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

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

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

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: 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. "Chocolate" pets 4
2A 5. Genome component 3
3A 8. Breaks in winter weather 5
4A 13. ___ vera 4
5A 14. Gave a hand 5
6A 16. Greet someone informally 5
7A 17. "Easy-peasy!" 16
8A 20. Attire for an infant 6
9A 21. Awe-inspiring solar phenomenon 6
10A 22. Severity 5
11A 23. Urban environmental hazard 4
12A 24. Pen tips 4
13A 28. Clean with a rough spray 9
14A 31. Blood ___ 5
15A 32. Acorn producer 3
16A 33. The 12 angry men in "12 Angry Men," e.g. 6
17A 34. Finish flamboyantly ... like 17-, 28-, 43- and 56-Across? 14
18A 40. 2000-09, with "the" 6
19A 41. ___ and haw 3
20A 42. Jumbo 5
21A 43. Colorful taffy candy brand 9
22A 49. Laptop brand 4
23A 50. Tons 4
24A 51. Not having quite enough money 5
25A 53. "Really?" 6
26A 55. Backside 6
27A 56. 2023 double-platinum Chappell Roan record 16
28A 60. Toyota hybrid 5
29A 61. Plumbing fixture found under the sink 5
30A 62. Things assayers assay 4
31A 63. Reactions akin to "OMG!" 5
32A 64. Pigs' digs 3
33A 65. Fill up 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "Chocolate" pets"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
  • Similar words include: research laboratory, laboratory, science laboratory
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Genome component"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Breaks in winter weather"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
  • Similar words include: warming, melt, dissolve
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THAWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. ___ vera"

4 letters Category: Common Word

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!

5A: "14. Gave a hand"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Greet someone informally"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. "Easy-peasy!""

16 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BADABINGBADABOOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Attire for an infant"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Awe-inspiring solar phenomenon"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the first light of day
  • Similar words include: morning, dawning, cockcrow
  • Opposite of: sunset
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AURORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Severity"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something hard to endure
  • Similar words include: hardness, asperity, rigorousness
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIGOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Urban environmental hazard"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Pen tips"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Clean with a rough spray"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blast of wind laden with sand
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SANDBLAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Blood ___"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an amber, watery fluid, rich in proteins, that separates out when blood coagulates
  • Similar words include: blood serum
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Acorn producer"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
  • Similar words include: oak tree
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. The 12 angry men in "12 Angry Men," e.g."

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who serves (or waits to be called to serve) on a jury
  • Similar words include: juryman, jurywoman, juror
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JURORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Finish flamboyantly ... like 17-, 28-, 43- and 56-Across?"

14 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "40. 2000-09, with "the""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity of no importance
  • Similar words include: cipher, goose egg, nix
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AUGHTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. ___ and haw"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
  • Similar words include: ahem
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Jumbo"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a garment size for a large person
  • Similar words include: with child, vauntingly, declamatory
  • Opposite of: little, small
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LARGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Colorful taffy candy brand"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "49. Laptop brand"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that type genus of the aceraceae; trees or shrubs having winged fruit
  • Similar words include: genus Acer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "50. Tons"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "51. Not having quite enough money"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the location on a baseball field where the shortstop is stationed
  • Similar words include: forgetful, abruptly, poor
  • Opposite of: tall, long
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHORT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "53. "Really?""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "55. Backside"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "56. 2023 double-platinum Chappell Roan record"

16 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REDWINESUPERNOVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "60. Toyota hybrid"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "61. Plumbing fixture found under the sink"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "62. Things assayers assay"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Similar words include: ore
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Reactions akin to "OMG!""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
  • Similar words include: puff, gasp, pant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GASPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. Pigs' digs"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
  • Similar words include: pigpen, stye, pigsty
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Fill up"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fill to satisfaction
  • Similar words include: satiate, replete, fill
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Hard work 5
2D 2. Morissette with the 1996 hit "Ironic" 6
3D 3. Corner store 6
4D 4. Fall, e.g. 6
5D 5. Reading room 3
6D 6. Japanese city that's home to the Chinese Sofukuji Temple 8
7D 7. Subjects of some Billboard charts 6
8D 8. Old Russian ruler 4
9D 9. Cuban dance style 8
10D 10. Actress Edebiri 3
11D 11. "Which person are you referring to?" 3
12D 12. ___ card 3
13D 14. A standard one has 21 pips 3
14D 15. Fortune-telling deck 5
15D 18. Aviary inhabitant 4
16D 19. Hound 3
17D 25. It's "pumped" by bodybuilders 4
18D 26. Town 4
19D 27. Texting format, in brief 3
20D 29. Many internet spammers 4
21D 30. Rule 3
22D 31. Teacher for a day 3
23D 33. Part of a doorframe 4
24D 34. Tortilla chip dip, informally 4
25D 35. Shrek, e.g. 4
26D 36. "Wow, real mature" 8
27D 37. Sport-___ 3
28D 38. "Ow! Watch it!" 8
29D 39. "___/she" (chocolate bar's pronouns in a corny joke) 3
30D 40. In the manner of 3
31D 43. Power-saving computer mode 5
32D 44. They're often made at weddings 6
33D 45. One may accept the terms and conditions 4
34D 46. Heavyweight beasts, familiarly 6
35D 47. Mexican state bordering Chihuahua 6
36D 48. Hot pot holder 6
37D 50. Novelist Rand 3
38D 52. Backcomb 5
39D 54. Cat's warning 4
40D 55. Old-school term for "cool" 3
41D 56. World of Warcraft, e.g., in brief 3
42D 57. Long period 3
43D 58. Put down 3
44D 59. Salary 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Hard work"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
  • Similar words include: fag, toil, DoL
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LABOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Morissette with the 1996 hit "Ironic""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Corner store"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small hispanic shop selling wine and groceries
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BODEGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Fall, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
  • Similar words include: flavor, harden, flavour
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEASON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Reading room"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Similar words include: hideout, hideaway, lair
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Japanese city that's home to the Chinese Sofukuji Temple"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in southern japan on kyushu; a leading port and shipbuilding center; on august 9, 1945 nagasaki became the second populated area to receive an atomic bomb
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAGASAKI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Subjects of some Billboard charts"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one or more recordings issued together; originally released on 12-inch phonograph records (usually with attractive record covers) and later on cassette audiotape and compact disc
  • Similar words include: album, record album
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALBUMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Old Russian ruler"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male monarch or emperor (especially of russia prior to 1917)
  • Similar words include: tzar, czar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Cuban dance style"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that music composed in duple time for dancing the habanera
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HABANERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Actress Edebiri"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. "Which person are you referring to?""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a united nations agency to coordinate international health activities and to help governments improve health services
  • Similar words include: World Health Organization
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. ___ card"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. A standard one has 21 pips"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers
  • Similar words include: give-up the ghost, drop dead, buy the farm
  • Opposite of: be born
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Fortune-telling deck"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of a set of (usually 72) cards that include 22 cards representing virtues and vices and death and fortune etc.; used by fortunetellers
  • Similar words include: tarot card
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "18. Aviary inhabitant"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
  • Similar words include: birdwatch, hiss, snort
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIRD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "19. Hound"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the genus canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
  • Similar words include: go after, cad, chase after
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. It's "pumped" by bodybuilders"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
  • Similar words include: atomic number 26, iron out, Fe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Town"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that colloquial american term for a town
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BURG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Texting format, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a grey lustrous metallic element of the rare earth group; is used in special alloys; occurs in monazite and bastnasite
  • Similar words include: Sm, MS, Master of Science
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Many internet spammers"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that botfly larva; typically develops inside the body of a horse or sheep or human
  • Similar words include: bot
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Rule"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the collection of rules imposed by authority
  • Similar words include: legal philosophy, police, natural law
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Teacher for a day"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the united states
  • Similar words include: substitute, Cuban sandwich, submarine
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Part of a doorframe"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that upright consisting of a vertical side member of a door or window frame
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. Tortilla chip dip, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Shrek, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cruel wicked and inhuman person
  • Similar words include: monster, fiend, demon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OGRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. "Wow, real mature""

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "37. Sport-___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the shoshonean people of utah and colorado and new mexico
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "38. "Ow! Watch it!""

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "39. "___/she" (chocolate bar's pronouns in a corny joke)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "40. In the manner of"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "43. Power-saving computer mode"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
  • Similar words include: eternal sleep, nap, kip
  • Opposite of: wake
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "44. They're often made at weddings"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slices of bread that have been toasted
  • Similar words include: toast, drink, salute
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOASTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "45. One may accept the terms and conditions"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who makes use of a thing; someone who uses or employs something
  • Similar words include: substance abuser, drug user, exploiter
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "46. Heavyweight beasts, familiarly"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that massive powerful herbivorous odd-toed ungulate of southeast asia and africa having very thick skin and one or two horns on the snout
  • Similar words include: rhino, rhinoceros
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHINOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "47. Mexican state bordering Chihuahua"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that ground snakes
  • Similar words include: genus Sonora
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "48. Hot pot holder"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a three-legged metal stand for supporting a cooking vessel in a hearth
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIVET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "50. Novelist Rand"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "52. Backcomb"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity)
  • Similar words include: minx, twit, ribbing
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "54. Cat's warning"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
  • Similar words include: snort, whoosh, bird
  • Opposite of: applaud
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "55. Old-school term for "cool""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informed about the latest trends
  • Similar words include: hip, hip to
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "56. World of Warcraft, e.g., in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "57. Long period"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "58. Put down"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that god of the underworld; counterpart of greek pluto
  • Similar words include: Orcus
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "59. Salary"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that remunerates
  • Similar words include: make up, earnings, yield
  • Opposite of: default
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

33 Across Clues
44 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: July 21, 2026 at 06:09 AM

Sunday, April 5, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 05, 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. They need fans to stay cool 5
2A 6. Philippine marinades 6
3A 12. Second first lady, after Martha 7
4A 19. Cheap cigar 6
5A 20. Philippine capital 6
6A 21. Contrition 7
7A 22. Prime-time time 6
8A 23. We're literally giving away our rental cars! 14
9A 25. Resembling bone 7
10A 27. Overnight option 3
11A 28. Pull some strings? 5
12A 29. Phony social media follower 3
13A 30. It hurts how much we're overcharging for this detergent! 12
14A 34. ___ Constitution 3
15A 37. Winter measure 8
16A 40. "Nostalgia is a seductive ___": George W. Ball 4
17A 41. Spider's pouch 6
18A 43. Inappropriately appropriated 7
19A 45. Crush a test 5
20A 48. Muse depicted with a lyre 5
21A 49. Like raw footage 5
22A 51. Alexander ___, 1980s secretary of state 4
23A 53. Competition with clowns, maybe 5
24A 55. Showbiz "grand slam," familiarly 4
25A 56. Scrooge's shout 3
26A 57. Our planes don't have seats! 13
27A 61. Social worker? 3
28A 62. Undertake, as a journey 7
29A 64. College admissions fig. 3
30A 65. Whence St. Francis 6
31A 67. Quite spirited 6
32A 68. Bulletin board addition 7
33A 71. A chair might cover one 6
34A 74. Place to store magazines 6
35A 76. Broody genre 3
36A 77. First college in the modern era to boast a 15-0 football team 7
37A 78. Bump on the head, say? 3
38A 80. Our tech products fall apart easily! 13
39A 84. However, in texts 3
40A 85. Sportsbook figures 4
41A 87. Grinning Face With Sweat, for one 5
42A 88. Winnow 4
43A 89. Some exits in Exeter 5
44A 91. Japanese healing discipline 5
45A 93. Hägar the Horrible's dog 5
46A 95. Like a wrung-out mop 7
47A 97. Some commotion in a sheepfold 6
48A 99. Rep 4
49A 101. Most ridiculous 8
50A 104. Monopolist's portion 3
51A 105. Our cable channel is devoted to censorship! 12
52A 109. Dripping, say 3
53A 110. White's longtime co-host 5
54A 111. Many a book fair sponsor, for short 3
55A 112. [Look below for more info] 7
56A 115. Go ahead and shoplift one pair of our jeans! 14
57A 121. Bolts (down) 6
58A 122. Home country of the Center for Civil Liberties, jointly awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize 7
59A 123. Monkey's place, maybe 6
60A 124. Article of jewelry worn around the biceps 6
61A 125. Erudite 7
62A 126. Stylishly elegant 6
63A 127. Shoe leather for Elvis 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. They need fans to stay cool"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a material effigy that is worshipped
  • Similar words include: graven image, matinee idol, perfection
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDOLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Philippine marinades"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dish of marinated vegetables and meat or fish; served with rice
  • Similar words include: adobo
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADOBOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "12. Second first lady, after Martha"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "19. Cheap cigar"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cheap cigar
  • Similar words include: stogy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOGIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "20. Philippine capital"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong paper or thin cardboard with a smooth light brown finish made from e.g. manila hemp
  • Similar words include: manilla, manila paper, capital of the Philippines
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANILA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "21. Contrition"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
  • Similar words include: compunction, self-reproach
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REMORSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "22. Prime-time time"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "23. We're literally giving away our rental cars!"

14 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "25. Resembling bone"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "27. Overnight option"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "28. Pull some strings?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that undo the ties of
  • Similar words include: unlace, unbrace, undo
  • Opposite of: tie
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNTIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "29. Phony social media follower"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that botfly larva; typically develops inside the body of a horse or sheep or human
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. It hurts how much we're overcharging for this detergent!"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOPAINNOGAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "34. ___ Constitution"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that north american republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in north america plus alaska in northwest north america and the hawaiian islands in the pacific ocean; achieved independence in 1776
  • Similar words include: US, United States of America, United States
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "37. Winter measure"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
  • Similar words include: snow
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNOWFALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "40. "Nostalgia is a seductive ___": George W. Ball"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who has lied or who lies repeatedly
  • Similar words include: prevaricator
  • Opposite of: square shooter
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "41. Spider's pouch"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "43. Inappropriately appropriated"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
  • Similar words include: assume, usurp, arrogate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USURPED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "45. Crush a test"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "48. Muse depicted with a lyre"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) the muse of lyric and love poetry
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERATO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "49. Like raw footage"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not trimmed
  • Similar words include: rough, untrimmed, full-length
  • Opposite of: cut, mown
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNCUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "51. Alexander ___, 1980s secretary of state"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "53. Competition with clowns, maybe"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an exhibition of cowboy skills
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RODEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "55. Showbiz "grand slam," familiarly"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "56. Scrooge's shout"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "57. Our planes don't have seats!"

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "61. Social worker?"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "62. Undertake, as a journey"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the alimentary canal (especially of an embryo or a coelenterate)
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENTERON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "64. College admissions fig."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measure of a student's academic achievement at a college or university; calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted
  • Similar words include: grade point average
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "65. Whence St. Francis"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "67. Quite spirited"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "68. Bulletin board addition"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement
  • Similar words include: card, post, mail
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POSTING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "71. A chair might cover one"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to
  • Similar words include: schedule, order of business, agendum
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGENDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "74. Place to store magazines"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a collection of resources
  • Similar words include: arsenal, inventory, armoury
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARMORY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "76. Broody genre"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "77. First college in the modern era to boast a 15-0 football team"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "78. Bump on the head, say?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small inflamed elevation of the skin; a pustule or papule; common symptom in acne
  • Similar words include: hickey, pimple
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "80. Our tech products fall apart easily!"

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "84. However, in texts"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a branch of the tai languages
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "85. Sportsbook figures"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
  • Similar words include: betting odds
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "87. Grinning Face With Sweat, for one"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "88. Winnow"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that decrease gradually or bit by bit
  • Similar words include: skin, peel, trim
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "89. Some exits in Exeter"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "91. Japanese healing discipline"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "93. Hägar the Horrible's dog"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "95. Like a wrung-out mop"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slightly wet
  • Similar words include: moist, damp
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAMPISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "97. Some commotion in a sheepfold"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cry plaintively
  • Similar words include: blate, bleat, blat
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAAING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "99. Rep"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that credibility among young fashionable urban individuals
  • Similar words include: street credibility, street cred
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "101. Most ridiculous"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that ludicrous, foolish
  • Similar words include: whacky, silly, sappy
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOOFIEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "104. Monopolist's portion"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that quantifier; used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
  • Similar words include: wholly, whole, totally
  • Opposite of: some, partly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "105. Our cable channel is devoted to censorship!"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIFETIMEBANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "109. Dripping, say"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wetness caused by water
  • Similar words include: crocked, soaked, squiffy
  • Opposite of: dry
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "110. White's longtime co-host"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "111. Many a book fair sponsor, for short"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "112. [Look below for more info]"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "115. Go ahead and shoplift one pair of our jeans!"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "121. Bolts (down)"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a garment worn around the head or neck or shoulders for warmth or decoration
  • Similar words include: scarf, scarf joint
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCARFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "122. Home country of the Center for Civil Liberties, jointly awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in southeastern europe; formerly a european soviet; the center of the original russian state which came into existence in the ninth century
  • Similar words include: Ukrayina
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UKRAINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "123. Monkey's place, maybe"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired
  • Similar words include: cask, drum, barrelful
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BARREL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "124. Article of jewelry worn around the biceps"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a band worn around the arm for decoration
  • Similar words include: arm band
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARMLET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "125. Erudite"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gain knowledge or skills
  • Similar words include: instruct, check, erudite
  • Opposite of: unconditioned
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEARNED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "126. Stylishly elegant"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that elegant and fashionable; ; ; ; - julia child
  • Similar words include: swish, posh
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLASSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63A: "127. Shoe leather for Elvis"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that leather with a napped surface
  • Similar words include: suede leather, suede cloth
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUEDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. "This. Means. War!" 6
2D 2. Our soap is deadly! 17
3D 3. Serpentine shape in architecture 4
4D 4. Certain cosmetic surgery, familiarly 4
5D 5. High class? 7
6D 6. Big letters in bowling 3
7D 7. "Beavis and Butt-Head" spinoff 5
8D 8. Common soccer score 6
9D 9. Two-year periods 7
10D 10. Common soccer cheer 3
11D 11. With 44-Down, home of the U.S.'s most-visited municipal zoo 3
12D 12. ___ rock (music genre) 5
13D 13. Nickname for Britain's King Edward VII 6
14D 14. Encroach (on) 7
15D 15. Horror movie staple 4
16D 16. Grande's perfume line 3
17D 17. Major research lab for astronauts, for short 3
18D 18. Actress Jamie ___ Curtis 3
19D 19. Highfalutin sorts 5
20D 24. Yank 3
21D 26. Creature with a signature whistle it can use to identify itself 7
22D 31. Accordion fold 5
23D 32. Iridescent shell material 5
24D 33. Dirt pie ingredients 5
25D 34. Our magazine hates everything and everyone! 17
26D 35. Squelched 5
27D 36. Michael ___, Steve Carell's role on "The Office" 5
28D 38. Sch. endearingly called "Wazzu" 3
29D 39. Animated TV series set in the 31st century 8
30D 42. LSAT alternative, for some law schools 3
31D 44. See 11-Down 5
32D 46. Lab label 5
33D 47. Afternoon socials 4
34D 49. It'll take you for a ride 4
35D 50. Mama's mama 4
36D 52. Natl. economic yardsticks 4
37D 54. Discounted 6
38D 58. Zero chance 6
39D 59. Something well-taken? 5
40D 60. Chartreuse or brandy, e.g. 8
41D 63. Mess up 3
42D 66. Part of a sch. year 3
43D 68. Orange cone, say 5
44D 69. "No cause for alarm!"? 4
45D 70. Land rover 5
46D 72. Home of Qatar Airways 4
47D 73. A long time, in Spain 4
48D 75. Tach stats 4
49D 77. Sax player Clarence 7
50D 78. "The Greek" in a 1964 film 5
51D 79. Optimal 5
52D 81. Emergency option for a fighter pilot 5
53D 82. High, wispy clouds 5
54D 83. Alice of TV's "Queen of the South" 5
55D 86. Manage moguls, say 3
56D 90. "___ expected" 3
57D 92. Like many legal phrases 7
58D 94. Fried Japanese fare 7
59D 96. Impersonates 7
60D 98. 1997 Demi Moore military drama 6
61D 100. Hampers 6
62D 102. Fixed rate 6
63D 103. Statistics tool used to find significant differences 5
64D 106. Not real 5
65D 107. ___ out an existence 3
66D 108. They might be loaded or stolen 5
67D 110. Headliner 4
68D 113. Neutral tone 4
69D 114. April or May, e.g. 4
70D 115. Q3 starter: Abbr. 3
71D 116. Luau instrument, in brief 3
72D 117. Mme., across the Pyrenees 3
73D 118. "The Bachelor" network 3
74D 119. Actress Gadot 3
75D 120. Foxy 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. "This. Means. War!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Our soap is deadly!"

17 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DONTTOUCHTHATDIAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Serpentine shape in architecture"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a molding that (in section) has the shape of an s with the convex part above and the concave part below
  • Similar words include: cyma reversa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OGEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Certain cosmetic surgery, familiarly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. High class?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any meeting for an exchange of ideas
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEMINAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Big letters in bowling"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. "Beavis and Butt-Head" spinoff"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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8D: "8. Common soccer score"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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9D: "9. Two-year periods"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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10D: "10. Common soccer cheer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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11D: "11. With 44-Down, home of the U.S.'s most-visited municipal zoo"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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12D: "12. ___ rock (music genre)"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular environment or walk of life
  • Similar words include: stadium, bowl, sports stadium
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARENA

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13D: "13. Nickname for Britain's King Edward VII"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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14D: "14. Encroach (on)"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that impinge or infringe upon
  • Similar words include: encroach, infringe, entrench
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPINGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "15. Horror movie staple"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that vice president of the united states under bill clinton (born in 1948)
  • Similar words include: Albert Gore Jr., bloodshed, panel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "16. Grande's perfume line"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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17D: "17. Major research lab for astronauts, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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18D: "18. Actress Jamie ___ Curtis"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in america (born in 1957)
  • Similar words include: Robert Edward Lee, Tsung Dao Lee, Bruce Lee
  • Opposite of: windward
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "19. Highfalutin sorts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "24. Yank"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sudden abrupt pull
  • Similar words include: jerk, tower, lug
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUG

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21D: "26. Creature with a signature whistle it can use to identify itself"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large slender food and game fish widely distributed in warm seas (especially around hawaii)
  • Similar words include: mahimahi, dolphinfish
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOLPHIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Accordion fold"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various types of fold formed by doubling fabric back upon itself and then pressing or stitching into shape
  • Similar words include: ruffle, plicate, plait
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLEAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Iridescent shell material"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell
  • Similar words include: mother-of-pearl
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NACRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Dirt pie ingredients"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chocolate cookie with white cream filling
  • Similar words include: oreo, oreo cookie
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREOS

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25D: "34. Our magazine hates everything and everyone!"

17 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USAGAINSTTHEWORLD

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26D: "35. Squelched"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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27D: "36. Michael ___, Steve Carell's role on "The Office""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that award-winning united states film actor (1928-1999)
  • Similar words include: Dred Scott, Robert Falcon Scott, Walter Scott
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCOTT

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28D: "38. Sch. endearingly called "Wazzu""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "39. Animated TV series set in the 31st century"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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30D: "42. LSAT alternative, for some law schools"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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31D: "44. See 11-Down"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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32D: "46. Lab label"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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33D: "47. Afternoon socials"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
  • Similar words include: afternoon tea, teatime, tea
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "49. It'll take you for a ride"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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35D: "50. Mama's mama"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "52. Natl. economic yardsticks"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the measure of an economy adopted by the united states in 1991; the total market values of goods and services produced by workers and capital within a nation's borders during a given period (usually 1 year)
  • Similar words include: gross domestic product, GDP
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GDPS

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37D: "54. Discounted"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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38D: "58. Zero chance"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. Something well-taken?"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
  • Similar words include: piss, urine, water supply
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "60. Chartreuse or brandy, e.g."

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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41D: "63. Mess up"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to make a mistake or be incorrect
  • Similar words include: mistake, slip, drift
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "66. Part of a sch. year"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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43D: "68. Orange cone, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tower for guiding pilots or marking the turning point in a race
  • Similar words include: power pylon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PYLON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "69. "No cause for alarm!"?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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45D: "70. Land rover"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a people who have no permanent home but move about according to the seasons
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOMAD

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46D: "72. Home of Qatar Airways"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and chief port of qatar
  • Similar words include: El Beda, capital of Qatar, Bida
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47D: "73. A long time, in Spain"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a palestinian international terrorist organization that split from the plo in 1974; has conducted terrorist attacks in 20 countries
  • Similar words include: Arab Revolutionary Brigades, ANO, Revolutionary Organization of Socialist Muslims
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48D: "75. Tach stats"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rate of revolution of a motor
  • Similar words include: rev, rpm, revolutions per minute
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RPMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49D: "77. Sax player Clarence"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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50D: "78. "The Greek" in a 1964 film"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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51D: "79. Optimal"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
  • Similar words include: saint, idealistic, apotheosis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52D: "81. Emergency option for a fighter pilot"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that put out or expel from a place
  • Similar words include: force out, chuck out, discharge
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EJECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53D: "82. High, wispy clouds"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that usually coiled
  • Similar words include: cirrus, cirrhus, cirrus cloud
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIRRI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54D: "83. Alice of TV's "Queen of the South""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ancient city in northern portugal
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRAGA

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55D: "86. Manage moguls, say"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used in pairs for gliding over snow
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56D: "90. "___ expected""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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57D: "92. Like many legal phrases"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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58D: "94. Fried Japanese fare"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that vegetables and seafood dipped in batter and deep-fried
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEMPURA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59D: "96. Impersonates"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60D: "98. 1997 Demi Moore military drama"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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61D: "100. Hampers"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that try to prevent; show opposition to
  • Similar words include: deter, dissuade, discourage
  • Opposite of: persuade
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DETERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62D: "102. Fixed rate"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63D: "103. Statistics tool used to find significant differences"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64D: "106. Not real"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make a copy of with the intent to deceive
  • Similar words include: fake, bull, manipulate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FAKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65D: "107. ___ out an existence"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66D: "108. They might be loaded or stolen"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that installation from which a military force initiates operations
  • Similar words include: foundation, Base, groundwork
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67D: "110. Headliner"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
  • Similar words include: wiz, asterisk, mavin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68D: "113. Neutral tone"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a very light brown
  • Similar words include: beige
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECRU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

69D: "114. April or May, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

70D: "115. Q3 starter: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71D: "116. Luau instrument, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small guitar having four strings
  • Similar words include: ukulele
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

72D: "117. Mme., across the Pyrenees"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

73D: "118. "The Bachelor" network"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
  • Similar words include: ABC's, first rudiment, rudiment
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

74D: "119. Actress Gadot"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters
  • Similar words include: gallon
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

75D: "120. Foxy"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by skill in deception
  • Similar words include: guileful, tricksy, crafty
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLY

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

63 Across Clues
75 Down Clues
138 Total Clues

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Last updated: April 05, 2026 at 05:24 AM