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Saturday, August 8, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 08, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Fling 4
2A 5. Garment with a loose, flowing end known as a "pallu" 4
3A 9. Longtime airer of "The Young and the Restless" 3
4A 12. Nocturnal sounds in the woods 5
5A 14. Waffle 9
6A 16. Woodard with multiple Emmys 5
7A 17. Author and illustrator of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" 9
8A 18. Slippery slope 10
9A 20. Crowd (in) 4
10A 21. Summertime top 11
11A 23. Group of reps 3
12A 24. Kind of coating applied to metal 8
13A 25. Go for again 5
14A 27. Load from the dock 6
15A 28. University of California campus site 5
16A 29. Locals call it Mongibello ("the mountain of mountains") 4
17A 30. O. Henry's "The Gift of the ___" 4
18A 31. Braided rope made of rawhide 5
19A 33. Limited 6
20A 35. "Comprende?" 5
21A 36. They're taken off for boudoir photos 8
22A 38. Relieved response 3
23A 39. Greek dish made with an abundance of spinach 11
24A 42. La ___ Tar Pits 4
25A 44. Instrument measuring liquid density 10
26A 45. French beauty 9
27A 47. Section of a golf bag 5
28A 48. Pawn-capturing move 9
29A 49. Hard French cheese 5
30A 50. Map lines: Abbr. 3
31A 51. Giant bird of Chinese mythology that is transformed from a fish called Kun 4
32A 52. Capone's foe 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Fling"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of flipping a coin
  • Similar words include: chuck out, convulse, thrash
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Garment with a loose, flowing end known as a "pallu""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dress worn primarily by hindu women; consists of several yards of light material that is draped around the body
  • Similar words include: saree
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Longtime airer of "The Young and the Restless""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "12. Nocturnal sounds in the woods"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
  • Similar words include: shit, hiss, tinker's damn
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Waffle"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Woodard with multiple Emmys"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Author and illustrator of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar""

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Slippery slope"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Crowd (in)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a collection of objects laid on top of each other
  • Similar words include: batch, lot, mint
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Summertime top"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Group of reps"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: mark, correct, lot
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Kind of coating applied to metal"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTIRUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Go for again"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hear or try a court case anew
  • Similar words include: rehear
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Load from the dock"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. University of California campus site"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english navigator who explored the arctic while searching for the northwest passage (1550-1605)
  • Similar words include: John Davys, Davys, Miles Dewey Davis Jr.
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAVIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. Locals call it Mongibello ("the mountain of mountains")"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inactive volcano in sicily; last erupted in 1961; the highest volcano in europe (10,500 feet)
  • Similar words include: Mt Etna, bunsen burner, Mount Etna
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "30. O. Henry's "The Gift of the ___""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (new testament) the sages who visited jesus and mary and joseph shortly after jesus was born; the gospel according to matthew says they were guided by a star and brought gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh; because there were three gifts it is usually assumed that there were three of them
  • Similar words include: magus, Wise Men
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAGI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "31. Braided rope made of rawhide"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long noosed rope used to catch animals
  • Similar words include: lasso, lariat, reata
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIATA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "33. Limited"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that bounded or limited in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent
  • Opposite of: infinite
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FINITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. "Comprende?""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "36. They're taken off for boudoir photos"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LENSCAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "38. Relieved response"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
  • Similar words include: ooh
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "39. Greek dish made with an abundance of spinach"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "42. La ___ Tar Pits"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "44. Instrument measuring liquid density"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measuring instrument for determining the specific gravity of a liquid or solid
  • Similar words include: gravimeter
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYDROMETER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "45. French beauty"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Section of a golf bag"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that metal shackles; for hands or legs
  • Similar words include: Fe, iron out, press
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "48. Pawn-capturing move"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "49. Hard French cheese"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french philosopher remembered as the founder of positivism; he also established sociology as a systematic field of study
  • Similar words include: Isidore Auguste Marie Francois Comte, Auguste Comte
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "50. Map lines: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "51. Giant bird of Chinese mythology that is transformed from a fish called Kun"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "52. Capone's foe"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strip of land projecting into a body of water
  • Similar words include: cape
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Warms up 5
2D 2. "Fancy!" 6
3D 3. Warms up, say 7
4D 4. Word-of-mouth promoters 10
5D 5. Investment bond in W.W. II 7
6D 6. During 6
7D 7. Tries to outrun 5
8D 8. Forbes competitor 3
9D 9. Corpus ___ 7
10D 10. Ostentatious spenders, in slang 7
11D 11. Term of endearment, in one spelling 6
12D 13. Napkins, to Brits 10
13D 14. Damn fine 7
14D 15. Repeated greeting in the Key & Peele sketch "Obama Meet & Greet" 3
15D 19. Court name 6
16D 22. Displaying a wide range of emotions, say 10
17D 26. Founder of Argentina's first female-led political party, familiarly 10
18D 28. Big name in comfortable footwear 6
19D 30. Tower with daily calls to prayer 7
20D 31. Hit from behind 7
21D 32. Words following a suggestion to try something 7
22D 33. Warding (off) 7
23D 34. Perfect example 7
24D 35. Person you practically have to drag out of a party, say 6
25D 36. One requesting simpler terms? 6
26D 37. Channel inserts 6
27D 40. Short-lived interest 5
28D 41. Parliamentary seats? 5
29D 43. Per 3
30D 46. For a medium, it's easy! 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Warms up"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
  • Similar words include: warming, thaw, unthaw
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THAWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Fancy!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Warms up, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make (images or sounds) soft or softer
  • Similar words include: soften, yield, buffer
  • Opposite of: stand, harden
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOFTENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Word-of-mouth promoters"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Investment bond in W.W. II"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. During"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Tries to outrun"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any competition
  • Similar words include: race, bucket along, run
  • Opposite of: linger
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Forbes competitor"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to saddam hussein's government of iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of sunni and shiite arabs and kurds who hope to build a new government
  • Similar words include: Iraqi National Congress
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Corpus ___"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Ostentatious spenders, in slang"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Term of endearment, in one spelling"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "13. Napkins, to Brits"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing
  • Similar words include: table napkin, serviette, napkin
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERVIETTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Damn fine"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Repeated greeting in the Key & Peele sketch "Obama Meet & Greet""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Court name"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Displaying a wide range of emotions, say"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to or characteristic of tragicomedy
  • Similar words include: tragicomical
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAGICOMIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Founder of Argentina's first female-led political party, familiarly"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Big name in comfortable footwear"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Tower with daily calls to prayer"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slender tower with balconies
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINARET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Hit from behind"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Words following a suggestion to try something"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Warding (off)"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that try to manage without help
  • Similar words include: stand, resist, fend
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FENDING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Perfect example"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a standard or typical example
  • Similar words include: prototype, paradigm, image
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPITOME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Person you practically have to drag out of a party, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. One requesting simpler terms?"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
  • Similar words include: layperson, secular
  • Opposite of: clergyman
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAYMAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "37. Channel inserts"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slender tube inserted inside a tubular body part (as a blood vessel) to provide support during and after surgical anastomosis
  • Similar words include: stent
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STENTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Short-lived interest"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Parliamentary seats?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Per"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. For a medium, it's easy!"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that apparent power to perceive things that are not present to the senses
  • Similar words include: E.S.P., clairvoyance, second sight
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESP

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

32 Across Clues
30 Down Clues
62 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: August 08, 2026 at 04:32 AM

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

XWordHint Crossword Answers December 03, 2025 | 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: Challenging

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Young fellows 4
2A 5. Tied up, as hay 5
3A 10. Surrounded by 4
4A 14. Plant-based spread 4
5A 15. Echo speaker 5
6A 16. Largest company headquartered in Oregon 4
7A 17. 1967 hit by the Who, per 68-Across 15
8A 20. Words after "happily ever after" 6
9A 21. Bit of ink 3
10A 22. Lack of connectivity 3
11A 23. Long-haired bovine 3
12A 24. Anabolic steroids, e.g., informally 4
13A 27. College football rival of Michigan, for short 3
14A 29. 1978 song by Gloria Gaynor, per 68-Across 12
15A 34. Lead-in to pop or lit 4
16A 36. Award with a "Best New American Theater Work" category 4
17A 37. Midmonth time 4
18A 38. Linseed oil source 4
19A 39. Shampoo often in a green bottle 5
20A 40. Remain unresolved 4
21A 41. Cause for a miner celebration? 4
22A 42. Animal in more than 70 Bugs Bunny titles 4
23A 43. Hospital count 4
24A 44. 2008 hit by Katy Perry, per 68-Across 12
25A 47. One of a trio encountered by Ricitos de Oro 3
26A 48. Egyptian sun deity 4
27A 49. Solid-rock connector 3
28A 52. Forehead marker at the start of Lent 3
29A 54. Long-running procedural franchise 3
30A 57. Removes forcibly 6
31A 59. 1973 Bob Marley song covered by Eric Clapton, per 68-Across 15
32A 63. Currency of Yemen 4
33A 64. Language in which "maunga roa" means "long mountain" 5
34A 65. Unimpressive rating 4
35A 66. TV's Griffith, Kaufman or Samberg 4
36A 67. "Take this job and shove it!" 5
37A 68. Wise counselor of sci-fi who might not be great at karaoke? 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Young fellows"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a boy or man
  • Similar words include: feller, chap, fella
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Tied up, as hay"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make into a bale
  • Similar words include: bale
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BALED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Surrounded by"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Plant-based spread"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a spread made chiefly from vegetable oils and used as a substitute for butter
  • Similar words include: oleomargarine, marge, margarine
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Echo speaker"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Largest company headquartered in Oregon"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) winged goddess of victory; identified with roman victoria
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. 1967 hit by the Who, per 68-Across"

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Words after "happily ever after""

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Bit of ink"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
  • Similar words include: Thematic Apperception Test, cheapness, sleaze
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Lack of connectivity"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
  • Similar words include: spread, opening, disruption
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Long-haired bovine"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large long-haired wild ox of tibet often domesticated
  • Similar words include: chatter, cackle, yack
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Anabolic steroids, e.g., informally"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. College football rival of Michigan, for short"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. 1978 song by Gloria Gaynor, per 68-Across"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "34. Lead-in to pop or lit"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of great britain
  • Similar words include: Briton, Britisher, britt
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "36. Award with a "Best New American Theater Work" category"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "37. Midmonth time"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in the roman calendar: the 15th of march or may or july or october or the 13th of any other month
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. Linseed oil source"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fiber of the flax plant that is made into thread and woven into linen fabric
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLAX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Shampoo often in a green bottle"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Remain unresolved"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Cause for a miner celebration?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks
  • Similar words include: load
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Animal in more than 70 Bugs Bunny titles"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that swift timid long-eared mammal larger than a rabbit having a divided upper lip and long hind legs; young born furred and with open eyes
  • Similar words include: rabbit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Hospital count"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
  • Similar words include: fuck, layer, know
  • Opposite of: turn out, get up
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. 2008 hit by Katy Perry, per 68-Across"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. One of a trio encountered by Ricitos de Oro"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Egyptian sun deity"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sun (or solar disc) which was the deity of a monotheistic cult under the pharaoh akhenaten
  • Similar words include: Aton
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. Solid-rock connector"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Forehead marker at the start of Lent"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the residue that remains when something is burned
  • Similar words include: ash tree
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Long-running procedural franchise"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Removes forcibly"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that put out or expel from a place
  • Similar words include: boot out, expel, exclude
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EJECTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "59. 1973 Bob Marley song covered by Eric Clapton, per 68-Across"

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "63. Currency of Yemen"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in yemen; equal to 100 fils
  • Similar words include: Omani rial, Iranian rial, Yemeni rial
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "64. Language in which "maunga roa" means "long mountain""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ethnic minority of polynesian and melanesian descent who speak maori and live in new zealand
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAORI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "65. Unimpressive rating"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people without possessions or wealth (considered as a group)
  • Similar words include: pitiful, wretched, short
  • Opposite of: rich, rich people
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. TV's Griffith, Kaufman or Samberg"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "67. "Take this job and shove it!""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. Wise counselor of sci-fi who might not be great at karaoke?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Elevated 5
2D 2. Greeting among the lei community? 5
3D 3. Jeter in Cooperstown 5
4D 4. Not too many 4
5D 5. Like Picard vis-à-vis Kirk 6
6D 6. Drink that may come in a yard 3
7D 7. Jean-Paul Sartre's "___ Chemins de la Liberté" 3
8D 8. Kind of strategy 4
9D 9. Obama-era immigration program, informally 4
10D 10. Novelist Patchett 3
11D 11. Following bad advice 9
12D 12. Store with iconic blue totes 4
13D 13. Like certain thoughts and pockets 4
14D 18. Advice 5
15D 19. Yours, in French 4
16D 25. "Slavonic Dances" composer 6
17D 26. Omsk's region 7
18D 28. Stole 6
19D 29. Philly b-ball squad 6
20D 30. Superlatively contemptible 6
21D 31. Slithering swimmer 3
22D 32. Google app with the slogan "Search what you see" 4
23D 33. Drug featured in "How to Change Your Mind" 3
24D 34. Online commentary site 4
25D 35. Band that helped popularize "pay-what-you-want" pricing with their album "In Rainbows" 9
26D 38. Home to the Tamiami Trail: Abbr. 3
27D 39. Aphrodite's second letter 3
28D 43. Golden-tan dog of multiple films 5
29D 45. Blue area on a Scottish map 4
30D 46. Think that it's appropriate 6
31D 49. Cold call? 5
32D 50. Got out of a chair 5
33D 51. "Ad ___ per aspera" (motto of Kansas) 5
34D 52. Razor brand 4
35D 53. Guarded area for many athletes 4
36D 55. 18-wheeler 4
37D 56. Modern country that includes most of ancient Mesopotamia 4
38D 58. Award with a "Best Record-Breaking Performance" category 4
39D 60. Sneakily clever 3
40D 61. Letters of indebtedness 3
41D 62. Day before taking the SAT: Abbr. 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Elevated"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style; ; - oliver franks
  • Similar words include: majestic, proud, gallant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOFTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Greeting among the lei community?"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acknowledgment that can be used to say hello or goodbye (aloha is hawaiian and ciao is italian)
  • Similar words include: ciao
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Jeter in Cooperstown"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Not too many"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
  • Similar words include: around, more or less, just about
  • Opposite of: no
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Like Picard vis-à-vis Kirk"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (norse mythology) god of light and peace and noted for his beauty and sweet nature; son of odin and frigg and husband of nanna; killed by hoth
  • Similar words include: bald-headed, bald-pated, bald
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BALDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Drink that may come in a yard"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Jean-Paul Sartre's "___ Chemins de la Liberté""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
  • Similar words include: lupus erythematosus, LE
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Kind of strategy"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an opening that permits escape or release
  • Similar words include: way out, buy the farm, expiration
  • Opposite of: be born, enter
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Obama-era immigration program, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Novelist Patchett"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Following bad advice"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lead someone in the wrong direction or give someone wrong directions
  • Similar words include: misdirect, mislead, ill-conceived
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MISGUIDED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Store with iconic blue totes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Like certain thoughts and pockets"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the central and most intense or profound part
  • Similar words include: cryptical, deeply, late
  • Opposite of: shallow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Advice"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that signal going into an electronic system
  • Similar words include: input signal, stimulation, comment
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INPUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Yours, in French"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. "Slavonic Dances" composer"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that czech composer who combined folk elements with traditional forms (1841-1904)
  • Similar words include: Antonin Dvorak
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DVORAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Omsk's region"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vast asian region of russia; famous for long cold winters
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIBERIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Stole"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that strike with a swiping motion
  • Similar words include: cabbage, pilfer, snarf
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWIPED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Philly b-ball squad"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
  • Similar words include: 6, sextuplet, Captain Hicks
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIXERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Superlatively contemptible"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that morally reprehensible
  • Similar words include: wretched, worthless, nauseating
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VILEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Slithering swimmer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Google app with the slogan "Search what you see""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a transparent optical device used to converge or diverge transmitted light and to form images
  • Similar words include: genus Lens, lens of the eye, lense
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Drug featured in "How to Change Your Mind""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a powerful hallucinogenic drug manufactured from lysergic acid
  • Similar words include: lysergic acid diethylamide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LSD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. Online commentary site"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies
  • Similar words include: web log
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Band that helped popularize "pay-what-you-want" pricing with their album "In Rainbows""

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Home to the Tamiami Trail: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. Aphrodite's second letter"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 21st letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Golden-tan dog of multiple films"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Blue area on a Scottish map"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrow inlet of the sea in scotland (especially when it is nearly landlocked)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Think that it's appropriate"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Cold call?"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Got out of a chair"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be standing; be upright
  • Similar words include: resist, fend, endure
  • Opposite of: sit, yield
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "51. "Ad ___ per aspera" (motto of Kansas)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "52. Razor brand"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "53. Guarded area for many athletes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the front part of the human leg between the knee and the ankle
  • Similar words include: shinny, struggle, sputter
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. 18-wheeler"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the two competitions in the next to the last round of an elimination tournament
  • Similar words include: rig, trailer truck, semitrailer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEMI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Modern country that includes most of ancient Mesopotamia"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in the middle east in western asia; the ancient civilization of mesopotamia was in the area now known as iraq
  • Similar words include: Republic of Iraq, Al-Iraq, Irak
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRAQ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "58. Award with a "Best Record-Breaking Performance" category"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that catch sight of
  • Similar words include: spot, descry, spy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "60. Sneakily clever"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by skill in deception
  • Similar words include: slick, knavish, foxy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "61. Letters of indebtedness"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "62. Day before taking the SAT: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
  • Similar words include: Friday
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRI

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

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Last updated: December 03, 2025 at 04:02 AM