Thursday, May 14, 2026 – LA Times Crossword Answers & Hints

LA Times Crossword – May 14, 2026 (Thursday)

Today’s crossword puzzle is fun and a little tricky.

If you are stuck, don’t worry!

Here you can find the answers and help.

Crossword puzzles help us:

• Learn new words
• Improve spelling
• Think smart

Theme Answer: WOODCUT

Clue: Artistic printing method, and a feature of rows 2, 5, 11, and 14 in this puzzle

Answer: WOODCUT

Explanation:

A woodcut is a way of printing pictures. The artist carves a design into wood, puts ink on it, and prints it on paper. Today’s puzzle hides types of wood in four rows.

Across Clues

6A. Thurman of “Pretty Lethal”

Answer: UMA

Explanation: Uma Thurman is a famous actress.

13A. Moral principle

Answer: ETHIC

Explanation: An ethic is a rule about what is right or wrong.

14A. “MAS*H” setting, for short

Answer: KOR

Explanation: MASH takes place in Korea (KOR = short form).

15A. “Butterfly Dance” artist

Answer: YANNI

Explanation: Yanni is a music composer.

19A. College where Robert Frost taught English

Answer: AMHERST

Explanation: Robert Frost was a famous poet who taught at Amherst College.

22A. NYC home of Matisse’s “Landscape at Collioure”

Answer: MOMA

Explanation: MoMA is the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

25A. Taylor-Joy of “The Northman”

Answer: ANYA

Explanation: Anya Taylor-Joy is a movie actress.

34A. “Downton Abbey” cook

Answer: DAISY

Explanation: Daisy is a character in the TV show Downton Abbey.

38A. Here, in Honduras

Answer: ACA

Explanation: In Spanish, “aca” means “here.”

41A. Mod About You polish maker

Answer: OPI

Explanation: OPI is a brand that makes nail polish.

42A. Mexican sandwich

Answer: TORTA

Explanation: A torta is a Mexican sandwich.

50A. Electrically adaptable

Answer: AC/DC

Explanation: AC/DC means it can work with both types of electric current.

55A. Sazerac options

Answer: RYES

Explanation: Rye is a type of grain used in drinks.

58A. Abu Dhabi, e.g.

Answer: EMIRATE

Explanation: Abu Dhabi is one of the Emirates in the UAE.

61A. Expanse crossed by Odysseus

Answer: IONIAN SEA

Explanation: In Greek stories, Odysseus crossed the Ionian Sea.

65A. Like van Gogh and Vermeer

Answer: DUTCH

Explanation: Both artists were from the Netherlands (Dutch).

70A. Blades for some Olympians

Answer: EPEES

Explanation: An épée is a type of fencing sword used in the Olympics.

Down Clues

1D. Super Mario Bros. console

Answer: NES

Explanation: NES is a Nintendo gaming system.

2D. Jazzy James

Answer: ETTA

Explanation: Etta James was a famous singer.

3D. Guitar accessory that may create vibrato

Answer: WHAMMY BAR

Explanation: A whammy bar is used on guitars to change sound.

4D. Knights’ neighbors

Answer: BISHOPS

Explanation: In chess, bishops sit next to knights.

5D. Blueprint

Answer: SCHEMA

Explanation: A schema is a plan or design.

9D. Prehistoric supercontinent

Answer: PANGAEA

Explanation: Pangaea was one giant land before continents split.

11D. Moriarty, to Holmes

Answer: ENEMY

Explanation: Moriarty is the enemy of Sherlock Holmes.

18D. Latvian capital

Answer: RIGA

Explanation: Riga is the capital city of Latvia.

36D. Hormel product

Answer: SPAM

Explanation: Spam is a canned meat product.

43D. Elements of a strategy

Answer: TACTICS

Explanation: Tactics are small actions used in a plan.

51D. Easy part of a sky in a jigsaw puzzle

Answer: CLOUD

Explanation: Puzzle sky areas are often blue with clouds.

54D. Oscar winner Witherspoon

Answer: REESE

Explanation: Reese Witherspoon is an actress.

60D. Brontë orphan

Answer: EYRE

Explanation: Jane Eyre is a famous novel character.

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 01, 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
• Across Clues Table (35 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (33 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. Sticks in locks	4
2A	5. Philosopher who championed simple explanations	5
3A	10. CAT or PET follower	4
4A	14. Element between fluorine and sodium	4
5A	15. Spongy exfoliator	5
6A	16. Body-sculpting procedure, informally	4
7A	17. Animals whose Aztec name translates to "turtle-rabbit"	10
8A	19. Talks and talks	4
9A	20. Prepare, in military slang	11
10A	22. It may be bitter	3
11A	23. Some winds	5
12A	24. Holiday that's also a Hebrew letter	3
13A	25. "WandaVision" co-star Elizabeth ___	5
14A	27. Baguettes, e.g.	4
15A	28. Sign of canine contentment	3
16A	29. Rests on one's laurels	6
17A	30. Storybook, say	11
18A	32. Announcements before giveaways?	13
19A	35. Like some romantic resorts	11
20A	36. Voids	6
21A	37. Authorizes	3
22A	38. Satellite alternative	4
23A	42. Retinue	5
24A	43. Combat sport, for short	3
25A	44. Company whose name comes from a term in the board game Go	5
26A	45. Word with thou	3
27A	46. A craving for snacks	11
28A	49. Dutch for "farmer"	4
29A	51. Eliminates entirely	10
30A	52. Skulk in the shadows	4
31A	53. Myosin's partner protein	5
32A	54. Scruff : cat :: ___ : human	4
33A	55. Big name in petrol	4
34A	56. Angle variable, in math	5
35A	57. ENE and WSW	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Sticks in locks"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an implement used to propel or steer a boat
• Similar words include: oar
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Philosopher who championed simple explanations"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that english scholastic philosopher and assumed author of occam's razor (1285-1349)
• Similar words include: Ockham, William of Occam, William of Ockham
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OCCAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. CAT or PET follower"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of scanning; systematic examination of a prescribed region
• Similar words include: rake, skim, read
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Element between fluorine and sodium"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
• Similar words include: Ne, atomic number 10
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Spongy exfoliator"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the dried fibrous part of the fruit of a plant of the genus luffa; used as a washing sponge or strainer
• Similar words include: loofah, loufah sponge, luffa
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOOFA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Body-sculpting procedure, informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIPO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Animals whose Aztec name translates to "turtle-rabbit""

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that burrowing chiefly nocturnal mammal with body covered with strong horny plates
• Similar words include: armadillo
• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARMADILLOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Talks and talks"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that informal terms for the mouth
• Similar words include: trap, hole, maw
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Prepare, in military slang"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOCKANDLOAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. It may be bitter"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

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!

11A: "23. Some winds"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a slender double-reed instrument; a woodwind with a conical bore and a double-reed mouthpiece
• Similar words include: oboe, hautboy, hautbois
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OBOES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Holiday that's also a Hebrew letter"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the new year in vietnam; observed for three days after the first full moon after january 20th
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. "WandaVision" co-star Elizabeth ___"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLSEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Baguettes, e.g."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
• Similar words include: gem, muffin, jewel
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GEMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Sign of canine contentment"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a witty amusing person who makes jokes
• Similar words include: wit, shake, card
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. Rests on one's laurels"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the shore of a sea or ocean
• Similar words include: glide, seacoast, sea-coast
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COASTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "30. Storybook, say"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAKEBELIEVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "32. Announcements before giveaways?"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPOILERALERTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. Like some romantic resorts"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COUPLESONLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "36. Voids"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that declare invalid
• Similar words include: reverse, nullify, countermand
• Opposite of: validate

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANNULS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "37. Authorizes"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a state in south central united states
• Similar words include: OK, Sooner State, okay
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "38. Satellite alternative"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMFM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Retinue"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a temporary police force
• Similar words include: posse comitatus
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POSSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Combat sport, for short"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "44. Company whose name comes from a term in the board game Go"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATARI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "45. Word with thou"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the products of human creativity; works of art collectively
• Similar words include: fine art, artistic creation, graphics
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "46. A craving for snacks"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THEMUNCHIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "49. Dutch for "farmer""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a white native of cape province who is a descendant of dutch settlers and who speaks afrikaans
• Similar words include: Afrikaner, Afrikander
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BOER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. Eliminates entirely"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that kill in large numbers
• Similar words include: root out, extirpate, annihilate
• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERADICATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "52. Skulk in the shadows"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
• Similar words include: tarry, lallygag, scupper
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LURK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "53. Myosin's partner protein"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one of the proteins into which actomyosin can be split; can exist in either a globular or a fibrous form
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACTIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "54. Scruff : cat :: ___ : human"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the back side of the neck
• Similar words include: nucha, scruff
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "55. Big name in petrol"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "56. Angle variable, in math"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the 8th letter of the greek alphabet
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THETA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "57. ENE and WSW"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DIRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Bump's place, idiomatically	6
2D	2. Oxygen-dependent micro-organism	6
3D	3. "Crazy Rich Asians," for one	6
4D	4. Backstabbers	6
5D	5. "Hunters" actress Lena	4
6D	6. Uncontroversial opinions	9
7D	7. Dorm buddy	15
8D	8. Underway	5
9D	9. Dough in tamales	4
10D	10. Foxy	3
11D	11. Plant overseas, perhaps	8
12D	12. Devices that come with Siri Remotes	8
13D	13. What a babbler makes	7
14D	18. Court figs.	3
15D	21. "Tom ___" (classic folk song that became a #1 hit in 1958)	6
16D	26. Place to hibernate	4
17D	28. Home of Swansea and Wrexham	5
18D	29. There are approximately 30 trillion of these in the human body	5
19D	30. Gluten-free grain	6
20D	31. Annual F.D.I.C. requirement	9
21D	32. Deep and full	8
22D	33. Lovers of homophones, say	8
23D	34. Impressive work	4
24D	35. Adjective that's synonymous with its last four letters	7
25D	38. Convenient	6
26D	39. Tiki bar staple	6
27D	40. What positive news coverage is for business	6
28D	41. Section of a dress shop	6
29D	43. Swag	5
30D	44. U.N.C.'s athletic org.	3
31D	47. Part of a race	4
32D	48. "Project Runway" judge Garcia	4
33D	50. "King Kong" studio	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Bump's place, idiomatically"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONALOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Oxygen-dependent micro-organism"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an organism (especially a bacterium) that requires air or free oxygen for life
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AEROBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. "Crazy Rich Asians," for one"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROMCOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Backstabbers"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
• Similar words include: ophidian, Hydra, Snake
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SNAKES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "Hunters" actress Lena"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Uncontroversial opinions"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COLDTAKES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Dorm buddy"

15 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COLLEGEROOMMATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Underway"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that traveling by foot
• Similar words include: underway
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AFOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Dough in tamales"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an independent group of closely related chadic languages spoken in the area between the biu-mandara and east chadic languages
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MASA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Foxy"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that marked by skill in deception
• Similar words include: foxy, tricksy, tricky
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Plant overseas, perhaps"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CIAASSET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Devices that come with Siri Remotes"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APPLETVS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. What a babbler makes"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOSENSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Court figs."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of several small ungulate mammals of africa and asia with rodent-like incisors and feet with hooflike toes
• Similar words include: district attorney, hyrax, coney
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. "Tom ___" (classic folk song that became a #1 hit in 1958)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOOLEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Place to hibernate"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
• Similar words include: den
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "28. Home of Swansea and Wrexham"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one of the four countries that make up the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland; during roman times the region was known as cambria
• Similar words include: welt, Cymru, weal
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WALES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. There are approximately 30 trillion of these in the human body"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any small compartment
• Similar words include: cellular telephone, cellular phone, cell
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CELLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Gluten-free grain"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of various small-grained annual cereal and forage grasses of the genera panicum, echinochloa, setaria, sorghum, and eleusine
• Similar words include: Jean Francois Millet
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MILLET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Annual F.D.I.C. requirement"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BANKAUDIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Deep and full"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that full and loud and deep
• Similar words include: heavy
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SONOROUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Lovers of homophones, say"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that someone overly fond of making puns
• Similar words include: punster
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PUNSTERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Impressive work"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a musical work that has been created
• Similar words include: piece, musical composition, composition
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OPUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Adjective that's synonymous with its last four letters"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (usually followed by `of') having capacity or ability
• Similar words include: equal to, up to, adequate to
• Opposite of: incapable

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAPABLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Convenient"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATHAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Tiki bar staple"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAITAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. What positive news coverage is for business"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FREEPR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Section of a dress shop"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a young woman
• Similar words include: drop, omit, lack
• Opposite of: attend to, attend

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MISSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Swag"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MERCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. U.N.C.'s athletic org."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a command that is the primary provider of air combat weapon systems to the united states air force; operates fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, battle-management, and rescue aircraft
• Similar words include: Air Combat Command
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Part of a race"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
• Similar words include: warmth, estrus, wake
• Opposite of: coldness, anestrus

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HEAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. "Project Runway" judge Garcia"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the babylonian goddess of the watery deep and daughter of ea
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NINA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. "King Kong" studio"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RKO

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

33 Down Clues

68 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.

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Last updated: May 01, 2026 at 06:25 AM

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 15, 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
• Across Clues Table (37 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (37 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Playbill groups	5
2A	6. "He's very modest — he has a lot to be modest about," e.g.	4
3A	10. Like an enthusiast	4
4A	14. Tokyo-based brewery	5
5A	15. Musical instrument whose second syllable sounds like a part of other musical instruments	4
6A	16. Snackable seaweed	4
7A	17. Put all the bold letters in this clue together?	10
8A	19. Aussie greeting	4
9A	20. Paper view?	4
10A	21. One reason to pucker up	4
11A	22. Its antlers can grow up to an inch per day	3
12A	23. Cheese tested as cannon ammunition on "MythBusters" (it didn't work)	4
13A	25. How two people might walk	7
14A	29. Put all the bold letters in this clue together?	14
15A	32. Get into a get-up	6
16A	33. Mamá's boy	4
17A	34. Gold, at the Milano Cortina Olympics	3
18A	35. "Dagnabbit!"	4
19A	36. Sheriff's backup	5
20A	38. Tech review site	4
21A	39. "I love," in Italian and Spanish	3
22A	40. Veg out in a spa?	4
23A	41. Works out, say	6
24A	43. Put all the bold letters in this clue together?	14
25A	46. Russian revolutionary of the early 1900s	7
26A	47. Longtime Yankee nickname	4
27A	48. "___ to the West Wind"	3
28A	49. Isle in Scotland's Inner Hebrides	4
29A	51. "It's fun to stay at the ___" (1978 lyric)	4
30A	55. Presidential power	4
31A	57. Put all the bold letters in this clue together?	10
32A	59. Blizzard ingredient	4
33A	60. English singer Parks	4
34A	61. Potato-based Hanukkah serving	5
35A	62. Heartfelt, say	4
36A	63. Cat's cry	4
37A	64. Parts of a copse	5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Playbill groups"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the actors in a play
• Similar words include: purge, plaster bandage, plaster cast
• Opposite of: keep down

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CASTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. "He's very modest — he has a lot to be modest about," e.g."

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
• Similar words include: dig, agree, jibe
• Opposite of: disagree

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GIBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Like an enthusiast"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (often followed by `for') ardently or excessively desirous
• Similar words include: greedy, esurient, devouring
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Tokyo-based brewery"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASAHI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Musical instrument whose second syllable sounds like a part of other musical instruments"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a slender double-reed instrument; a woodwind with a conical bore and a double-reed mouthpiece
• Similar words include: hautboy, hautbois
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OBOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Snackable seaweed"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NORI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Put all the bold letters in this clue together?"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAKEASTINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Aussie greeting"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GDAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Paper view?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OPED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. One reason to pucker up"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
• Similar words include: osculation, osculate, candy kiss
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Its antlers can grow up to an inch per day"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called `elk' in europe and `moose' in north america
• Similar words include: American elk, moose, Alces alces
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Cheese tested as cannon ammunition on "MythBusters" (it didn't work)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that mild yellow dutch cheese made in balls encased in a red covering
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EDAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. How two people might walk"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge
• Similar words include: au fait, au courant, up on
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABREAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Put all the bold letters in this clue together?"

14 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CREATEAMONSTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Get into a get-up"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that provide with clothes or put clothes on
• Similar words include: adorn, drape, garment
• Opposite of: undress

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLOTHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Mamá's boy"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NINO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Gold, at the Milano Cortina Olympics"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. "Dagnabbit!""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
• Similar words include: shit, stinker, scab
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Sheriff's backup"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a temporary police force
• Similar words include: posse comitatus
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POSSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Tech review site"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CNET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. "I love," in Italian and Spanish"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Veg out in a spa?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cylindrical green fruit with thin green rind and white flesh eaten as a vegetable; related to melons
• Similar words include: cucumber
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CUKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "41. Works out, say"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive
• Similar words include: power train, trail, groom
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRAINS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Put all the bold letters in this clue together?"

14 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FORMANALLIANCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Russian revolutionary of the early 1900s"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that russian revolutionary and communist theorist who helped lenin and built up the army; he was ousted from the communist party by stalin and eventually assassinated in mexico (1879-1940)
• Similar words include: Lev Davidovich Bronstein, Leon Trotsky
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TROTSKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Longtime Yankee nickname"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AROD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "48. "___ to the West Wind""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "49. Isle in Scotland's Inner Hebrides"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SKYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. "It's fun to stay at the ___" (1978 lyric)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YMCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Presidential power"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a vote that blocks a decision
• Similar words include: forbid, nix, blackball
• Opposite of: allow, permit

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VETO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Put all the bold letters in this clue together?"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BUILDABEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. Blizzard ingredient"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

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!

33A: "60. English singer Parks"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "61. Potato-based Hanukkah serving"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that made of grated potato and egg with a little flour
• Similar words include: potato pancake
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LATKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "62. Heartfelt, say"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that get warm or warmer
• Similar words include: ardent, lovesome, affectionate
• Opposite of: cool

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WARM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "63. Cat's cry"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)
• Similar words include: miaul, miaow, miaou
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "64. Parts of a copse"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
• Similar words include: shoetree, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, tree diagram
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TREES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Hunter's attire, informally	4
2D	2. "Like, now!"	4
3D	3. Drink that's often served hot in the winter	4
4D	4. When and where, in slang	8
5D	5. One-named singer with the 2022 hit "Unstoppable"	3
6D	6. The moment of truth	6
7D	7. Bird with a long, downward-curving bill	4
8D	8. Brest besties	8
9D	9. "Holy cannoli!"	3
10D	10. Geometers' calculations	6
11D	11. Clear cocktail often served with lime	10
12D	12. Apt letters missing from ret_ _ement pl_n	3
13D	13. Like some remodels, for short	3
14D	18. Genre for Blink-182 and Sum 41	9
15D	22. Toy inventer Rubik	4
16D	24. Bit of Morse code	3
17D	26. Completely beat	9
18D	27. Like a glassy lake	6
19D	28. Puts on display, with "out"	5
20D	29. Tumult	6
21D	30. Big name in plumbing	10
22D	31. Photographer Adams	5
23D	32. Woodworking or glass blowing	5
24D	37. "All right, I'm convinced"	8
25D	38. Milky Way or Mars	8
26D	40. Suit, e.g.	4
27D	42. Indian P.M. of the 1990s	3
28D	44. Destination for Frodo in "The Lord of the Rings"	6
29D	45. Tried not to draw attention	6
30D	50. Letter between Juliet and Lima	4
31D	52. Dole (out)	4
32D	53. Order for a wedding reception	4
33D	54. One of the Twelve Olympians	4
34D	55. Promise	3
35D	56. Pitching stat	3
36D	57. Comic book onomatopoeia	3
37D	58. Music genre prefix	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Hunter's attire, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that fabric dyed with splotches of green and brown and black and tan; intended to make the wearer of a garment made of this fabric hard to distinguish from the background
• Similar words include: camouflage
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Like, now!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that as soon as possible
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Drink that's often served hot in the winter"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a reason for wanting something done
• Similar words include: rice beer, saki, interest
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. When and where, in slang"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THEDEETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. One-named singer with the 2022 hit "Unstoppable""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. The moment of truth"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOTIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Bird with a long, downward-curving bill"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that wading birds of warm regions having long slender down-curved bills
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IBIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Brest besties"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BONSAMIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. "Holy cannoli!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Geometers' calculations"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
• Similar words include: slant, fish, angle
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANGLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Clear cocktail often served with lime"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VODKATONIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Apt letters missing from ret_ _ement pl_n"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a militant organization of irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive british forces from northern ireland and achieve a united independent ireland
• Similar words include: ire, Provisional Irish Republican Army, Provos
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Like some remodels, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DIY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Genre for Blink-182 and Sum 41"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SKATEPUNK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Toy inventer Rubik"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERNO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Bit of Morse code"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the longer of the two telegraphic signals used in morse code
• Similar words include: dash
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Completely beat"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BONETIRED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Like a glassy lake"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that not agitated; without losing self-possession
• Similar words include: calm, unagitated, tranquil
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SERENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Puts on display, with "out""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a slow pace of running
• Similar words include: Trotskyist, lope, Trotskyite
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TROTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Tumult"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a loud harsh or strident noise
• Similar words include: din, clamouring, hue and cry
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLAMOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Big name in plumbing"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROTOROOTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Photographer Adams"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANSEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Woodworking or glass blowing"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the skilled practice of a practical occupation
• Similar words include: trade, craftiness, slyness
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CRAFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. "All right, I'm convinced""

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OKAYSURE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Milky Way or Mars"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CANDYBAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Suit, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an occurrence of something
• Similar words include: typesetter's case, showcase, lawsuit
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Indian P.M. of the 1990s"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Destination for Frodo in "The Lord of the Rings""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MTDOOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Tried not to draw attention"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LAYLOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "50. Letter between Juliet and Lima"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one thousand grams; the basic unit of mass adopted under the systeme international d'unites
• Similar words include: kilogram, kg
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KILO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "52. Dole (out)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a line that indicates a boundary
• Similar words include: border, delimitation, borderline
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: METE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. Order for a wedding reception"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
• Similar words include: bar, coat, patty
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "54. One of the Twelve Olympians"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (greek mythology) greek god of war; son of zeus and hera; identified with roman mars
• Similar words include: are, ar
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "55. Promise"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a solemn pledge (to oneself or to another or to a deity) to do something or to behave in a certain manner
• Similar words include: consecrate
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "56. Pitching stat"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Similar words include: epoch, geological era, earned run average
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "57. Comic book onomatopoeia"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an ancient city in southeastern iran; destroyed by an earthquake in 2003
• Similar words include: blast, eruption, bang
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "58. Music genre prefix"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
• Similar words include: elevation, EL, altitude
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALT

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

37 Across Clues

37 Down Clues

74 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.

• Complete NYT Crossword Archive
• Advanced Solving Techniques
• Common Crossword Words

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Last updated: April 15, 2026 at 05:36 AM