June 17, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (39 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

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• August 19 2023 NYT Clues Solutions

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 74 (35 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.9 letters

NYT Wednesday Crossword Across Clues - June 17, 2020 Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. 1975 thriller film with three sequels	4
2A	5. Word after Peace or press	5
3A	10. "___ arigato, Mr. Roboto"	4
4A	14. Lure	4
5A	15. Kind of acid	5
6A	16. Don Juan's mother	4
7A	17. Going-out-of-business event	4
8A	18. Muscat resident	5
9A	19. 1960s band with a car-related name, with "the"	4
10A	20. Winter whiteness	13
11A	23. Longtime music director of La Scala and the New York Philharmonic	9
12A	24. With 27-Across, slippery hazard	5
13A	27. See 24-Across	5
14A	31. Tellers of tales	5
15A	32. With 37-Across, metaphor for comfort	3
16A	35. Already	5
17A	36. Photo ___	3
18A	37. See 32-Across	7
19A	40. Navy noncom	3
20A	41. Impressionist	4
21A	43. Talked at length	5
22A	44. Shell	4
23A	45. Terse refusal	6
24A	47. Spooks	6
25A	49. Their crooning may cause swooning	9
26A	53. 1989 Best Picture nominee ... with a hint to 20-, 24-/27- and 32-/37-Across	13
27A	57. Like certain transportation pricing	5
28A	58. Emmy- and Tony-winning Arthur	3
29A	59. Sharp	5
30A	61. Streaming component	5
31A	62. Word often misused in place of "lie"	3
32A	63. Big name in timekeeping	5
33A	64. Moves along	5
34A	65. Trauma ctrs.	3
35A	66. Brushed (away)	5

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

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

Clue 1 Across: "1. 1975 thriller film with three sequels"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth
• Words that mean the same thing: confab, masticate, scold
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JAWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Word after Peace or press"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
• Words that mean the same thing: corporation, army corps, corp
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CORPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. "___ arigato, Mr. Roboto""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DOMO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Lure"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a gully that is shallower than a ravine
• Words that mean the same thing: depict, haul, suck up
• The opposite would be: push, repel
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DRAW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Kind of acid"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OLEIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Don Juan's mother"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: INEZ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Going-out-of-business event"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a particular instance of selling
• Words that mean the same thing: cut-rate sale, sales event, sales agreement
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Muscat resident"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a native or inhabitant of oman
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OMANI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. 1960s band with a car-related name, with "the""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: GTOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. Winter whiteness"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BLANKETOFSNOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Longtime music director of La Scala and the New York Philharmonic"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that italian conductor of many orchestras worldwide (1867-1957)
• Words that mean the same thing: Arturo Toscanini
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOSCANINI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. With 27-Across, slippery hazard"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any broad thin expanse or surface
• Words that mean the same thing: tabloid, bed sheet, plane
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHEET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "27. See 24-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OFICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. Tellers of tales"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person who has lied or who lies repeatedly
• Words that mean the same thing: liar, prevaricator
• The opposite would be: square shooter
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LIARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "32. With 37-Across, metaphor for comfort"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
• Words that mean the same thing: retire, seam, eff
• The opposite would be: get up, turn out
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. Already"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BYNOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. Photo ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (roman mythology) goddess of abundance and fertility; wife of saturn; counterpart of greek rhea and cybele of ancient asia minor
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. See 32-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OFROSES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "40. Navy noncom"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CPO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "41. Impressionist"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that someone who copies the words or behavior of another
• Words that mean the same thing: copycat, ape, emulator
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: APER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. Talked at length"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RANON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "44. Shell"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
• Words that mean the same thing: shuck, chaff, shell
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HUSK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "45. Terse refusal"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NODICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "47. Spooks"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that sudden mass fear and anxiety over anticipated events
• Words that mean the same thing: frighten, pock, pall
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCARES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "49. Their crooning may cause swooning"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TEENIDOLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "53. 1989 Best Picture nominee ... with a hint to 20-, 24-/27- and 32-/37-Across"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FIELDOFDREAMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "57. Like certain transportation pricing"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that relating to or of the nature of a zone
• Words that mean the same thing: zonary
• The opposite would be: azonal
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ZONAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "58. Emmy- and Tony-winning Arthur"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "59. Sharp"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a mark (') placed above a vowel to indicate pronunciation
• Words that mean the same thing: penetrating, discriminating, acute accent
• The opposite would be: obtuse, chronic
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACUTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "61. Streaming component"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the audible part of a transmitted signal
• Words that mean the same thing: sound recording, audio recording, audio frequency
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AUDIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "62. Word often misused in place of "lie""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
• Words that mean the same thing: ballad, set, consist
• The opposite would be: arise, stand
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "63. Big name in timekeeping"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ROLEX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "64. Moves along"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
• Words that mean the same thing: goading, poke at, stab
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PRODS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "65. Trauma ctrs."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
• Words that mean the same thing: Er, emergency room, ER
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "66. Brushed (away)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that sweep across or over
• Words that mean the same thing: sweep up, drag in, drag
• The opposite would be: unswept
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SWEPT

  Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Wednesday NYT Crossword June 17, 2020

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Law school graduates, in brief	3
2D	2. Spirited horse	4
3D	3. Where stucco is stuck	4
4D	4. Common clothing item ... or what you might become when wearing it	7
5D	5. Does the dishes?	5
6D	6. Ancient Mexican	5
7D	7. Rodeo rope	5
8D	8. Attach, as a boutonniere	5
9D	9. Any movie with ETs	5
10D	10. Give distinction to	7
11D	11. Able to see right through	4
12D	12. Copy cats?	4
13D	13. Abbr. in a birth announcement	3
14D	21. "That's wrong!"	5
15D	22. Hoity-toity types	5
16D	24. Memorial ___ Kettering (N.Y.C. hospital)	5
17D	25. Big body in Africa	5
18D	26. Alleviated	5
19D	28. Sustain, as expenses	5
20D	29. Thicket	5
21D	30. Some "Star Wars" merchandise	5
22D	32. Word after sports, training or push-up	3
23D	33. Section of geological history	3
24D	34. Brit. award	3
25D	38. Made available, with "up"	5
26D	39. Expressionist James	5
27D	42. Company that's RAD on the New York Stock Exchange	7
28D	44. Flips out	7
29D	46. Section of a string section	6
30D	48. Brushes (away)	6
31D	50. Righteous	5
32D	51. "What concerns me is ..."	5
33D	52. Launch times	5
34D	53. Only digit in the ZIP code for Newton Falls, Ohio	4
35D	54. Prefix with China	4
36D	55. Drug ___	4
37D	56. Part of a process	4
38D	57. Sound of a lightning bolt	3
39D	60. Part of many an office phone no.	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

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

Clue 1 Down: "1. Law school graduates, in brief"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: JDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Spirited horse"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of a semitic people originally from the arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks arabic and who inhabits much of the middle east and northern africa
• Words that mean the same thing: Arabian
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Where stucco is stuck"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
• Words that mean the same thing: palisade, fence, fence in
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Common clothing item ... or what you might become when wearing it"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a crocheted or knitted garment covering the upper part of the body
• Words that mean the same thing: perspirer, jumper
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SWEATER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Does the dishes?"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about food & drink.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that someone who cooks food
• Words that mean the same thing: falsify, Captain Cook, misrepresent
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COOKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Ancient Mexican"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of an early mesoamerican civilization centered around veracruz that flourished between 1300 and 400 bc
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OLMEC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Rodeo rope"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a long noosed rope used to catch animals
• Words that mean the same thing: riata, lasso, lariat
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REATA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Attach, as a boutonniere"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of several low-growing pines of western north america
• Words that mean the same thing: pinyon
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PINON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Any movie with ETs"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SCIFI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Give distinction to"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that confer dignity or honor upon
• Words that mean the same thing: ennoble
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DIGNIFY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Able to see right through"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ONTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Copy cats?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MEOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Abbr. in a birth announcement"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OZS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "21. "That's wrong!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NOTSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Hoity-toity types"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
• Words that mean the same thing: snot, snob, snoot
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNOBS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Memorial ___ Kettering (N.Y.C. hospital)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SLOAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Big body in Africa"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an ancient numidian town in northwestern africa adjoining present-day annaba in northeastern algeria
• Words that mean the same thing: Hippopotamus amphibius, river horse, hippopotamus
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HIPPO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. Alleviated"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that move gently or carefully
• Words that mean the same thing: comfort, relieve, allay
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EASED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Sustain, as expenses"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to
• Words that mean the same thing: obtain, receive, find
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INCUR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. Thicket"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a dense growth of bushes
• Words that mean the same thing: brush, thicket, coppice
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COPSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Some "Star Wars" merchandise"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EWOKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Word after sports, training or push-up"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an undergarment worn by women to support their breasts
• Words that mean the same thing: brassiere, bandeau
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BRA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Section of geological history"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the longest division of geological time
• Words that mean the same thing: aeon
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Brit. award"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. Made available, with "up""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that grant freedom to; free from confinement
• Words that mean the same thing: loose, unfreeze, relinquish
• The opposite would be: freeze, block
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FREED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Expressionist James"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ENSOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Company that's RAD on the New York Stock Exchange"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RITEAID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Flips out"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HASACOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "46. Section of a string section"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a large stringed instrument; seated player holds it upright while playing
• Words that mean the same thing: cello, violoncello
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CELLOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "48. Brushes (away)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the state of being free of suspicion
• Words that mean the same thing: earn, top, acquit
• The opposite would be: overcast, bounce
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLEARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Righteous"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a titled peer of the realm
• Words that mean the same thing: stately, baronial, Lord
• The opposite would be: lowborn, noblewoman
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NOBLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. "What concerns me is ...""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IFEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. Launch times"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DDAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. Only digit in the ZIP code for Newton Falls, Ohio"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
• Words that mean the same thing: quaternity, quartet, Little Joe
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FOUR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "54. Prefix with China"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: INDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "55. Drug ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile
• Words that mean the same thing: scuff
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MULE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "56. Part of a process"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
• Words that mean the same thing: maltreat, ill-use, dance step
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STEP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "57. Sound of a lightning bolt"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a sudden event that imparts energy or excitement, usually with a dramatic impact
• Words that mean the same thing: microwave, atomise, micro-cook
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ZAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "60. Part of many an office phone no."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EXT

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	54	73.0%
Short Answer	9	12.2%
History	3	4.1%
Movies/Film	2	2.7%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.7%
Sports	2	2.7%
Food & Drink	1	1.4%
Abbreviation	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	74
Average Answer Length	4.9 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	13 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Wednesday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

More Crossword Resources

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

• December 22 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers May 31 2025
• January 28 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• December 08 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 08 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• August 19 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 02 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers May 28 2025
• June 03 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers August 17

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

Last Updated: September 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM

December 23, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (32 clues)
• Down Clues (42 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, December 23, 2021

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 74 (32 Across, 42 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

December 23, 2021 Thursday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. When said three times, how an overlong comment might be summarized	4
2A	5. Morgan Stanley acquisition of 2020	6
3A	11. Shock, in a way	3
4A	14. Let up	4
5A	15. Get something just right	6
6A	16. Word aptly hidden in "I've got this!"	3
7A	17. Reef deposit hung on the holiday tree?	15
8A	20. Is unobliged to	7
9A	21. Popular web browser	6
10A	22. Something an Australian might throw on the barbie	6
11A	25. Beats (out)	5
12A	26. Heath genus that's also a woman's name	5
13A	29. Certain international soccer championship, familiarly	5
14A	31. Noble gas you can't live without?	10
15A	33. It's 1 for 90°	4
16A	37. Occasion on which to sing the hymn "Up From the Grave He Arose"	6
17A	38. Word with candy or ball	6
18A	40. Things caught at a beach	4
19A	41. Starbucks order for a man's man?	10
20A	45. True	5
21A	46. Essential character	5
22A	47. Cause of the moon hitting your eye like a big pizza pie, in song	5
23A	51. Sugar or flour	6
24A	53. Car model with a musical name	6
25A	55. Miami five	7
26A	59. Buys tickets for a couple of friends for a Polynesian getaway?	15
27A	62. Something it's good to get a hole in?	3
28A	63. Archers	6
29A	64. Trash day reminder	4
30A	65. Passage blocker, maybe	3
31A	66. New citizen, perhaps	6
32A	67. What cynophobia is the fear of	4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

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

Clue 1 Across: "1. When said three times, how an overlong comment might be summarized"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that pompous or pretentious talk or writing
• Words that mean the same thing: claptrap, fustian, bombast
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Morgan Stanley acquisition of 2020"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ETRADE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "11. Shock, in a way"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a sudden event that imparts energy or excitement, usually with a dramatic impact
• Words that mean the same thing: vaporize, nuke, atomise
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ZAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Let up"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
• Words that mean the same thing: repose, relieve, easiness
• The opposite would be: difficulty
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EASE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Get something just right"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NAILIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Word aptly hidden in "I've got this!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
• Words that mean the same thing: self-importance, self, egotism
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Reef deposit hung on the holiday tree?"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ACHRISTMASCORAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Is unobliged to"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NEEDNOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. Popular web browser"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that another word for chromium when it is used in dyes or pigments
• Words that mean the same thing: chromium-plate
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CHROME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Something an Australian might throw on the barbie"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SHRIMP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "25. Beats (out)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the boundary of a surface
• Words that mean the same thing: inch, butt, border
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EDGES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Heath genus that's also a woman's name"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any plant of the genus erica
• Words that mean the same thing: true heath
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERICA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "29. Certain international soccer championship, familiarly"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the basic monetary unit of most members of the european union (introduced in 1999); in 2002 twelve european nations (germany, france, belgium, luxembourg, the netherlands, italy, spain, portugal, ireland, greece, austria, finland) adopted the euro as their basic unit of money and abandoned their traditional currencies
• Words that mean the same thing: euro
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EUROS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. Noble gas you can't live without?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: VITALARGON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "33. It's 1 for 90°"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that ratio of the length of the side opposite the given angle to the length of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle
• Words that mean the same thing: sin
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "37. Occasion on which to sing the hymn "Up From the Grave He Arose""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a christian celebration of the resurrection of christ; celebrated on the sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox
• Words that mean the same thing: east wind, easterly
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EASTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "38. Word with candy or ball"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
• Words that mean the same thing: cotton plant, cotton fiber, cotton wool
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COTTON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "40. Things caught at a beach"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a column of light (as from a beacon)
• Words that mean the same thing: electron beam, light beam, ray
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "41. Starbucks order for a man's man?"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CAFFEMACHO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "45. True"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that steadfast in allegiance or duty
• Words that mean the same thing: firm, patriotic, fast
• The opposite would be: disloyal, unpatriotic
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOYAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "46. Essential character"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETHOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "47. Cause of the moon hitting your eye like a big pizza pie, in song"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AMORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "51. Sugar or flour"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (usually plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant
• Words that mean the same thing: basic, raw material, staple fibre
• The opposite would be: unstaple
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STAPLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "53. Car model with a musical name"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about music.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a musical composition of 3 or 4 movements of contrasting forms
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SONATA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "55. Miami five"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: THEHEAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "59. Buys tickets for a couple of friends for a Polynesian getaway?"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TAKESTWOTOTONGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "62. Something it's good to get a hole in?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Words that mean the same thing: i, unity, unitary
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "63. Archers"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow
• Words that mean the same thing: archer, bowman
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BOWMEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "64. Trash day reminder"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any property detected by the olfactory system
• Words that mean the same thing: olfactory perception, olfactory property, olfactory sensation
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "65. Passage blocker, maybe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that not this merely but also; not only so but
• The opposite would be: yea
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "66. New citizen, perhaps"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that someone who leaves one country to settle in another
• Words that mean the same thing: emigrant, outgoer, emigree
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EMIGRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "67. What cynophobia is the fear of"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of the genus canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
• Words that mean the same thing: tag, track, andiron
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DOGS

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Thursday Crossword Down Clues - December 23, 2021 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Black-eyed pea, technically	4
2D	2. Get ready to skate, with "up"	4
3D	3. Lead-in to a Southern "-ville"	4
4D	4. Tries to wrangle the unwrangleable	9
5D	5. "Christ's Entry Into Brussels in 1889" artist	5
6D	6. More ragged	7
7D	7. ___ shot	3
8D	8. In the way of	3
9D	9. 45, e.g.	4
10D	10. Does some cave art	6
11D	11. Free-fall phenomenon, informally	5
12D	12. Good thing to bring to the field	5
13D	13. North and South, but not East or West	5
14D	18. Gobble down	6
15D	19. Chicago airport code	3
16D	23. ___ shot	3
17D	24. For	3
18D	26. At all	4
19D	27. Org. that gives out "gold" but fights pirates	4
20D	28. Teeny-tiny	4
21D	30. "Kiss her ___ for me" ("A Holly Jolly Christmas" lyric)	4
22D	32. Western gas brand	4
23D	33. District of Columbia advocacy subject	9
24D	34. Hankering	4
25D	35. N.Y.C. neighborhood next to the Bowery	4
26D	36. Great-great-great-great-great grandfather of Noah	4
27D	39. Dish that may be served folded	6
28D	42. Old-timey agreements	3
29D	43. Like Santa, in traditional depictions	3
30D	44. Butter up, say	7
31D	45. Doesn't disturb	6
32D	47. Start of an English auto name	5
33D	48. 2016 animated film with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda	5
34D	49. Pitch-perfect	5
35D	50. Explorer John	3
36D	52. Give a buzz	5
37D	54. Small thing	4
38D	56. Opposite of exo-	4
39D	57. Full of anticipation	4
40D	58. Besmirches	4
41D	60. Historical event given its current name in 1939: Abbr.	3
42D	61. "!!!"	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

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

Clue 1 Down: "1. Black-eyed pea, technically"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of various edible seeds of plants of the family leguminosae used for food
• Words that mean the same thing: edible bean, attic, noggin
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Get ready to skate, with "up""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment)
• Words that mean the same thing: fortify, lace up, intertwine
• The opposite would be: untwine
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LACE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Lead-in to a Southern "-ville""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states tennis player who was the first black to win united states and english singles championships (1943-1993)
• Words that mean the same thing: Arthur Ashe, Arthur Robert Ashe
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASHE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Tries to wrangle the unwrangleable"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HERDSCATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. "Christ's Entry Into Brussels in 1889" artist"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ENSOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. More ragged"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that showing signs of wear and tear
• Words that mean the same thing: gimcrack, tacky, tatty
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TATTIER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. ___ shot"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object
• Words that mean the same thing: brim, flange, lip
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RIM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. In the way of"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. 45, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that sound recording consisting of a disk with a continuous groove; used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracks in the groove
• Words that mean the same thing: magnetic disk, phonograph recording, disk
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DISC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Does some cave art"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that make an etching of
• Words that mean the same thing: etch, engrave
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETCHES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Free-fall phenomenon, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ZEROG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Good thing to bring to the field"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AGAME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. North and South, but not East or West"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
• Words that mean the same thing: celestial pole, magnetic pole, Pole
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Gobble down"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that draw deep into the lungs in by breathing
• Words that mean the same thing: breathe in, inspire
• The opposite would be: exhale
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INHALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "19. Chicago airport code"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ORD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. ___ shot"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the quantity that can be held in a mug
• Words that mean the same thing: sucker, smiler, mark
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MUG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. For"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an athlete who plays for pay
• Words that mean the same thing: professional
• The opposite would be: con, amateur
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. At all"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that at any time
• Words that mean the same thing: e'er, always, of all time
• The opposite would be: never
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EVER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "27. Org. that gives out "gold" but fights pirates"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RIAA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "28. Teeny-tiny"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ITSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. "Kiss her ___ for me" ("A Holly Jolly Christmas" lyric)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that on one occasion
• Words that mean the same thing: erst, erstwhile, at one time
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ONCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Western gas brand"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (of instruments in the violin family) to be played with the bow
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARCO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. District of Columbia advocacy subject"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: STATEHOOD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Hankering"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation
• Words that mean the same thing: scratch, spoil, itchiness
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ITCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "35. N.Y.C. neighborhood next to the Bowery"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NOHO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "36. Great-great-great-great-great grandfather of Noah"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ENOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "39. Dish that may be served folded"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about food & drink.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that beaten eggs or an egg mixture cooked until just set; may be folded around e.g. ham or cheese or jelly
• Words that mean the same thing: omelette
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OMELET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Old-timey agreements"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "43. Like Santa, in traditional depictions"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a soft greasy substance occurring in organic tissue and consisting of a mixture of lipids (mostly triglycerides)
• Words that mean the same thing: fatten up, fertile, fatty
• The opposite would be: thin, leanness
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "44. Butter up, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that praise somewhat dishonestly
• Words that mean the same thing: prostrate, matte, vapid
• The opposite would be: contrasty, natural
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FLATTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "45. Doesn't disturb"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LETSBE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "47. Start of an English auto name"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ASTON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "48. 2016 animated film with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MOANA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "49. Pitch-perfect"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ONKEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "50. Explorer John"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RAE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "52. Give a buzz"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
• Words that mean the same thing: earpiece, headphone, telephone set
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PHONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "54. Small thing"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ATOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "56. Opposite of exo-"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ENDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "57. Full of anticipation"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that highly excited
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AGOG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "58. Besmirches"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
• Words that mean the same thing: old salt, Jack, seaman
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "60. Historical event given its current name in 1939: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WWI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 42 Down: "61. "!!!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OMG

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	53	71.6%
Short Answer	13	17.6%
Music	3	4.1%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.7%
Sports	1	1.4%
Food & Drink	1	1.4%
History	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	32
Down Clues	42
Total Clues	74
Average Answer Length	5.1 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: September 12, 2025 at 11:17 PM