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

Monday, May 18, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 18, 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: Tricky

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. Like a game that has gone into a penalty shootout 4
2A 5. Luxury handbag brand 5
3A 10. Petri dish gel 4
4A 14. West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024 4
5A 15. Stereotypical meal for a college student 5
6A 16. "Veni, ___, vici" 4
7A 17. Like the Code of Hammurabi 10
8A 19. Enterprise rival 4
9A 20. Got to one's feet 5
10A 21. Elmer's product 4
11A 23. "There's a cockroach!" 3
12A 24. Patch up some clothes, say 3
13A 25. Pioneering hybrid car 11
14A 29. Pouty expression 4
15A 30. Future atty.'s exam 4
16A 31. Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie" 4
17A 34. Tackling of the quarterback 4
18A 37. Nebraska's largest city 5
19A 40. Governing body in the Harry Potter universe 15
20A 43. Fibrous part of broccoli 5
21A 44. Nothin' 4
22A 45. Cool, slangily 4
23A 46. "___ Calm and Carry On" 4
24A 48. Region 4
25A 50. Gardener's tool 11
26A 54. Kit ___ bar 3
27A 57. Woodcutter's tool 3
28A 58. Beauty queen's accessory 4
29A 59. Garlicky condiment 5
30A 61. Eye irritation 4
31A 63. Advice for the overambitious ... or a hint to 17-, 25-, 40- and 50-Across 10
32A 66. ___ leches cake 4
33A 67. Oopsie 5
34A 68. Lotion ingredient 4
35A 69. Toward sunrise 4
36A 70. "Same!" 5
37A 71. Stereotypically antisocial pets 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Like a game that has gone into a penalty shootout"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord
  • Similar words include: trussed, draw, bind
  • Opposite of: untied, disconnect
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Luxury handbag brand"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Petri dish gel"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any culture medium that uses agar as the gelling agent
  • Similar words include: nutrient agar, agar-agar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Stereotypical meal for a college student"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. "Veni, ___, vici""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Like the Code of Hammurabi"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inhabitant of ancient babylon
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BABYLONIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Enterprise rival"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Got to one's feet"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come into existence; take on form or shape
  • Similar words include: get up, grow, rise up
  • Opposite of: sit down, fall
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AROSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Elmer's product"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cement consisting of a sticky substance that is used as an adhesive
  • Similar words include: gum, paste, mucilage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. "There's a cockroach!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Patch up some clothes, say"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fasten by sewing; do needlework
  • Similar words include: sew together, tailor, run up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Pioneering hybrid car"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOYOTAPRIUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Pouty expression"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disdainful grimace
  • Similar words include: pout, wry face
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Future atty.'s exam"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Tackling of the quarterback"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
  • Similar words include: paper bag, poke, sacking
  • Opposite of: hire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Nebraska's largest city"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in the missouri river valley in northeastern nebraska
  • Similar words include: Maha
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMAHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Governing body in the Harry Potter universe"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "43. Fibrous part of broccoli"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
  • Similar words include: stem, husk, angry walk
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STALK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. Nothin'"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity of no importance
  • Similar words include: cypher, nil, null
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Cool, slangily"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that street names for marijuana
  • Similar words include: the skinny, Mary Jane, dope up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. "___ Calm and Carry On""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the financial means whereby one lives
  • Similar words include: livelihood, dungeon, hold on
  • Opposite of: discontinue, break
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. Region"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
  • Similar words include: surface area, sphere, domain
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Gardener's tool"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEEDWHACKER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. Kit ___ bar"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the leaves of the shrub catha edulis which are chewed like tobacco or used to make tea; has the effect of a euphoric stimulant
  • Similar words include: cat, African tea, qat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "57. Woodcutter's tool"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
  • Similar words include: ax
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "58. Beauty queen's accessory"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
  • Similar words include: waistband, girdle, window sash
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. Garlicky condiment"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that garlic mayonnaise
  • Similar words include: aioli sauce, garlic sauce
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIOLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Eye irritation"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
  • Similar words include: eye infection, sty, hordeolum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Advice for the overambitious ... or a hint to 17-, 25-, 40- and 50-Across"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. ___ leches cake"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Oopsie"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
  • Similar words include: mistake, erroneous belief, misplay
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERROR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Lotion ingredient"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Toward sunrise"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
  • Similar words include: Orient, E, eastern United States
  • Opposite of: west
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "70. "Same!""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "71. Stereotypically antisocial pets"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Large brass instruments 5
2D 2. "You have my sympathy" 5
3D 3. Macaroni shape 5
4D 4. 14 of these make up a fortnight 4
5D 5. Con's opposite 3
6D 6. Sprinted 3
7D 7. Friend in Mexico 5
8D 8. Gave out cards 5
9D 9. Zinnia or sunflower 6
10D 10. Director DuVernay 3
11D 11. Attempt something 9
12D 12. "Au revoir!" 5
13D 13. Puts on the line 5
14D 18. Oscar winner Jared 4
15D 22. English town famous for its salts 5
16D 26. Throw out of office 4
17D 27. Long (for) 5
18D 28. Holiday Inn competitor 6
19D 29. Sent by post 6
20D 31. Writes to on WhatsApp, in brief 3
21D 32. Puppy school command 3
22D 33. Roll of two ones 9
23D 35. "Ta-ta," in a text 3
24D 36. Camera company known for its "moments" 5
25D 38. With it 3
26D 39. Unreturned serve 3
27D 41. Distorts, as data 5
28D 42. Ticket price 4
29D 47. The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example 6
30D 49. Chapters of history 4
31D 50. Squander 5
32D 51. Outlandishly over the top, in modern slang 5
33D 52. Houston baseballer 5
34D 53. Swiss ___ (salad green) 5
35D 54. Marsupial often mistermed a "bear" 5
36D 55. Apportion 5
37D 56. There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game 5
38D 60. Apple desktop 4
39D 62. Superlative suffix 3
40D 64. Down Under bounder, for short 3
41D 65. Prefix between bi- and tetra- 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Large brass instruments"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the lowest brass wind instrument
  • Similar words include: bass horn, tuba, sousaphone
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUBAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "You have my sympathy""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Macaroni shape"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
  • Similar words include: human elbow, cubital joint, articulatio cubiti
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELBOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. 14 of these make up a fortnight"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time during which someone's life continues
  • Similar words include: Day, daylight, Clarence Day
  • Opposite of: night
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Con's opposite"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an athlete who plays for pay
  • Similar words include: professional
  • Opposite of: amateur, anti
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Sprinted"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
  • Similar words include: function, bunk, be given
  • Opposite of: idle, malfunction
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Friend in Mexico"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a friend or comrade
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMIGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Gave out cards"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
  • Similar words include: take, grapple, cover
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Zinnia or sunflower"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (botany) a plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year
  • Similar words include: one-year, yearbook, yearly
  • Opposite of: biennial
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANNUAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Director DuVernay"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Attempt something"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "Au revoir!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a farewell remark
  • Similar words include: cheerio, bye, au revoir
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADIEU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Puts on the line"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
  • Similar words include: risk of exposure, take chances, risk of infection
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RISKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Oscar winner Jared"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wife or mistress of zeus and mother of apollo and artemis in ancient mythology; called latona in roman mythology
  • Similar words include: Latona
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LETO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. English town famous for its salts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Throw out of office"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove from a position or office
  • Similar words include: throw out, boot out, drum out
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Long (for)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that desire strongly or persistently
  • Similar words include: hanker, pine, ache
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YEARN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Holiday Inn competitor"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Sent by post"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that send via the postal service
  • Similar words include: get off, mail-clad, mail
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAILED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Writes to on WhatsApp, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Puppy school command"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be around, often idly or without specific purpose
  • Similar words include: model, sit around, baby-sit
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Roll of two ones"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. "Ta-ta," in a text"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Camera company known for its "moments""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. With it"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
  • Similar words include: hip joint, coxa, articulatio coxae
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Unreturned serve"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: 1, sensation, breeze through
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Distorts, as data"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that turn or place at an angle
  • Similar words include: skew
  • Opposite of: align
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKEWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Ticket price"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an agenda of things to do
  • Similar words include: menu, make out, come
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any distinct time period in a sequence of events
  • Similar words include: phase angle, form, phase
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Chapters of history"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: earned run average, era, epoch
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Squander"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
  • Similar words include: wild, consume, thriftlessness
  • Opposite of: conserve
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WASTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Outlandishly over the top, in modern slang"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Houston baseballer"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Swiss ___ (salad green)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that beet lacking swollen root; grown as a vegetable for its edible leaves and stalks
  • Similar words include: spinach beet, Swiss chard, leaf beet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Marsupial often mistermed a "bear""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sluggish tailless australian arboreal marsupial with grey furry ears and coat; feeds on eucalyptus leaves and bark
  • Similar words include: kangaroo bear, native bear, koala bear
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KOALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Apportion"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that allow to have
  • Similar words include: dish out, accord, assign
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "60. Apple desktop"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "62. Superlative suffix"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
  • Similar words include: Eastern Time, Eastern Standard Time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "64. Down Under bounder, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "65. Prefix between bi- and tetra-"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: May 18, 2026 at 07:10 AM

Today's Trivia Week 3 NYT Mini Crossword May 18, 2026 Answers

Trivia Week 3 May 18, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Hints

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: December 01 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | June 03 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | July 12 2019 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for May 18, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Monday, May 18, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date May 18, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week {week_num} NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

  1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
  2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
  3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
  4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
  5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

  • Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
  • Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
  • Best time to play: During a coffee break
  • Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 25. Pioneering hybrid car
2 Across 46. "___ Calm and Carry On"
3 Across 43. Fibrous part of broccoli
4 Across 15. Stereotypical meal for a college student
5 Across 16. "Veni, ___, vici"
6 Across 48. Region
7 Across 44. Nothin'
8 Across 45. Cool, slangily
9 Across 67. Oopsie
10 Across 68. Lotion ingredient

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

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


1 Across: "25. Pioneering hybrid car"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 11 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: T_________S

Answer:

Click to reveal TOYOTAPRIUS


2 Across: "46. "___ Calm and Carry On""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: K__P

Answer:

Click to reveal KEEP


3 Across: "43. Fibrous part of broccoli"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: S___K

Answer:

Click to reveal STALK


4 Across: "15. Stereotypical meal for a college student"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: R___N

Answer:

Click to reveal RAMEN


5 Across: "16. "Veni, ___, vici""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: V__I

Answer:

Click to reveal VIDI


6 Across: "48. Region"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: A__A

Answer:

Click to reveal AREA


7 Across: "44. Nothin'"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: N__A

Answer:

Click to reveal NADA


8 Across: "45. Cool, slangily"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: D__E

Answer:

Click to reveal DOPE


9 Across: "67. Oopsie"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: E___R

Answer:

Click to reveal ERROR


10 Across: "68. Lotion ingredient"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A__E

Answer:

Click to reveal ALOE

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 6. Sprinted
2 Down 64. Down Under bounder, for short
3 Down 42. Ticket price
4 Down 47. The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example
5 Down 41. Distorts, as data
6 Down 3. Macaroni shape
7 Down 12. "Au revoir!"
8 Down 29. Sent by post
9 Down 22. English town famous for its salts
10 Down 38. With it

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:


1 Down: "6. Sprinted"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'N'
  • Another word like this: ladder

Answer:

Click to reveal RAN


2 Down: "64. Down Under bounder, for short"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'O'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal ROO


3 Down: "42. Ticket price"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: F__E

Answer:

Click to reveal FARE


4 Down: "47. The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P____S

Answer:

Click to reveal PHASES


5 Down: "41. Distorts, as data"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S___S

Answer:

Click to reveal SKEWS


6 Down: "3. Macaroni shape"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: E___W

Answer:

Click to reveal ELBOW


7 Down: "12. "Au revoir!""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: A___U

Answer:

Click to reveal ADIEU


8 Down: "29. Sent by post"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: M____D

Answer:

Click to reveal MAILED


9 Down: "22. English town famous for its salts"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: E___M

Answer:

Click to reveal EPSOM


10 Down: "38. With it"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'P'
  • Another word like this: rosehip

Answer:

Click to reveal HIP

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
  2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
  3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
  4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
  5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • The letter E is the most common in English
  • Words ending in S are often plurals
  • If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
  • Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds Advanced Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes Good You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes Learning You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20 clues to solve
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25 squares to fill
Average Time: Most people solve in 52 seconds
Difficulty: Normal

Common Questions About Trivia Week 3

When can I play the Trivia Week 3 Mini?

The Trivia Week 3 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 3?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 3 Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play Trivia Week 3?

No! The Trivia Week 3 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 3 solver?

Good Trivia Week 3 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 3?

Trivia Week 3 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.


About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: May 18, 2026 at 07:09 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, May 18 2026 mini crossword

Thursday, December 11, 2025

NYT Across Crossword December 11, 2025 - Master All 37 Left-to-Right Clues

NYT Across Crossword December 11, 2025 - Master All 37 Left-to-Right Clues

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 37 Across clues. We have all the horizontal answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: NYT Across Crossword September 18 2025 | March 24 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | April 29 2022 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Across Clues

NYT Across clues solutions for December 11, 2025
NYT Across Clues - Thursday, December 11, 2025
Across Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 11, 2025
Day of Week Thursday
Total Across Clues 37 clues
Direction Horizontal (Left to Right)
Difficulty Easy

All Across Clues - Complete List

Here are all 37 Across clues for today's puzzle. These go horizontally from left to right.

Complete Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 1. Against
2 Across 5. Greek goddess swallowed by her father and rescued by her future husband
3 Across 9. Suisse peak
4 Across 13. Spoils
5 Across 14. Work of Bellini or Bizet
6 Across 16. Stead
7 Across 17. SEAL ... SWAT... B ...
8 Across 19. Some ways off
9 Across 20. Plane divider
10 Across 21. English town known for its salt
11 Across 23. Sustainable start?
12 Across 24. Contraction that's a homophone of 20-Across
13 Across 26. Author Zora ___ Hurston
14 Across 28. Utopia ... 10 ... ideal ...
15 Across 34. Warms up for a race, say
16 Across 35. Columbus's smallest ship
17 Across 36. "No harm, no foul"
18 Across 37. Bus. page news
19 Across 38. Landing area in a long jump
20 Across 40. Sign for cheap admission
21 Across 41. Word with heavy or scrap
22 Across 43. Slip (out), in a way
23 Across 44. Cry over spilt milk?
24 Across 45. Puff ... Komodo ... Smaug ...
25 Across 48. Take inspiration from
26 Across 49. Quote from Homer
27 Across 50. Cable staple since 1972
28 Across 51. A replay might be seen in this
29 Across 55. Echo starter
30 Across 59. Prepares to throw
31 Across 61. Fish ... scuba ... Army ...
32 Across 63. Reunion group
33 Across 64. Subject of an Oscars announcement
34 Across 65. What a dog might do to its owner
35 Across 66. Lottery-style gambling game
36 Across 67. Dreamcast developer
37 Across 68. Puts two and two together, say

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Across Clues

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

Complete Across Solutions:


1 Across: "1. Against"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: A__I
  • Opposite of: pro
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ANTI


2 Across: "5. Greek goddess swallowed by her father and rescued by her future husband"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: H__A
  • Similar words: Here
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer HERA


3 Across: "9. Suisse peak"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ALPE


4 Across: "13. Spoils"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: L__T
  • Similar words: pelf, simoleons
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: goods or money obtained illegally
  • This is Across clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer LOOT


5 Across: "14. Work of Bellini or Bizet"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: O___A
  • Similar words: opera house
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer OPERA


6 Across: "16. Stead"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: L__U
  • Similar words: place, position
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer LIEU


7 Across: "17. SEAL ... SWAT... B ..."

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 10 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: D________S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DREAMTEAMS


8 Across: "19. Some ways off"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: A__R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: (old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far
  • This is Across clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer AFAR


9 Across: "20. Plane divider"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A___E
  • Similar words: gangway
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
  • This is Across clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer AISLE


10 Across: "21. English town known for its salt"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: E___M
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer EPSOM


11 Across: "23. Sustainable start?"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ECO


12 Across: "24. Contraction that's a homophone of 20-Across"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'L'
  • Similar words: sick, poorly
  • Opposite of: well
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ILL


13 Across: "26. Author Zora ___ Hurston"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: N___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer NEALE


14 Across: "28. Utopia ... 10 ... ideal ..."

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 14 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: P____________T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer PICTUREPERFECT


15 Across: "34. Warms up for a race, say"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'J' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: J__S
  • Similar words: ramble, jog
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a sharp change in direction
  • This is Across clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer JOGS


16 Across: "35. Columbus's smallest ship"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: N__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer NINA


17 Across: "36. "No harm, no foul""

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: I___K
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ITSOK


18 Across: "37. Bus. page news"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a corporation's first offer to sell stock to the public
  • This is Across clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer IPO


19 Across: "38. Landing area in a long jump"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: S_____T
  • Similar words: sandbox, sandpile
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a large pit in sandy ground from which sand is dug
  • This is Across clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SANDPIT


20 Across: "40. Sign for cheap admission"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SRO


21 Across: "41. Word with heavy or scrap"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: M___L
  • Similar words: alloy, metallic
  • Opposite of: nonmetallic
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer METAL


22 Across: "43. Slip (out), in a way"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: S__P
  • Similar words: ooze
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SEEP


23 Across: "44. Cry over spilt milk?"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: O__S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer OOPS


24 Across: "45. Puff ... Komodo ... Smaug ..."

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 14 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: I____________S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer IMAGINEDRAGONS


25 Across: "48. Take inspiration from"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: O___O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer OWETO


26 Across: "49. Quote from Homer"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'H'
  • Similar words: do, ut
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DOH


27 Across: "50. Cable staple since 1972"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer HBO


28 Across: "51. A replay might be seen in this"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: S___O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SLOMO


29 Across: "55. Echo starter"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: A___A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ALEXA


30 Across: "59. Prepares to throw"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A__S
  • Similar words: get, heading
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer AIMS


31 Across: "61. Fish ... scuba ... Army ..."

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 10 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: T________S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer THINKTANKS


32 Across: "63. Reunion group"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: C__N
  • Similar words: kindred, tribe
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: group of people related by blood or marriage
  • This is Across clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer CLAN


33 Across: "64. Subject of an Oscars announcement"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: E___E
  • Similar words: host, compere
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer EMCEE


34 Across: "65. What a dog might do to its owner"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: L__K
  • Similar words: clobber, work
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a salt deposit that animals regularly lick
  • This is Across clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer LICK


35 Across: "66. Lottery-style gambling game"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: K__O
  • Similar words: bingo, beano
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer KENO


36 Across: "67. Dreamcast developer"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: S__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SEGA


37 Across: "68. Puts two and two together, say"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A__S
  • Similar words: tot up, impart
  • Opposite of: subtract
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ADDS

Expert Strategies for Solving Across Clues

Master the horizontal clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Across Clues?

  • Across clues often provide more letter intersections
  • Reading left to right feels more natural
  • Many common phrases run horizontally
  • Across answers often help solve Down clues

Across Clue Patterns to Recognize

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

Time-Saving Across Techniques

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Across Clues

What are Across clues in crossword puzzles?

Across clues are the horizontal entries in a crossword puzzle that read from left to right. They're numbered and correspond to specific rows in the grid.

Should I solve Across or Down clues first?

Many solvers prefer starting with Across clues because reading left-to-right feels more natural. However, the best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Across clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 37 Across clues.

Are Across clues easier than Down clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Across clues often contain more common phrases and expressions.

How do Across clues interact with Down clues?

Across and Down 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 Across 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: December 11, 2025 at 04:54 AM

Search terms: NYT Across, Across clues, horizontal, crossword answers, left to right, December 11 2025 across clues