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Showing posts sorted by date for query ICED. 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

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

Thursday, July 23, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 23, 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. More than just a disapproving look 10
2A 10. Scruff of the neck 4
3A 13. Fondita offerings 10
4A 15. Three-time A.L. M.V.P. of the 2000s, familiarly 4
5A 16. "The Devil's radio" 10
6A 17. Pollution portmanteau 4
7A 18. Really peeved 3
8A 19. What a pointless game has? 7
9A 21. Outfitted 8
10A 25. Password preceder 6
11A 26. Former Toyota sports cars named for a Latin prefix 6
12A 27. Passover month 5
13A 29. ___-turvy 5
14A 30. Sprint, e.g. 4
15A 31. Home run hitter's gait 4
16A 35. Downed 3
17A 36. Part in a play 4
18A 37. "That's the spot!" 3
19A 38. "Tyrone" singer Erykah 4
20A 40. Not much 4
21A 41. "Will you let me?" 5
22A 43. Desert for which an African country is named 5
23A 45. Like obsidian rock, once 6
24A 46. Symbol of rebirth in ancient Egypt 6
25A 49. Last hurrah 8
26A 51. Trials by fire 7
27A 53. Wholly, but not holey or holy, e.g.: Abbr. 3
28A 54. Helen of Troy's mother 4
29A 55. Ignominious outcome 10
30A 61. Tech product discontinued in 2022 4
31A 62. Proposed cosmological phenomenon that could make up 70% of the universe — and six squares in this puzzle's grid? 10
32A 63. Not admit 4
33A 64. Pottery so named for its hardness 9

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. More than just a disapproving look"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "10. Scruff of the neck"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the back side of the neck
  • Similar words include: scruff, nucha
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "13. Fondita offerings"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tortilla with meat filling baked in tomato sauce seasoned with chili
  • Similar words include: enchilada
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENCHILADAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Three-time A.L. M.V.P. of the 2000s, familiarly"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. "The Devil's radio""

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Pollution portmanteau"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
  • Similar words include: smogginess
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Really peeved"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
  • Similar words include: red-hot, blistering, live
  • Opposite of: cold
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. What a pointless game has?"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Outfitted"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose
  • Similar words include: fit out, furnished, equip
  • Opposite of: unequipped, unfurnished
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EQUIPPED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "25. Password preceder"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "26. Former Toyota sports cars named for a Latin prefix"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "27. Passover month"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seventh month of the civil year; the first month of the ecclesiastic year (in march and april)
  • Similar words include: Nissan
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NISAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. ___-turvy"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. Sprint, e.g."

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Home run hitter's gait"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slow pace of running
  • Similar words include: crib, Trotskyite, pony
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. Downed"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
  • Similar words include: eat up, run through, feed
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Part in a play"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group
  • Similar words include: theatrical role, character, function
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. "That's the spot!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. "Tyrone" singer Erykah"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Not much"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. "Will you let me?""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Desert for which an African country is named"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Like obsidian rock, once"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
  • Similar words include: liquified, mellow out, run
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOLTEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Symbol of rebirth in ancient Egypt"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that scarabaeid beetle considered divine by ancient egyptians
  • Similar words include: Scarabaeus sacer, scarabaeus
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCARAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. Last hurrah"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Trials by fire"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a severe or trying experience
  • Similar words include: ordeal, trial by ordeal
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORDEALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Wholly, but not holey or holy, e.g.: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Helen of Troy's mother"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) a queen of sparta who was raped by zeus who had taken the form of a swan; helen of troy was conceived in the rape of leda
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Ignominious outcome"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Tech product discontinued in 2022"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (trademark) a pocket-sized device used to play music files
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IPOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "62. Proposed cosmological phenomenon that could make up 70% of the universe — and six squares in this puzzle's grid?"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "63. Not admit"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that declare untrue; contradict
  • Similar words include: refuse, traverse, abnegate
  • Opposite of: admit, allow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DENY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "64. Pottery so named for its hardness"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that ceramic ware that is fired in high heat and vitrified and nonporous
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STONEWARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Agnus ___ 3
2D 2. Word after tight or defensive 3
3D 3. Knee stabilizer, in brief 3
4D 4. Not just any 3
5D 5. Attractive feature of a job 7
6D 6. Single-masted vessels 6
7D 7. Sweet or sour 5
8D 8. Podcast interruptions 3
9D 9. Frequent forecast in Seattle 4
10D 10. Strong suit? 5
11D 11. Unleavened South Asian flatbread 5
12D 12. Follower of double or gilt 5
13D 14. Champion, as a cause 7
14D 15. Budding 7
15D 20. Org. with a list of popular baby names 3
16D 21. Minimum, in a way 5
17D 22. Increased 5
18D 23. Letters before ".gov" 3
19D 24. Forensic facilities 7
20D 26. Sign abbr. meaning "founded in" 5
21D 28. Coffee or tea specification 4
22D 30. Unleavened South Asian flatbread 4
23D 32. Sought comfort from, say 5
24D 33. Like granola 5
25D 34. Unnamed article 5
26D 39. Ill-prepared 7
27D 40. Didn't stay on topic 7
28D 41. Come together 7
29D 42. Lou Gehrig's disease, for short 3
30D 44. One level below the majors 3
31D 45. Infuriate 6
32D 46. Sphere, e.g. 5
33D 47. Crinkly fabric 5
34D 48. Extension 5
35D 50. Totally bizarre 5
36D 52. Places to get masks 4
37D 56. Original N.Y.C. subway line 3
38D 57. Handful 3
39D 58. Long stretch 3
40D 59. Cabinet dept. since 1889 3
41D 60. Gospel musician Tribbett 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Agnus ___"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Word after tight or defensive"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
  • Similar words include: conclusion, goal, terminal
  • Opposite of: begin, beginning
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: END

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Knee stabilizer, in brief"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Not just any"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Attractive feature of a job"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Single-masted vessels"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sailing vessel with a single mast set about one third of the boat's length aft of the bow
  • Similar words include: sloop
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLOOPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Sweet or sour"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

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: taste perception, discernment, sample
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TASTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Podcast interruptions"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public promotion of some product or service
  • Similar words include: advertising, advertizing, ad
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Frequent forecast in Seattle"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
  • Similar words include: rain down, pelting, rainwater
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Strong suit?"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that protective covering made of metal and used in combat
  • Similar words include: armour
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARMOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Unleavened South Asian flatbread"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Follower of double or gilt"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that advance slowly, as if by inches
  • Similar words include: border, butt against, edge
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Champion, as a cause"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
  • Similar words include: follow, hook up with, conjoin
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESPOUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Budding"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that being born or beginning
  • Opposite of: dying
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NASCENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. Org. with a list of popular baby names"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent government agency responsible for the social security system
  • Similar words include: Social Security Administration
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "21. Minimum, in a way"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a prescribed number
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: QUOTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "22. Increased"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: up
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UPPED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "23. Letters before ".gov""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bureau of the treasury department responsible for tax collections
  • Similar words include: Internal Revenue Service
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "24. Forensic facilities"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "26. Sign abbr. meaning "founded in""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "28. Coffee or tea specification"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "30. Unleavened South Asian flatbread"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Sought comfort from, say"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Like granola"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or related to or derived from oats
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OATEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "34. Unnamed article"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a special situation
  • Similar words include: matter, affair
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Ill-prepared"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not prepared or in a state of readiness; slow to understand or respond
  • Opposite of: ready
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNREADY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Didn't stay on topic"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that continue talking or writing in a desultory manner
  • Similar words include: roam, swan, wander
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAMBLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Come together"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that meet formally
  • Similar words include: convoke
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONVENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "42. Lou Gehrig's disease, for short"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that thickening of tissue in the motor tracts of the lateral columns and anterior horns of the spinal cord; results in progressive muscle atrophy that starts in the limbs
  • Similar words include: Heart of Dixie, Camellia State, Alabama
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. One level below the majors"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta associated with old age and hypertension
  • Similar words include: abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AAA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "45. Infuriate"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to go crazy; cause to lose one's mind
  • Similar words include: craze
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MADDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "46. Sphere, e.g."

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that matter that is solid at room temperature and pressure
  • Similar words include: self-colored, whole, hearty
  • Opposite of: hollow, liquid
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOLID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "47. Crinkly fabric"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that paper with a crinkled texture; usually colored and used for decorations
  • Similar words include: crape, French pancake, crepe paper
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CREPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "48. Extension"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "50. Totally bizarre"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is regarded as eccentric or mad
  • Similar words include: whacko, nutter
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WACKO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "52. Places to get masks"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
  • Similar words include: health spa, health club, watering place
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Original N.Y.C. subway line"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "57. Handful"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small elite group
  • Opposite of: many
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "58. Long stretch"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: earned run average, geological era, epoch
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "59. Cabinet dept. since 1889"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "60. Gospel musician Tribbett"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

33 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

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Last updated: July 23, 2026 at 06:13 AM