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

Monday, May 18, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 18, 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. Like a game that has gone into a penalty shootout 4
2A 5. Luxury handbag brand 5
3A 10. Petri dish gel 4
4A 14. West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024 4
5A 15. Stereotypical meal for a college student 5
6A 16. "Veni, ___, vici" 4
7A 17. Like the Code of Hammurabi 10
8A 19. Enterprise rival 4
9A 20. Got to one's feet 5
10A 21. Elmer's product 4
11A 23. "There's a cockroach!" 3
12A 24. Patch up some clothes, say 3
13A 25. Pioneering hybrid car 11
14A 29. Pouty expression 4
15A 30. Future atty.'s exam 4
16A 31. Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie" 4
17A 34. Tackling of the quarterback 4
18A 37. Nebraska's largest city 5
19A 40. Governing body in the Harry Potter universe 15
20A 43. Fibrous part of broccoli 5
21A 44. Nothin' 4
22A 45. Cool, slangily 4
23A 46. "___ Calm and Carry On" 4
24A 48. Region 4
25A 50. Gardener's tool 11
26A 54. Kit ___ bar 3
27A 57. Woodcutter's tool 3
28A 58. Beauty queen's accessory 4
29A 59. Garlicky condiment 5
30A 61. Eye irritation 4
31A 63. Advice for the overambitious ... or a hint to 17-, 25-, 40- and 50-Across 10
32A 66. ___ leches cake 4
33A 67. Oopsie 5
34A 68. Lotion ingredient 4
35A 69. Toward sunrise 4
36A 70. "Same!" 5
37A 71. Stereotypically antisocial pets 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Like a game that has gone into a penalty shootout"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord
  • Similar words include: trussed, draw, bind
  • Opposite of: untied, disconnect
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Luxury handbag brand"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Petri dish gel"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any culture medium that uses agar as the gelling agent
  • Similar words include: nutrient agar, agar-agar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Stereotypical meal for a college student"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. "Veni, ___, vici""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Like the Code of Hammurabi"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inhabitant of ancient babylon
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BABYLONIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Enterprise rival"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Got to one's feet"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come into existence; take on form or shape
  • Similar words include: get up, grow, rise up
  • Opposite of: sit down, fall
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AROSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Elmer's product"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cement consisting of a sticky substance that is used as an adhesive
  • Similar words include: gum, paste, mucilage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. "There's a cockroach!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Patch up some clothes, say"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fasten by sewing; do needlework
  • Similar words include: sew together, tailor, run up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Pioneering hybrid car"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Pouty expression"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disdainful grimace
  • Similar words include: pout, wry face
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Future atty.'s exam"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Tackling of the quarterback"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
  • Similar words include: paper bag, poke, sacking
  • Opposite of: hire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Nebraska's largest city"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in the missouri river valley in northeastern nebraska
  • Similar words include: Maha
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMAHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Governing body in the Harry Potter universe"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "43. Fibrous part of broccoli"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
  • Similar words include: stem, husk, angry walk
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STALK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. Nothin'"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity of no importance
  • Similar words include: cypher, nil, null
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Cool, slangily"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that street names for marijuana
  • Similar words include: the skinny, Mary Jane, dope up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. "___ Calm and Carry On""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the financial means whereby one lives
  • Similar words include: livelihood, dungeon, hold on
  • Opposite of: discontinue, break
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. Region"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
  • Similar words include: surface area, sphere, domain
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Gardener's tool"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. Kit ___ bar"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the leaves of the shrub catha edulis which are chewed like tobacco or used to make tea; has the effect of a euphoric stimulant
  • Similar words include: cat, African tea, qat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "57. Woodcutter's tool"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
  • Similar words include: ax
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "58. Beauty queen's accessory"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
  • Similar words include: waistband, girdle, window sash
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. Garlicky condiment"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that garlic mayonnaise
  • Similar words include: aioli sauce, garlic sauce
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIOLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Eye irritation"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
  • Similar words include: eye infection, sty, hordeolum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Advice for the overambitious ... or a hint to 17-, 25-, 40- and 50-Across"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. ___ leches cake"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Oopsie"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
  • Similar words include: mistake, erroneous belief, misplay
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERROR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Lotion ingredient"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Toward sunrise"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
  • Similar words include: Orient, E, eastern United States
  • Opposite of: west
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "70. "Same!""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "71. Stereotypically antisocial pets"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
  • Similar words include: throw up, CT, computerized tomography
  • Opposite of: keep down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Large brass instruments 5
2D 2. "You have my sympathy" 5
3D 3. Macaroni shape 5
4D 4. 14 of these make up a fortnight 4
5D 5. Con's opposite 3
6D 6. Sprinted 3
7D 7. Friend in Mexico 5
8D 8. Gave out cards 5
9D 9. Zinnia or sunflower 6
10D 10. Director DuVernay 3
11D 11. Attempt something 9
12D 12. "Au revoir!" 5
13D 13. Puts on the line 5
14D 18. Oscar winner Jared 4
15D 22. English town famous for its salts 5
16D 26. Throw out of office 4
17D 27. Long (for) 5
18D 28. Holiday Inn competitor 6
19D 29. Sent by post 6
20D 31. Writes to on WhatsApp, in brief 3
21D 32. Puppy school command 3
22D 33. Roll of two ones 9
23D 35. "Ta-ta," in a text 3
24D 36. Camera company known for its "moments" 5
25D 38. With it 3
26D 39. Unreturned serve 3
27D 41. Distorts, as data 5
28D 42. Ticket price 4
29D 47. The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example 6
30D 49. Chapters of history 4
31D 50. Squander 5
32D 51. Outlandishly over the top, in modern slang 5
33D 52. Houston baseballer 5
34D 53. Swiss ___ (salad green) 5
35D 54. Marsupial often mistermed a "bear" 5
36D 55. Apportion 5
37D 56. There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game 5
38D 60. Apple desktop 4
39D 62. Superlative suffix 3
40D 64. Down Under bounder, for short 3
41D 65. Prefix between bi- and tetra- 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Large brass instruments"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the lowest brass wind instrument
  • Similar words include: bass horn, tuba, sousaphone
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUBAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "You have my sympathy""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Macaroni shape"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
  • Similar words include: human elbow, cubital joint, articulatio cubiti
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELBOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. 14 of these make up a fortnight"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time during which someone's life continues
  • Similar words include: Day, daylight, Clarence Day
  • Opposite of: night
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Con's opposite"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an athlete who plays for pay
  • Similar words include: professional
  • Opposite of: amateur, anti
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Sprinted"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
  • Similar words include: function, bunk, be given
  • Opposite of: idle, malfunction
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Friend in Mexico"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a friend or comrade
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMIGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Gave out cards"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
  • Similar words include: take, grapple, cover
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Zinnia or sunflower"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (botany) a plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year
  • Similar words include: one-year, yearbook, yearly
  • Opposite of: biennial
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANNUAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Director DuVernay"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Attempt something"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "Au revoir!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a farewell remark
  • Similar words include: cheerio, bye, au revoir
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADIEU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Puts on the line"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
  • Similar words include: risk of exposure, take chances, risk of infection
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RISKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Oscar winner Jared"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wife or mistress of zeus and mother of apollo and artemis in ancient mythology; called latona in roman mythology
  • Similar words include: Latona
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LETO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. English town famous for its salts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Throw out of office"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove from a position or office
  • Similar words include: throw out, boot out, drum out
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Long (for)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that desire strongly or persistently
  • Similar words include: hanker, pine, ache
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YEARN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Holiday Inn competitor"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Sent by post"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that send via the postal service
  • Similar words include: get off, mail-clad, mail
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAILED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Writes to on WhatsApp, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Puppy school command"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be around, often idly or without specific purpose
  • Similar words include: model, sit around, baby-sit
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Roll of two ones"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. "Ta-ta," in a text"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Camera company known for its "moments""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. With it"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
  • Similar words include: hip joint, coxa, articulatio coxae
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Unreturned serve"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: 1, sensation, breeze through
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Distorts, as data"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that turn or place at an angle
  • Similar words include: skew
  • Opposite of: align
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKEWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Ticket price"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an agenda of things to do
  • Similar words include: menu, make out, come
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any distinct time period in a sequence of events
  • Similar words include: phase angle, form, phase
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Chapters of history"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

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, era, epoch
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Squander"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
  • Similar words include: wild, consume, thriftlessness
  • Opposite of: conserve
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WASTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Outlandishly over the top, in modern slang"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a minor actor in crowd scenes
  • Similar words include: additional, excess, superfluous
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Houston baseballer"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Swiss ___ (salad green)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that beet lacking swollen root; grown as a vegetable for its edible leaves and stalks
  • Similar words include: spinach beet, Swiss chard, leaf beet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Marsupial often mistermed a "bear""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sluggish tailless australian arboreal marsupial with grey furry ears and coat; feeds on eucalyptus leaves and bark
  • Similar words include: kangaroo bear, native bear, koala bear
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KOALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Apportion"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that allow to have
  • Similar words include: dish out, accord, assign
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
  • Similar words include: roofing tile, tile
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TILES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "60. Apple desktop"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "62. Superlative suffix"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
  • Similar words include: Eastern Time, Eastern Standard Time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "64. Down Under bounder, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "65. Prefix between bi- and tetra-"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: May 18, 2026 at 07:10 AM

Sunday, December 21, 2025

NYT Across Today December 21, 2025: Complete Horizontal Clues Walkthrough

Today's Across Crossword NYT December 21, 2025 - Every Horizontal Solution Explained

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 72 Across clues. We have all the horizontal answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: November 05 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | August 15 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | June 02 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Across Clues

NYT Across clues solutions for December 21, 2025
NYT Across Clues - Sunday, December 21, 2025
Across Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 21, 2025
Day of Week Sunday
Total Across Clues 72 clues
Direction Horizontal (Left to Right)
Difficulty Tricky

All Across Clues - Complete List

Here are all 72 Across clues for today's puzzle. These go horizontally from left to right.

Complete Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 1. Some Arctic transports
2 Across 10. S.E.C. football powerhouse, for short
3 Across 14. 1950s hangout with a jukebox
4 Across 20. Game piece made of four squares
5 Across 21. "The Kite Runner" protagonist
6 Across 22. Skulks
7 Across 23. Joins gradually
8 Across 24. "Doggone it!"
9 Across 25. Treatment
10 Across 26. Blue colorant obtained from the indigo plant
11 Across 27. Wrangler alternative
12 Across 28. Brightly colored Mediterranean flowers
13 Across 30. Rap's Run-___
14 Across 31. Course catalog?
15 Across 32. When Aries transitions to Taurus
16 Across 34. Sweetly, on scores
17 Across 35. "I'll pass"
18 Across 36. Input of certain mining
19 Across 38. Montalbán who played Khan in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"
20 Across 40. Timer setting
21 Across 42. Areas of influence
22 Across 45. Mental health org.
23 Across 46. Fraudulently make seem like
24 Across 48. Covers completely
25 Across 49. Wyoming peak
26 Across 51. Like a corporation with a new logo, perhaps
27 Across 54. Comment from someone caught in the rain
28 Across 56. Yellow avenue in Monopoly
29 Across 58. A bit off, say
30 Across 59. Hyatt alternative
31 Across 60. Hard-boiled genre
32 Across 62. TheForce.net for "Star Wars," for example
33 Across 64. Dark side
34 Across 65. Former big name in browsers
35 Across 67. U.F.O.-watching org.
36 Across 68. By way of, informally
37 Across 70. Kemo ___ (the Lone Ranger)
38 Across 71. Sailor's patron
39 Across 72. Fleetwood Mac hit named for a Celtic goddess
40 Across 76. Daddy
41 Across 79. Eponymous British financier James ___
42 Across 81. By saying this you mean well
43 Across 82. Wrap seller
44 Across 83. Adopted, as a pet
45 Across 85. Wasn't folded in a suitcase, say
46 Across 87. Developed, as baby teeth
47 Across 89. Sci-fi miniaturizer
48 Across 91. Emanations
49 Across 93. Boldly face
50 Across 94. Kind of cipher in which A becomes B, B becomes C, e.g.
51 Across 95. Guardians, on a scoreboard
52 Across 96. Bit of birdspeak
53 Across 98. Damp, mildewy quality
54 Across 99. They hold water
55 Across 102. Silence
56 Across 103. Lying faceup
57 Across 104. ___ Park, Calif.
58 Across 105. Air
59 Across 107. Disney subsidiary
60 Across 111. A little help?
61 Across 112. Evaded, as a sensitive issue
62 Across 114. Some pings, in brief
63 Across 115. "Fie on ___!" (Shakespearean cry)
64 Across 116. Skips over
65 Across 118. Few and far between
66 Across 119. Regulars at parks with ramps, informally
67 Across 121. Reply after having one's memory jogged
68 Across 122. Some time ago
69 Across 123. "What's done is done!"
70 Across 124. Stick (to)
71 Across 125. Garden interloper
72 Across 126. Church parts crossing naves

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Across Clues

Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Across clue. Also check these helpful guides:

Complete Across Solutions:


1 Across: "1. Some Arctic transports"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S_______S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SKIPLANES


2 Across: "10. S.E.C. football powerhouse, for short"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: B__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer BAMA


3 Across: "14. 1950s hangout with a jukebox"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: S______P
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SODASHOP


4 Across: "20. Game piece made of four squares"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: T_______O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer TETROMINO


5 Across: "21. "The Kite Runner" protagonist"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: A__R
  • Similar words: emir, emeer
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer AMIR


6 Across: "22. Skulks"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P____S
  • Similar words: lurch, prowl
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the act of prowling (walking about in a stealthy manner)
  • This is Across clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer PROWLS


7 Across: "23. Joins gradually"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: E_______O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer EASESINTO


8 Across: "24. "Doggone it!""

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: D__N
  • Similar words: tinker's dam, patch
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: something of little value
  • This is Across clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DARN


9 Across: "25. Treatment"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: R____Y
  • Similar words: amend, rectify
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil
  • This is Across clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer REMEDY


10 Across: "26. Blue colorant obtained from the indigo plant"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: A__L
  • Similar words: Indigofera anil, indigotin
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a blue dye obtained from plants or made synthetically
  • This is Across clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ANIL


11 Across: "27. Wrangler alternative"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
  • Similar words: Lee Yuen Kam, lee side
  • Opposite of: windward
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer LEE


12 Across: "28. Brightly colored Mediterranean flowers"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S______S
  • Similar words: sun rose, helianthemum
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SUNROSES


13 Across: "30. Rap's Run-___"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'C'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DMC


14 Across: "31. Course catalog?"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: M__U
  • Similar words: computer menu, fare
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a list of dishes available at a restaurant
  • This is Across clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer MENU


15 Across: "32. When Aries transitions to Taurus"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: A___L
  • Similar words: Apr
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the month following March and preceding May
  • This is Across clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer APRIL


16 Across: "34. Sweetly, on scores"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: D___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: gently and sweetly
  • This is Across clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DOLCE


17 Across: "35. "I'll pass""

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'H'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer NAH


18 Across: "36. Input of certain mining"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: D__A
  • Similar words: data point, information
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn
  • This is Across clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DATA


19 Across: "38. Montalbán who played Khan in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan""

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: R_____O
  • Similar words: David Ricardo
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer RICARDO


20 Across: "40. Timer setting"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: O__N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting
  • This is Across clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer OVEN


21 Across: "42. Areas of influence"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S_____S
  • Similar words: sector, vault of heaven
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a particular environment or walk of life
  • This is Across clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SPHERES


22 Across: "45. Mental health org."

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer APA


23 Across: "46. Fraudulently make seem like"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P_______S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer PALMOFFAS


24 Across: "48. Covers completely"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: C___S
  • Similar words: coating, pelage
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer COATS


25 Across: "49. Wyoming peak"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: T___N
  • Similar words: Lakota, Teton Sioux
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer TETON


26 Across: "51. Like a corporation with a new logo, perhaps"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: R_______D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer REBRANDED


27 Across: "54. Comment from someone caught in the rain"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: I______D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer IMSOAKED


28 Across: "56. Yellow avenue in Monopoly"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: V_____R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer VENTNOR


29 Across: "58. A bit off, say"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ONSALE


30 Across: "59. Hyatt alternative"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: O__I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer OMNI


31 Across: "60. Hard-boiled genre"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: N__R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer NOIR


32 Across: "62. TheForce.net for "Star Wars," for example"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: F_____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer FANSITE


33 Across: "64. Dark side"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'N'
  • Opposite of: yang
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer YIN


34 Across: "65. Former big name in browsers"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: N______E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a commercial browser
  • This is Across clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer NETSCAPE


35 Across: "67. U.F.O.-watching org."

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: S__I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SETI


36 Across: "68. By way of, informally"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: T__U
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer THRU


37 Across: "70. Kemo ___ (the Lone Ranger)"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SABE


38 Across: "71. Sailor's patron"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: S____O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer STELMO


39 Across: "72. Fleetwood Mac hit named for a Celtic goddess"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: R______N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer RHIANNON


40 Across: "76. Daddy"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'P'
  • Similar words: pop music, pop out
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 40

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer POP


41 Across: "79. Eponymous British financier James ___"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: B_____Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 41

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer BARCLAY


42 Across: "81. By saying this you mean well"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: B__N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 42

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer BIEN


43 Across: "82. Wrap seller"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: D__I
  • Similar words: food shop, delicatessen
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a shop selling ready-to-eat food products
  • This is Across clue number 43

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DELI


44 Across: "83. Adopted, as a pet"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: T____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 44

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer TOOKIN


45 Across: "85. Wasn't folded in a suitcase, say"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: L_____T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 45

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer LAYFLAT


46 Across: "87. Developed, as baby teeth"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: G____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 46

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer GREWIN


47 Across: "89. Sci-fi miniaturizer"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S_______Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 47

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SHRINKRAY


48 Across: "91. Emanations"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A___S
  • Similar words: aureole, halo
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 48

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer AURAS


49 Across: "93. Boldly face"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: B___E
  • Similar words: brave out, hardy
  • Opposite of: timid
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a North American Indian warrior
  • This is Across clue number 49

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer BRAVE


50 Across: "94. Kind of cipher in which A becomes B, B becomes C, e.g."

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: C____R
  • Similar words: Sid Caesar, Sidney Caesar
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: conqueror of Gaul and master of Italy (100-44 BC)
  • This is Across clue number 50

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer CAESAR


51 Across: "95. Guardians, on a scoreboard"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 51

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer CLE


52 Across: "96. Bit of birdspeak"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: C_____R
  • Similar words: twitter
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: make high-pitched sounds
  • This is Across clue number 52

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer CHITTER


53 Across: "98. Damp, mildewy quality"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: M__T
  • Similar words: moldiness, mustiness
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a necessary or essential thing
  • This is Across clue number 53

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer MUST


54 Across: "99. They hold water"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: V_____S
  • Similar words: vas, watercraft
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a tube in which a body fluid circulates
  • This is Across clue number 54

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer VESSELS


55 Across: "102. Silence"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: H__H
  • Similar words: quiet down, shut up
  • Opposite of: louden
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: (poetic) tranquil silence
  • This is Across clue number 55

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer HUSH


56 Across: "103. Lying faceup"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S____E
  • Similar words: unresisting, resistless
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: lying face upward
  • This is Across clue number 56

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SUPINE


57 Across: "104. ___ Park, Calif."

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: M___O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 57

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer MENLO


58 Across: "105. Air"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: E___R
  • Similar words: vinyl ether, ethyl ether
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 58

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ETHER


59 Across: "107. Disney subsidiary"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: E__N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 59

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ESPN


60 Across: "111. A little help?"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'F'
  • Similar words: imp, hob
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
  • This is Across clue number 60

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ELF


61 Across: "112. Evaded, as a sensitive issue"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 12 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: D__________D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 61

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DANCEDAROUND


62 Across: "114. Some pings, in brief"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'S'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 62

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer IMS


63 Across: "115. "Fie on ___!" (Shakespearean cry)"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 63

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer THEE


64 Across: "116. Skips over"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: E____S
  • Similar words: elide
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: leave or strike out
  • This is Across clue number 64

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ELIDES


65 Across: "118. Few and far between"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: R__E
  • Similar words: rarified, rarefied
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
  • This is Across clue number 65

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer RARE


66 Across: "119. Regulars at parks with ramps, informally"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S_______S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 66

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SKATERATS


67 Across: "121. Reply after having one's memory jogged"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: Y____S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 67

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer YESYES


68 Across: "122. Some time ago"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O__E
  • Similar words: one time, formerly
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: on one occasion
  • This is Across clue number 68

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ONCE


69 Across: "123. "What's done is done!""

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: G_______T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 69

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer GETOVERIT


70 Across: "124. Stick (to)"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A____E
  • Similar words: cohere, cling
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: be compatible or in accordance with
  • This is Across clue number 70

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ADHERE


71 Across: "125. Garden interloper"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'W' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: W__D
  • Similar words: gage, smoke
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: any plant that crowds out cultivated plants
  • This is Across clue number 71

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer WEED


72 Across: "126. Church parts crossing naves"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: T_______S
  • Similar words: transept
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 72

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer TRANSEPTS

Expert Strategies for Solving Across Clues

Master the horizontal clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Across Clues?

  • Across clues often provide more letter intersections
  • Reading left to right feels more natural
  • Many common phrases run horizontally
  • Across answers often help solve Down clues

Across Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Across entries
  2. Common phrases: Many idioms run horizontally
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Across
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear horizontally

Time-Saving Across Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Across first Get a mental map of the horizontal flow
Fill short Across words 3-4 letter words are often articles or prepositions
Use crossing letters Down letters help confirm Across answers
Look for themes Related Across answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Across Clues

What are Across clues in crossword puzzles?

Across clues are the horizontal entries in a crossword puzzle that read from left to right. They're numbered and correspond to specific rows in the grid.

Should I solve Across or Down clues first?

Many solvers prefer starting with Across clues because reading left-to-right feels more natural. However, the best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Across clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 72 Across clues.

Are Across clues easier than Down clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Across clues often contain more common phrases and expressions.

How do Across clues interact with Down clues?

Across and Down clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Across clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 21, 2025 at 04:54 AM

Search terms: NYT Across, Across clues, horizontal, crossword answers, left to right, December 21 2025 across clues