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

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 21, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Surrenders 6
2A 7. Wise thinker 4
3A 11. Form of poetry Pablo Neruda used to praise socks, onions and salt 3
4A 14. Realm of the Aztecs or Incas 6
5A 15. Do some farmwork 4
6A 16. ___ de plume 3
7A 17. Mentor from the beyond 11
8A 19. Whitney who invented the cotton gin 3
9A 20. Soak up 6
10A 21. "___ have to do" 4
11A 22. Grifters' schemes 4
12A 25. Major charity whose recipients include the Red Cross and Salvation Army 9
13A 28. Lexington or Madison in N.Y.C.: Abbr. 3
14A 29. Mo. with Aries and Taurus signs 3
15A 31. Soon-to-be graduates 7
16A 32. Offering from an entrepreneurial child's stand 8
17A 35. Song and dance 3
18A 36. Wild West way of settling disputes 15
19A 41. Broadway's ___-Manuel Miranda 3
20A 42. In a gloomy way 8
21A 43. Starbucks alternatives from the Golden Arches 7
22A 47. B&B 3
23A 48. Bambi's mother, for one 3
24A 49. 1972 country hit for Tanya Tucker 9
25A 51. Reptiles on papyrus 4
26A 52. Ballet bend 4
27A 53. Puts pen to paper 6
28A 56. "But Daddy I Love ___" (Taylor Swift song) 3
29A 57. Early advantage ... or a hint to the beginnings of 17-, 25-, 36- and 49-Across 11
30A 62. "Blueprint" for life 3
31A 63. Falsehoods 4
32A 64. Chemical "twin" 6
33A 65. "On the Basis of ___" (Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic) 3
34A 66. Circular tent 4
35A 67. Words often accompanying a present 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Surrenders"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that production of a certain amount
  • Similar words include: bear, take, output
  • Opposite of: stand, survive
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YIELDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Wise thinker"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
  • Similar words include: salvia, sage-green
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Form of poetry Pablo Neruda used to praise socks, onions and salt"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Realm of the Aztecs or Incas"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
  • Similar words include: imperium, conglomerate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMPIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Do some farmwork"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a farm tool having one or more heavy blades to break the soil and cut a furrow prior to sowing
  • Similar words include: plough, treat, deal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. ___ de plume"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Mentor from the beyond"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Whitney who invented the cotton gin"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Soak up"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become imbued
  • Similar words include: take over, ingest, draw
  • Opposite of: emit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABSORB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. "___ have to do""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Grifters' schemes"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an argument opposed to a proposal
  • Similar words include: flimflam, swindle, nobble
  • Opposite of: pro
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Major charity whose recipients include the Red Cross and Salvation Army"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Lexington or Madison in N.Y.C.: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Mo. with Aries and Taurus signs"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following march and preceding may
  • Similar words include: April
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Soon-to-be graduates"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an undergraduate student during the year preceding graduation
  • Similar words include: senior, elder
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENIORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Offering from an entrepreneurial child's stand"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sweetened beverage of diluted lemon juice
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEMONADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Song and dance"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rapid active commotion
  • Similar words include: hustle, bustle, flurry
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Wild West way of settling disputes"

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Broadway's ___-Manuel Miranda"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states sculptor and architect whose public works include the memorial to veterans of the vietnam war in washington (born in 1959)
  • Similar words include: Maya Lin
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. In a gloomy way"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in a morose manner
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOROSELY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Starbucks alternatives from the Golden Arches"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. B&B"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
  • Similar words include: lodge, hostel, hostelry
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. Bambi's mother, for one"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the federal department responsible for maintaining a national energy policy of the united states; created in 1977
  • Similar words include: Energy, Energy Department, Department of Energy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. 1972 country hit for Tanya Tucker"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Reptiles on papyrus"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of southern europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
  • Similar words include: Egyptian cobra, Vipera aspis, asp
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "52. Ballet bend"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Puts pen to paper"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that produce a literary work
  • Similar words include: compose, pen, save
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WRITES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "56. "But Daddy I Love ___" (Taylor Swift song)"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "57. Early advantage ... or a hint to the beginnings of 17-, 25-, 36- and 49-Across"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "62. "Blueprint" for life"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (biochemistry) a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix; associated with the transmission of genetic information
  • Similar words include: desoxyribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Falsehoods"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
  • Similar words include: rest, lie, prevarication
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. Chemical "twin""

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a compound that exists in forms having different arrangements of atoms but the same molecular weight
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISOMER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. "On the Basis of ___" (Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that activities associated with sexual intercourse
  • Similar words include: sexual practice, sexual urge, turn on
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. Circular tent"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a circular domed dwelling that is portable and self-supporting; originally used by nomadic mongol and turkic people of central asia but now used as inexpensive alternative or temporary housing
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YURT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Words often accompanying a present"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Answer equivalent to "I do" 3
2D 2. Mischievous devil 3
3D 3. Prefix with center 3
4D 4. Coins spent in Turkey 5
5D 5. Tiny drop 4
6D 6. Tennis match units 4
7D 7. Snub 5
8D 8. They may crumble under cross-examination 6
9D 9. Zeus or Odin 3
10D 10. Female form of the animal that outnumbers humans in Iceland 3
11D 11. Boxing combo 6
12D 12. Big name in rental cars 6
13D 13. ___ List (PAC for Democratic female candidates) 6
14D 18. Haitian currency unit 6
15D 21. Not the brightest bulbs, so to speak 6
16D 22. Bovine baby 4
17D 23. ___ the moon 4
18D 24. Captain in "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" 4
19D 26. Steeping container 6
20D 27. Finishes with 6
21D 29. Left-wing protest group 6
22D 30. Tormented 6
23D 33. Like "The Tonight Show" and "Saturday Night Live" 6
24D 34. Hesitation sound across the pond 3
25D 37. Enter the chat, so to speak 6
26D 38. Some military hazards, for short 4
27D 39. Hoofbeat 4
28D 40. Visually sizes up 4
29D 43. Dual degrees for physicians 6
30D 44. ___ Dion, the "Queen of Power Ballads" 6
31D 45. Apex 6
32D 46. Literary friend of Finn 6
33D 50. Body part that's flicked 5
34D 51. Businessman John Jacob ___ 5
35D 54. "Almost time for the weekend!" 4
36D 55. Canadian gas brand 4
37D 57. Cool, in '90s slang 3
38D 58. Common Chinese surname 3
39D 59. Funny Schumer or Poehler 3
40D 60. ___ Speedwagon 3
41D 61. "___ dat" (slangy agreement) 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Answer equivalent to "I do""

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an affirmative
  • Opposite of: no
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Mischievous devil"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
  • Similar words include: brownie, scamp, scallywag
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Prefix with center"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a self-report personality inventory based on hans eysenck's factor analysis of personality which assumes three basic factors (the two most important being extraversion to introversion and neuroticism)
  • Similar words include: Eysenck Personality Inventory
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Coins spent in Turkey"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money on malta; equal to 100 cents
  • Similar words include: Turkish lira, lira, Italian lira
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIRAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Tiny drop"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small indefinite quantity (especially of a liquid); ; ; ; --kipling
  • Similar words include: driblet, drop
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Tennis match units"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Snub"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reject with contempt
  • Similar words include: reject, pooh-pooh, freeze off
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPURN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. They may crumble under cross-examination"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
  • Similar words include: self-justification, alibi, excuse
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIBIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Zeus or Odin"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
  • Similar words include: divinity, deity, immortal
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Female form of the animal that outnumbers humans in Iceland"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a people living in southern benin and togo and southeastern ghana
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Boxing combo"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Big name in rental cars"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
  • Similar words include: dollar bill, dollar sign, buck
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOLLAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. ___ List (PAC for Democratic female candidates)"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Haitian currency unit"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in haiti
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOURDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Not the brightest bulbs, so to speak"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person of subnormal intelligence
  • Similar words include: cretin, idiot, retard
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDIOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Bovine baby"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that young of domestic cattle
  • Similar words include: calfskin, sura
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CALF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. ___ the moon"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch
  • Similar words include: all over, terminated, o'er
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Captain in "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea""

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Steeping container"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Finishes with"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "29. Left-wing protest group"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "30. Tormented"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause bodily suffering to and make sick or indisposed
  • Similar words include: ail, pain, trouble
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAINED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Like "The Tonight Show" and "Saturday Night Live""

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. Hesitation sound across the pond"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Enter the chat, so to speak"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Some military hazards, for short"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an explosive device that is improvised
  • Similar words include: I.E.D., IED, improvised explosive device
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. Hoofbeat"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound of a horse's hoofs hitting on a hard surface
  • Similar words include: clump, clunk, clopping
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "40. Visually sizes up"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that opinion or judgment
  • Similar words include: middle, eye, center
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Dual degrees for physicians"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. ___ Dion, the "Queen of Power Ballads""

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "45. Apex"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding
  • Similar words include: orgasm, flood tide, culmination
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLIMAX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "46. Literary friend of Finn"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who is employed to saw wood
  • Similar words include: sawyer beetle
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAWYER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Body part that's flicked"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
  • Similar words include: radiocarpal joint, wrist joint, articulatio radiocarpea
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WRIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Businessman John Jacob ___"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that british politician (born in the united states) who was the first woman to sit in the british house of commons (1879-1964)
  • Similar words include: John Jacob Astor, Viscountess Astor, Nancy Witcher Astor
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. "Almost time for the weekend!""

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Canadian gas brand"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. Cool, in '90s slang"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that two-winged insects characterized by active flight
  • Similar words include: fly front, take flight, tent flap
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "58. Common Chinese surname"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. Funny Schumer or Poehler"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "60. ___ Speedwagon"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "61. "___ dat" (slangy agreement)"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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

35 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

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Last updated: April 21, 2026 at 05:39 AM

Thursday, February 12, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 12, 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: Challenging

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. *Succeed 6
2A 6. Home of War in the Pacific National Historical Park 4
3A 10. Sign on some restroom doors 3
4A 13. Angular unit of measurement 6
5A 15. Sapa ___ ("the only emperor" in Quechua) 4
6A 16. Kitchen gadget brand 3
7A 17. Must pay 6
8A 18. *Public messages of appreciation 9
9A 20. Heavy metal band whose name is a big cat in Spanish 7
10A 22. Alternatively ... !!! 6
11A 23. Sign out? 4
12A 24. Firehouse supply 7
13A 26. Take out, in a way 3
14A 28. "An idea ..." 3
15A 30. Mount known to produce rare volcanic "smoke rings" 4
16A 31. Off-road ride, for short 3
17A 32. Horned mountain climber 4
18A 34. Pen 6
19A 36. Dennis's sister on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" 3
20A 37. *New England-style chowder, for one 8
21A 39. ___-weekly (mag type) 3
22A 40. Small surgical instrument 6
23A 42. Wraps up 4
24A 43. Wield 3
25A 44. Ingrid Bergman's "Casablanca" role 4
26A 45. Stuff with strands 3
27A 46. College subj. that can be evolutionary or behavioral 3
28A 47. Lightweight fabric for a handkerchief 7
29A 50. Tomato type 4
30A 53. Pet project? 6
31A 54. *Long-legged wader 8
32A 58. Provide comfort, in a way ... or a hint to the answers to the four starred Across clues 8
33A 60. Northeastern prep school or its town 6
34A 61. "What's the ___?!" 3
35A 62. Surrender 4
36A 63. Ceramics component 6
37A 64. Web portal with a butterfly logo 3
38A 65. Schooner's stabilizer 4
39A 66. Some spa treatments 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. *Succeed"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Home of War in the Pacific National Historical Park"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the largest and southernmost island in the marianas which is administered as a territory of the united states; it was ceded by spain to the united states in 1898
  • Similar words include: GU
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Sign on some restroom doors"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the force of workers available
  • Similar words include: military man, Man, homo
  • Opposite of: woman, civilian
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. Angular unit of measurement"

6 letters Category: Common Word

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!

5A: "15. Sapa ___ ("the only emperor" in Quechua)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ruler of the incas (or a member of his family)
  • Similar words include: Inka, Incan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Kitchen gadget brand"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Must pay"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. *Public messages of appreciation"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Heavy metal band whose name is a big cat in Spanish"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Alternatively ... !!!"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Sign out?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Firehouse supply"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
  • Similar words include: ladder, run, ravel
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADDERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Take out, in a way"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
  • Similar words include: regard, come across, interpret
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. "An idea ...""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the chance to speak
  • Similar words include: read, articulate, sound out
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Mount known to produce rare volcanic "smoke rings""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Off-road ride, for short"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Horned mountain climber"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wild goat of mountain areas of eurasia and northern africa having large recurved horns
  • Similar words include: Capra ibex
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IBEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Pen"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pen for cattle
  • Similar words include: cattle pen, cow pen
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORRAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Dennis's sister on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. *New England-style chowder, for one"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. ___-weekly (mag type)"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
  • Similar words include: EL, elevation, altitude
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Small surgical instrument"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acutely pointed gothic arch, like a lance
  • Similar words include: lancet arch, lance
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LANCET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Wraps up"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
  • Similar words include: end, final stage, closing
  • Opposite of: begin, beginning
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Wield"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in combination
  • Similar words include: cater, run, provide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "44. Ingrid Bergman's "Casablanca" role"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "45. Stuff with strands"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (biochemistry) a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix; associated with the transmission of genetic information
  • Similar words include: desoxyribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "46. College subj. that can be evolutionary or behavioral"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "47. Lightweight fabric for a handkerchief"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thin plain-weave cotton or linen fabric; used for shirts or dresses
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BATISTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "50. Tomato type"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a people with dark skin and hair who speak romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work and fortunetelling; they are believed to have originated in northern india but now are living on all continents (but mostly in europe, north africa, and north america)
  • Similar words include: Italian capital, Rommany, ROM
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "53. Pet project?"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that outbuilding that serves as a shelter for a dog
  • Similar words include: doghouse, dog house
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KENNEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "54. *Long-legged wader"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large pink to scarlet web-footed wading bird with down-bent bill; inhabits brackish lakes
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLAMINGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. Provide comfort, in a way ... or a hint to the answers to the four starred Across clues"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "60. Northeastern prep school or its town"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "61. "What's the ___?!""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of using
  • Similar words include: expend, apply, role
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "62. Surrender"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
  • Similar words include: give up, yield, concede
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CEDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "63. Ceramics component"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a white or colorless vitreous insoluble solid (sio2); various forms occur widely in the earth's crust as quartz or cristobalite or tridymite or lechatelierite
  • Similar words include: silicon oxide, silicon dioxide
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SILICA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "64. Web portal with a butterfly logo"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "65. Schooner's stabilizer"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a projection or ridge that suggests a keel
  • Similar words include: careen, swag, stagger
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KEEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "66. Some spa treatments"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a covering to disguise or conceal the face
  • Similar words include: masquerade, disguise, masque
  • Opposite of: unmask
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MASKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. What a phone call or new album might do 4
2D 2. 7-Eleven competitor on the East Coast 4
3D 3. Tree of knowledge locale 4
4D 4. Directory name 6
5D 5. *Behind in payment 4
6D 6. Ones "over there" in "Over There," in brief 3
7D 7. Sacrilegious 6
8D 8. Legend, e.g. 5
9D 9. Beat in chess 5
10D 10. Mechanisms that are often spring-loaded 10
11D 11. *Forevermore 9
12D 12. Us, in Spanish 3
13D 14. Sushi seaweed type 4
14D 19. From further back 5
15D 21. Befuddled 5
16D 25. Coarse, as language 5
17D 26. Quickly smooch ... or a hint to the answers to the four starred Down clues 10
18D 27. Square 10
19D 29. *Word appearing 51 times in the New Testament 4
20D 31. Speak extemporaneously 5
21D 32. Makeup of some shelves 3
22D 33. Lunch item usually eaten with two hands, in brief 3
23D 34. Cow's mouthful 3
24D 35. Photo ___ 3
25D 38. Wolf (down) 5
26D 41. Michael nominated for Oscars in five different decades 5
27D 45. Fool 6
28D 46. Hollywood's Anderson or Bach 6
29D 48. Nosh 5
30D 49. Little laugh 5
31D 51. Sounds from un estadio 4
32D 52. *Severely harm 4
33D 55. Words of affirmation 4
34D 56. Resting place for a boa 4
35D 57. Pรขtรฉ de foie ___ 4
36D 58. Unpleasant discovery under a desk 3
37D 59. Hair raiser? 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. What a phone call or new album might do"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shape that is spherical and small
  • Similar words include: expend, send packing, shake off
  • Opposite of: sharpen, attend to
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DROP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. 7-Eleven competitor on the East Coast"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Tree of knowledge locale"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
  • Similar words include: paradise, nirvana, heaven
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Directory name"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. *Behind in payment"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
  • Similar words include: tardily, recently, recent
  • Opposite of: early
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Ones "over there" in "Over There," in brief"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of magnetomotive force equal to 0.7958 ampere-turns
  • Similar words include: Gb, gilbert, Gi
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Sacrilegious"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not hallowed or consecrated
  • Similar words include: infernal, fiendish, hellish
  • Opposite of: holy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNHOLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Legend, e.g."

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Beat in chess"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that engage in sexual intercourse
  • Similar words include: snarl, tangle, felt up
  • Opposite of: disentangle, unmated
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Mechanisms that are often spring-loaded"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a trap for catching mice
  • Similar words include: trap play, mousetrap
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOUSETRAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. *Forevermore"

9 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that for a limitless time; ; - p.p.bliss
  • Similar words include: forever, evermore, everlastingly
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETERNALLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Us, in Spanish"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known
  • Similar words include: nobelium, atomic number 102, No
  • Opposite of: yes
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Sushi seaweed type"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "19. From further back"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that advanced in years; (`aged' is pronounced as two syllables)
  • Similar words include: one-time, quondam, Old
  • Opposite of: new, young
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Befuddled"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Coarse, as language"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that engagingly stimulating or provocative
  • Similar words include: piquant
  • Opposite of: fresh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Quickly smooch ... or a hint to the answers to the four starred Down clues"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Square"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. *Word appearing 51 times in the New Testament"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a primeval egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at thebes
  • Similar words include: Amon, Amun
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Speak extemporaneously"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Makeup of some shelves"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
  • Similar words include: chicken feed, frost, shabu
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Lunch item usually eaten with two hands, in brief"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sandwich filled with slices of bacon and tomato with lettuce
  • Similar words include: bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Cow's mouthful"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food of a ruminant regurgitated to be chewed again
  • Similar words include: rechewed food, chew, quid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Photo ___"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (roman mythology) goddess of abundance and fertility; wife of saturn; counterpart of greek rhea and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Wolf (down)"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make off with belongings of others
  • Similar words include: pinch, purloin, nobble
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNARF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Michael nominated for Oscars in five different decades"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Fool"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be false to; be dishonest with
  • Similar words include: deceive, cozen, lead on
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELUDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. Hollywood's Anderson or Bach"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. Nosh"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a light informal meal
  • Similar words include: collation, nosh, bite
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Little laugh"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "51. Sounds from un estadio"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. *Severely harm"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disfiguration or mutilation
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "55. Words of affirmation"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "56. Resting place for a boa"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
  • Similar words include: neck opening, cervix, make out
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NECK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "57. Pรขtรฉ de foie ___"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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36D: "58. Unpleasant discovery under a desk"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a preparation (usually made of sweetened chicle) for chewing
  • Similar words include: chewing gum, gum tree, mucilage
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUM

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37D: "59. Hair raiser?"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colloid in a more solid form than a sol
  • Similar words include: gelatin, colloidal gel, mousse
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEL

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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
37 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 12, 2026 at 05:12 AM