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

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 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. What a leaky faucet has 4
2A 5. Hands, informally ... or coverings for hands 5
3A 10. "Not another peep out of you!" 4
4A 14. Classical Persian poet 4
5A 15. Nebraska home of Creighton University 5
6A 16. Between cruise ports, say 4
7A 17. Intl. oil group 4
8A 18. Like streakers 5
9A 19. Deep blue 4
10A 20. Pale and sickly 5
11A 22. Have an "aha" moment about 3
12A 23. Urged (on) 5
13A 24. One of six, supposedly, for a seer 5
14A 25. "___ Were a Rich Man" 3
15A 26. Rear of a boat 5
16A 27. Lifeless 9
17A 30. Who said "Revolutions are the locomotives of history" 4
18A 33. Video game section 5
19A 34. Pen points 4
20A 38. Number on a dating profile 3
21A 39. Gallops into the sunset, say 7
22A 41. "I've seen better" 3
23A 42. Attend without a date 6
24A 44. Sound in polka music 6
25A 46. Strategic disk game played on a vertical board 11
26A 50. Music genre for James Brown 4
27A 51. Device once used with a Blockbuster rental 3
28A 52. Mission-driven grps., often 4
29A 54. "___ you listening?" 3
30A 55. Who said "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" 5
31A 57. May honoree 3
32A 59. Animal with a "mask" 7
33A 62. A step above amateur 7
34A 65. Peeved 7
35A 66. Like italic type 7
36A 67. With 68-Across, posable plaything ... or a verbal hint to each half of 4-, 7- and 10-Down and 46-Across 6
37A 68. See 67-Across 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. What a leaky faucet has"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that flowing in drops; the formation and falling of drops of liquid
  • Similar words include: drip mold, dripping, dribble
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Hands, informally ... or coverings for hands"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
  • Similar words include: baseball mitt, manus, glove
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MITTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. "Not another peep out of you!""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (poetic) tranquil silence
  • Similar words include: stillness, silence, shut up
  • Opposite of: louden
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUSH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Classical Persian poet"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Nebraska home of Creighton University"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

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!

6A: "16. Between cruise ports, say"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in the direction of the sea
  • Similar words include: seawards, seaward
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Intl. oil group"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the production and sale of petroleum
  • Similar words include: Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Like streakers"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that completely unclothed
  • Similar words include: au naturel, bare, defenseless
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Deep blue"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
  • Similar words include: US Navy, naval forces, United States Navy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAVY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Pale and sickly"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having or as if having especially high-pitched spots
  • Similar words include: spiky
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEAKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Have an "aha" moment about"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
  • Similar words include: beget, stimulate, puzzle
  • Opposite of: leave, take away
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Urged (on)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that throw eggs at
  • Similar words include: egg
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGGED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. One of six, supposedly, for a seer"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general conscious awareness
  • Similar words include: mother wit, signified, horse sense
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "25. "___ Were a Rich Man""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "26. Rear of a boat"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rear part of a ship
  • Similar words include: behind, keister, grim
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STERN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "27. Lifeless"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that belonging to the class of nouns denoting nonliving things
  • Similar words include: nonliving, non-living, pulseless
  • Opposite of: animate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INANIMATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "30. Who said "Revolutions are the locomotives of history""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states comedian; one of four brothers who made motion pictures together (1901-1979)
  • Similar words include: Julius Marx, Chico, Arthur Marx
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Video game section"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
  • Similar words include: plane, tier, level off
  • Opposite of: raise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Pen points"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the writing point of a pen
  • Similar words include: beak, pen nib, pecker
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Number on a dating profile"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how long something has existed
  • Similar words include: maturate, geezerhood, years
  • Opposite of: rejuvenate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Gallops into the sunset, say"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. "I've seen better""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Attend without a date"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Sound in polka music"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Strategic disk game played on a vertical board"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Music genre for James Brown"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of nervous depression
  • Similar words include: cringe, recoil, Casimir Funk
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FUNK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Device once used with a Blockbuster rental"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Mission-driven grps., often"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization that is not part of the local or state or federal government
  • Similar words include: NGO, nongovernmental organization
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. "___ you listening?""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
  • Similar words include: be, embody, ar
  • Opposite of: differ
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Who said "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a teacher and prophet born in bethlehem and active in nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for christianity (circa 4 bc - ad 29)
  • Similar words include: Savior, Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JESUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. May honoree"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for a mother
  • Similar words include: mommy, mama, mummy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. Animal with a "mask""

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fur of the north american racoon
  • Similar words include: racoon
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACCOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. A step above amateur"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an athlete who plays for pay on a part-time basis
  • Similar words include: semiprofessional
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEMIPRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "65. Peeved"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. Like italic type"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lie obliquely
  • Similar words include: biased, coloured, colored
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLANTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "67. With 68-Across, posable plaything ... or a verbal hint to each half of 4-, 7- and 10-Down and 46-Across"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something done (usually as opposed to something said)
  • Similar words include: carry through, activity, accomplish
  • Opposite of: inactivity, inactiveness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. See 67-Across"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
  • Similar words include: project, compute, work out
  • Opposite of: ground
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIGURE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Is released, as an album 5
2D 2. Currency in Mumbai 5
3D 3. Clarifying phrase 5
4D 4. Interception returned for a touchdown 7
5D 5. Start of the workweek: Abbr. 3
6D 6. Saw in one's mind's eye 8
7D 7. Break for a few minutes 8
8D 8. Newspaper in New York, L.A. or Seattle, colloquially 8
9D 9. Bummed out 3
10D 10. Surf with one's toes off the front of the board 7
11D 11. What an electric meter measures 5
12D 12. Cut completely 5
13D 13. Joseph called "Father of the Symphony" 5
14D 21. Coin dated with the year of its country's imperial era 3
15D 23. Latin "is" 3
16D 28. Put in a row 5
17D 29. Unapproachable 5
18D 30. Newsstand purchase, informally 3
19D 31. In the past 3
20D 32. Feline adoption option 9
21D 35. Spur-of-the-moment 9
22D 36. Arthur of "The Golden Girls" 3
23D 37. "Zip it!" 3
24D 39. Place in a hierarchy 4
25D 40. Midnight's opposite 4
26D 43. Suffix in the names of many U.S. cities 3
27D 45. Starbucks keepsake, perhaps 3
28D 47. Hurdles or high jump, e.g. 5
29D 48. Loops in, digitally 3
30D 49. Secure tightly 5
31D 50. Swiss currency 5
32D 53. How you may feel after a workout vis-à-vis before 5
33D 54. Operatic solo 4
34D 55. Become a member of 4
35D 56. Subject of introspection 4
36D 58. Preset camera option 4
37D 60. ___ effect (purported influence of police shows on juries' expectations for forensics) 3
38D 61. Yoko who participated in a bed-in 3
39D 63. ___ tai 3
40D 64. Bank with a lion in its logo 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Is released, as an album"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shape that is spherical and small
  • Similar words include: swing, degenerate, sink
  • Opposite of: sharpen, attend to
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DROPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Currency in Mumbai"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in sri lanka; equal to 100 cents
  • Similar words include: Indian rupee, Nepalese rupee, Pakistani rupee
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Clarifying phrase"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Interception returned for a touchdown"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Start of the workweek: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the second day of the week; the first working day
  • Similar words include: Monday
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Saw in one's mind's eye"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
  • Similar words include: envisage, opine, suppose
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMAGINED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Break for a few minutes"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Newspaper in New York, L.A. or Seattle, colloquially"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Bummed out"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness; ; - christina rossetti
  • Similar words include: pitiful, deplorable, lamentable
  • Opposite of: glad
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Surf with one's toes off the front of the board"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. What an electric meter measures"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of using
  • Similar words include: utilisation, custom, utilization
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Cut completely"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that set or keep apart
  • Similar words include: discerp, lop, break up
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Joseph called "Father of the Symphony""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prolific austrian composer who influenced the classical form of the symphony (1732-1809)
  • Similar words include: Franz Joseph Haydn, Joseph Haydn
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAYDN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Coin dated with the year of its country's imperial era"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a yearning for something or to do something
  • Similar words include: pine, hankering, yearn
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Latin "is""

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 Standard Time, Eastern Time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "28. Put in a row"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight
  • Similar words include: adjust, coordinate, ordinate
  • Opposite of: skew
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIGN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "29. Unapproachable"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remote in manner
  • Similar words include: upstage, distant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOOF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "30. Newsstand purchase, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
  • Similar words include: magazine
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. In the past"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gone by; or in the past
  • Similar words include: agone
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Feline adoption option"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "35. Spur-of-the-moment"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an extemporaneous speech or remark
  • Similar words include: off-the-cuff, extemporary, ad lib
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPROMPTU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "36. Arthur of "The Golden Girls""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. "Zip it!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Place in a hierarchy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
  • Similar words include: social station, glaring, social rank
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Midnight's opposite"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the middle of the day
  • Similar words include: twelve noon, high noon, noontide
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. Suffix in the names of many U.S. cities"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a united states unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds
  • Similar words include: long ton, net ton, short ton
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Starbucks keepsake, perhaps"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quantity that can be held in a mug
  • Similar words include: smiler, fool, patsy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "47. Hurdles or high jump, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that happens at a given place and time
  • Similar words include: consequence, result, outcome
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. Loops in, digitally"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metric unit of volume equal to one thousandth of a liter
  • Similar words include: millilitre, cubic centimeter, milliliter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Secure tightly"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (medicine) a bandage consisting of a pad and belt; worn to hold a hernia in place by pressure
  • Similar words include: bind, tie up, tie down
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRUSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Swiss currency"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 centimes
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRANC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. How you may feel after a workout vis-à-vis before"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that causing misery or pain or distress
  • Similar words include: painful, mad, sensitive
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SORER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "54. Operatic solo"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an elaborate song for solo voice
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "55. Become a member of"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
  • Similar words include: link, junction, articulation
  • Opposite of: disjoin
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JOIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "56. Subject of introspection"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that your consciousness of your own identity
  • Similar words include: ego
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SELF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "58. Preset camera option"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how something is done or how it happens
  • Similar words include: modal value, manner, musical mode
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "60. ___ effect (purported influence of police shows on juries' expectations for forensics)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "61. Yoko who participated in a bed-in"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "63. ___ tai"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "64. Bank with a lion in its logo"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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
40 Down Clues
77 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: October 06, 2026 at 10:34 AM

Thursday, October 1, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 01, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Sneaker brand whose logo features the "Formstrip" 4
2A 5. "Thank You for the Music" group 4
3A 9. Some instructors, for short 5
4A 14. Gator's relative 4
5A 15. "King of all kings" in the prehistoric world, familiarly 4
6A 16. Features of gathering clouds? 5
7A 17. Patriotic recitation since 1892 18
8A 20. Concoct, with "up" 4
9A 21. It may include toms and a snare 7
10A 22. Abbr. on a scale 3
11A 25. First lady 3
12A 26. Tagging symbols 3
13A 27. Expresses support without meaning it 14
14A 31. Bit of ink 3
15A 34. Quite the stir 6
16A 35. Bygone "before" 3
17A 36. Means of self-defense 4
18A 37. Joan of Arc, for one 5
19A 38. It's just a state of mind, to some 3
20A 39. Cruz known as the "Queen of Salsa" 5
21A 40. Some midflight announcements, in brief 4
22A 41. Molecule in protein synthesis 3
23A 42. Disposes of securely, in a way 6
24A 43. Start of the names of four of the U.S.'s 20 largest cities 3
25A 44. Obsolescent credit card feature 14
26A 46. Term of affection in the U.K. 3
27A 47. Rapper with the 1999 #1 album "I Am ..." 3
28A 48. Is long ago? 3
29A 49. Chickpeas, e.g. 7
30A 53. "Uh-huh, sure it is" 4
31A 55. Obstacles ... or a hint to three squares in this puzzle 15
32A 60. Lost 5
33A 61. Identify 4
34A 62. Goddess of the earth 4
35A 63. All together, in music 5
36A 64. Migratory fish with exceptionally sensitive hearing 4
37A 65. The Black Knights of the N.C.A.A. 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Sneaker brand whose logo features the "Formstrip""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large american feline resembling a lion
  • Similar words include: catamount, painter, mountain lion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. "Thank You for the Music" group"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Some instructors, for short"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
  • Similar words include: professor, prof
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Gator's relative"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. "King of all kings" in the prehistoric world, familiarly"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Features of gathering clouds?"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Patriotic recitation since 1892"

18 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Concoct, with "up""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who cooks food
  • Similar words include: manipulate, Captain Cook, prepare
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COOK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. It may include toms and a snare"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Abbr. on a scale"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. First lady"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. Tagging symbols"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Expresses support without meaning it"

14 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Bit of ink"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
  • Similar words include: Thematic Apperception Test, sleaze, cheapness
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "34. Quite the stir"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of commotion and noise and confusion
  • Similar words include: garboil, katzenjammer, tumultuousness
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UPROAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. Bygone "before""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Means of self-defense"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (trademark) a liquid that temporarily disables a person; prepared as an aerosol and sprayed in the face, it irritates the eyes and causes dizziness and immobilization
  • Similar words include: macer, macebearer, Chemical Mace
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Joan of Arc, for one"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
  • Similar words include: nonesuch, apotheosis, paragon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAINT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. It's just a state of mind, to some"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how long something has existed
  • Similar words include: old age, geezerhood, mature
  • Opposite of: rejuvenate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Cruz known as the "Queen of Salsa""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Some midflight announcements, in brief"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
  • Similar words include: Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Basque Homeland and Freedom, Euskadi ta Askatasuna
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. Molecule in protein synthesis"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (biochemistry) a long linear polymer of nucleotides found in the nucleus but mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell where it is associated with microsomes; it transmits genetic information from dna to the cytoplasm and controls certain chemical processes in the cell
  • Similar words include: ribonucleic acid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Disposes of securely, in a way"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
  • Similar words include: tear up, whit, iota
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHREDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Start of the names of four of the U.S.'s 20 largest cities"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "44. Obsolescent credit card feature"

14 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "46. Term of affection in the U.K."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Rapper with the 1999 #1 album "I Am ...""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a silvery soft waxy metallic element of the alkali metal group; occurs abundantly in natural compounds (especially in salt water); burns with a yellow flame and reacts violently in water; occurs in sea water and in the mineral halite (rock salt)
  • Similar words include: atomic number 11, sodium, Na
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "48. Is long ago?"

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 Standard Time, Eastern Time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "49. Chickpeas, e.g."

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an erect or climbing bean or pea plant of the family leguminosae
  • Similar words include: legume, leguminous plant
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEGUMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "53. "Uh-huh, sure it is""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "55. Obstacles ... or a hint to three squares in this puzzle"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Lost"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. Identify"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a language unit by which a person or thing is known
  • Similar words include: describe, identify, make
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "62. Goddess of the earth"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) goddess of the earth and mother of cronus and the titans in ancient mythology
  • Similar words include: Ge, Gaea
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "63. All together, in music"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "64. Migratory fish with exceptionally sensitive hearing"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that bony flesh of herring-like fish usually caught during their migration to fresh water for spawning; especially of atlantic coast
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "65. The Black Knights of the N.C.A.A."

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
  • Similar words include: United States Army, regular army, US Army
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARMY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Doc seen for an annual checkup 3
2D 2. Address letters 3
3D 3. A Stooge 3
4D 4. Band whose logo is stylized with a lightning bolt 4
5D 5. Came by for dinner 7
6D 6. Word with power or pawn 6
7D 7. Happen to 6
8D 8. Cut 4
9D 9. Great Basin tribe 6
10D 10. Chews (out) 5
11D 11. Cry heard by Old MacDonald 4
12D 12. Central points 4
13D 13. Woodpecker food 4
14D 18. Attacks 6
15D 19. Words that might come before a meal 5
16D 22. Major works of art 6
17D 23. Mexican revolutionary Emiliano 6
18D 24. Resident of Aleppo 6
19D 28. Moccasins and loafers, e.g. 7
20D 29. Free of animal products 5
21D 30. Wrath 3
22D 31. Writer Gay 6
23D 32. Hallucinatory experiences 9
24D 33. It comes with cups and saucers 6
25D 36. Chicago exchange, in brief 4
26D 38. Director Lee 3
27D 39. Sculptor's tool 6
28D 41. French composer who refused the Legion of Honour in 1920 5
29D 42. Skewered 7
30D 44. Gateway of India locale 6
31D 45. Tough nut to crack 6
32D 46. "Network" director Sidney 5
33D 49. Hurdle for an aspiring atty. 4
34D 50. Words of reproach following a betrayal 4
35D 51. Big blow 4
36D 52. Things confessed 4
37D 54. Ancient wrap 4
38D 56. "I don't wanna" 3
39D 57. It might be on a lot 3
40D 58. "___ Possible" (2000s animated series) 3
41D 59. Perchance 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Doc seen for an annual checkup"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who helps in identifying or preventing or treating illness or disability
  • Similar words include: phencyclidine hydrochloride, primary care provider, angel dust
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PCP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Address letters"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the address of a web page on the world wide web
  • Similar words include: universal resource locator, uniform resource locator
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: URL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. A Stooge"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Band whose logo is stylized with a lightning bolt"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Came by for dinner"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Word with power or pawn"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commission
  • Similar words include: stone-broke, skint, bust
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BROKER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Happen to"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become of; happen to
  • Similar words include: happen, bechance, betide
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEFALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Cut"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chop or split with an ax
  • Similar words include: axe, ax
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Great Basin tribe"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of either of two shoshonean peoples (northern paiute and southern paiute) related to the aztecs and living in the southwestern united states
  • Similar words include: Piute
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAIUTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Chews (out)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large quantity of written matter
  • Similar words include: ream
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Cry heard by Old MacDonald"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs
  • Similar words include: squeal, grunt
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Central points"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the concentration of attention or energy on something
  • Similar words include: direction, stress, centering
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOCI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Woodpecker food"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hard fat around the kidneys and loins in beef and sheep
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Attacks"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Words that might come before a meal"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (christian theology) a state of sanctification by god; the state of one who is under such divine influence
  • Similar words include: saving grace, adorn, embellish
  • Opposite of: unseemliness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Major works of art"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a musical work that has been created
  • Similar words include: piece, opus, piece of music
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPUSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Mexican revolutionary Emiliano"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mexican revolutionary who led a revolt for agrarian reforms (1879-1919)
  • Similar words include: Emiliano Zapata
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZAPATA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Resident of Aleppo"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of syria
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SYRIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Moccasins and loafers, e.g."

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Free of animal products"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strict vegetarian; someone who eats no animal or dairy products at all
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VEGAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Wrath"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Writer Gay"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Hallucinatory experiences"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. It comes with cups and saucers"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Chicago exchange, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Director Lee"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a civilian reserve component of the united states air force that provides prompt mobilization during war and assistance during national emergencies
  • Similar words include: Air National Guard
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. Sculptor's tool"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edge tool with a flat steel blade with a cutting edge
  • Similar words include: cheat, rip off
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHISEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. French composer who refused the Legion of Honour in 1920"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french composer and exponent of impressionism (1875-1937)
  • Similar words include: ladder, ravel out, Maurice Ravel
  • Opposite of: unknot, unravel
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "42. Skewered"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that use a knife on
  • Similar words include: stab, poke, jab
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STABBED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. Gateway of India locale"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in western india just off the coast of the arabian sea; india's 2nd largest city (after calcutta); has the only natural deep-water harbor in western india
  • Similar words include: Bombay
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MUMBAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "45. Tough nut to crack"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
  • Similar words include: riddle, closed book, conundrum
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENIGMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "46. "Network" director Sidney"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "49. Hurdle for an aspiring atty."

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Words of reproach following a betrayal"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "51. Big blow"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong current of air
  • Similar words include: blow, blast
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUST

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36D: "52. Things confessed"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that estrangement from god
  • Similar words include: Sin, sinning, blunder
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SINS

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37D: "54. Ancient wrap"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient rome
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOGA

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38D: "56. "I don't wanna""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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39D: "57. It might be on a lot"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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40D: "58. "___ Possible" (2000s animated series)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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41D: "59. Perchance"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the chance to speak
  • Similar words include: allege, order, enjoin
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAY

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Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: October 01, 2026 at 10:18 AM