little at a time either by drinking or by eating with a spoon
- Similar words include: sup
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUPES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15A: "32. Best-selling 2010 Kitty Kelley celebrity biography"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPRAH
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16A: "33. The sparkle in some cosmetics"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any of various minerals consisting of hydrous silicates of aluminum or potassium etc. that crystallize in forms that allow perfect cleavage into very thin leaves; used as dielectrics because of their resistance to electricity
- Similar words include: isinglass
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MICA
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17A: "35. Member of a militant Islamist movement in Afghanistan and Pakistan"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALIB
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18A: "37. Low-priced car introduced in 1980"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YUGO
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19A: "38. One bit"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATALL
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20A: "40. Mentioned"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that make reference to
- Similar words include: summon, refer, name
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CITED
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21A: "42. What isn't anyone's fault?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a brutal terrorist group active in kashmir; fights against india with the goal of restoring islamic rule of india
- Similar words include: lease, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Army of the Pure
- Opposite of: forbid, disallow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LET
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22A: "43. Unconvincing way of answering "Did you finish the job?""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITRIEDTO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23A: "45. Less likely to bite, perhaps"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that correct by punishment or discipline
- Similar words include: reclaim, chasten, subdue
- Opposite of: wild
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAMED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24A: "47. Dennis ___, author of "Mystic River" and "Gone Baby Gone""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEHANE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25A: "48. The so-called "Prince of Motown""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAYE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26A: "49. Sold-out inits."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SRO
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27A: "50. Person giving anonymously"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SECRETSANTA
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28A: "56. Gone"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the time that has elapsed
- Similar words include: past times, retiring, preceding
- Opposite of: present, future
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAST
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29A: "58. Famous French filmmaker who was the son of a famous painter"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JEANRENOIR
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30A: "59. Lead-in to girl"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATTA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31A: "60. Something important to do, in office-speak"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTIONITEM
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32A: "61. High-protein paste"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a thick paste made from fermented soybeans and barley or rice malt; used in japanese cooking to make soups or sauces
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MISO
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33A: "62. "You betcha!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YESINDEEDY
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Down Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | 1. Lunchbox staples, for short | 4 |
| 2D | 2. "Twist, Lick, Dunk" product | 4 |
| 3D | 3. Cry feebly | 4 |
| 4D | 4. Staple of many a free app | 6 |
| 5D | 5. Some silent yeses | 7 |
| 6D | 6. Escort away | 8 |
| 7D | 7. JunÃpero ___, founder of the San Francisco Mission | 5 |
| 8D | 8. One of the Starks on "Game of Thrones" | 4 |
| 9D | 9. Scandinavian name that becomes a number if you add an "e" inside it | 4 |
| 10D | 10. Type of stanza | 6 |
| 11D | 11. Waste watchdog, for short | 3 |
| 12D | 12. Longstanding code of conduct | 10 |
| 13D | 13. Agreed to a proposal | 10 |
| 14D | 14. Rocket to the moon, e.g. | 9 |
| 15D | 20. Average | 4 |
| 16D | 24. "Roger that" | 4 |
| 17D | 25. Fashionable stars of showbiz, slangily | 10 |
| 18D | 26. Crystal and Rock, notably | 10 |
| 19D | 27. Sun: Prefix | 5 |
| 20D | 28. "Really?" | 4 |
| 21D | 29. Target of some filters | 9 |
| 22D | 31. Deal | 4 |
| 23D | 34. Et ___ | 4 |
| 24D | 36. Certain particle accelerator | 8 |
| 25D | 39. Fisheye, e.g. | 4 |
| 26D | 41. Nightfall | 7 |
| 27D | 44. Someone having mixed success at work? | 6 |
| 28D | 46. Ogre | 6 |
| 29D | 48. Figures in the films "Kazaam" and "Wishmaster" | 5 |
| 30D | 51. Gospel singer Winans | 4 |
| 31D | 52. Loose-lipped ones | 4 |
| 32D | 53. F or G, but not H | 4 |
| 33D | 54. Like some tongues | 4 |
| 34D | 55. One side of the college football rivalry branded as "America's Game" | 4 |
| 35D | 57. Eastern philosophy | 3 |
Down Clues - Strategic Hints
1D: "1. Lunchbox staples, for short"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PBJS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2D: "2. "Twist, Lick, Dunk" product"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that chocolate cookie with white cream filling
- Similar words include: oreo cookie
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3D: "3. Cry feebly"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that cry weakly or softly
- Similar words include: wail, pule, whimper
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEWL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4D: "4. Staple of many a free app"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAIDAD
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5D: "5. Some silent yeses"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OKSIGNS
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6D: "6. Escort away"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USHEROUT
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7D: "7. JunÃpero ___, founder of the San Francisco Mission"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that spanish missionary who founded franciscan missions in california (1713-1784)
- Similar words include: Miguel Jose Serra, Junipero Serra
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERRA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
8D: "8. One of the Starks on "Game of Thrones""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARYA
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9D: "9. Scandinavian name that becomes a number if you add an "e" inside it"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SVEN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10D: "10. Type of stanza"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
- Similar words include: sextuplet, six, half a dozen
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SESTET
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11D: "11. Waste watchdog, for short"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment
- Similar words include: Environmental Protection Agency
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12D: "12. Longstanding code of conduct"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOLDENRULE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13D: "13. Agreed to a proposal"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOTENGAGED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14D: "14. Rocket to the moon, e.g."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPACESHOT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15D: "20. Average"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOSO
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16D: "24. "Roger that""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
- Similar words include: replicate, simulate, transcript
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COPY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17D: "25. Fashionable stars of showbiz, slangily"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLITTERATI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18D: "26. Crystal and Rock, notably"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSCARHOSTS
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19D: "27. Sun: Prefix"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HELIO
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20D: "28. "Really?""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISIT
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21D: "29. Target of some filters"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMAILSPAM
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22D: "31. Deal"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
- Similar words include: treaty, accord
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PACT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23D: "34. Et ___"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIA
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24D: "36. Certain particle accelerator"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that accelerates a continuous beam of electrons to high speeds by means of the electric field produced by changing magnetic flux
- Similar words include: induction accelerator
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BETATRON
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25D: "39. Fisheye, e.g."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a transparent optical device used to converge or diverge transmitted light and to form images
- Similar words include: lens of the eye, lense, lens system
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LENS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26D: "41. Nightfall"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAYSEND
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27D: "44. Someone having mixed success at work?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEEJAY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28D: "46. Ogre"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a person of mean disposition
- Similar words include: unkind person, meany
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEANIE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29D: "48. Figures in the films "Kazaam" and "Wishmaster""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
- Similar words include: ace, brainiac, champion
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENII
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30D: "51. Gospel singer Winans"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CECE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31D: "52. Loose-lipped ones"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
- Similar words include: so-and-so, strikebreaker, shit
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RATS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
32D: "53. F or G, but not H"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a brief written record
- Similar words include: short letter, bank note, take note
- Opposite of: ignore
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOTE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
33D: "54. Like some tongues"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord
- Similar words include: bond, connect, link
- Opposite of: untied, unlaced
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
34D: "55. One side of the college football rivalry branded as "America's Game""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
- Similar words include: USA, U. S. Army, US Army
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARMY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
35D: "57. Eastern philosophy"
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
35 Down Clues
68 Total Clues
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