December 17, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

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

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, December 17, 2020

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (39 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.8 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Thursday Puzzle December 17, 2020

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Needing some kneading, say	4
2A	5. Language in which a nutty person might be told "Yer bum's oot the windae"	5
3A	10. Hunting store purchase	4
4A	14. Hook's henchman	4
5A	15. Stamp holder	5
6A	16. Birthday ___	4
7A	17. Basic idea	4
8A	18. Items that are hard to throw away?	10
9A	20. Remedy	8
10A	22. Troublemaker of 1-Down	4
11A	23. Important piece in échecs	3
12A	24. Money-collecting org.	3
13A	25. Word included to prevent libel, say	7
14A	28. Rough write-up	5
15A	30. Ballet basic	4
16A	31. Losing tic-tac-toe row	3
17A	32. Cry of dismay in 5-Across	3
18A	34. Singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey ___	3
19A	35. Landed	4
20A	36. Work suggested by this puzzle's circled and shaded squares	15
21A	41. Strongly advocate	4
22A	42. -: Abbr.	3
23A	43. One of the Kennedys	3
24A	44. Pudding flavor	3
25A	45. Big name in in-flight internet	4
26A	46. ___ Nadu (Indian state)	5
27A	50. America ___, star of TV's "Ugly Betty"	7
28A	52. Extinct flightless bird	3
29A	54. Lead-in to puncture	3
30A	55. Actress Chaplin	4
31A	56. Like an unused air mattress	8
32A	58. That's gnus to me!	10
33A	61. Shortcoming	4
34A	62. Word before rich or talk	4
35A	63. Rent	5
36A	64. Swiss Alp next to Lake Lucerne	4
37A	65. Just OK	4
38A	66. Small and pointy-eared, perhaps	5
39A	67. What "exaggerated" is sometimes misspelled with	4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

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

Clue 1 Across: "1. Needing some kneading, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that causing a dull and steady pain
• Words that mean the same thing: aching
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACHY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Language in which a nutty person might be told "Yer bum's oot the windae""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the dialect of english used in scotland
• Words that mean the same thing: Scotsman, Scottish, Scot
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCOTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Hunting store purchase"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that projectiles to be fired from a gun
• Words that mean the same thing: ammunition
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AMMO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Hook's henchman"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SMEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Stamp holder"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that one or more recordings issued together; originally released on 12-inch phonograph records (usually with attractive record covers) and later on cassette audiotape and compact disc
• Words that mean the same thing: record album
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALBUM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Birthday ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a specific feeling of desire
• Words that mean the same thing: want, regard, indirect request
• The opposite would be: begrudge
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WISH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Basic idea"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
• Words that mean the same thing: heart and soul, essence, nitty-gritty
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Items that are hard to throw away?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a curved piece of wood; when properly thrown will return to thrower
• Words that mean the same thing: boomerang, throwing stick, backfire
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BOOMERANGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Remedy"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a remedy that stops or controls the effects of a poison
• Words that mean the same thing: counterpoison
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANTIDOTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Troublemaker of 1-Down"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (norse mythology) trickster; god of discord and mischief; contrived death of balder and was overcome by thor
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOKI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Important piece in échecs"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (corporate finance) the amount, expressed as a percentage, that is earned on a company's total capital calculated by dividing the total capital into earnings before interest, taxes, or dividends are paid
• Words that mean the same thing: return on investment, return on invested capital
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Money-collecting org."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the bureau of the treasury department responsible for tax collections
• Words that mean the same thing: Internal Revenue Service
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IRS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Word included to prevent libel, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that report or maintain
• Words that mean the same thing: supposed, so-called, aver
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALLEGED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "28. Rough write-up"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another
• Words that mean the same thing: blueprint, gulp, swig
• The opposite would be: discharge
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DRAFT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "30. Ballet basic"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PLIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "31. Losing tic-tac-toe row"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OXO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. Cry of dismay in 5-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ACH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. Singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RAE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "35. Landed"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "36. Work suggested by this puzzle's circled and shaded squares"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BEETHOVENSFIFTH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "41. Strongly advocate"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an instinctive motive
• Words that mean the same thing: itch, inspire, urge on
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: URGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "42. -: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "43. One of the Kennedys"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing edwardian style clothes
• Words that mean the same thing: Teddy boy
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "44. Pudding flavor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
• Words that mean the same thing: common fig tree, Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya, Ficus carica
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FIG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "45. Big name in in-flight internet"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: GOGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "46. ___ Nadu (Indian state)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of the mixed dravidian and caucasian people of southern india and sri lanka
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAMIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "50. America ___, star of TV's "Ugly Betty""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FERRERA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "52. Extinct flightless bird"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that extinct flightless bird of new zealand
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MOA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "54. Lead-in to puncture"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ACU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "55. Actress Chaplin"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OONA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "56. Like an unused air mattress"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that collapse by releasing contained air or gas
• Words that mean the same thing: chopfallen, chapfallen, crestfallen
• The opposite would be: inflate
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEFLATED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "58. That's gnus to me!"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that large african antelope having a head with horns like an ox and a long tufted tail
• Words that mean the same thing: gnu
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WILDEBEEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "61. Shortcoming"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an imperfection in an object or machine
• Words that mean the same thing: fault, blemish, defect
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FLAW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "62. Word before rich or talk"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the state of an engine or other mechanism that is idling
• Words that mean the same thing: baseless, loose, unused
• The opposite would be: busy, run
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IDLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "63. Rent"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that property that is leased or rented out or let
• Words that mean the same thing: rent, let, letting
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEASE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "64. Swiss Alp next to Lake Lucerne"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RIGI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "65. Just OK"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SOSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "66. Small and pointy-eared, perhaps"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that suggestive of an elf in strangeness and otherworldliness; ; - john mason brown
• Words that mean the same thing: elflike, elfish, fey
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELFIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "67. What "exaggerated" is sometimes misspelled with"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a expert clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ONEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Thursday Puzzle December 17, 2020

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Mythical realm accessible only by the rainbow bridge Bifrost	6
2D	2. Key to this puzzle's theme?	6
3D	3. Greek goddess of the hearth	6
4D	4. Sight on Disney World's Expedition Everest ride	4
5D	5. Flavor: Sp.	5
6D	6. Sticks together	5
7D	7. Instrument featured in 36-Across	4
8D	8. Rum ___ Tugger ("Cats" cat)	3
9D	9. Most foul	9
10D	10. Up	5
11D	11. Puttering around?	8
12D	12. Flavor enhancer	3
13D	13. Exclamations of surprise	3
14D	19. Credit line?	4
15D	21. Leave behind	5
16D	25. ___ Freed, early radio personality who coined the term "rock 'n' roll"	4
17D	26. It takes people out	4
18D	27. Biblical verb	4
19D	29. What the opening motif of 36-Across is said to represent	4
20D	30. Response to "Grazie!"	5
21D	33. Epithet for a judge	9
22D	35. Lover of Radames, in opera	4
23D	36. Muscly	4
24D	37. Tribe that fought the Iroquois	4
25D	38. Servings with sweet-and-sour sauce	8
26D	39. Summer Triangle star	4
27D	40. ___ position	5
28D	45. Something editable using CRISPR technology	4
29D	47. Oscar winner Marlee	6
30D	48. Cooling-off period?	6
31D	49. First name of this puzzle's dedicatee, born December 1770	6
32D	51. Copland ballet with a hoedown	5
33D	52. Longtime star of F.C. Barcelona	5
34D	53. A lot	5
35D	56. What 49-Down became in later life	4
36D	57. Prefix with Cuban	4
37D	58. Ill. neighbor	3
38D	59. Formal "yes"	3
39D	60. Reef predator	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

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

Clue 1 Down: "1. Mythical realm accessible only by the rainbow bridge Bifrost"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (norse mythology) the heavenly dwelling of the norse gods (the aesir) and slain war heroes
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASGARD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Key to this puzzle's theme?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CMINOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Greek goddess of the hearth"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (greek mythology) the goddess of the hearth and its fire in ancient mythology; identified with roman vesta
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HESTIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Sight on Disney World's Expedition Everest ride"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the himalayas
• Words that mean the same thing: abominable snowman
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YETI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Flavor: Sp."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SABOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Sticks together"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
• Words that mean the same thing: clabber, clot, curdle
• The opposite would be: homogenize
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLOTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Instrument featured in 36-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a slender double-reed instrument; a woodwind with a conical bore and a double-reed mouthpiece
• Words that mean the same thing: hautbois, hautboy
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OBOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Rum ___ Tugger ("Cats" cat)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion
• Words that mean the same thing: breadbasket, tummy, stomach
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TUM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Most foul"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that offensively malodorous
• Words that mean the same thing: foul, stinking, fetid
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SMELLIEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Up"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that stop sleeping
• Words that mean the same thing: arouse, waken, alive
• The opposite would be: fall asleep, asleep
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AWAKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Puttering around?"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MINIGOLF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Flavor enhancer"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that white crystalline compound used as a food additive to enhance flavor; often used in chinese cooking
• Words that mean the same thing: monosodium glutamate
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MSG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Exclamations of surprise"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a midwestern state in north central united states in the great lakes region
• Words that mean the same thing: OH, Ohio, Buckeye State
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OHS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "19. Credit line?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group
• Words that mean the same thing: character, purpose, use
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Leave behind"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a long narrow excavation in the earth
• Words that mean the same thing: dump, chuck, trench
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DITCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "25. ___ Freed, early radio personality who coined the term "rock 'n' roll""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "26. It takes people out"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an opening that permits escape or release
• Words that mean the same thing: perish, give-up the ghost, pop off
• The opposite would be: be born, enter
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. Biblical verb"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DOTH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "29. What the opening motif of 36-Across is said to represent"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
• Words that mean the same thing: designate, doom, lot
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "30. Response to "Grazie!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PREGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "33. Epithet for a judge"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
• Words that mean the same thing: honourable, honest, good
• The opposite would be: dishonest, dishonorable
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HONORABLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "35. Lover of Radames, in opera"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AIDA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "36. Muscly"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an ardent follower and admirer
• Words that mean the same thing: lover, fan, buffer
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BUFF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "37. Tribe that fought the Iroquois"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of an iroquoian people formerly living on the south shore of lake erie in northern ohio and northwest pennsylvania and western new york
• Words that mean the same thing: Lake Erie
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. Servings with sweet-and-sour sauce"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EGGROLLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Summer Triangle star"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that prolific spanish playwright (1562-1635)
• Words that mean the same thing: Lope Felix de Vega Carpio, Lope de Vega
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VEGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. ___ position"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that of or relating to a fetus
• Words that mean the same thing: foetal
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FETAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "45. Something editable using CRISPR technology"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (genetics) a segment of dna that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding dna as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity
• Words that mean the same thing: cistron, factor
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GENE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. Oscar winner Marlee"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about movies/film.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MATLIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "48. Cooling-off period?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ICEAGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "49. First name of this puzzle's dedicatee, born December 1770"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LUDWIG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. Copland ballet with a hoedown"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an exhibition of cowboy skills
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RODEO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. Longtime star of F.C. Barcelona"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MESSI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. A lot"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that many times at short intervals
• Words that mean the same thing: oftentimes, a great deal, frequently
• The opposite would be: rarely, infrequently
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OFTEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "56. What 49-Down became in later life"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that people who have severe hearing impairments
• Words that mean the same thing: indifferent, deafen
• The opposite would be: hearing
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEAF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "57. Prefix with Cuban"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a rounded thickly curled hairdo
• Words that mean the same thing: Afro hairdo
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AFRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "58. Ill. neighbor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a midwestern state in north central united states
• Words that mean the same thing: WI, Wisconsin, Badger State
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "59. Formal "yes""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an artificial language that is a revision and simplification of esperanto
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "60. Reef predator"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	54	69.2%
Short Answer	14	17.9%
Celebrity/Entertainment	5	6.4%
History	2	2.6%
Abbreviation	1	1.3%
Geography	1	1.3%
Movies/Film	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	39
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	4.8 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

More Crossword Resources

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

• April 01 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 17 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 12 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 24 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 11 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 25 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 25 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 27 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 06 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 06 2022 NYT Clues Solutions

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

Last Updated: September 20, 2025 at 04:22 PM

Xwordhint Crossword Answers - July 29, 2025 | Today NYT Vibez

Published on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 • Daily puzzle hints • Crossword clues © The New York Times

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 lover who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Today is Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

🔍 Across Clues - Strategic Hints (39 clues)

🧩 1A: "1. "I give up!""

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
• Opposite of: aunt
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNCLE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 2A: "6. J.F.K.'s predecessor"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DDE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 3A: "9. Golden fruit that started the Trojan War, in myth"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh
• Similar words include: Malus pumila, orchard apple tree
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APPLE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 4A: "14. Permanent location?"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that gallery where works of art can be displayed
• Similar words include: beauty salon, beauty parlour, beauty parlor
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SALON

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 5A: "15. Charged particle"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a particle that is electrically charged (positive or negative); an atom or molecule or group that has lost or gained one or more electrons
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ION

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 6A: "16. Studied, with "over""

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that direct one's attention on something
• Similar words include: focus, pore, centre
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PORED

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 7A: "17. Chuckle + ___ = chortle"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a disrespectful laugh
• Similar words include: snicker, raspberry, razzing
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SNORT

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 8A: "18. Prior to now"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that gone by; or in the past
• Similar words include: agone
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AGO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 9A: "19. Singer Mary J. ___"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BLIGE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 10A: "20. Who said "Every great film should seem new every time you see it""

📏 10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROGEREBERT

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 11A: "23. "That's my cue!""

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMON

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 12A: "24. Nickname for Eleanor"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NELL

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 13A: "25. Sundry: Abbr."

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MISC

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 14A: "27. Be an agent for, informally"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that informal abbreviation of `representative'
• Similar words include: repp
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REP

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 15A: "30. Introspective rock genre"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 16A: "31. Hamlet's ill-fated love interest"

📏 7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OPHELIA

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 17A: "35. Rejoinder to a doubter"

📏 6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICANSO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 18A: "37. Mount with four faces that all face southeast"

📏 8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mountain in the black hills of south dakota; the likenesses of washington and jefferson and lincoln and roosevelt are carved on it
• Similar words include: Mt. Rushmore, Mount Rushmore
• Pattern: ________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RUSHMORE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 19A: "38. Constantly pushing forward"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOGO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 20A: "39. Dads"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)
• Similar words include: PA system, papa, protactinium
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 21A: "40. Wide-eyed and eager"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that highly excited
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AGOG

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 22A: "41. Argon or neon"

📏 8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INERTGAS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 23A: "44. Grilled Italian sandwich"

📏 6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that indian grammarian whose grammatical rules for sanskrit are the first known example of descriptive linguistics (circa 400 bc)
• Pattern: ______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PANINI

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 24A: "46. Some fins"

📏 7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DORSALS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 25A: "47. Catchy song, in modern lingo"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the law enforcement agency of the justice department that operates a nationwide system of prisons and detention facilities to incarcerate inmates sentenced to imprisonment for federal crimes
• Similar words include: bonk, bash, whop
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BOP

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 26A: "48. Composer Coleman and others"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CYS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 27A: "49. They can be boosted or bruised"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
• Similar words include: ego, egotism, self
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EGOS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 28A: "50. Setting of Switzerland's Glacier Express"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a large mountain system in south-central europe; scenic beauty and winter sports make them a popular tourist attraction
• Similar words include: alp, the Alps
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALPS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 29A: "52. File format for a profile pic"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JPEG

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 30A: "55. Western city hinted at seven times in this puzzle's circled letters"

📏 10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BENDOREGON

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 31A: "60. Burr in "Hamilton""

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states professional baseball player who hit more home runs than babe ruth (born in 1934)
• Similar words include: Hank Aaron, Henry Louis Aaron
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AARON

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 32A: "62. Ctrl-Alt-___"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEL

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 33A: "63. Think out loud"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
• Similar words include: reckon, animadvert, speak up
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OPINE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 34A: "64. Adrien with Oscars"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BRODY

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 35A: "65. Miner matter"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 36A: "66. Birthplace of artist Leonardo"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VINCI

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 37A: "67. Flippant"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that improperly forward or bold
• Similar words include: overbold, smart, impudent
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SASSY

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 38A: "68. Holiday party pour"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface
• Similar words include: peg
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOG

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 39A: "69. Plein-air painter's prop"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an upright tripod for displaying something (usually an artist's canvas)
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EASEL

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🔍 Down Clues - Strategic Hints (39 clues)

🧩 1D: "1. Bygone world power, for short"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a former communist country in eastern europe and northern asia; established in 1922; included russia and 14 other soviet socialist republics (ukraine and byelorussia and others); officially dissolved 31 december 1991
• Similar words include: Soviet Union, Russia, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USSR

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 2D: "2. Prefix meaning "one-billionth""

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NANO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 3D: "3. Bulky slip-on"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that footwear usually with wooden soles
• Similar words include: clog up, back up, clog dancing
• Opposite of: unclog

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLOG

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 4D: "4. Italian film star Sophia"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that italian film actress (born in 1934)
• Similar words include: Sophia Loren, Sofia Scicolone
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOREN

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 5D: "5. Main courses"

📏 7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the principal dish of a meal
• Similar words include: entrance, accession, entry
• Pattern: _______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENTREES

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 6D: "6. El infierno figure"

📏 6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DIABLO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 7D: "7. Modern lead-in to coin"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that formerly the chief magistrate in the republics of venice and genoa
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOGE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 8D: "8. Huge"

📏 8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree; ; ; ; - walter lippman
• Similar words include: tremendous
• Pattern: ________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENORMOUS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 9D: "9. "Be on the lookout" alert, in brief"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APB

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 10D: "10. Role for Erik Estrada on TV's "CHiPs" … as well as in real life"

📏 9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a member of a police force
• Similar words include: officer, police officer
• Pattern: _________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POLICEMAN

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 11D: "11. Stiffly demure"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that assume a prim appearance
• Similar words include: priggish, tight-laced, mincing
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PRIM

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 12D: "12. Toy brand with theme parks on three continents"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (trademark) a child's plastic construction set for making mechanical models
• Similar words include: Lego set
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEGO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 13D: "13. Unspoiled paradise"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
• Similar words include: Garden of Eden, heaven, nirvana
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EDEN

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 14D: "21. Muppet who's made guest appearances on "Scrubs" and "The West Wing""

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELMO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 15D: "22. Suggestions"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
• Similar words include: summit, tip, tilt
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIPS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 16D: "26. Quiet sound?"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHH

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 17D: "27. Inflexible"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that incapable of or resistant to bending
• Similar words include: inflexible, stiff, fixed
• Opposite of: nonrigid

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RIGID

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 18D: "28. Low-cost, in ads"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ECONO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 19D: "29. Handout at a busy restaurant"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an electronic device that generates a series of beeps when the person carrying it is being paged
• Similar words include: beeper
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAGER

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 20D: "32. "___ will get you from A to B. Imagination can take you everywhere" (statement attributed to Einstein)"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference
• Similar words include: logical system, system of logic
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOGIC

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 21D: "33. Humor with a twist"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that witty language used to convey insults or scorn; ; ; --jonathan swift
• Similar words include: satire, caustic remark, sarcasm
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRONY

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 22D: "34. Protection"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that kindly endorsement and guidance
• Similar words include: egis, auspices, protection
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AEGIS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 23D: "36. Thor and Odin"

📏 9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NORSEGODS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 24D: "37. Dorm aides, for short"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function
• Similar words include: right ascension, atomic number 88, reticular activating system
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 25D: "39. Forwent"

📏 8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PASSEDON

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 26D: "42. What's touch and go?"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a label written or printed on paper, cardboard, or plastic that is attached to something to indicate its owner, nature, price, etc.
• Similar words include: mark, dog, go after
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TAG

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 27D: "43. Hunk of melted mozzarella, e.g."

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a compact mass
• Similar words include: lump, chunk, ball
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GLOB

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 28D: "44. Sport with mallets"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that venetian traveler who explored asia in the 13th century and served kublai khan (1254-1324)
• Similar words include: Marco Polo
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POLO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 29D: "45. Give the OK"

📏 7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that give sanction to
• Similar words include: sanction, okay, O.K.
• Opposite of: disapprove

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APPROVE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 30D: "47. Reason to wear a knee brace, perhaps"

📏 6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BADLEG

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 31D: "51. Old-timey photo filter"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a shade of brown with a tinge of red
• Similar words include: burnt sienna, reddish brown, genus Sepia
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEPIA

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 32D: "52. Zingers"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
• Similar words include: poking, poke, jabbing
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JABS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 33D: "53. Prefix with sail or glide"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (obstetrics) the number of liveborn children a woman has delivered
• Similar words include: parity, St. Mary of Bethlehem, Santa Maria de Belem
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PARA

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 34D: "54. Cupid's Greek counterpart"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (greek mythology) god of love; son of aphrodite; identified with roman cupid
• Similar words include: physical attraction, concupiscence, sexual desire
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EROS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 35D: "56. Infamous Roman ruler"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that roman emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of rome in 64) but the roman empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)
• Similar words include: Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NERO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 36D: "57. Options for martinis"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that strong liquor flavored with juniper berries
• Similar words include: knock rummy, gin rummy, snare
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GINS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 37D: "58. A single time"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that on one occasion
• Similar words include: one time, erstwhile, at one time
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONCE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 38D: "59. Actor ___ Patrick Harris"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEIL

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 39D: "61. Subway Series squad, on scoreboards"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NYY

💡 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

39 Across Clues

39 Down Clues

78 Total Clues

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Last updated: July 29, 2025 at 04:35 AM