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
- Across Clues Table (28 clues)
- Across Clues - Detailed Hints
- Down Clues Table (35 clues)
- Down Clues - Detailed Hints
- Expert Solving Strategies
- Today's Puzzle Statistics
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. It's made with two fingers | 9 |
| 2A | 10. They're often taken in December | 11 |
| 3A | 12. Features of many romantic dramas | 13 |
| 4A | 14. "Follow me" | 4 |
| 5A | 15. Heart test, for short | 3 |
| 6A | 16. Subject of study | 4 |
| 7A | 18. Go heavy at the buffet, say | 6 |
| 8A | 21. Kind of car on a long-distance train | 6 |
| 9A | 23. The W.N.B.A.'s Dream, on scoreboards | 3 |
| 10A | 24. Requirement of some dress codes | 7 |
| 11A | 28. Tree of life, in Norse mythology | 3 |
| 12A | 29. Tire meas. | 3 |
| 13A | 30. Intimate footage | 7 |
| 14A | 31. Meadow | 3 |
| 15A | 32. Arrive suddenly and from a distance, metaphorically | 11 |
| 16A | 35. Big drink | 4 |
| 17A | 37. Unlikeable sorts | 5 |
| 18A | 38. Like a nepo baby's life, perhaps | 4 |
| 19A | 41. Things peddled | 5 |
| 20A | 43. B.C. winter hrs. | 3 |
| 21A | 44. Arizona State city | 5 |
| 22A | 45. Where Excalibur was forged | 6 |
| 23A | 47. North African fortress | 6 |
| 24A | 48. Access, as a profitable enterprise | 7 |
| 25A | 50. Potpourri bags | 7 |
| 26A | 51. Ones no longer in office? | 13 |
| 27A | 53. One of the "Golden Girls" of the 2024 Summer Olympics | 11 |
| 28A | 54. Puts one's money on the line | 9 |
Across Clues - Strategic Hints
1A: "1. It's made with two fingers"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEACESIGN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2A: "10. They're often taken in December"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SANTAPHOTOS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3A: "12. Features of many romantic dramas"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOVETRIANGLES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4A: "14. "Follow me""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
- Similar words include: number, get along, arrive
- Opposite of: leave, go
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COME
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5A: "15. Heart test, for short"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph
- Similar words include: EKG, electrocardiogram, cardiogram
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6A: "16. Subject of study"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
- Similar words include: sphere, arena, orbit
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AREA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7A: "18. Go heavy at the buffet, say"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOADUP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
8A: "21. Kind of car on a long-distance train"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the act of eating dinner
- Similar words include: din, dine, boom
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DINING
Remember this word for future puzzles!
9A: "23. The W.N.B.A.'s Dream, on scoreboards"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10A: "24. Requirement of some dress codes"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
- Similar words include: sleeve, arm
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEEVES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11A: "28. Tree of life, in Norse mythology"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the residue that remains when something is burned
- Similar words include: ash tree
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12A: "29. Tire meas."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a unit of pressure
- Similar words include: pounds per square inch
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PSI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13A: "30. Intimate footage"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEXTAPE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14A: "31. Meadow"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a unit of length of thread or yarn
- Similar words include: ley, grazing land, pasture
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15A: "32. Arrive suddenly and from a distance, metaphorically"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARACHUTEIN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16A: "35. Big drink"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a large and hurried swallow
- Similar words include: slog, draft, draught
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWIG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17A: "37. Unlikeable sorts"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an implement used in the practice of a vocation
- Similar words include: tool, creature, prick
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOOLS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18A: "38. Like a nepo baby's life, perhaps"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUSH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19A: "41. Things peddled"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that articles of the same kind or material; usually used in combination: `silverware', `software'
- Similar words include: war, consume, waste
- Opposite of: make peace
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WARES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20A: "43. B.C. winter hrs."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that standard time in the 8th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 120th meridian west; used in far western states of the united states
- Similar words include: Pacific Standard Time, Pacific Time
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PST
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21A: "44. Arizona State city"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEMPE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22A: "45. Where Excalibur was forged"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVALON
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23A: "47. North African fortress"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an older or native quarter of many cities in northern africa; the quarter in which the citadel is located
- Similar words include: kasbah
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CASBAH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24A: "48. Access, as a profitable enterprise"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GETINON
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25A: "50. Potpourri bags"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a small soft bag containing perfumed powder; used to perfume items in a drawer or chest
- Similar words include: sachet
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SACHETS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26A: "51. Ones no longer in office?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REMOTEWORKERS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27A: "53. One of the "Golden Girls" of the 2024 Summer Olympics"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIMONEBILES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28A: "54. Puts one's money on the line"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAKESABET
Remember this word for future puzzles!
Down Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | 1. Smoothed over, in a way | 5 |
| 2D | 2. Suffix with benz- | 3 |
| 3D | 3. QB stat: Abbr. | 3 |
| 4D | 4. Attention to detail | 4 |
| 5D | 5. "Totally awesome!" | 4 |
| 6D | 6. Screw or nail, to a Brit | 4 |
| 7D | 7. It's charged | 3 |
| 8D | 8. Texter's ta-ta | 3 |
| 9D | 9. "Oppenheimer" director | 5 |
| 10D | 10. Antagonists in 2013's "Captain Phillips" | 13 |
| 11D | 11. One-of-a-kind figures | 13 |
| 12D | 12. Takes badly? | 5 |
| 13D | 13. Faculty | 5 |
| 14D | 14. Show appreciation, in a way | 4 |
| 15D | 17. Honorific meaning "elder brother" | 4 |
| 16D | 19. Losing team in the "Miracle on Ice" | 4 |
| 17D | 20. Fold | 5 |
| 18D | 21. Govt. divisions | 5 |
| 19D | 22. "That's clear now" | 4 |
| 20D | 25. Many a private investigator | 5 |
| 21D | 26. Community spirit | 5 |
| 22D | 27. Gymnastics event | 5 |
| 23D | 33. Minor issue? | 8 |
| 24D | 34. Greenland expanse | 8 |
| 25D | 35. Stylish confidence | 4 |
| 26D | 36. Show indecision | 5 |
| 27D | 39. Short rows | 5 |
| 28D | 40. Nervous laughs | 4 |
| 29D | 42. County next to Napa | 6 |
| 30D | 44. Take on, or take down | 6 |
| 31D | 46. Violating the rules | 5 |
| 32D | 47. Beer brand from Trinidad and Tobago | 5 |
| 33D | 49. Goose named for its call | 4 |
| 34D | 50. Buckwheat noodle | 4 |
| 35D | 52. Maryland governor Moore | 3 |
Down Clues - Strategic Hints
1D: "1. Smoothed over, in a way"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that cover with a material such as stone or concrete to make suitable for vehicle traffic
- Similar words include: pave
- Opposite of: unpaved
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAVED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2D: "2. Suffix with benz-"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the compass point midway between northeast and east
- Similar words include: east northeast
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3D: "3. QB stat: Abbr."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4D: "4. Attention to detail"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
- Similar words include: tending, fear, upkeep
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5D: "5. "Totally awesome!""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
- Similar words include: epic poem, heroic, heroic poem
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPIC
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6D: "6. Screw or nail, to a Brit"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a strong coarse tobacco that has been shredded
- Similar words include: fuck, piece of tail, nookie
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHAG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7D: "7. It's charged"
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!
8D: "8. Texter's ta-ta"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GTG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
9D: "9. "Oppenheimer" director"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOLAN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10D: "10. Antagonists in 2013's "Captain Phillips""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOMALIPIRATES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11D: "11. One-of-a-kind figures"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERIALNUMBERS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12D: "12. Takes badly?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that goods or money obtained illegally
- Similar words include: pillage, clams, dinero
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOTS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13D: "13. Faculty"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a general conscious awareness
- Similar words include: good sense, feel, smell
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENSE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14D: "14. Show appreciation, in a way"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a sudden very loud noise
- Similar words include: clack, applaud, gonorrhoea
- Opposite of: boo
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLAP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15D: "17. Honorific meaning "elder brother""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that title for a civil or military leader (especially in turkey)
- Similar words include: Aga
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGHA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16D: "19. Losing team in the "Miracle on Ice""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a former communist country in eastern europe and northern asia; established in 1922; included russia and 14 other soviet socialist republics (ukraine and byelorussia and others); officially dissolved 31 december 1991
- Similar words include: Russia, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Soviet Union
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USSR
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17D: "20. Fold"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any of various types of fold formed by doubling fabric back upon itself and then pressing or stitching into shape
- Similar words include: ruffle, plait, plicate
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLEAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18D: "21. Govt. divisions"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEPTS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19D: "22. "That's clear now""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISEE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20D: "25. Many a private investigator"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXCOP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21D: "26. Community spirit"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETHOS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22D: "27. Gymnastics event"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a burial chamber (usually underground)
- Similar words include: overleap, burial vault, hurdle
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VAULT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23D: "33. Minor issue?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGELIMIT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24D: "34. Greenland expanse"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICESHEET
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25D: "35. Stylish confidence"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that valuable goods
- Similar words include: sag, pillage, droop
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWAG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26D: "36. Show indecision"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that someone who communicates by waving
- Similar words include: fluctuate, flicker, flitter
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAVER
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27D: "39. Short rows"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a quarrel about petty points
- Similar words include: bicker, fuss, bickering
- Opposite of: boo
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPATS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28D: "40. Nervous laughs"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEHS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29D: "42. County next to Napa"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONOMA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30D: "44. Take on, or take down"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the person who plays that position on a football team
- Similar words include: take on, rigging, fishing rig
- Opposite of: unharness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TACKLE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31D: "46. Violating the rules"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOTOK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
32D: "47. Beer brand from Trinidad and Tobago"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a member of an american indian peoples of northeastern south america and the lesser antilles
- Similar words include: Carib Indian, Caribbean language
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARIB
Remember this word for future puzzles!
33D: "49. Goose named for its call"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NENE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
34D: "50. Buckwheat noodle"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOBA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
35D: "52. Maryland governor Moore"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WES
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
28 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
63 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.
