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

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 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: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. "I'm afraid not," quaintly 6
2A 7. Food brand for Fido 4
3A 11. Like major-city airports, typically: Abbr. 4
4A 15. Cash in 6
5A 16. Avocado dip, informally 4
6A 17. Take a risk 4
7A 18. Audience's reverent response to a symphony finale? 11
8A 20. Keenly interested 4
9A 21. Shakespearean "soon" 4
10A 22. That certain je ne sais quoi in Beethoven's "Moonlight"? 11
11A 24. Commotion 3
12A 25. Measure of college readiness, for short 4
13A 26. Knuckled rub to the scalp 6
14A 27. Publishing house workers: Abbr. 3
15A 28. Goal 3
16A 29. Wood-shaping hand tool 4
17A 31. Tagging symbols 3
18A 32. ___-Magnon 3
19A 33. Vegas opener? 3
20A 34. Perry of pop 4
21A 36. Opportunity for a choral understudy? 12
22A 39. Belgrade native 4
23A 40. "Beats me," in a text 3
24A 41. Caviar, essentially 3
25A 42. Miss Piggy, for one 3
26A 43. Assns. 4
27A 45. Extended comedic riff 3
28A 46. Hindi for "rule" 3
29A 49. Chant heard at the start of "Hot Hot Hot" 6
30A 51. Girl in Glasgow 4
31A 52. Alias initialism 3
32A 53. When to play a note with sudden strong emphasis? 11
33A 56. "Groovy, man" 4
34A 57. Popular flavor of bubble tea 4
35A 58. "What's Opera, Doc?," e.g.? 11
36A 60. Volunteer's offer 4
37A 61. Hits hard 4
38A 62. Respond, as a pupil might 6
39A 63. Ending with kitchen 4
40A 64. Painter Paul 4
41A 65. Key of Brahms's Symphony No. 4 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "I'm afraid not," quaintly"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Food brand for Fido"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Like major-city airports, typically: Abbr."

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Cash in"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that save from sins
  • Similar words include: ransom, pay off, save
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REDEEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Avocado dip, informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Take a risk"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
  • Similar words include: make bold, defy, presume
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Audience's reverent response to a symphony finale?"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Keenly interested"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `for') ardently or excessively desirous
  • Similar words include: zealous, greedy, devouring
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Shakespearean "soon""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at another time
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. That certain je ne sais quoi in Beethoven's "Moonlight"?"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Commotion"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud harsh or strident noise
  • Similar words include: blaring, clamor, commotion
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Measure of college readiness, for short"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Knuckled rub to the scalp"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Publishing house workers: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Goal"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
  • Similar words include: point, intent, direct
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. Wood-shaping hand tool"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that uttering in an irritated tone
  • Similar words include: rasping, wood file
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RASP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Tagging symbols"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a highly unstable radioactive element (the heaviest of the halogen series); a decay product of uranium and thorium
  • Similar words include: At, atomic number 85, astatine
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "32. ___-Magnon"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that electronic equipment that provides visual images of varying electrical quantities
  • Similar words include: cathode-ray oscilloscope, oscilloscope, scope
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "33. Vegas opener?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
  • Similar words include: Louisiana, lanthanum, La
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "34. Perry of pop"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "36. Opportunity for a choral understudy?"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. Belgrade native"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a slavic people who settled in serbia and neighboring areas in the 6th and 7th centuries
  • Similar words include: Serbian
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "40. "Beats me," in a text"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "41. Caviar, essentially"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
  • Similar words include: hard roe
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "42. Miss Piggy, for one"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adult female hog
  • Similar words include: inseminate, seed, sow in
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "43. Assns."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "45. Extended comedic riff"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "46. Hindi for "rule""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that british dominion over india (1757-1947)
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAJ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "49. Chant heard at the start of "Hot Hot Hot""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "51. Girl in Glasgow"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a girl or young woman who is unmarried
  • Similar words include: young girl, lassie, jeune fille
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "52. Alias initialism"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "53. When to play a note with sudden strong emphasis?"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "56. "Groovy, man""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "57. Popular flavor of bubble tea"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that edible starchy tuberous root of taro plants
  • Similar words include: dasheen, Colocasia esculenta, dalo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TARO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "58. "What's Opera, Doc?," e.g.?"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "60. Volunteer's offer"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "61. Hits hard"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible
  • Similar words include: Aries the Ram, ram, read/write memory
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "62. Respond, as a pupil might"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become wider
  • Similar words include: exposit, elaborate, distend
  • Opposite of: contract
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DILATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "63. Ending with kitchen"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "64. Painter Paul"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that swiss painter influenced by kandinsky (1879-1940)
  • Similar words include: Paul Klee
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KLEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "65. Key of Brahms's Symphony No. 4"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Covered passageway 6
2D 2. Meteor in a November shower 6
3D 3. Enhancing accessories 6
4D 4. Actor Astin of the "Lord of the Rings" films 4
5D 5. Original Super Mario Bros. console 3
6D 6. Oversight 8
7D 7. Author's representative 5
8D 8. Moon over Managua 4
9D 9. Treaty 4
10D 10. What Saturn's moon Enceladus and Jupiter's moon Europa are both believed to have 6
11D 11. The Gem State 5
12D 12. Find one's way 8
13D 13. Dublin college founded in 1592 7
14D 14. Apartment planter sites, perhaps 6
15D 19. Good gardening soil 4
16D 23. Traditional samurai hairstyles 8
17D 25. Graph of y = ax2 + bx + c, for example 8
18D 29. Frame for a game of pool 4
19D 30. Forehead marking at the start of Lent 3
20D 32. Convention bldg., in a mailing address 3
21D 33. Dudes, in British English 4
22D 35. Big name in hardware stores 3
23D 36. Underground scurrier 8
24D 37. Half of a darting motion 3
25D 38. Jean-Bertrand ___, 1990s Haitian leader 8
26D 39. One-man band, for example 7
27D 42. Sentimental sort 6
28D 44. Comment 6
29D 45. Make ___ (earn vast sums) 4
30D 46. Unit of angular measurement 6
31D 47. Like 6
32D 48. Rolling Stones frontman 6
33D 50. Absorber of UV light 5
34D 51. Charter 5
35D 54. Word with cavity or contraceptive 4
36D 55. One acting rather quiet? 4
37D 56. Savory South Asian rice cake 4
38D 59. Lower, as lights 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Covered passageway"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a covered passageway with shops and stalls on either side
  • Similar words include: colonnade
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Meteor in a November shower"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Enhancing accessories"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Actor Astin of the "Lord of the Rings" films"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Original Super Mario Bros. console"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
  • Similar words include: Nebraska, Ne, nor'-east
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Oversight"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mistake resulting from neglect
  • Similar words include: deletion, skip
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMISSION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Author's representative"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
  • Similar words include: agentive role, broker, federal agent
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Moon over Managua"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (roman mythology) the goddess of the moon; counterpart of greek selene
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Treaty"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
  • Similar words include: accord, treaty
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. What Saturn's moon Enceladus and Jupiter's moon Europa are both believed to have"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
  • Similar words include: ocean, sea
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OCEANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. The Gem State"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in the rocky mountains
  • Similar words include: Gem State, ID
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDAHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Find one's way"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that travel on water propelled by wind or by other means
  • Similar words include: pilot, sail, voyage
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAVIGATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Dublin college founded in 1592"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
  • Similar words include: deuce-ace, tercet, III
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRINITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Apartment planter sites, perhaps"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
  • Similar words include: shelf, ledge
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEDGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Good gardening soil"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rich soil consisting of a mixture of sand and clay and decaying organic materials
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Traditional samurai hairstyles"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that headdress consisting of a decorative ribbon or bow worn in the hair
  • Similar words include: topknot
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOPKNOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Graph of y = ax2 + bx + c, for example"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a plane curve formed by the intersection of a right circular cone and a plane parallel to an element of the curve
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARABOLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Frame for a game of pool"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that framework for holding objects
  • Similar words include: extort, scud, squeeze
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Forehead marking at the start of Lent"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

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!

20D: "32. Convention bldg., in a mailing address"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Dudes, in British English"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Big name in hardware stores"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Underground scurrier"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Half of a darting motion"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an angular shape characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions
  • Similar words include: zigzag, zag
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Jean-Bertrand ___, 1990s Haitian leader"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. One-man band, for example"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Sentimental sort"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is weak and excessively sentimental
  • Similar words include: softy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOFTIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Comment"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
  • Similar words include: observe, notice, input
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REMARK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Make ___ (earn vast sums)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
  • Similar words include: banking company, coin bank, rely
  • Opposite of: withdraw, mistrust
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BANK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Unit of angular measurement"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the unit of plane angle adopted under the systeme international d'unites; equal to the angle at the center of a circle subtended by an arc equal in length to the radius (approximately 57.295 degrees)
  • Similar words include: rad
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RADIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Like"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Rolling Stones frontman"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english rock star (born in 1943)
  • Similar words include: Mick Jagger, Michael Philip Jagger
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAGGER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Absorber of UV light"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless gas (o3) soluble in alkalis and cold water; a strong oxidizing agent; can be produced by electric discharge in oxygen or by the action of ultraviolet radiation on oxygen in the stratosphere (where it acts as a screen for ultraviolet radiation)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OZONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Charter"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that property that is leased or rented out or let
  • Similar words include: take, rental, letting
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Word with cavity or contraceptive"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an examination conducted by spoken communication
  • Similar words include: unwritten, viva, oral exam
  • Opposite of: aboral, anal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. One acting rather quiet?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an actor who communicates entirely by gesture and facial expression
  • Similar words include: dumb show, pantomime, mimer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Savory South Asian rice cake"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Lower, as lights"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that switch (a car's headlights) from a higher to a lower beam
  • Similar words include: shadowy, wispy, blind
  • Opposite of: undimmed, focus
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIM

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

41 Across Clues
38 Down Clues
79 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: April 08, 2026 at 05:26 AM

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 24, 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: Moderate

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. Utter rubbish 5
2A 6. Yellowish color for old computer graphics 5
3A 11. Showing a smirk, say 3
4A 14. "Make that two!" 5
5A 15. Actress Watts of "The Friend" 5
6A 16. Half of a giggle 3
7A 17. Nuyoricans, e.g. 11
8A 19. Doc who's seen for sinusitis 3
9A 20. Went on the fritz 4
10A 21. Grand project begun by the London Philological Society, in brief 3
11A 22. Snowman in "Frozen" 4
12A 24. Fender Stratocaster, e.g. 14
13A 29. Its base unit is the kilogram 4
14A 30. Self-written life story, informally 7
15A 31. Deer ___ (road sign) 4
16A 33. Otherwise called, in brief 3
17A 34. Brand of squishy balls 4
18A 35. Involuntary movement 3
19A 36. "The Disrobing of Christ," e.g. 7
20A 40. Fish in some onigiri 3
21A 41. One way to leave a door 4
22A 43. Asset for a thrower 3
23A 44. Old tape players 4
24A 46. Tiny swine 7
25A 48. One of the matriarchs in Judaism 4
26A 50. Thyroid, e.g. 14
27A 54. Oft-discarded part of an orange 4
28A 55. Some reproductive cells 3
29A 56. Baby ones are joeys, familiarly 4
30A 58. Sprightly dance 3
31A 59. Dress for a soirée, e.g. 11
32A 63. Prefix with sex or brow 3
33A 64. Protection against flooding 5
34A 65. Group of smarties 5
35A 66. "___ Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" 3
36A 67. Coffeehouse chain that owns the domain coffee.com 5
37A 68. Inch (up) 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Utter rubbish"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that merchandise that is shoddy or inferior
  • Similar words include: shlock, schlock
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRECK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Yellowish color for old computer graphics"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a deep yellow color
  • Similar words include: gold, yellow-brown, brownish-yellow
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMBER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Showing a smirk, say"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that humorously sarcastic or mocking
  • Similar words include: ironic, dry, ironical
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. "Make that two!""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Actress Watts of "The Friend""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the mother-in-law of ruth whose story is told in the book of ruth in the old testament
  • Similar words include: Noemi
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAOMI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Half of a giggle"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Nuyoricans, e.g."

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Doc who's seen for sinusitis"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Went on the fritz"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
  • Similar words include: break, pop off, kick the bucket
  • Opposite of: be born
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Grand project begun by the London Philological Society, in brief"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unabridged dictionary constructed on historical principles
  • Similar words include: O.E.D., Oxford English Dictionary
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Snowman in "Frozen""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Fender Stratocaster, e.g."

14 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELECTRICGUITAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. Its base unit is the kilogram"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
  • Similar words include: spate, deal, aggregate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. Self-written life story, informally"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Deer ___ (road sign)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Otherwise called, in brief"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Brand of squishy balls"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Involuntary movement"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a local and habitual twitching especially in the face
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. "The Disrobing of Christ," e.g."

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Fish in some onigiri"

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!

21A: "41. One way to leave a door"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slightly open
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AJAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Asset for a thrower"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
  • Similar words include: object, take aim, target
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Old tape players"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a magnetic tape recorder for recording (and playing back) tv programs
  • Similar words include: videocassette recorder, VCR
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VCRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Tiny swine"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. One of the matriarchs in Judaism"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Thyroid, e.g."

14 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENDOCRINEGLAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "54. Oft-discarded part of an orange"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants
  • Similar words include: nitty-gritty, heart, substance
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PITH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Some reproductive cells"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the female reproductive cell; the female gamete
  • Similar words include: ovum, egg cell
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Baby ones are joeys, familiarly"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. Sprightly dance"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that music in three-four time for dancing a jig
  • Similar words include: gigue
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "59. Dress for a soirée, e.g."

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "63. Prefix with sex or brow"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "64. Protection against flooding"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a formal reception of visitors or guests (as at a royal court)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEVEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "65. Group of smarties"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a faint constellation in the polar region of the southern hemisphere and containing part of the large magellanic cloud
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MENSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. "___ Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "67. Coffeehouse chain that owns the domain coffee.com"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. Inch (up)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone unpleasantly strange or eccentric
  • Similar words include: crawl, mouse, spook
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CREEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Contacted quickly online, informally 4
2D 2. Fix, as shoelaces 5
3D 3. Blues legend Waters 5
4D 4. Formally denounce 7
5D 5. Carp in a Japanese pond 3
6D 6. Brings to a boil? 6
7D 7. ___ Gras 5
8D 8. Honeybun 3
9D 9. LiMu ___ (insurance bird) 3
10D 10. Remove, as a page of a notebook 6
11D 11. Brew that's often a little cloudy and fruity 9
12D 12. Festivals often featuring jousting knights, for short 9
13D 13. Nevertheless 3
14D 18. Beds that might have wheels 4
15D 23. Either bronze animal in front of the Art Institute of Chicago 4
16D 25. Word after rib or batting 4
17D 26. Centerpiece of a birthday celebration 4
18D 27. Green dip, slangily 4
19D 28. [Hi-lar-ious!] 4
20D 31. President of China beginning in 2013 9
21D 32. "This is pretty cool!" 9
22D 33. Asset for a thrower 3
23D 35. Make friendly to humans 4
24D 37. Hideout 4
25D 38. Supermodel Hadid 4
26D 39. Avocado-shaped 4
27D 42. Civil disturbance 4
28D 45. Juice box? 7
29D 47. I.T. pro's offering 6
30D 48. Imposes, as a tax 6
31D 49. Jennifer who wrote "A Visit From the Goon Squad" 4
32D 51. Pretty large jazz combo 5
33D 52. Whom a diary is often shown to 5
34D 53. Search for groundwater, in a way 5
35D 57. Jacket closer 4
36D 58. Au ___ (how roast beef may be served) 3
37D 60. Shape for flying geese 3
38D 61. Apple taster in Eden 3
39D 62. Car brand with the Hummer E.V. 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Contacted quickly online, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Fix, as shoelaces"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tie again or anew
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Blues legend Waters"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Formally denounce"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express strong disapproval of
  • Similar words include: objurgate, sentence, excoriate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONDEMN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Carp in a Japanese pond"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Brings to a boil?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
  • Similar words include: choler, ire, ira
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANGERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. ___ Gras"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Honeybun"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
  • Similar words include: razz, hiss, Bronx cheer
  • Opposite of: applaud
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. LiMu ___ (insurance bird)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various systems of units for measuring electricity and magnetism
  • Similar words include: electromagnetic unit, Dromaius novaehollandiae, Emu novaehollandiae
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Remove, as a page of a notebook"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Brew that's often a little cloudy and fruity"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Festivals often featuring jousting knights, for short"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Nevertheless"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that up to the present time
  • Similar words include: heretofore, up to now, in time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Beds that might have wheels"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sheath worn to protect a finger
  • Similar words include: fingerstall, camp bed, crib
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Either bronze animal in front of the Art Institute of Chicago"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large gregarious predatory feline of africa and india having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
  • Similar words include: Panthera leo, Leo, king of beasts
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Word after rib or batting"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
  • Similar words include: batting cage, cage in, John Milton Cage Jr.
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Centerpiece of a birthday celebration"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
  • Similar words include: coat, patty, bar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Green dip, slangily"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. [Hi-lar-ious!]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. President of China beginning in 2013"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. "This is pretty cool!""

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Asset for a thrower"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
  • Similar words include: branch, limb, gird
  • Opposite of: disarm
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Make friendly to humans"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that correct by punishment or discipline
  • Similar words include: domesticize, meek, reclaim
  • Opposite of: wild
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Hideout"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Similar words include: den
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Supermodel Hadid"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Avocado-shaped"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
  • Similar words include: ellipse, egg-shaped, ovate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Civil disturbance"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public act of violence by an unruly mob
  • Similar words include: howler, rioting, bacchanal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Juice box?"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that formerly a strong swift horse ridden into battle
  • Similar words include: battery charger, courser
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHARGER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. I.T. pro's offering"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Imposes, as a tax"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a charge imposed and collected
  • Similar words include: levy en masse, recruit, raise
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEVIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Jennifer who wrote "A Visit From the Goon Squad""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Pretty large jazz combo"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Whom a diary is often shown to"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Search for groundwater, in a way"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that searching for underground water or minerals by using a dowsing rod
  • Similar words include: rhabdomancy, souse, soak
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOWSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "57. Jacket closer"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of catching an object with the hands
  • Similar words include: gingersnap, shot, pushover
  • Opposite of: inelasticity
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "58. Au ___ (how roast beef may be served)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "60. Shape for flying geese"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "61. Apple taster in Eden"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) adam's wife in judeo-christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; god created eve from adam's rib and placed adam and eve in the garden of eden
  • Similar words include: evening, eventide, even
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "62. Car brand with the Hummer E.V."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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
39 Down Clues
76 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.

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Last updated: February 24, 2026 at 05:07 AM