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

Monday, April 27, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 27, 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: 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. Paths for lobbed tennis balls 4
2A 5. Tribe of Arizona 4
3A 9. Flinch, say 5
4A 14. Short blast from a horn 4
5A 15. Actor McGregor of "Trainspotting" 4
6A 16. Han Solo's response to Leia's "I love you" 5
7A 17. Singer's recovery period 9
8A 19. "Catch my drift?" 5
9A 20. Shop 5
10A 21. Spot for a soak 3
11A 23. Dear ___ (letter start) 3
12A 24. Pumice or basalt 12
13A 29. Chemical that speeds up a fruit's aging process 7
14A 32. Film director Coen 5
15A 33. "Our Lips ___ Sealed" (hit by the Go-Go's) 3
16A 34. Youngest woman ever elected to Congress, familiarly 3
17A 36. Betraying surprise, in a way 5
18A 39. Spinoff of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" 15
19A 44. Big name in microprocessors 5
20A 45. "Who's Who in the Cast" blurb 3
21A 46. Tie-breaking periods, for short 3
22A 47. How a picture book may be read at bedtime 5
23A 50. ___ of hand (magician's skill) 7
24A 53. Congressional history 12
25A 56. Palindrome akin to "Aha!" 3
26A 57. Work well together 3
27A 58. Florida's ___-Dade County 5
28A 62. Jousting weapon 5
29A 65. Device worn by a video gamer ... or a hint to 17-, 24-, 39- and 53-Across 9
30A 68. Basic piano chord 5
31A 69. Notes of indebtedness 4
32A 70. Gets eyes on 4
33A 71. Sends frisky messages 5
34A 72. Strong soapmaking solutions 4
35A 73. Like bourbon 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Paths for lobbed tennis balls"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
  • Similar words include: arc, bow, spark
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Tribe of Arizona"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the shoshonean people of northeastern arizona
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOPI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Flinch, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that show a response or a reaction to something
  • Similar words include: respond, oppose
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Short blast from a horn"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blast of a horn
  • Similar words include: carousal, beep, booze-up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Actor McGregor of "Trainspotting""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Han Solo's response to Leia's "I love you""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Singer's recovery period"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. "Catch my drift?""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Shop"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
  • Similar words include: computer storage, memory board, put in
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Spot for a soak"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body
  • Similar words include: tubful, bath, bathing tub
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Dear ___ (letter start)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that term of address for a man
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Pumice or basalt"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VOLCANICROCK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. Chemical that speeds up a fruit's aging process"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. Film director Coen"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. "Our Lips ___ Sealed" (hit by the Go-Go's)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
  • Similar words include: equal, ar, be
  • Opposite of: differ
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Youngest woman ever elected to Congress, familiarly"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Betraying surprise, in a way"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Spinoff of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills""

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "44. Big name in microprocessors"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "45. "Who's Who in the Cast" blurb"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "46. Tie-breaking periods, for short"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. How a picture book may be read at bedtime"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that using the voice; not silently
  • Similar words include: loud, loudly, out loud
  • Opposite of: softly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "50. ___ of hand (magician's skill)"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that adroitness in using the hands
  • Similar words include: manual dexterity, dexterity
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "53. Congressional history"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VOTINGRECORD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "56. Palindrome akin to "Aha!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "57. Work well together"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colloid in a more solid form than a sol
  • Similar words include: gelatin, colloidal gel, mousse
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "58. Florida's ___-Dade County"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the extinct algonquian people formerly living in northern indiana and southern michigan
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIAMI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "62. Jousting weapon"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
  • Similar words include: spear, shaft, fizgig
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LANCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "65. Device worn by a video gamer ... or a hint to 17-, 24-, 39- and 53-Across"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "68. Basic piano chord"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
  • Similar words include: trine, trey, triple
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "69. Notes of indebtedness"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal debt instrument; representing `i owe you'
  • Similar words include: IOU
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "70. Gets eyes on"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
  • Similar words include: fancy, take in, understand
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "71. Sends frisky messages"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fourth of the seven canonical hours; about noon
  • Similar words include: sext
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEXTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "72. Strong soapmaking solutions"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide
  • Similar words include: lye
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "73. Like bourbon"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Four-wheelers, in brief 4
2D 2. Word before beer or after square 4
3D 3. Pixar film with the Oscar-winning song "Remember Me" 4
4D 4. "Feed a cold, ___ a fever" (dubious medical advice) 6
5D 5. That girl 3
6D 6. Have debts 3
7D 7. Many an Olive Garden entree 5
8D 8. Sounding good, as a musical instrument 6
9D 9. 18-wheeler 3
10D 10. Barely get (by) 3
11D 11. Snack with celery, peanut butter and raisins 10
12D 12. "Peanuts" or "Pickles" 5
13D 13. Do some booty-shaking 5
14D 18. Spinks who defeated Muhammad Ali 4
15D 22. One-eighth of a byte 3
16D 25. Titular Shakespearean king 4
17D 26. Remove outer parts from, as a photo 4
18D 27. Burn until black 4
19D 28. Prego alternative 4
20D 29. Sitar virtuoso Shankar 4
21D 30. Tehran's land 4
22D 31. Grammy-winning a cappella group famous for their Christmas albums 10
23D 35. Chicago slugger 3
24D 37. "Late Night" host Meyers 4
25D 38. "Hey! Over here!" 4
26D 40. Place to purchase pastrami 4
27D 41. North Carolina university 4
28D 42. Catchall category: Abbr. 4
29D 43. Sport on a horse 4
30D 48. Sheepskin boot brand 3
31D 49. Role for Mike Myers in the Austin Powers movies 6
32D 51. Columnist Bombeck 4
33D 52. Doubling-down assertion 6
34D 53. Battery measure 5
35D 54. Chicago airport 5
36D 55. "The Jetsons" boy 5
37D 59. On the waves 4
38D 60. Gentle and submissive 4
39D 61. ___-bitsy 4
40D 63. Garfield in the funny pages, e.g. 3
41D 64. Magazine bigwigs, in brief 3
42D 66. Gradation of color 3
43D 67. Letter before tee 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Four-wheelers, in brief"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Word before beer or after square"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
  • Similar words include: rootage, theme, ancestor
  • Opposite of: descendant
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Pixar film with the Oscar-winning song "Remember Me""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tall palm tree bearing coconuts as fruits; widely planted throughout the tropics
  • Similar words include: coco palm, cocoa palm, coconut tree
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COCO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "Feed a cold, ___ a fever" (dubious medical advice)"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be hungry; go without food
  • Similar words include: hunger, famish, lust
  • Opposite of: feed, be full
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STARVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. That girl"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Have debts"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be obliged to pay or repay
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Many an Olive Garden entree"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dish that contains pasta as its main ingredient
  • Similar words include: alimentary paste
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PASTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Sounding good, as a musical instrument"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. 18-wheeler"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gear (including necessary machinery) for a particular enterprise
  • Similar words include: fishing rig, semi, set
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Barely get (by)"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Snack with celery, peanut butter and raisins"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "Peanuts" or "Pickles""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a professional performer who tells jokes and performs comical acts
  • Similar words include: risible, funny, amusing
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Do some booty-shaking"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Spinks who defeated Muhammad Ali"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a historical area and former kingdom in northwestern spain
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. One-eighth of a byte"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece or quantity of something
  • Similar words include: seize with teeth, scrap, morsel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Titular Shakespearean king"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that british artist and writer of nonsense verse (1812-1888)
  • Similar words include: Edward Lear, King Lear
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Remove outer parts from, as a photo"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the yield from plants in a single growing season
  • Similar words include: dress, craw, cut back
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CROP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Burn until black"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a charred substance
  • Similar words include: cleaning lady, woman, sear
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Prego alternative"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Sitar virtuoso Shankar"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Tehran's land"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a theocratic islamic republic in the middle east in western asia; iran was the core of the ancient empire that was known as persia until 1935; rich in oil
  • Similar words include: Persia, Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Grammy-winning a cappella group famous for their Christmas albums"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Chicago slugger"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward and inexperienced youth
  • Similar words include: greenhorn, sonny, lad
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. "Late Night" host Meyers"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) third son of adam and eve; given by god in place of the murdered abel
  • Similar words include: Set
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SETH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. "Hey! Over here!""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Place to purchase pastrami"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shop selling ready-to-eat food products
  • Similar words include: delicatessen, food shop
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. North Carolina university"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Catchall category: Abbr."

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Sport on a horse"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that venetian traveler who explored asia in the 13th century and served kublai khan (1254-1324)
  • Similar words include: Marco Polo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Sheepskin boot brand"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Role for Mike Myers in the Austin Powers movies"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Columnist Bombeck"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Doubling-down assertion"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Battery measure"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is 1 watt; equivalent to the potential difference across a resistance of 1 ohm when 1 ampere of current flows through it
  • Similar words include: volt, V
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VOLTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Chicago airport"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. "The Jetsons" boy"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "59. On the waves"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in the direction of the sea
  • Similar words include: seaward, seawards
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "60. Gentle and submissive"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
  • Similar words include: modest, spiritless, mild
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "61. ___-bitsy"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "63. Garfield in the funny pages, e.g."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
  • Similar words include: computerized tomography, computed axial tomography, barf
  • Opposite of: keep down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "64. Magazine bigwigs, in brief"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "66. Gradation of color"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
  • Similar words include: imbue, chromaticity
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "67. Letter before tee"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons
  • Similar words include: einsteinium, Es, atomic number 99
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESS

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
43 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: April 27, 2026 at 06:14 AM

Monday, October 20, 2025

All NYT Down Clues October 20, 2025 - 40 Vertical Answers with Hints

Monday NYT Down Solutions October 20, 2025 - Every Vertical Clue Decoded with Hints

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 40 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: May 27 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | August 30 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | December 23 2023 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for October 20, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Monday, October 20, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date October 20, 2025
Day of Week Monday
Total Down Clues 40 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Tricky

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 40 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. What covers the North Pole
2 Down 2. End of some sentences
3 Down 3. Having a certain natural hairstyle
4 Down 4. Furniture piece for a talk show host
5 Down 5. Shade of yellow
6 Down 6. More abrupt in language
7 Down 7. Hire to the team
8 Down 8. Band with the aptly titled debut album "High Voltage"
9 Down 9. Stratum
10 Down 10. Marketplace with stalls
11 Down 11. Occasion for a percussionist to shine
12 Down 12. With 13-Down, "___ can eat" (restaurant come-on)
13 Down 13. See 12-Down
14 Down 21. Inuit's home
15 Down 22. Time unit aptly hidden in "paleontology"
16 Down 26. University in North Carolina
17 Down 27. Difficult, tiring work
18 Down 29. Comic actress Wong
19 Down 31. Unit of flour
20 Down 32. Door handle
21 Down 34. Untuneful trumpet sound
22 Down 37. Lacking much thought
23 Down 38. Water, in Oaxaca
24 Down 39. Aforementioned
25 Down 40. Hospital area with IVs
26 Down 42. News media
27 Down 43. Crosstown rivals of the Cubbies
28 Down 46. Windpipe
29 Down 49. Decision-making consideration
30 Down 50. Neither here ___ there
31 Down 51. Only black key in a G major scale
32 Down 53. Fodder for "Jeopardy!"
33 Down 54. Alludes (to)
34 Down 55. Not interrupted by commercials ... or shortened like the middle words of 20-, 30-, 48- and 60-Across?
35 Down 58. Ties that are hard to untie
36 Down 61. Super-uptight
37 Down 62. Bit of bathroom dΓ©cor
38 Down 63. Do, re or mi
39 Down 64. It goes around every year
40 Down 65. Short ___ (beef cut)

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues

Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:

Complete Down Solutions:


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: I____P
  • Similar words: ice cap
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ICECAP


2 Down: "2. End of some sentences"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P____E
  • Similar words: password, word
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a promise
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PAROLE


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: A____D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AFROED


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: D__K
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DESK


5 Down: "5. Shade of yellow"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: A___R
  • Similar words: brownish-yellow, yellow-brown
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a deep yellow color
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AMBER


6 Down: "6. More abrupt in language"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: T____R
  • Similar words: crisp, terse
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: brief and to the point; effectively cut short
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TERSER


7 Down: "7. Hire to the team"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: B_____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BRINGON


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'C'
  • Word pattern: A__C
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ACDC


9 Down: "9. Stratum"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: T__R
  • Similar words: tier up, grade
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TIER


10 Down: "10. Marketplace with stalls"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: B____R
  • Similar words: fair, bazar
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a shop where a variety of goods are sold
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BAZAAR


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: D______O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DRUMSOLO


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Similar words: entirely, completely
  • Opposite of: some
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ALL


13 Down: "13. See 12-Down"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'U'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer YOU


14 Down: "21. Inuit's home"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: I___O
  • Similar words: iglu
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IGLOO


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'N'
  • Similar words: aeon
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the longest division of geological time
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EON


16 Down: "26. University in North Carolina"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: E__N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ELON


17 Down: "27. Difficult, tiring work"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'G'
  • Word pattern: S__G
  • Similar words: swig, tramp
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: work doggedly or persistently
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLOG


18 Down: "29. Comic actress Wong"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'I'
  • Similar words: Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ALI


19 Down: "31. Unit of flour"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'P'
  • Similar words: loving cup, cupful
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CUP


20 Down: "32. Door handle"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'B'
  • Word pattern: K__B
  • Similar words: pommel, node
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a circular rounded projection or protuberance
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KNOB


21 Down: "34. Untuneful trumpet sound"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: B__T
  • Similar words: baa, bleat
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: cry plaintively
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BLAT


22 Down: "37. Lacking much thought"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: R__H
  • Similar words: efflorescence, skin rash
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: any red eruption of the skin
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RASH


23 Down: "38. Water, in Oaxaca"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: A__A
  • Similar words: agua toad, Bufo marinus
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AGUA


24 Down: "39. Aforementioned"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: V______E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer VERYSAME


25 Down: "40. Hospital area with IVs"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'U'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ICU


26 Down: "42. News media"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P___S
  • Similar words: military press, bid
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the state of demanding notice or attention
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PRESS


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'X'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SOX


28 Down: "46. Windpipe"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: T_____A
  • Similar words: windpipe
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TRACHEA


29 Down: "49. Decision-making consideration"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: F____R
  • Similar words: ingredient, divisor
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: anything that contributes causally to a result
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FACTOR


30 Down: "50. Neither here ___ there"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'R'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NOR


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: F____P
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FSHARP


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: T____A
  • Similar words: triviality, trifle
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: something of small importance
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TRIVIA


33 Down: "54. Alludes (to)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: R____S
  • Similar words: touch on, cite
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: make reference to
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer REFERS


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ADFREE


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: K___S
  • Similar words: air mile, burl
  • Opposite of: unravel
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a tight cluster of people or things
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KNOTS


36 Down: "61. Super-uptight"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: A__L
  • Similar words: anal retentive
  • Opposite of: oral
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: of or related to the anus
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ANAL


37 Down: "62. Bit of bathroom dΓ©cor"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T__E
  • Similar words: roofing tile
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TILE


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: N__E
  • Similar words: distinction, bank note
  • Opposite of: ignore
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a brief written record
  • This is Down clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NOTE


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'U'
  • Similar words: grippe, influenza
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: an acute febrile highly contagious viral disease
  • This is Down clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FLU


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

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'B'
  • Similar words: costa, laugh at
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: support resembling the rib of an animal
  • This is Down clue number 40

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RIB

Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues

Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Down Clues?

  • Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
  • Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
  • Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
  • Down answers often help solve Across clues

Down Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically

Time-Saving Down Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Down first Get a mental map of the vertical flow
Fill short Down words 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors
Use crossing letters Across letters help confirm Down answers
Look for themes Related Down answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues

What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?

Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.

Should I solve Down or Across clues first?

Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 40 Down clues.

Are Down clues easier than Across clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.

How do Down clues interact with Across clues?

Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: October 20, 2025 at 05:14 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, October 20 2025 down clues