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Monday, September 29, 2025

November 20, 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 74 (35 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

Across Clues Explained - Wednesday NYT Crossword November 20, 2019

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Univ. entrance exam 3
2A 4. Scores worth six pts. 3
3A 7. Grates, as a lemon 5
4A 12. Take the risk 8
5A 15. Pricey bars 6
6A 17. Spanish greeting 8
7A 18. Stadium cheer 6
8A 19. "Fiddler on the Roof" star 5
9A 20. Light: Sp. 3
10A 22. ___ Fridays 3
11A 23. 2018 blockbuster film based on a Marvel comic 12
12A 28. "TMI!" 3
13A 31. Time for a trip to Cabo San Lucas or Miami Beach 11
14A 32. Oohs' counterparts 4
15A 34. III, to Jr., say 3
16A 35. High-level math, informally 4
17A 36. Its license plates say "Life Elevated" 4
18A 37. Attraction in Bay Lake, Fla. 5
19A 40. Hand, informally 4
20A 42. Latin list ender 4
21A 44. "___ Believer" 3
22A 45. Wine ___ 4
23A 46. Bring about 11
24A 50. Baseball stat that's better when it's lower 3
25A 51. Sturdier alternative to a cardboard box 12
26A 53. Lair 3
27A 54. ___-de-sac 3
28A 55. German philosopher Georg 5
29A 59. Sheep 6
30A 62. Latin American pastry 8
31A 65. Give ownership of 6
32A 66. Long fish with a row of barbs 8
33A 67. Boston airport 5
34A 68. Ticklee's syllable 3
35A 69. Actress Ortiz 3

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. Univ. entrance exam"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
  • Words that mean the same thing: dissemble, roleplay, enactment
  • The opposite would be: refrain
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ACT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "4. Scores worth six pts."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TDS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "7. Grates, as a lemon"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
  • Words that mean the same thing: spice, zest, nip
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ZESTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "12. Take the risk"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CHANCEIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Pricey bars"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that metal that is cast in the shape of a block for convenient handling
  • Words that mean the same thing: metal bar, block of metal, ingot
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: INGOTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. Spanish greeting"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: COMOESTA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Stadium cheer"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GOTEAM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. "Fiddler on the Roof" star"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TOPOL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Light: Sp."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LUZ

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. ___ Fridays"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TGI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. 2018 blockbuster film based on a Marvel comic"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a expert clue about movies/film.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BLACKPANTHER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "28. "TMI!""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EWW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "31. Time for a trip to Cabo San Lucas or Miami Beach"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SPRINGBREAK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "32. Oohs' counterparts"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
  • Words that mean the same thing: ooh, aah
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AAHS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "34. III, to Jr., say"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a male human offspring
  • Words that mean the same thing: Word, boy, Logos
  • The opposite would be: daughter, girl
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. High-level math, informally"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about science/technology.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CALC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. Its license plates say "Life Elevated""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a state in the western united states; settled in 1847 by mormons led by brigham young
  • Words that mean the same thing: UT, Mormon State, Beehive State
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: UTAH

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Attraction in Bay Lake, Fla."

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EPCOT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "40. Hand, informally"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
  • Words that mean the same thing: glove, hand, paw
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MITT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "42. Latin list ender"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ETAL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "44. "___ Believer""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IMA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Wine ___"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
  • Words that mean the same thing: snot, prig, snoot
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SNOB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. Bring about"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that write an orchestra score for
  • Words that mean the same thing: engineer, direct, organize
  • The word looks like this: ___________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ORCHESTRATE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "50. Baseball stat that's better when it's lower"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Words that mean the same thing: earned run average, geological era, epoch
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ERA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "51. Sturdier alternative to a cardboard box"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PLASTICCRATE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "53. Lair"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Words that mean the same thing: hideaway, hideout, lair
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "54. ___-de-sac"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a passage with access only at one end
  • Words that mean the same thing: dead end, cul de sac
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CUL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "55. German philosopher Georg"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that german philosopher whose three stage process of dialectical reasoning was adopted by karl marx (1770-1831)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HEGEL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "59. Sheep"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OVINES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "62. Latin American pastry"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EMPANADA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "65. Give ownership of"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CEDETO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "66. Long fish with a row of barbs"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SPINYEEL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "67. Boston airport"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a mountain peak in the st. elias range in the southwestern yukon territory in canada (19,850 feet high)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Mount Logan
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LOGAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "68. Ticklee's syllable"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HEE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "69. Actress Ortiz"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that mother of the ancient irish gods; sometimes identified with danu
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ANA

    Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Wednesday NYT Crossword November 20, 2019

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. No. at an insurance agency 4
2D 2. When repeated, a toy train 4
3D 3. Press (down) 4
4D 4. Immune system protectors 6
5D 5. Bleu ___ Causses (French cheese) 3
6D 6. Command before "Shake!" 3
7D 7. Shape of a lightning bolt 6
8D 8. Composer Brian 3
9D 9. Police dept. member 3
10D 10. Follow directions 10
11D 11. Laurence Olivier, notably 10
12D 13. Tyro, in modern parlance 4
13D 14. Argue repetitively ... with a hint to this puzzle's theme 13
14D 16. Self-satisfied smile 5
15D 21. Old TV channel that aired "Moesha" 3
16D 24. Church part that sounds like what you might have on your smartphone 4
17D 25. Wheat or soybeans 4
18D 26. "This Is Us" network 3
19D 27. Cable cars 5
20D 28. What fills un lac 3
21D 29. What rises and falls in a lake 10
22D 30. Question from a helpful person (or a helpless one) 10
23D 33. Bygone leaders 5
24D 38. Actor Dorsey of TV's "Queen Sugar" 4
25D 39. Line out the door? 4
26D 41. Abbr. meaning "We'll fill this slot in later" 3
27D 43. Wimbledon call 3
28D 46. Nonfiction film with a point of view, in brief 5
29D 47. Sends after 6
30D 48. Lone Star State sch. 3
31D 49. Gas that's a man's name + E 6
32D 52. "___, meeny ..." 4
33D 56. Greek earth goddess 4
34D 57. Biblical paradise 4
35D 58. In ___ land 4
36D 60. Below zero: Abbr. 3
37D 61. Athenian vowel 3
38D 63. Dashboard stat: Abbr. 3
39D 64. Chart shape 3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. No. at an insurance agency"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ACCT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. When repeated, a toy train"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CHOO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Press (down)"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a tool for tamping (e.g., for tamping tobacco into a pipe bowl or a charge into a drill hole etc.)
  • Words that mean the same thing: tamping bar, pack, tamper
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TAMP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Immune system protectors"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TCELLS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Bleu ___ Causses (French cheese)"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a potent estrogen used in medicine and in feed for livestock and poultry
  • Words that mean the same thing: diethylstilboestrol, First State, diethylstilbesterol
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Command before "Shake!""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that be around, often idly or without specific purpose
  • Words that mean the same thing: sit down, sit around, baby-sit
  • The opposite would be: arise, stand
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Shape of a lightning bolt"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an angular shape characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions
  • Words that mean the same thing: crank, zig, zag
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ZIGZAG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Composer Brian"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about music.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ENO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Police dept. member"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SGT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Follow directions"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: __________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TOETHELINE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Laurence Olivier, notably"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: __________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: STAGEACTOR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "13. Tyro, in modern parlance"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NOOB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. Argue repetitively ... with a hint to this puzzle's theme"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TALKINCIRCLES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "16. Self-satisfied smile"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a smile expressing smugness or scorn instead of pleasure
  • Words that mean the same thing: simper
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SMIRK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Old TV channel that aired "Moesha""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: UPN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Church part that sounds like what you might have on your smartphone"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar
  • Words that mean the same thing: apsis
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: APSE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Wheat or soybeans"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the yield from plants in a single growing season
  • Words that mean the same thing: work, clip, harvest
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CROP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. "This Is Us" network"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NBC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "27. Cable cars"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers
  • Words that mean the same thing: tram, tramcar, trolley car
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TRAMS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "28. What fills un lac"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EAU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "29. What rises and falls in a lake"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: __________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WATERLEVEL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "30. Question from a helpful person (or a helpless one)"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: __________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WHATCANIDO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Bygone leaders"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that title for the former hereditary monarch of iran
  • Words that mean the same thing: Shah, Shah of Iran
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SHAHS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "38. Actor Dorsey of TV's "Queen Sugar""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OMAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "39. Line out the door?"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TATA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "41. Abbr. meaning "We'll fill this slot in later""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TBA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "43. Wimbledon call"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a brutal terrorist group active in kashmir; fights against india with the goal of restoring islamic rule of india
  • Words that mean the same thing: allow, net ball, lease
  • The opposite would be: forbid, disallow
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "46. Nonfiction film with a point of view, in brief"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about movies/film.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OPDOC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. Sends after"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SICSON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "48. Lone Star State sch."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TCU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "49. Gas that's a man's name + E"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a colorless odorless alkane gas used as fuel
  • Words that mean the same thing: C2H6
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ETHANE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "52. "___, meeny ...""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EENY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "56. Greek earth goddess"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (greek mythology) goddess of the earth and mother of cronus and the titans in ancient mythology
  • Words that mean the same thing: Ge, Gaia
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GAEA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "57. Biblical paradise"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
  • Words that mean the same thing: promised land, nirvana, heaven
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EDEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "58. In ___ land"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LALA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "60. Below zero: Abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NEG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "61. Athenian vowel"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be 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
  • Words that mean the same thing: Basque Homeland and Freedom, Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Fatherland and Liberty
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ETA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "63. Dashboard stat: Abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the ratio of the distance traveled (in miles) to the time spent traveling (in hours)
  • Words that mean the same thing: miles per hour
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MPH

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "64. Chart shape"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top
  • Words that mean the same thing: Proto-Indo European
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PIE

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 43 58.1%
Short Answer 20 27.0%
Celebrity/Entertainment 4 5.4%
Abbreviation 3 4.1%
Movies/Film 2 2.7%
Science/Technology 1 1.4%
Music 1 1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 35
Down Clues 39
Total Clues 74
Average Answer Length 5.1 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 13 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

  • Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
  • Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
  • When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
  • Today is Wednesday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
  • Most clues today are about general knowledge
  • The average word today has about 5 letters
  • Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
  • Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: September 28, 2025 at 08:20 PM

Sunday, September 28, 2025

December 20, 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Related Puzzles

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, December 20, 2019

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 73 (37 Across, 36 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.6 letters

Across Clues Explained - Friday NYT Crossword December 20, 2019

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Event for which participants may take the floor 5
2A 6. Pestered persistently 4
3A 10. Hindu love god 4
4A 14. Grand Prix site 6
5A 15. Boost at the gym 9
6A 17. Bugs 6
7A 18. Actress whose full name can be made from the letters of DO RE MI 9
8A 19. Alternative to white 3
9A 20. ___ Jahan, leader who commissioned the Taj Mahal 4
10A 22. This might be a bust 6
11A 23. Part of a dash 9
12A 26. Hoots 5
13A 27. Treatment that reduces wrinkles 9
14A 29. Boomsticks? 3
15A 31. Largest steel producer in the U.S. 5
16A 34. Kind of football played indoors 5
17A 35. Greek "Mother of the Gods" 4
18A 36. Inedible kind of orange 5
19A 37. Look after 4
20A 38. Hardly try anymore 5
21A 39. Column in a baseball box score 4
22A 40. Sportscaster Jim 5
23A 41. 50 Cent's "___ Control" 5
24A 42. Johnson's predecessor as British P.M. 3
25A 43. Some ranch cattle 9
26A 45. "X-Men" film spinoff starring Hugh Jackman 5
27A 47. Congressional campaign 9
28A 51. University near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains 6
29A 53. "Whip It" band 4
30A 54. 1/2 vis-à-vis 1/3, say 3
31A 55. In direct competition 9
32A 57. Home of the South by Southwest festival 6
33A 59. Big canned soup brand 9
34A 60. Irritates, with "on" 6
35A 61. Tricks 4
36A 62. Critic's award 4
37A 63. Best Play and others 5

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. Event for which participants may take the floor"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SITIN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Pestered persistently"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
  • Words that mean the same thing: hinge upon, drive, razz
  • The opposite would be: walk
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RODE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Hindu love god"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that hindu god of love and erotic desire; opposite of mara
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: KAMA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Grand Prix site"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a constitutional monarchy in a tiny enclave on the french riviera
  • Words that mean the same thing: Principality of Monaco
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MONACO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Boost at the gym"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ENERGYBAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. Bugs"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
  • Words that mean the same thing: get at, get to, gravel
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ANNOYS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Actress whose full name can be made from the letters of DO RE MI"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DEMIMOORE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Alternative to white"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the seed of the cereal grass
  • Words that mean the same thing: rye whiskey, Secale cereale, rye whisky
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RYE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. ___ Jahan, leader who commissioned the Taj Mahal"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that title for the former hereditary monarch of iran
  • Words that mean the same thing: Shah of Iran
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SHAH

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. This might be a bust"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a sculpture representing a human or animal
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: STATUE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Part of a dash"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CARSTEREO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Hoots"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a public act of violence by an unruly mob
  • Words that mean the same thing: wow, bacchanalia, saturnalia
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RIOTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "27. Treatment that reduces wrinkles"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LASERPEEL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "29. Boomsticks?"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that explosive consisting of a yellow crystalline compound that is a flammable toxic derivative of toluene
  • Words that mean the same thing: trinitrotoluene
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TNT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Largest steel producer in the U.S."

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NUCOR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. Kind of football played indoors"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a particular environment or walk of life
  • Words that mean the same thing: orbit, bowl, area
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ARENA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "35. Greek "Mother of the Gods""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that fertility goddess in ancient greek mythology; wife of cronus and mother of zeus; identified with roman ops and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Words that mean the same thing: nandu, Pterocnemia pennata, Rhea americana
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RHEA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "36. Inedible kind of orange"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in missouri in the valleys of the missouri and osage rivers; oil was found on osage lands early in the 20th century
  • Words that mean the same thing: Osage River
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OSAGE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "37. Look after"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings; the seat of the faculty of reason
  • Words that mean the same thing: intellect, bear in mind, head
  • The opposite would be: forget
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MIND

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "38. Hardly try anymore"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the shore of a sea or ocean
  • Words that mean the same thing: seacoast, slide, sea-coast
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: COAST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "39. Column in a baseball box score"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
  • Words that mean the same thing: guide, ply, running play
  • The opposite would be: idle, malfunction
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RUNS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "40. Sportscaster Jim"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NANTZ

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "41. 50 Cent's "___ Control""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OUTTA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "42. Johnson's predecessor as British P.M."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the month following april and preceding june
  • Words that mean the same thing: whitethorn, Crataegus laevigata, English hawthorn
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "43. Some ranch cattle"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that long-horned beef cattle formerly common in southwestern united states
  • Words that mean the same thing: longhorn, Texas longhorn
  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LONGHORNS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "45. "X-Men" film spinoff starring Hugh Jackman"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a mountain peak in the st. elias range in the southwestern yukon territory in canada (19,850 feet high)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Mount Logan
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LOGAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "47. Congressional campaign"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SENATEBID

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "51. University near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about geography.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FURMAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "53. "Whip It" band"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DEVO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "54. 1/2 vis-à-vis 1/3, say"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be 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
  • Words that mean the same thing: eventide, evening, even
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EVE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "55. In direct competition"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MANOAMANO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "57. Home of the South by Southwest festival"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that state capital of texas on the colorado river; site of the university of texas
  • Words that mean the same thing: capital of Texas
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AUSTIN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "59. Big canned soup brand"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PROGRESSO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "60. Irritates, with "on""

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
  • Words that mean the same thing: fret, eat into, rankle
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GRATES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "61. Tricks"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
  • Words that mean the same thing: catch, bugger off, beget
  • The opposite would be: end, leave
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GETS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "62. Critic's award"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
  • Words that mean the same thing: wizard, hotshot, maven
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: STAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "63. Best Play and others"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that catch sight of
  • Words that mean the same thing: espy, spot, spy
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ESPYS

    Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Friday NYT Crossword December 20, 2019

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. "Crime and Punishment" heroine 5
2D 2. Private 5
3D 3. This is the way 3
4D 4. Hostile look 8
5D 5. Snacks 6
6D 6. Nervous witnesses in mystery novels, often 11
7D 7. "Blastoff!" preceder 3
8D 8. Left side, informally 4
9D 9. Country with hundreds of islands in the Red Sea 7
10D 10. Former world capital whose name means "capital city" 5
11D 11. "Ah, yes, I'd been meaning to tell you ..." 9
12D 12. Total mess 9
13D 13. What "r" might signify 3
14D 14. Singer Anthony 4
15D 16. Online service introduced in 2004 5
16D 21. Frequent subject of headlines in The Onion 7
17D 24. Difficult journeys 5
18D 25. "Let me in!" 11
19D 28. Site for some celebratory dances 7
20D 30. Bye line? 4
21D 31. Nothing special, with "the" 4
22D 32. Nothing special, with "the" 9
23D 33. "Really, now? Really!?" 9
24D 35. Electrify 5
25D 38. Features on topographic maps 8
26D 40. Walk-ons, often 7
27D 43. Kendrick of rap 5
28D 44. Absolutely destroy 6
29D 46. Pirates' potables 5
30D 48. 1970s first lady 5
31D 49. Elite eight 5
32D 50. Homes in the woods 4
33D 52. Early illustrator of Uncle Sam 4
34D 55. No. that's converted for electric cars 3
35D 56. Org. that shares its HQ with Cyber Command 3
36D 58. Drain 3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. "Crime and Punishment" heroine"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SONYA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Private"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that located inward; - leonard bernstein; - david denby; - a.r.gurney,jr.
  • Words that mean the same thing: intimate, internal, privileged
  • The opposite would be: outer
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: INNER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. This is the way"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an adherent of any branch of taoism
  • Words that mean the same thing: Taoist
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TAO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Hostile look"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ICYSTARE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Snacks"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (yiddish) a snack or light meal
  • Words that mean the same thing: snack, nosh
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NOSHES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Nervous witnesses in mystery novels, often"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about literature.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REDHERRINGS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. "Blastoff!" preceder"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Words that mean the same thing: ane, 1, unrivalled
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ONE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Left side, informally"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DEMS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Country with hundreds of islands in the Red Sea"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about geography.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an african country to the north of ethiopia on the red sea; achieved independence from ethiopia in 1993
  • Words that mean the same thing: State of Eritrea
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ERITREA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Former world capital whose name means "capital city""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about geography.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a city in central japan on southern honshu; a famous cultural center that was once the capital of japan
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: KYOTO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. "Ah, yes, I'd been meaning to tell you ...""

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ABOUTTHAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Total mess"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MARESNEST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. What "r" might signify"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
  • Words that mean the same thing: exist, be, comprise
  • The opposite would be: differ
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ARE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Singer Anthony"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that made from residue of grapes or apples after pressing
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MARC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "16. Online service introduced in 2004"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GMAIL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "21. Frequent subject of headlines in The Onion"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AREAMAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Difficult journeys"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that work doggedly or persistently
  • Words that mean the same thing: footslog, peg away, keep one's shoulder to the wheel
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SLOGS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. "Let me in!""

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OPENTHEDOOR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Site for some celebratory dances"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ENDZONE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "30. Bye line?"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TATA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "31. Nothing special, with "the""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a standard or model or pattern regarded as typical
  • Words that mean the same thing: average
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NORM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Nothing special, with "the""

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: USUALFARE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. "Really, now? Really!?""

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CANYOUNOT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Electrify"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that become active
  • Words that mean the same thing: awaken, turn on, bestir
  • The opposite would be: cause to sleep, calm
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ROUSE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. Features on topographic maps"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height
  • Words that mean the same thing: contour line, contour, conformation
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CONTOURS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "40. Walk-ons, often"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NONAMES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "43. Kendrick of rap"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LAMAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Absolutely destroy"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (usually plural) a destructive action
  • Words that mean the same thing: scourge, lay waste to, harry
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RAVAGE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "46. Pirates' potables"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that rum cut with water
  • Words that mean the same thing: grog
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GROGS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "48. 1970s first lady"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BETTY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "49. Elite eight"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that old world vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits
  • Words that mean the same thing: Hedera helix, English ivy, ivy
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IVIES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "50. Homes in the woods"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Words that mean the same thing: hideout, hideaway, den
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DENS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. Early illustrator of Uncle Sam"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that united states political cartoonist (1840-1902)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Thomas Nast
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NAST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "55. No. that's converted for electric cars"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MPG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "56. Org. that shares its HQ with Cyber Command"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the united states cryptologic organization that coordinates and directs highly specialized activities to protect united states information systems and to produce foreign intelligence information
  • Words that mean the same thing: National Security Agency
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NSA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "58. Drain"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant
  • Words that mean the same thing: cosh, saphead, muggins
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SAP

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 54 74.0%
Short Answer 10 13.7%
Celebrity/Entertainment 3 4.1%
Geography 3 4.1%
Sports 1 1.4%
History 1 1.4%
Literature 1 1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 37
Down Clues 36
Total Clues 73
Average Answer Length 5.6 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 11 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

  • Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
  • Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
  • When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
  • Today is Friday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
  • Most clues today are about general knowledge
  • The average word today has about 5 letters
  • Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
  • Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: September 28, 2025 at 06:47 AM