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Friday, July 31, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 31, 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. Withholding something? 3
2A 4. It'll pass! 3
3A 7. Silent type 4
4A 11. Sex work? 9
5A 14. Screen name 4
6A 15. Tennis feat involving four consecutive major tournament wins in two calendar years 10
7A 16. Grime 4
8A 17. Honey, for example 7
9A 18. Energy source for distance runners 3
10A 20. World Economic Forum, e.g., for short 3
11A 21. Tripping 5
12A 22. Style secured with a scrunchie 8
13A 24. Tobiko or masago 3
14A 25. Twists of fate, say 11
15A 28. Pharyngitis docs 4
16A 30. Exuding joy 9
17A 31. Went hell for leather 4
18A 33. Cry when shaking hands 4
19A 34. "This is too much" 9
20A 37. Blind component 4
21A 41. Wiseacre 11
22A 43. What a closed fist with an extended index finger represents, in A.S.L. 3
23A 44. Where to be above all the drama? 8
24A 45. Pierre : French :: ___ : Russian 5
25A 47. Maryland governor Moore 3
26A 48. Perspective, for short 3
27A 49. Casual Friday option 7
28A 51. Result of a shopping spree 4
29A 53. Highly flexible discipline? 10
30A 55. Brazilian state whose name is a unit of measurement 4
31A 56. Relative of a tumbler 9
32A 57. Cuisine with tom kha kai 4
33A 58. Business with lockers 3
34A 59. All good 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Withholding something?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government
  • Similar words include: assess, task, revenue enhancement
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. It'll pass!"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
  • Similar words include: cult, furor, craze
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "7. Silent type"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an actor who communicates entirely by gesture and facial expression
  • Similar words include: mummer, pantomimer, mimer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "11. Sex work?"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (hinduism) an ancient sanskrit text giving rules for sensuous and sensual pleasure and love and marriage in accordance with hindu law
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAMASUTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Screen name"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "15. Tennis feat involving four consecutive major tournament wins in two calendar years"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERENASLAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "16. Grime"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
  • Similar words include: scandal, grease, grunge
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIRT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "17. Honey, for example"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "18. Energy source for distance runners"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colloid in a more solid form than a sol
  • Similar words include: colloidal gel, mousse, gelatin
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. World Economic Forum, e.g., for short"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "21. Tripping"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "22. Style secured with a scrunchie"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hair style that draws the hair back so that it hangs down in back of the head like a pony's tail
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PONYTAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. Tobiko or masago"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
  • Similar words include: hard roe
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "25. Twists of fate, say"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Pharyngitis docs"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Exuding joy"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Went hell for leather"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
  • Similar words include: buck, torus, charge
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Cry when shaking hands"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. "This is too much""

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. Blind component"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thin strip (wood or metal)
  • Similar words include: spline
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Wiseacre"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. What a closed fist with an extended index finger represents, in A.S.L."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Where to be above all the drama?"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Pierre : French :: ___ : Russian"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Maryland governor Moore"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Perspective, for short"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. Casual Friday option"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a canvas shoe with a pliable rubber sole
  • Similar words include: canary, stoolpigeon, snitcher
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNEAKER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "51. Result of a shopping spree"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of drawing or hauling something
  • Similar words include: haulage, drag, catch
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAUL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "53. Highly flexible discipline?"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AERIALYOGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Brazilian state whose name is a unit of measurement"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in english-speaking countries
  • Similar words include: Accho, Akka, Akko
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "56. Relative of a tumbler"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "57. Cuisine with tom kha kai"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of thailand
  • Similar words include: Siamese, Tai, Central Thai
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "58. Business with lockers"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
  • Similar words include: watering hole, resort hotel, watering place
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "59. All good"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: determine, readiness, rig
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Palm-sized pastry 7
2D 2. Assenting chorus 5
3D 3. Shangri-La 6
4D 4. Make one 4
5D 5. Seat of Fulton County: Abbr. 3
6D 6. British counterpart to "Shark Tank" 10
7D 7. Just OK, in modern lingo 3
8D 8. "Mind. Blown." 7
9D 9. Part of Fermat's copy of "Arithmetica" where he wrote his Last Theorem 7
10D 10. Glorifies 6
11D 11. Into 6
12D 12. Tech mogul Altman 3
13D 13. Change for a bill 9
14D 15. Reproductive part of a fern 5
15D 19. Youngest Bennet sister in "Pride and Prejudice" 5
16D 22. Patrick, to SpongeBob 3
17D 23. Rings 5
18D 26. Venue for events that guests are always on board to attend? 9
19D 27. Some all-nighters 10
20D 29. "Yellow Submarine" lead vocalist 5
21D 32. Ready to go 5
22D 34. Censure, in a way 7
23D 35. Formal pause in a line of poetry 7
24D 36. Certain shot, colloquially 3
25D 38. "Heads up!" 7
26D 39. Insect product in the salad yum khai mod daeng 6
27D 40. ___ incognita 5
28D 41. "And ...?" 6
29D 42. Brief periods 6
30D 46. Self-congratulation 5
31D 49. Hindu deity depicted with four arms 4
32D 50. Denial in Aberdeen 3
33D 52. Chain that can symbolize friendship 3
34D 54. Genre for Logic 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Palm-sized pastry"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small tart usually used as a canape
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TARTLET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Assenting chorus"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a primeval egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at thebes
  • Similar words include: Amon, Amun, Amen
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Shangri-La"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Make one"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an electrical device that can interrupt the flow of electrical current when it is overloaded
  • Similar words include: mix, primer, commingle
  • Opposite of: defuse
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Seat of Fulton County: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. British counterpart to "Shark Tank""

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRAGONSDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Just OK, in modern lingo"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that used in combination to denote the middle
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. "Mind. Blown.""

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Part of Fermat's copy of "Arithmetica" where he wrote his Last Theorem"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
  • Similar words include: security deposit, allowance, leeway
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARGINS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Glorifies"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that praise, glorify, or honor
  • Similar words include: exalt, extol, glorify
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXTOLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Into"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Tech mogul Altman"

3 letters 💭 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!

13D: "13. Change for a bill"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of amending or correcting
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMENDMENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Reproductive part of a fern"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small usually single-celled asexual reproductive body produced by many nonflowering plants and fungi and some bacteria and protozoans and that are capable of developing into a new individual without sexual fusion
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Youngest Bennet sister in "Pride and Prejudice""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ancient region on the coast of western asia minor; a powerful kingdom until conquered by the persians in 546 bc
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYDIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Patrick, to SpongeBob"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
  • Similar words include: chum, crony, pal up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Rings"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fee levied for the use of roads or bridges (used for maintenance)
  • Similar words include: toll, bell, cost
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOLLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Venue for events that guests are always on board to attend?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Some all-nighters"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an occasion of spending a night away from home or having a guest spend the night in your home (especially as a party for children)
  • Similar words include: sleepover
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEEPOVERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. "Yellow Submarine" lead vocalist"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rock star and drummer for the beatles (born in 1940)
  • Similar words include: Ringo Starr, Starkey, Richard Starkey
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STARR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Ready to go"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Censure, in a way"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that challenge the honesty or veracity of
  • Similar words include: criminate, accuse, incriminate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPEACH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Formal pause in a line of poetry"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pause or interruption (as in a conversation)
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAESURA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Certain shot, colloquially"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. "Heads up!""

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
  • Similar words include: watch, observation post, spotter
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOKOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Insect product in the salad yum khai mod daeng"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. ___ incognita"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. "And ...?""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "42. Brief periods"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
  • Similar words include: spell, trance, tour
  • Opposite of: unspell
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPELLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Self-congratulation"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Hindu deity depicted with four arms"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the destroyer; one of the three major divinities in the later hindu pantheon
  • Similar words include: Shiva
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Denial in Aberdeen"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Chain that can symbolize friendship"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
  • Similar words include: garland, chaplet, wreath
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "54. Genre for Logic"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
  • Similar words include: blame, whang, strike
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAP

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

34 Across Clues
34 Down Clues
68 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: July 31, 2026 at 06:27 AM

Saturday, February 21, 2026

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

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Look to give nothing away? 10
2A 11. European city on the Bay of Angels 4
3A 15. Film subgenre exemplified by "The Thing" or "The Fly" 10
4A 16. Like some fixations 4
5A 17. It gets folded and pressed 10
6A 18. Split in two 4
7A 19. Posts on Insta 3
8A 20. The third primary chakra is located just above it 5
9A 21. Foundations of many dad jokes 4
10A 22. "Right, right, right" 4
11A 24. Yom Kippur topic 3
12A 25. Certain slip-on 6
13A 27. Merely hinted at 5
14A 29. Author of "The Fisherman and His Flute" 5
15A 31. Clip-on mic, for short 3
16A 32. Many great athletes play with it 4
17A 34. Architect's tool 7
18A 36. A cow can produce about 200 pounds of it a year 7
19A 39. In pieces 7
20A 40. Items of some import? 7
21A 41. Rachel ___, author of "Heated Rivalry" 4
22A 42. Savory latke topping 3
23A 43. Sidney who directed "12 Angry Men" 5
24A 45. "Quiet, you!" 5
25A 49. Formula 1 star, e.g. 6
26A 51. Shade similar to avocado 3
27A 53. "Sick!" 4
28A 54. On a chain, say 4
29A 55. A lot of paperwork 5
30A 57. The W.N.B.A.'s Mercury, on scoreboards 3
31A 58. Steps to a lively tune 4
32A 59. How low can you go? 10
33A 61. "Right now!" 4
34A 62. What roller coasters are designed to do 10
35A 63. Flat earth? 4
36A 64. Item for purchase with a question mark on its side 10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Look to give nothing away?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLANKSTARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "11. European city on the Bay of Angels"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in southeastern france on the mediterranean; the leading resort on the french riviera
  • Similar words include: skillful, decent, gracious
  • Opposite of: nasty
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. Film subgenre exemplified by "The Thing" or "The Fly""

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BODYHORROR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Like some fixations"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an examination conducted by spoken communication
  • Similar words include: unwritten, oral exam, oral examination
  • Opposite of: anal, aboral
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. It gets folded and pressed"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tortilla that is filled with cheese and heated
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: QUESADILLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Split in two"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cutlery used for serving and eating food
  • Similar words include: branch, crotch, forking
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Posts on Insta"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chest in which coins from the mint are held to await assay
  • Similar words include: pix chest, pyx, pyx chest
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. The third primary chakra is located just above it"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a scar where the umbilical cord was attached
  • Similar words include: omphalus, belly button, omphalos
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Foundations of many dad jokes"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a humorous play on words
  • Similar words include: paronomasia, pun, wordplay
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. "Right, right, right""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Yom Kippur topic"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that estrangement from god
  • Similar words include: drop the ball, hell, boob
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Certain slip-on"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blanket-like cloak with a hole in the center for the head
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PONCHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Merely hinted at"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that implied by or inferred from actions or statements
  • Similar words include: understood, silent
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TACIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Author of "The Fisherman and His Flute""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that greek author of fables (circa 620-560 bc)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AESOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Clip-on mic, for short"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
  • Similar words include: lavatory, bathroom, can
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Many great athletes play with it"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hard coarse-grained siliceous sandstone
  • Similar words include: gritstone, backbone, gumption
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Architect's tool"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. A cow can produce about 200 pounds of it a year"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless odorless gas used as a fuel
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: METHANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. In pieces"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that widely separated especially in space
  • Similar words include: apart
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASUNDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Items of some import?"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Rachel ___, author of "Heated Rivalry""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that scottish philosopher of common sense who opposed the ideas of david hume (1710-1796)
  • Similar words include: Thomas Reid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Savory latke topping"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bluish translucent magnetic liquid obtained by compressing gaseous oxygen and then cooling it below its boiling point; used as an oxidizer in rocket propellants
  • Similar words include: liquid oxygen
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Sidney who directed "12 Angry Men""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. "Quiet, you!""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. Formula 1 star, e.g."

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the operator of a motor vehicle
  • Similar words include: number one wood, device driver
  • Opposite of: nondriver
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRIVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Shade similar to avocado"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that seed of a pea plant used for food
  • Similar words include: pea plant
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. "Sick!""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. On a chain, say"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. A lot of paperwork"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
  • Similar words include: organize, forge, variant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. The W.N.B.A.'s Mercury, on scoreboards"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. Steps to a lively tune"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that music in three-four time for dancing a jig
  • Similar words include: gigue, jig
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JIGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. How low can you go?"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROCKBOTTOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. "Right now!""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "62. What roller coasters are designed to do"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fill with sublime emotion
  • Similar words include: beatify, thrill, tickle pink
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXHILARATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "63. Flat earth?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that flat tableland with steep edges
  • Similar words include: table
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MESA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "64. Item for purchase with a question mark on its side"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MYSTERYBOX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Smoking spot 6
2D 2. Mrs. John Quincy Adams 6
3D 3. Campaign leader, informally 6
4D 4. Overseer of the Erie Canal, in brief 3
5D 5. "Star Trek" villain played by Ricardo Montalbán 4
6D 6. Some diner drinks 5
7D 7. They might have all the answers 10
8D 8. Pink-furred cat in "Garfield" 6
9D 9. With 26-Down, basic instruction to a dog 4
10D 10. New ___ (official cap maker for M.L.B.) 3
11D 11. Like a spoilsport 5
12D 12. Totally foolproof 8
13D 13. Many key changes take place in it 8
14D 14. Herd at Yellowstone 3
15D 21. It's a surprise, of course! 7
16D 23. Chinese symbol of prosperity 5
17D 25. Group of companions 5
18D 26. See 9-Down 4
19D 28. Followed surreptitiously 7
20D 30. Beginner's set 10
21D 33. Rack up 5
22D 35. Ruined 5
23D 36. Blend into one 4
24D 37. Free spirits? 8
25D 38. Hydrogen sulfide, e.g. 8
26D 44. Big times 6
27D 46. You might hear a hiss when it's pulled 6
28D 47. Defunct image editor 6
29D 48. Chile con carne cuisine 6
30D 50. Hornet genus 5
31D 52. Take a constitutional 5
32D 55. Cunning 4
33D 56. Go to the moon 4
34D 58. Play together, in a way 3
35D 59. Phase for dreamers 3
36D 60. "___ me!" 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Smoking spot"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Mrs. John Quincy Adams"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Campaign leader, informally"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Overseer of the Erie Canal, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mid-atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
  • Similar words include: Empire State, New York, NY
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "Star Trek" villain played by Ricardo Montalbán"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a title given to rulers or other important people in asian countries
  • Similar words include: caravansary, caravan inn, caravanserai
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KHAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Some diner drinks"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sodium salt of carbonic acid; used in making soap powders and glass and paper
  • Similar words include: sodium carbonate, sal soda, washing soda
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SODAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. They might have all the answers"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIVIATEAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Pink-furred cat in "Garfield""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. With 26-Down, basic instruction to a dog"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rotary motion of an object around its own axis
  • Similar words include: rolling, curlicue, range
  • Opposite of: unwind
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROLL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. New ___ (official cap maker for M.L.B.)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Like a spoilsport"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Totally foolproof"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wooden warship of the 19th century that is plated with iron or steel armor
  • Similar words include: brassbound
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRONCLAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Many key changes take place in it"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Herd at Yellowstone"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called `elk' in europe and `moose' in north america
  • Similar words include: moose, Alces alces, Cervus elaphus canadensis
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. It's a surprise, of course!"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Chinese symbol of prosperity"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one
  • Similar words include: Ashcan School, eighter from Decatur, eight-spot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Group of companions"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a temporary police force
  • Similar words include: posse comitatus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POSSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. See 9-Down"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch
  • Similar words include: ended, all over, complete
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Followed surreptitiously"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to lag or linger behind
  • Similar words include: chase after, tail, tag
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAILED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Beginner's set"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STARTERKIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Rack up"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to
  • Similar words include: obtain, find, receive
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCUR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Ruined"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect
  • Similar words include: loosen, undo, unmake
  • Opposite of: wrap, make
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNDID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Blend into one"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a form of rummy using two decks of cards and four jokers; jokers and deuces are wild; the object is to form groups of the same rank
  • Similar words include: flux, fuse, mix
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MELD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Free spirits?"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that expel through adjuration or prayers
  • Similar words include: exorcize
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXORCISE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Hydrogen sulfide, e.g."

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "44. Big times"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: date of reference, era, epoch
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPOCHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "46. You might hear a hiss when it's pulled"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "47. Defunct image editor"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. Chile con carne cuisine"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "50. Hornet genus"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that type genus of the vespidae: various hornets and yellow jackets
  • Similar words include: genus Vespa
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VESPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "52. Take a constitutional"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)
  • Similar words include: promenade, stroll, saunter
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMBLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "55. Cunning"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by skill in deception
  • Similar words include: sly, dodgy, guileful
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOXY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "56. Go to the moon"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of rising upward into the air
  • Similar words include: sailplane, zoom, soar upwards
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. Play together, in a way"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that preserve of crushed fruit
  • Similar words include: muddle, mess, ram
  • Opposite of: free
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "59. Phase for dreamers"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs; a state of rapidly shifting eye movements during sleep
  • Similar words include: paradoxical sleep, REM sleep, rapid eye movement sleep
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "60. "___ me!""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
  • Similar words include: test, render, sample
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRY

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

36 Across Clues
36 Down Clues
72 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 21, 2026 at 04:50 AM