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

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 02, 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. "Melts in your mouth" candies ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme 6
2A 7. Mattress or memo follower 3
3A 10. Maine city near the mouth of the Kennebec River 4
4A 14. Mama Morton of "Chicago," for one 6
5A 15. Meaning of "mono-" 3
6A 16. Marco Polo made his way across it 4
7A 17. Much of Mali 6
8A 18. Meet and glance off a bumper, as a pool ball might 8
9A 20. Multicolored implements in many art drawers 12
10A 22. Markdown on Cyber Monday, e.g. 4
11A 24. Maroon and mahogany, for two 6
12A 25. Man's "monkey suit" 3
13A 26. Mom-to-aunt moniker 3
14A 28. Muscular part of a marathoner 3
15A 29. Marshall Mathers ___ Eminem 3
16A 32. Met melody 4
17A 34. Make sure not to miss it! 3
18A 36. Made eyes at in the manner of a satyr 5
19A 38. Marauder's Map encryption phrase in "Harry Potter" 15
20A 42. Minced-meat cake 5
21A 43. Male meower 3
22A 44. "Mega cool!," in modern lingo 4
23A 45. Multiple-choice selection on a midterm, say: Abbr. 3
24A 46. Making out openly or a mobile device, in brief 3
25A 49. Modern-day name for the American Messenger Co. 3
26A 51. Make free (of), maybe 3
27A 52. Munificent man 6
28A 54. Maximum measure of attractiveness, say 4
29A 56. M.L.B. M.V.P. nicknamed the "Commerce Comet" 12
30A 60. Midwest state that's home to Moline 8
31A 61. Many-toothed metal tool 6
32A 65. Much-heard sound from a horse in motion 4
33A 66. Martial arts master Bruce 3
34A 67. Maneuver a monoplane, e.g. 6
35A 68. Mechanics might provide them for their work: Abbr. 4
36A 69. Modern modem inits. 3
37A 70. Maniacs, maybe 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "Melts in your mouth" candies ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Mattress or memo follower"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge
  • Similar words include: embellish, fill out, lodgings
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Maine city near the mouth of the Kennebec River"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
  • Similar words include: bathtub, bathing tub, bathroom
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BATH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Mama Morton of "Chicago," for one"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATRON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Meaning of "mono-""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Marco Polo made his way across it"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Much of Mali"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the world's largest desert (3,500,000 square miles) in northern africa
  • Similar words include: Sahara Desert
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAHARA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Meet and glance off a bumper, as a pool ball might"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a glancing rebound
  • Similar words include: carom, resile, bound
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICOCHET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Multicolored implements in many art drawers"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Markdown on Cyber Monday, e.g."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular instance of buying or selling
  • Similar words include: flock, allot, sight
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Maroon and mahogany, for two"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that spectacles that are darkened or polarized to protect the eyes from the glare of the sun
  • Similar words include: nuance, shade off, shade
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHADES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Man's "monkey suit""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that semiformal evening dress for men
  • Similar words include: black tie, tuxedo, dinner jacket
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Mom-to-aunt moniker"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a female person who has the same parents as another person
  • Similar words include: Si, Systeme International d'Unites, si
  • Opposite of: brother
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Muscular part of a marathoner"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
  • Similar words include: branch, wooden leg, pegleg
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Marshall Mathers ___ Eminem"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Met melody"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Make sure not to miss it!"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
  • Similar words include: pool cue, prompt, clue
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Made eyes at in the manner of a satyr"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that look at with amorous intentions
  • Similar words include: ogle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OGLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Marauder's Map encryption phrase in "Harry Potter""

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Minced-meat cake"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small flat mass of chopped food
  • Similar words include: cake
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PATTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Male meower"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (ethnic slur) offensive and derogatory name for a black man who is abjectly servile and deferential to whites
  • Similar words include: tomcat, turkey cock, tom turkey
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. "Mega cool!," in modern lingo"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that street names for marijuana
  • Similar words include: sess, skunk, smoke
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Multiple-choice selection on a midterm, say: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands
  • Similar words include: Associate in Nursing, autonomic nervous system, AN
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Making out openly or a mobile device, in brief"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lightweight consumer electronic device that looks like a hand-held computer but instead performs specific tasks; can serve as a diary or a personal database or a telephone or an alarm clock etc.
  • Similar words include: organizer, organiser, personal organizer
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. Modern-day name for the American Messenger Co."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Make free (of), maybe"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that relieve from
  • Similar words include: free, disembarrass
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Munificent man"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who has or gives or receives a part or a share
  • Similar words include: partaker
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHARER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Maximum measure of attractiveness, say"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sun (or solar disc) which was the deity of a monotheistic cult under the pharaoh akhenaten
  • Similar words include: Aton
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. M.L.B. M.V.P. nicknamed the "Commerce Comet""

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. Midwest state that's home to Moline"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a midwestern state in north-central united states
  • Similar words include: Land of Lincoln, Prairie State, IL
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILLINOIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. Many-toothed metal tool"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a handsaw for cutting with the grain of the wood
  • Similar words include: splitsaw
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIPSAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "65. Much-heard sound from a horse in motion"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound of a horse's hoofs hitting on a hard surface
  • Similar words include: clippety-clop, clip-clop, clump
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "66. Martial arts master Bruce"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

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: Lee Yuen Kam, lee side, Bruce Lee
  • Opposite of: windward
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "67. Maneuver a monoplane, e.g."

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that operate an airplane
  • Similar words include: pilot, fly
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVIATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "68. Mechanics might provide them for their work: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "69. Modern modem inits."

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a generic name for digital lines that are provided by telephone companies to their local subscribers and that carry data at high speeds
  • Similar words include: digital subscriber line
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DSL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "70. Maniacs, maybe"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an insane person
  • Similar words include: maniac, madman, lunatic
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MADMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Metric measurements: Abbr. 3
2D 2. Motorists make up this org. 3
3D 3. Maximum degree in math 3
4D 4. Molière's or Mamet's field 5
5D 5. Maxims discouraging misconduct 6
6D 6. Minor mishap 4
7D 7. Many a mailbox locale 5
8D 8. Marmot or marmoset 6
9D 9. Month multiplied by 120 6
10D 10. Musters support for, as a mission 5
11D 11. Men's tennis champ with a Presidential Medal of Freedom 4
12D 12. Measure of a membership 4
13D 13. Milliners manufacture them 4
14D 19. Milwaukie and Mount Hood are here 6
15D 21. Matter to mull over 5
16D 22. Malodorous Malaysian fruit 6
17D 23. Manifests in the material world 6
18D 25. Major metropolis on a bay of the same name 5
19D 27. Map word in Marseille 3
20D 29. Main man for Bill Clinton, 1993-2001 6
21D 30. Maintain, as movie footage 6
22D 31. Made a basic math calculation 5
23D 33. Magician's or marionettist's performance 3
24D 35. Movement of money digitally from bank to bank, in brief 3
25D 37. Meander mindlessly (about) 3
26D 39. Mild-mannered characteristic? 6
27D 40. Miss badly, maybe 5
28D 41. Music magnifier at a concert 3
29D 47. Made a mere 24 hours ago 6
30D 48. Military groups that meet in battle 6
31D 50. Mouth moistener 6
32D 52. Moves merrily 5
33D 53. Mobile stand at a meeting 5
34D 55. Meh ... or medium-temp 5
35D 56. Miniature maze runners 4
36D 57. Major misfortunes 4
37D 58. Medical mass 4
38D 59. Means of transport in a mine 4
39D 62. Musician Cooke who sang "You Send Me" 3
40D 63. Made a meal of 3
41D 64. Ming-Na of 1998's "Mulan" 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Metric measurements: Abbr."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metric unit of length equal to one thousandth of a meter
  • Similar words include: millimeter, millimetre, mm
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Motorists make up this org."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Maximum degree in math"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that last or greatest in an indefinitely large series
  • Similar words include: n-th
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Molière's or Mamet's field"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
  • Similar words include: dramatic event, dramatic play, play
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRAMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Maxims discouraging misconduct"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
  • Similar words include: morality, lesson, ethics
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Minor mishap"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sharp protuberance
  • Similar words include: rip, tear, rent
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Many a mailbox locale"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PORCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Marmot or marmoset"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
  • Similar words include: fleshly, beast, creature
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANIMAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Month multiplied by 120"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period of 10 years
  • Similar words include: decennary, X, 10
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DECADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Musters support for, as a mission"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
  • Similar words include: stake, rear, support
  • Opposite of: advance, front
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BACKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Men's tennis champ with a Presidential Medal of Freedom"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states tennis player who was the first black to win united states and english singles championships (1943-1993)
  • Similar words include: Arthur Ashe, Arthur Robert Ashe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Measure of a membership"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
  • Similar words include: level, grade, tier up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Milliners manufacture them"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
  • Similar words include: lid, hat, chapeau
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "19. Milwaukie and Mount Hood are here"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in northwestern united states on the pacific
  • Similar words include: Beaver State, OR
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREGON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Matter to mull over"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an important question that is in dispute and must be settled
  • Similar words include: yield, outcome, result
  • Opposite of: recall
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISSUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Malodorous Malaysian fruit"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tree of southeastern asia having edible oval fruit with a hard spiny rind
  • Similar words include: Durio zibethinus, durion, durian tree
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DURIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Manifests in the material world"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have an existence, be extant
  • Similar words include: exist, live, survive
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXISTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Major metropolis on a bay of the same name"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a resort city in western florida; located on tampa bay on the gulf of mexico
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAMPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Map word in Marseille"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Main man for Bill Clinton, 1993-2001"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Maintain, as movie footage"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Made a basic math calculation"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
  • Similar words include: append, tot, summate
  • Opposite of: subtract, take away
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADDED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Magician's or marionettist's performance"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
  • Similar words include: work, human activity, routine
  • Opposite of: refrain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Movement of money digitally from bank to bank, in brief"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a newt in its terrestrial stage of development
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Meander mindlessly (about)"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic free-floating anxiety and such symptoms as tension or sweating or trembling or lightheadedness or irritability etc that has lasted for more than six months
  • Similar words include: anxiety reaction, jazz around, generalized anxiety disorder
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Mild-mannered characteristic?"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a punctuation mark (-) used between parts of a compound word or between the syllables of a word when the word is divided at the end of a line of text
  • Similar words include: dash, hyphenate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYPHEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Miss badly, maybe"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feel sadness
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOURN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Music magnifier at a concert"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of electric current adopted under the systeme international d'unites
  • Similar words include: adenylic acid, A, adenosine monophosphate
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Made a mere 24 hours ago"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Military groups that meet in battle"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Mouth moistener"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches
  • Similar words include: spittle, spit
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALIVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. Moves merrily"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a gait in which steps and hops alternate
  • Similar words include: hop, cut, skip over
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKIPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "53. Mobile stand at a meeting"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an upright tripod for displaying something (usually an artist's canvas)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EASEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "55. Meh ... or medium-temp"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that moderately warm
  • Similar words include: halfhearted, half-hearted, lukewarm
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEPID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "56. Miniature maze runners"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
  • Similar words include: computer mouse, mouse, black eye
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "57. Major misfortunes"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
  • Similar words include: ill, ailment, complaint
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "58. Medical mass"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
  • Similar words include: curdle, coagulate, clog
  • Opposite of: homogenize
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Means of transport in a mine"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers
  • Similar words include: trolley car, tramway, tramcar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "62. Musician Cooke who sang "You Send Me""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
  • Similar words include: surface-to-air missile
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "63. Made a meal of"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "64. Ming-Na of 1998's "Mulan""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a common cyst of the skin; filled with fatty matter (sebum) that is secreted by a sebaceous gland that has been blocked
  • Similar words include: sebaceous cyst, steatocystoma, pilar cyst
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
78 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: September 02, 2026 at 08:00 AM

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 14, 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. Closest bud 3
2A 4. Put-up job 4
3A 8. Destination for some sci-fi travelers 4
4A 12. ___ and dear 4
5A 13. Magician's "Look at what I just did!" 4
6A 14. Supportive advocate, as for L.G.B.T.Q. rights 4
7A 15. Corrupting sorts, in an orchard metaphor 9
8A 17. Merest little chirp 4
9A 18. Folded French pancake 5
10A 19. ___ mode (in the fashionable style) 3
11A 20. Industry showcase 4
12A 21. Nightmares for nannies 12
13A 24. "We come in peace" speakers, in a sci-fi trope 6
14A 26. Youngest woman ever elected to Congress, familiarly 3
15A 27. + or – particle 3
16A 28. Word after twin, tanning or trundle 3
17A 31. Rapper ___ Rhymes 5
18A 35. Movie review site with a percentage rating scale 14
19A 39. Schnozzle 5
20A 40. Firefighter's tool 3
21A 41. Helpful posting at a trailhead 3
22A 42. "Stop, Look and Listen" spot, e.g., in brief 3
23A 44. Curiosity and Perseverance, for two 6
24A 47. Novelty dance with comical elbow-flapping 12
25A 52. Hasn't been canceled 4
26A 53. Stimpy's TV companion 3
27A 54. ___ peek 5
28A 57. State along a river of the same name 4
29A 58. Heading the wrong way ... or, interpreted culinarily, a hint to 15-, 21-, 35- and 47-Across 9
30A 60. Home in the woods 4
31A 61. Earring type 4
32A 62. Actress ___ Rachel Wood 4
33A 63. Half brother and rival of the goddess Athena 4
34A 64. Align 4
35A 65. Mo. with International Talk Like a Pirate Day 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Closest bud"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Put-up job"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
  • Similar words include: assume, shammer, fictive
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Destination for some sci-fi travelers"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time that has elapsed
  • Similar words include: retiring, past times, by
  • Opposite of: present, future
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "12. ___ and dear"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move towards
  • Similar words include: cheeseparing, nearly, virtually
  • Opposite of: far
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "13. Magician's "Look at what I just did!""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "14. Supportive advocate, as for L.G.B.T.Q. rights"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a friendly nation
  • Similar words include: friend
  • Opposite of: foe
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "15. Corrupting sorts, in an orchard metaphor"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "17. Merest little chirp"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the short weak cry of a young bird
  • Similar words include: cheep, chirp, chirrup
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "18. Folded French pancake"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "19. ___ mode (in the fashionable style)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

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!

11A: "20. Industry showcase"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a collection of things (goods or works of art etc.) for public display
  • Similar words include: exposition, exhibition
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXPO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "21. Nightmares for nannies"

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. "We come in peace" speakers, in a sci-fi trope"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
  • Similar words include: foreigner, estrange, extraterrestrial being
  • Opposite of: acquaintance, citizen
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Youngest woman ever elected to Congress, familiarly"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "27. + or – particle"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particle that is electrically charged (positive or negative); an atom or molecule or group that has lost or gained one or more electrons
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "28. Word after twin, tanning or trundle"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
  • Similar words include: bang, do it, hit the sack
  • Opposite of: turn out, get up
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Rapper ___ Rhymes"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Movie review site with a percentage rating scale"

14 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Schnozzle"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Firefighter's tool"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Helpful posting at a trailhead"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)
  • Similar words include: mathematical function, mapping, single-valued function
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. "Stop, Look and Listen" spot, e.g., in brief"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a protein manufactured exclusively by the prostate gland; psa is produced for the ejaculate where it liquifies the semen and allows sperm cells to swim freely; elevated levels of psa in blood serum are associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer
  • Similar words include: prostate specific antigen
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Curiosity and Perseverance, for two"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who leads a wandering unsettled life
  • Similar words include: bird of passage, rover, roamer
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROVERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Novelty dance with comical elbow-flapping"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "52. Hasn't been canceled"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "53. Stimpy's TV companion"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "54. ___ peek"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is regarded as underhanded and furtive and contemptible
  • Similar words include: sneaky, lift, hook
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNEAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "57. State along a river of the same name"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a midwestern state in north central united states in the great lakes region
  • Similar words include: OH, Ohio River, Buckeye State
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OHIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "58. Heading the wrong way ... or, interpreted culinarily, a hint to 15-, 21-, 35- and 47-Across"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. Home in the woods"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
  • Similar words include: snuggle, cuddle, draw close
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. Earring type"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a man who is virile and sexually active
  • Similar words include: scantling, dot, stud poker
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Actress ___ Rachel Wood"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Half brother and rival of the goddess Athena"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) greek god of war; son of zeus and hera; identified with roman mars
  • Similar words include: are, ar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Align"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make synchronous and adjust in time or manner
  • Similar words include: synchronize, synchronise
  • Opposite of: desynchronize, desynchronise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SYNC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Mo. with International Talk Like a Pirate Day"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following august and preceding october
  • Similar words include: Sept, September
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Campsite crasher in the Rockies 4
2D 2. Gradually blends with 9
3D 3. Chilled coffee drink 6
4D 4. Longtime NASCAR sponsor 3
5D 5. Special request for a flight meal 5
6D 6. Singer with the best-selling album "21" 5
7D 7. Ancient fortress overlooking the Dead Sea 6
8D 8. Slice of Life or nick of Time? 8
9D 9. Assistant with a whisper mode 5
10D 10. Gave it a rest? 5
11D 11. Writing wrongs 5
12D 12. Jimmy Fallon's network 3
13D 16. Underappreciated worker, say 4
14D 22. Library ID 4
15D 23. Tea with tapioca pearls 4
16D 24. Publicizes 4
17D 25. Lake bird with a laughing call 4
18D 29. When U R due 3
19D 30. Reveal private info about, in online lingo 3
20D 32. "The audacity!" 9
21D 33. Lachrymal unit 4
22D 34. Nile reptiles 4
23D 36. Traditional sumo hairstyles 8
24D 37. Online crafts bazaar 4
25D 38. Hired soldier, in slang 4
26D 43. Unlike the direction of this clue's answer 6
27D 45. "All right. What's the big deal?" 4
28D 46. Concert sites 6
29D 47. Shrek's beloved 5
30D 48. Escort 5
31D 49. Snap, crackle or pop 5
32D 50. Sizable 5
33D 51. For kicks and giggles 5
34D 55. "I need this immediately" 4
35D 56. "She's everything. He's just ___" ("Barbie" tagline) 3
36D 59. Public health agcy. 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Campsite crasher in the Rockies"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
  • Similar words include: wear, assume, behave
  • Opposite of: bull
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Gradually blends with"

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Chilled coffee drink"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that liqueur poured over shaved ice
  • Similar words include: ice
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRAPPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Longtime NASCAR sponsor"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that standard temperature and pressure
  • Similar words include: s.t.p.
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Special request for a flight meal"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (islam) meat from animals that have been slaughtered in the prescribed way according to the shariah
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HALAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Singer with the best-selling album "21""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Ancient fortress overlooking the Dead Sea"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Slice of Life or nick of Time?"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Assistant with a whisper mode"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Gave it a rest?"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be able to accommodate for sleeping
  • Similar words include: sleep, log Z's, kip
  • Opposite of: wake
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Writing wrongs"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind
  • Similar words include: typo, literal error, erratum
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TYPOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Jimmy Fallon's network"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "16. Underappreciated worker, say"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a laborer who is obliged to do menial work
  • Similar words include: galley slave, drudge, navvy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "22. Library ID"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Tea with tapioca pearls"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Publicizes"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that affected manners intended to impress others
  • Similar words include: airwave, melodic line, gentle wind
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Lake bird with a laughing call"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a worthless lazy fellow
  • Similar words include: birdbrain, addle-head, diver
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. When U R due"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Reveal private info about, in online lingo"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. "The audacity!""

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Lachrymal unit"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a drop of the clear salty saline solution secreted by the lacrimal glands
  • Similar words include: teardrop, rent, deplume
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Nile reptiles"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of southern europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
  • Similar words include: Egyptian cobra, asp viper, Vipera aspis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Traditional sumo hairstyles"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that headdress consisting of a decorative ribbon or bow worn in the hair
  • Similar words include: topknot
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOPKNOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Online crafts bazaar"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Hired soldier, in slang"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. Unlike the direction of this clue's answer"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to the opposite side
  • Similar words include: crossways, crosswise
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACROSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. "All right. What's the big deal?""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. Concert sites"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the scene of any event or action (especially the place of a meeting)
  • Similar words include: locus, locale, venue
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VENUES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Shrek's beloved"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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30D: "48. Escort"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that irish prelate who deduced from the bible that creation occurred in the year 4004 bc (1581-1656)
  • Similar words include: show, James Usher, James Ussher
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USHER

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31D: "49. Snap, crackle or pop"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
  • Similar words include: dissonance, disturbance, stochasticity
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOISE

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32D: "50. Sizable"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of a person) possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
  • Similar words include: goodish, sizable, healthy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEFTY

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33D: "51. For kicks and giggles"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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34D: "55. "I need this immediately""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that as soon as possible
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASAP

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35D: "56. "She's everything. He's just ___" ("Barbie" tagline)"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that range of what one can know or understand
  • Similar words include: sight, cognizance
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KEN

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36D: "59. Public health agcy."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a federal agency in the department of health and human services; located in atlanta; investigates and diagnoses and tries to control or prevent diseases (especially new and unusual diseases)
  • Similar words include: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CDC

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Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
36 Down Clues
71 Total Clues

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Last updated: July 14, 2026 at 05:43 AM