Search Clues

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

Thursday, August 6, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 06, 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. Singer Braxton 4
2A 5. Like some winter windshields 4
3A 9. ___ Bauer (brand of outdoor gear) 5
4A 14. Soon 4
5A 15. "Me, too" 4
6A 16. Stable job 5
7A 17. Spirit of the Caribbean 11
8A 19. Haggard 5
9A 20. Creamy dish made with arborio rice 7
10A 21. Angela on "The Office," e.g. 4
11A 22. "Bring it on!" 5
12A 23. Four-time N.B.A. M.V.P. 11
13A 28. Nick, e.g. 3
14A 30. Collected 4
15A 31. Evil computer of classic film 3
16A 32. Kind of seeds found in a basket in King Tutankhamen's tomb 6
17A 35. Alternate nickname for the "Hollywood of the South" 8
18A 37. Group with a coat of arms 4
19A 38. Unspecified ones 5
20A 40. Wednesday a.k.a. ___ day 4
21A 41. Like some fat 8
22A 43. Purposely wrongs 6
23A 45. "What's more ..." 3
24A 46. Joan known for his "dream paintings" 4
25A 47. Make out, perhaps? 3
26A 48. Pillow fight setting 11
27A 51. Juicer's "juice" 5
28A 55. Determination 4
29A 56. Shade provider along Central Park's Literary Walk 7
30A 58. A-tier 5
31A 60. Chock-full ... like three squares (and foods) in this puzzle 9
32A 62. Touch-and-go 5
33A 63. Force felt on Earth, for short 4
34A 64. Goddess whose name is an anagram of her mother's 4
35A 65. Feelings of getting older 5
36A 66. Volcano seen on HBO's "The White Lotus" 4
37A 67. Port in 50-Down 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Singer Braxton"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Like some winter windshields"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that decorate with frosting
  • Similar words include: frost, ice
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. ___ Bauer (brand of outdoor gear)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Soon"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. "Me, too""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of an indigenous nomadic people living in northern scandinavia and herding reindeer
  • Similar words include: like, Saame, Sami
  • Opposite of: unlike, different
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Stable job"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a man participant in his own marriage ceremony
  • Similar words include: stableman, stableboy, prepare
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GROOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Spirit of the Caribbean"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Haggard"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
  • Similar words include: haggard, skeletal, pinched
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAUNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Creamy dish made with arborio rice"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rice cooked with broth and sprinkled with grated cheese
  • Similar words include: Italian rice
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RISOTTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Angela on "The Office," e.g."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
  • Similar words include: snot, snoot, snob
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. "Bring it on!""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Four-time N.B.A. M.V.P."

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Nick, e.g."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following february and preceding april
  • Similar words include: deflower, spoil, defect
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. Collected"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of being at a refreshingly low temperature
  • Similar words include: poise, sang-froid, cool down
  • Opposite of: warm, heat
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COOL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Evil computer of classic film"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Kind of seeds found in a basket in King Tutankhamen's tomb"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that east indian annual erect herb; source of sesame seed or benniseed and sesame oil
  • Similar words include: Sesamum indicum, benni, benne
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SESAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Alternate nickname for the "Hollywood of the South""

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Group with a coat of arms"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that group of people related by blood or marriage
  • Similar words include: kin group, kindred, kinship group
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Unspecified ones"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Wednesday a.k.a. ___ day"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
  • Similar words include: have a go at it, know, jut
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Like some fat"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to become
  • Similar words include: render, try, depict
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RENDERED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Purposely wrongs"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feeling a need to see others suffer
  • Similar words include: bruise, sprinkle, cattiness
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPITES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. "What's more ...""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Joan known for his "dream paintings""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that new zealand conifer used for lumber; the dark wood is used for interior carpentry
  • Similar words include: black pine, Joan Miro, Podocarpus ferruginea
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Make out, perhaps?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a label written or printed on paper, cardboard, or plastic that is attached to something to indicate its owner, nature, price, etc.
  • Similar words include: tail, mark, tatter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Pillow fight setting"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Juicer's "juice""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Determination"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention; - george meredith
  • Similar words include: leave, volition, bequeath
  • Opposite of: disinherit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Shade provider along Central Park's Literary Walk"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. A-tier"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the principal part of a duet (especially a piano duet)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRIMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. Chock-full ... like three squares (and foods) in this puzzle"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that crowd or pack to capacity
  • Similar words include: jam, jampack, cram
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAMPACKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Touch-and-go"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of uncertain outcome; especially fraught with risk; - new yorker
  • Similar words include: chanceful, dodgy, chancy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DICEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Force felt on Earth, for short"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Goddess whose name is an anagram of her mother's"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that queen of the olympian gods in ancient greek mythology; sister and wife of zeus remembered for her jealously of the many mortal women zeus fell in love with; identified with roman juno
  • Similar words include: Here
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Feelings of getting older"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
  • Similar words include: ache, aching, smart
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACHES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Volcano seen on HBO's "The White Lotus""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "67. Port in 50-Down"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an important port of yemen; located on the gulf of aden; its strategic location has made it a major trading center of southern arabia since ancient times
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Fruity pastry 7
2D 2. Live 5
3D 3. Like the jungle at daybreak 5
4D 4. At the helm 9
5D 5. "___ that right?" 4
6D 6. Number for December 5
7D 7. Bird with noted calf muscles 3
8D 8. Short blue person? 3
9D 9. ChαΊ£ giΓ², on a Vietnamese menu 7
10D 10. Enervate 5
11D 11. Temptation for Homer Simpson 11
12D 12. Na+ or Cl- 3
13D 13. Real lifesaver, for short 3
14D 18. Starting group 5
15D 21. Not accept an outrage, say 7
16D 24. Amazon smart speaker 7
17D 25. Jeers 4
18D 26. Tempting words on a Wonderland cake 5
19D 27. Is really good, in modern slang 5
20D 29. Legal mulligan 7
21D 32. What an old car might be sold for 5
22D 33. ___ Ferrante, author of the "Neapolitan Novels" 5
23D 34. Brown-bag item 11
24D 36. "OK, that makes sense" 9
25D 39. MΓΌnster man 4
26D 42. Puts to work 7
27D 44. Northern Italian city known for its cheese 5
28D 49. "The White Lotus" actress ___ Lou Wood 5
29D 50. Arabia Felix, now 5
30D 52. Perturbed 5
31D 53. Fortune 500 company started by a blacksmith, informally 5
32D 54. Civic's class 5
33D 57. Sports org. with a Tour 4
34D 58. Open show of intimacy, for short 3
35D 59. Nickname that drops "hard" 3
36D 60. Mud 3
37D 61. Tiny "farmer" 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Fruity pastry"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Live"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Like the jungle at daybreak"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
  • Opposite of: quiet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOISY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. At the helm"

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "___ that right?""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Number for December"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that joyful religious song celebrating the birth of christ
  • Similar words include: Christmas carol
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAROL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Bird with noted calf muscles"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Short blue person?"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. ChαΊ£ giΓ², on a Vietnamese menu"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Enervate"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it
  • Similar words include: drainage, enfeeble, waste pipe
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Temptation for Homer Simpson"

11 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Na+ or Cl-"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particle that is electrically charged (positive or negative); an atom or molecule or group that has lost or gained one or more electrons
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Real lifesaver, for short"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Starting group"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Not accept an outrage, say"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a formal and solemn declaration of objection
  • Similar words include: dissent, resist, objection
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROTEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Amazon smart speaker"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Jeers"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
  • Similar words include: snort, bird, boo
  • Opposite of: applaud
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Tempting words on a Wonderland cake"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Is really good, in modern slang"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
  • Similar words include: smacking, slap, smack
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Legal mulligan"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a new trial in which issues already litigated and to which the court has already rendered a verdict or decision are reexamined by the same court; occurs when the initial trial is found to have been improper or unfair due to procedural errors
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETRIAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. What an old car might be sold for"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
  • Similar words include: fleck, quarrel, flake
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCRAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. ___ Ferrante, author of the "Neapolitan Novels""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Brown-bag item"

11 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. "OK, that makes sense""

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. MΓΌnster man"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a german man; used before the name as a title equivalent to mr in english
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. Puts to work"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of being employed or having a job
  • Similar words include: use, employment, apply
  • Opposite of: unemployment, fire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMPLOYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "44. Northern Italian city known for its cheese"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "49. "The White Lotus" actress ___ Lou Wood"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "50. Arabia Felix, now"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic on the southwestern shores of the arabian peninsula on the indian ocean; formed in 1990
  • Similar words include: Republic of Yemen
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YEMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "52. Perturbed"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that irritate or vex
  • Similar words include: gall, irk
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "53. Fortune 500 company started by a blacksmith, informally"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states industrialist who manufactured plows suitable for working the prairie soil (1804-1886)
  • Similar words include: John Deere
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "54. Civic's class"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a car that is closed and that has front and rear seats and two or four doors
  • Similar words include: saloon, sedan chair
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEDAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "57. Sports org. with a Tour"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. Open show of intimacy, for short"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lightweight consumer electronic device that looks like a hand-held computer but instead performs specific tasks; can serve as a diary or a personal database or a telephone or an alarm clock etc.
  • Similar words include: personal organizer, personal organiser, personal digital assistant
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "59. Nickname that drops "hard""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "60. Mud"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "61. Tiny "farmer""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
  • Similar words include: pismire, emmet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANT

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
37 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: August 06, 2026 at 06:08 AM

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 29, 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. *Failed internet company? 10
2A 8. Rinse with water, as grain in the brewing process 6
3A 14. Exaggerated the merits of 8
4A 16. "That's actually pretty neat!" 6
5A 17. Trait for a good waiter? 8
6A 18. Ingredient in shepherd's pie 6
7A 19. Strange 3
8A 20. Pirate's booty 4
9A 22. Swabbie's tool 3
10A 23. In the ___ (intensely focused) 4
11A 25. *Assurance from an internet company? 13
12A 28. "Your pick" 3
13A 29. Lightly strike, as a windowpane 5
14A 30. Many a 24-hour eatery 5
15A 31. *Puzzling question for an internet company? 11
16A 33. Some Γ©pΓ©eists' moves 6
17A 34. Had remorse for 4
18A 35. Trial version 4
19A 36. One-___ (pithy jokes) 6
20A 39. *Exposure for an internet company? 11
21A 43. Ancient theater 5
22A 44. Assuages 5
23A 45. Status ___ 3
24A 46. *Illustrative story from an internet company? 13
25A 48. What a track athlete may do three times in one attempt 4
26A 49. World War I Flying ___ (Snoopy alter ego) 3
27A 50. Just 4
28A 51. ___ Guofeng, successor to Mao Zedong 3
29A 52. Samples 6
30A 54. Rose up 8
31A 59. Get situated 6
32A 60. Shoe with a "kitten" variety 8
33A 61. Zeroes 6
34A 62. *Blog message from an internet company? 10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. *Failed internet company?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "8. Rinse with water, as grain in the brewing process"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of sprinkling or splashing water
  • Similar words include: besprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkling
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPARGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Exaggerated the merits of"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. "That's actually pretty neat!""

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Trait for a good waiter?"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
  • Similar words include: longanimity, forbearance, solitaire
  • Opposite of: impatience
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PATIENCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Ingredient in shepherd's pie"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edible tuber native to south america; a staple food of ireland
  • Similar words include: tater, white potato vine, Solanum tuberosum
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POTATO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Strange"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not divisible by two
  • Similar words include: singular, unmatched, unmated
  • Opposite of: even
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Pirate's booty"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goods or money obtained illegally
  • Similar words include: scratch, ransack, dirty money
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Swabbie's tool"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cleaning implement consisting of absorbent material fastened to a handle; for cleaning floors
  • Similar words include: wipe up, mop up, swab
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. In the ___ (intensely focused)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a locally circumscribed place characterized by some distinctive features
  • Similar words include: geographical zone, district, partition
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. *Assurance from an internet company?"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOTCOMPROMISE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "28. "Your pick""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one or some or every or all without specification
  • Similar words include: whatever, whatsoever
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. Lightly strike, as a windowpane"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. Many a 24-hour eatery"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person eating a meal (especially in a restaurant)
  • Similar words include: dining car, dining compartment, buffet car
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DINER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. *Puzzling question for an internet company?"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Some Γ©pΓ©eists' moves"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of moving forward suddenly
  • Similar words include: lurch, passado, straight thrust
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUNGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Had remorse for"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
  • Similar words include: rue, repent, regret
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Trial version"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a visual presentation showing how something works
  • Similar words include: demonstrate, exhibit, present
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. One-___ (pithy jokes)"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (baseball) a hit that flies straight out from the batter
  • Similar words include: liner, ocean liner, lining
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LINERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. *Exposure for an internet company?"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Ancient theater"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Assuages"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that steadiness of mind under stress
  • Similar words include: quiet, sedate, equanimity
  • Opposite of: stimulate, discomposure
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CALMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Status ___"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. *Illustrative story from an internet company?"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOTCOMPARABLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. What a track athlete may do three times in one attempt"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sudden and decisive increase
  • Similar words include: climb up, jumpstart, start
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JUMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. World War I Flying ___ (Snoopy alter ego)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. Just"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small pond of standing water
  • Similar words include: bare, simple
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "51. ___ Guofeng, successor to Mao Zedong"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an islamic fundamentalist group in pakistan that fought the soviet union in afghanistan in the 1980s; now operates as a terrorist organization primarily in kashmir and seeks kashmir's accession by pakistan
  • Similar words include: Al Faran, Harkat-ul-Mujahidin, Movement of Holy Warriors
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "52. Samples"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
  • Similar words include: sample, appreciation, perceptiveness
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TASTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "54. Rose up"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance
  • Similar words include: arise, renegade, rise up
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REBELLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "59. Get situated"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the countries of asia
  • Similar words include: point, East, eastern hemisphere
  • Opposite of: disorient
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORIENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Shoe with a "kitten" variety"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small dagger with a tapered blade
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STILETTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. Zeroes"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that device for resetting instruments or controls
  • Similar words include: readjust, reset
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "62. *Blog message from an internet company?"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Robber's pursuer 3
2D 2. Reproductive cells 3
3D 3. "Wall Street," for the U.S. financial industry 7
4D 4. Half of many a union-to-be 5
5D 5. Secondhand 4
6D 6. Recipient of many dad jokes 3
7D 7. "Little People, Big World" network 3
8D 8. Deep sleep 5
9D 9. Uncurated Instagram collections 10
10D 10. Do something 3
11D 11. On a different network, say 7
12D 12. Visit 7
13D 13. They usually get no reception 7
14D 15. Coastal resort city in southern California 6
15D 21. Select, with "for" 3
16D 23. Actor Efron 3
17D 24. "Mrs. Lennon" writer 3
18D 25. They're on the docket 5
19D 26. Paper view? 4
20D 27. Student's subspecialty 5
21D 29. Where seeds might be placed 10
22D 32. Before surgery, for short 5
23D 33. "___ at 'em!" 5
24D 35. Cabbage Patch Kid, e.g. 4
25D 36. Part of URL 7
26D 37. "Actually, this matters to me a lot!" 7
27D 38. The Road Runner, to Wile E. Coyote 7
28D 39. Poles tossed in a Highland competition 6
29D 40. On par with 7
30D 41. Total 3
31D 42. Soak (up), as gravy 3
32D 44. Elevator part 3
33D 47. Takes a breather 5
34D 48. Derby drink 5
35D 51. Spot for a ship's captain 4
36D 53. Control center? 3
37D 55. ... and so on 3
38D 56. Life story, for short 3
39D 57. Trisolarans in "The Three-Body Problem," e.g., informally 3
40D 58. Preceder of the answer to each of this puzzle's starred clues 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Robber's pursuer"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that uncomplimentary terms for a policeman
  • Similar words include: glom, bull, collar
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Reproductive cells"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. "Wall Street," for the U.S. financial industry"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a word that denotes one thing but refers to a related thing
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: METONYM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Half of many a union-to-be"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woman who has recently been married
  • Similar words include: Bridget, St. Brigid, Saint Brigid
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Secondhand"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
  • Similar words include: practice, secondhand, utilise
  • Opposite of: misused
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Recipient of many dad jokes"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male human offspring
  • Similar words include: Logos, Word, boy
  • Opposite of: daughter, girl
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. "Little People, Big World" network"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that considerate and solicitous care
  • Similar words include: tender loving care
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TLC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Deep sleep"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a torpid state resembling deep sleep
  • Similar words include: sleep
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOPOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Uncurated Instagram collections"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Do something"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
  • Similar words include: behave, bit, play
  • Opposite of: refrain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. On a different network, say"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
  • Similar words include: stray, ramble, tramp
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROAMING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Visit"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. They usually get no reception"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Coastal resort city in southern California"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Select, with "for""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that select as an alternative over another
  • Similar words include: prefer, choose
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Actor Efron"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. "Mrs. Lennon" writer"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states musician (born in japan) who married john lennon and collaborated with him on recordings (born in 1933)
  • Similar words include: Yoko Ono
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. They're on the docket"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an occurrence of something
  • Similar words include: example, subject, typesetter's case
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Paper view?"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Student's subspecialty"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a young person of either sex
  • Similar words include: underage, venial, kid
  • Opposite of: major
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "29. Where seeds might be placed"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner
  • Similar words include: tourney
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOURNAMENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Before surgery, for short"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. "___ at 'em!""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Cabbage Patch Kid, e.g."

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small replica of a person; used as a toy
  • Similar words include: dolly, chick, skirt
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOLL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Part of URL"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who fixes the boundaries of land claims
  • Similar words include: locater
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOCATOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "37. "Actually, this matters to me a lot!""

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "38. The Road Runner, to Wile E. Coyote"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) the goddess of divine retribution and vengeance
  • Similar words include: bane, curse, scourge
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEMESIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "39. Poles tossed in a Highland competition"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heavy wooden pole (such as the trunk of a young fir) that is tossed as a test of strength (in the highlands of northern scotland)
  • Similar words include: caber
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CABERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "40. On par with"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "41. Total"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity of money
  • Similar words include: join, summarize, total
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "42. Soak (up), as gravy"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that piece of solid food for dipping in a liquid
  • Similar words include: soak, sops, drench
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "44. Elevator part"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
  • Similar words include: gondola, railroad car, railway car
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "47. Takes a breather"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something left after other parts have been taken away
  • Similar words include: rest period, breathe, residue
  • Opposite of: be active, change
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "48. Derby drink"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that bourbon and sugar and mint over crushed ice
  • Similar words include: mint julep
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JULEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "51. Spot for a ship's captain"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HELM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "53. Control center?"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the starting place for each hole on a golf course
  • Similar words include: football tee, golf tee, tee up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "55. ... and so on"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "56. Life story, for short"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "57. Trisolarans in "The Three-Body Problem," e.g., informally"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "58. Preceder of the answer to each of this puzzle's starred clues"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a very small circular shape
  • Similar words include: point, sprinkle, disperse
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOT

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

34 Across Clues
40 Down Clues
74 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 29, 2026 at 10:38 AM