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Wednesday, September 16, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 16, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Important info to have while you're waiting in a cellphone lot, for short 3
2A 4. Fall or fell 6
3A 10. Cause of a sudden change in interest, informally? 4
4A 14. Close 4
5A 15. Pho soup garnishes 7
6A 16. Conduit of neural signals 4
7A 17. Early models 10
8A 19. Relative of a gull 4
9A 20. "Ain't gonna happen" 4
10A 21. Big bang cause 3
11A 22. Chilling 5
12A 24. The remotest of remote jobs? 9
13A 27. Kid 5
14A 28. Supermodel Banks 4
15A 29. Break into loud cheers, as a crowd 5
16A 31. Answer to "Who's ready to go?" 3
17A 33. Broadcast 3
18A 35. Uno + due 3
19A 36. Mononymous Irish singer 4
20A 37. Animated film that was the highest-grossing movie of 1992 7
21A 41. "Impossible!" 7
22A 43. Hibernation spots 4
23A 44. Dip target, maybe 3
24A 46. Things entered in a sudoku grid: Abbr. 3
25A 47. Messy dorm room, figuratively 3
26A 48. Fruits often seen in still lifes 5
27A 50. Take back, for short 4
28A 53. City haze 4
29A 55. Canine guard? 8
30A 57. Dishwasher cycle 5
31A 59. "A form of madness," it's said 3
32A 60. Actress Pinkett Smith of "Girls Trip" 4
33A 62. Singer/songwriter Mitchell 4
34A 63. Fruits named after a mythical drink 10
35A 66. Noted cartoon dog 5
36A 67. Its first video, "Me at the zoo," has over 400 million views 7
37A 68. State whose outline can be made by connecting seven particular squares in this puzzle 4
38A 69. Valley 4
39A 70. Give a once-over 6
40A 71. Crafty 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Important info to have while you're waiting in a cellphone lot, for short"

3 letters Category: Common Word

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: Basque Homeland and Freedom, Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Fatherland and Liberty
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Fall or fell"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fall down, as if collapsing
  • Similar words include: tip, tumble
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOPPLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Cause of a sudden change in interest, informally?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Close"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
  • Similar words include: closed, exclude, shut out
  • Opposite of: admit, open
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Pho soup garnishes"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any new growth of a plant such as a new branch or a bud
  • Similar words include: bourgeon, stock, sprout
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPROUTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Conduit of neural signals"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that long nerve fiber that conducts away from the cell body of the neuron
  • Similar words include: axone
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Early models"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a standard or typical example
  • Similar words include: prototype, image, paradigm
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROTOTYPES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Relative of a gull"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small slender gull having narrow wings and a forked tail
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TERN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. "Ain't gonna happen""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Big bang cause"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that explosive consisting of a yellow crystalline compound that is a flammable toxic derivative of toluene
  • Similar words include: trinitrotoluene
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Chilling"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. The remotest of remote jobs?"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person trained to travel in a spacecraft
  • Similar words include: cosmonaut, spaceman
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASTRONAUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Kid"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a young person (especially a young man or boy)
  • Similar words include: young, early days, spring chicken
  • Opposite of: aged
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YOUTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Supermodel Banks"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Break into loud cheers, as a crowd"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that start abruptly
  • Similar words include: flare, belch, burst
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERUPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Answer to "Who's ready to go?""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Broadcast"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
  • Similar words include: air out, melodic phrase, air travel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Uno + due"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Mononymous Irish singer"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. Animated film that was the highest-grossing movie of 1992"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in the arabian nights a boy who acquires a magic lamp from which he can summon a genie
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALADDIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. "Impossible!""

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Hibernation spots"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Dip target, maybe"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Things entered in a sudoku grid: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known
  • Similar words include: No, no, nobelium
  • Opposite of: yes
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Messy dorm room, figuratively"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Fruits often seen in still lifes"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sweet juicy gritty-textured fruit available in many varieties
  • Similar words include: pear tree, pear, Pyrus communis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. Take back, for short"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. City haze"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Canine guard?"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fee charged in advance to retain the services of someone
  • Similar words include: consideration, servant
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETAINER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Dishwasher cycle"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a liquid preparation used on wet hair to give it a tint
  • Similar words include: rinsing, wash, gargle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RINSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "59. "A form of madness," it's said"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
  • Similar words include: warfare, state of war
  • Opposite of: make peace, peace
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Actress Pinkett Smith of "Girls Trip""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. Singer/songwriter Mitchell"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "63. Fruits named after a mythical drink"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that variety or mutation of the peach bearing fruit with smooth skin and (usually) yellow flesh
  • Similar words include: Prunus persica nectarina, nectarine tree, nectarine
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NECTARINES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. Noted cartoon dog"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cartoon character created by walt disney
  • Similar words include: Aides, Aidoneus, Hades
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLUTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "67. Its first video, "Me at the zoo," has over 400 million views"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. State whose outline can be made by connecting seven particular squares in this puzzle"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in the western united states; settled in 1847 by mormons led by brigham young
  • Similar words include: Mormon State, Beehive State, UT
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "69. Valley"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrow secluded valley (in the mountains)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "70. Give a once-over"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of
  • Similar words include: value, appraise, tax
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASSESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "71. Crafty"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Channel with "2" and "U" spinoffs 4
2D 2. Pharynx setting 6
3D 3. Post-mortem 7
4D 4. General on a Chinese menu 3
5D 5. Decide one will 5
6D 6. Hester of "The Scarlet Letter" 6
7D 7. Grab-and-go breakfast option 7
8D 8. Guitar relative 4
9D 9. Gas brand seen in Edward Hopper's "Portrait of Orleans" 4
10D 10. Betting odds, e.g. 5
11D 11. Concern for a gymnastics judge 9
12D 12. Certain pickleball shot 8
13D 13. Greenwich Village's Stonewall, e.g. 3
14D 18. Groups of four 7
15D 23. Paper competing with the W.S.J. 3
16D 25. Debugger? 4
17D 26. Remedy for a missed exit 5
18D 30. Lowly worker 4
19D 32. Farm sound 3
20D 34. Ready to eat 4
21D 36. Small hound that doesn't bark 7
22D 37. What a premium subscription may help you avoid 3
23D 38. "Time to go!" 8
24D 39. Very soon 9
25D 40. By 4
26D 42. What "Coco" is a nickname for, for tennis's Coco Gauff 4
27D 45. Military hairstyles 8
28D 48. Family-friendly movie ratings 3
29D 49. The Sphinx, for one 6
30D 51. Classic comic strip that's the source for nine Emmys and two Tonys 7
31D 52. Folding a fitted sheet, it may seem 6
32D 54. Edible bulb 5
33D 56. Many Moroccans 5
34D 58. Mononymous Irish singer 4
35D 61. Grayish 4
36D 62. Profile pic format, in brief 3
37D 64. Dawn deity 3
38D 65. In medias ___ 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Channel with "2" and "U" spinoffs"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Pharynx setting"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone
  • Similar words include: pharynx
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THROAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Post-mortem"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an examination and dissection of a dead body to determine cause of death or the changes produced by disease
  • Similar words include: post-mortem, PM, post-mortem examination
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AUTOPSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. General on a Chinese menu"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Decide one will"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Hester of "The Scarlet Letter""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Grab-and-go breakfast option"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Guitar relative"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a substance for packing a joint or coating a porous surface to make it impervious to gas or liquid
  • Similar words include: luting
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Gas brand seen in Edward Hopper's "Portrait of Orleans""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Betting odds, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the relative magnitudes of two quantities (usually expressed as a quotient)
  • Similar words include: proportion
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RATIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Concern for a gymnastics judge"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that putting a condemned person to death
  • Similar words include: instruction execution, writ of execution, execution of instrument
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXECUTION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Certain pickleball shot"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (sports) a return made with the palm of the hand facing the direction of the stroke (as in tennis or badminton or squash)
  • Similar words include: forehanded, forehand stroke, forehand shot
  • Opposite of: backhand
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOREHAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Greenwich Village's Stonewall, e.g."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Groups of four"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
  • Similar words include: IV, tetrad, quaternity
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TETRADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Paper competing with the W.S.J."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Debugger?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sudden short attack
  • Similar words include: foray, bust, maraud
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Remedy for a missed exit"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "30. Lowly worker"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "32. Farm sound"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by a cow or bull
  • Similar words include: low
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "34. Ready to eat"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
  • Similar words include: mature, good, advanced
  • Opposite of: green
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "36. Small hound that doesn't bark"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small smooth-haired breed of african origin having a tightly curled tail and the inability to bark
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASENJI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "37. What a premium subscription may help you avoid"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public promotion of some product or service
  • Similar words include: ad, advert, advertizing
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "38. "Time to go!""

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Very soon"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. By"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move towards
  • Similar words include: dear, draw near, approach
  • Opposite of: far
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. What "Coco" is a nickname for, for tennis's Coco Gauff"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Military hairstyles"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "48. Family-friendly movie ratings"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "49. The Sphinx, for one"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sculpture representing a human or animal
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STATUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "51. Classic comic strip that's the source for nine Emmys and two Tonys"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an insignificant sum of money; a trifling amount
  • Similar words include: peanut, goober, peanut vine
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEANUTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "52. Folding a fitted sheet, it may seem"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a severe or trying experience
  • Similar words include: trial by ordeal
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORDEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "54. Edible bulb"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bulb of an onion plant
  • Similar words include: onion plant, Allium cepa
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "56. Many Moroccans"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a semitic people originally from the arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks arabic and who inhabits much of the middle east and northern africa
  • Similar words include: Arab, Arabian
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. Mononymous Irish singer"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "61. Grayish"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of a light grey
  • Similar words include: ash-grey, ash-gray
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASHY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "62. Profile pic format, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "64. Dawn deity"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) the winged goddess of the dawn in ancient mythology; daughter of hyperion; identified with roman aurora
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "65. In medias ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a widely distributed system consisting of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal particles etc, except for certain white blood cells
  • Similar words include: Re, rhenium, re
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RES

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

40 Across Clues
38 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: September 16, 2026 at 08:43 AM

Sunday, August 16, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 16, 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: Moderate

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. Work parodied by Umberto Eco's "Granita" 6
2A 7. Subject of Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" 3
3A 10. One's opponents 4
4A 14. Uncool 4
5A 18. Untold 6
6A 19. Down Under runners 4
7A 21. Caramel-filled candy 4
8A 22. Word following bear or honey 4
9A 23. _ATSO_ and _EKYL_ 21
10A 27. Astonished, informally 5
11A 28. With 45-Across, many a correspondent 3
12A 29. Do business 7
13A 30. Uncle, in Uruguay 3
14A 31. Water nymph of Greek myth 5
15A 33. Poet's Muse 5
16A 34. Memorial ___ Kettering (New York City medical facility) 5
17A 36. _RAVES 19
18A 41. It may be petrified 6
19A 42. Acknowledge 5
20A 43. El ___, Tex. 4
21A 44. Sass 3
22A 45. See 28-Across 3
23A 47. Eggy quaff 3
24A 48. Trudge 4
25A 50. Approaching 4
26A 54. Some funerary selections 4
27A 56. SAG_ 16
28A 60. Stands for speakers 5
29A 62. Preserver of freshness 4
30A 63. Sent 6
31A 64. Place for a sailor's anchor, informally 5
32A 67. Hunk 4
33A 70. Disapproving syllables 4
34A 72. It may be mental 5
35A 73. Out, in a way 6
36A 75. "That's cool, man" 4
37A 77. Words that may open doors 5
38A 79. _NIGHT 16
39A 83. Learning method 4
40A 87. Guard, as a goal 4
41A 88. Get rid of 4
42A 89. "Yadda, yadda" 3
43A 90. Squeaker ... or squealer 3
44A 92. Home improvement initials 3
45A 93. Italian wine city 4
46A 95. Fiber also known as viscose 5
47A 97. Toddler's jumping spot on a rainy day 6
48A 99. FRAN_ 19
49A 104. More reasonable 5
50A 105. Interprets 5
51A 106. Suspended musical instruments 5
52A 107. Vein contents 3
53A 108. Calm 7
54A 111. Title that becomes loftier when an E is added 3
55A 112. Escort to a penthouse, say 5
56A 116. _IALO_ 21
57A 120. Even 4
58A 121. Carry on 4
59A 122. Tender cut 4
60A 123. Pie portions, shapewise 6
61A 124. Crones 4
62A 125. Gas brand that sounds like two letters of the alphabet 4
63A 126. Invention originally developed as a yellow dye 3
64A 127. Refuse to budge 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Work parodied by Umberto Eco's "Granita""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sexually precocious young girl
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOLITA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Subject of Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that estrangement from god
  • Similar words include: wickedness, sine, sinfulness
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. One's opponents"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Uncool"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who doesn't understand what is going on
  • Similar words include: halt, cripple, halting
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "18. Untold"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "19. Down Under runners"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various systems of units for measuring electricity and magnetism
  • Similar words include: emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, electromagnetic unit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "21. Caramel-filled candy"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "22. Word following bear or honey"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
  • Similar words include: sand trap, maw, ambuscade
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "23. _ATSO_ and _EKYL_"

21 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOCTORSWITHOUTBORDERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "27. Astonished, informally"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
  • Similar words include: excite, shake off, agitate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOOK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "28. With 45-Across, many a correspondent"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
  • Similar words include: write, penitentiary, compose
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "29. Do business"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.
  • Similar words include: operate on, run, manoeuvre
  • Opposite of: malfunction, disengage
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPERATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Uncle, in Uruguay"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Water nymph of Greek myth"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that submerged aquatic plant having narrow leaves and small flowers; of fresh or brackish water
  • Similar words include: water nymph
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAIAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. Poet's Muse"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Memorial ___ Kettering (New York City medical facility)"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. _RAVES"

19 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEEDSNOINTRODUCTION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "41. It may be petrified"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone whose style is out of fashion
  • Similar words include: fogy, dodo, fogey
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOSSIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "42. Acknowledge"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "43. El ___, Tex."

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. Sass"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
  • Similar words include: backtalk, back talk, rim
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. See 28-Across"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "47. Eggy quaff"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface
  • Similar words include: peg
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. Trudge"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of walking with a slow heavy gait
  • Similar words include: footslog, trudge, tramp
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Approaching"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
  • Similar words include: nearly, virtually, near
  • Opposite of: far
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIGH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. Some funerary selections"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large vase that usually has a pedestal or feet
  • Similar words include: urn
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: URNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "56. SAG_"

16 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "60. Stands for speakers"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
  • Similar words include: stump, soapbox, podium
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PODIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "62. Preserver of freshness"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
  • Similar words include: Navy SEAL, sealing wax, stamp
  • Opposite of: unseal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "63. Sent"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
  • Similar words include: intoxicate, uplift, pick up
  • Opposite of: dejected, depress
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "64. Place for a sailor's anchor, informally"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "67. Hunk"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that block consisting of a thick piece of something
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "70. Disapproving syllables"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that utter `tsk,' `tut,' or `tut-tut,' as in disapproval
  • Similar words include: tsk, tut, tut-tut
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "72. It may be mental"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an iconic mental representation
  • Similar words include: picture, figure of speech, figure
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "73. Out, in a way"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in a state of sleep
  • Similar words include: gone, at rest, numb
  • Opposite of: awake
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASLEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "75. "That's cool, man""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "77. Words that may open doors"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "79. _NIGHT"

16 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "83. Learning method"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that memorization by repetition
  • Similar words include: rote learning
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "87. Guard, as a goal"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
  • Similar words include: run, incline, lean
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "88. Get rid of"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage
  • Similar words include: molt, cast, throw
  • Opposite of: persistent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "89. "Yadda, yadda""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "90. Squeaker ... or squealer"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
  • Similar words include: dirty dog, shop, scum bag
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "92. Home improvement initials"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "93. Italian wine city"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "95. Fiber also known as viscose"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a synthetic silklike fabric
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAYON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "97. Toddler's jumping spot on a rainy day"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mixture of wet clay and sand that can be used to line a pond and that is impervious to water when dry
  • Similar words include: addle, make, pool
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUDDLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "99. FRAN_"

19 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOTCOMPLETELYHONEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "104. More reasonable"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mentally healthy; free from mental disorder
  • Similar words include: reasonable, sane
  • Opposite of: insane
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SANER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "105. Interprets"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that is read
  • Similar words include: register, understand, take
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: READS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "106. Suspended musical instruments"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
  • Similar words include: tam-tam, bell, gong
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GONGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "107. Vein contents"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "108. Calm"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "111. Title that becomes loftier when an E is added"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that term of address for a man
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "112. Escort to a penthouse, say"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "116. _IALO_"

21 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNLIMITEDTALKANDTEXTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "120. Even"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord
  • Similar words include: fastened, splice, trussed
  • Opposite of: untied, untie
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "121. Carry on"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
  • Similar words include: mouth off, blah, fustian
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "122. Tender cut"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cut of meat taken from the side and back of an animal between the ribs and the rump
  • Similar words include: lumbus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "123. Pie portions, shapewise"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any shape that is triangular in cross section
  • Similar words include: hoagie, sub, wedge heel
  • Opposite of: dislodge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEDGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "124. Crones"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ugly evil-looking old woman
  • Similar words include: hagfish, beldame, crone
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "125. Gas brand that sounds like two letters of the alphabet"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63A: "126. Invention originally developed as a yellow dye"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that explosive consisting of a yellow crystalline compound that is a flammable toxic derivative of toluene
  • Similar words include: trinitrotoluene
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64A: "127. Refuse to budge"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
  • Similar words include: importune, assert, take a firm stand
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INSIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Striplings 4
2D 2. Texter's "Then again ..." 4
3D 3. Bananas 4
4D 4. Chants 7
5D 5. Briefly swam 8
6D 6. Home to more than 1,500 languages: Abbr. 3
7D 7. Affixed, as a patch 7
8D 8. "Let's do this!" 4
9D 9. Macadamia, for one 3
10D 10. Closely following 6
11D 11. Racing vehicle 6
12D 12. Napoleon exile site 4
13D 13. No longer relevant 4
14D 14. Inc., abroad 3
15D 15. Childish comeback 6
16D 16. Maid of Sherwood Forest 6
17D 17. Many a printer 5
18D 20. Consequences of supply chain problems 9
19D 24. Cross 4
20D 25. Dizzying gallery works 5
21D 26. Pauses while playing 5
22D 32. Treasure or desert follower 6
23D 33. Ewoks' home moon 5
24D 35. Job that may involve jumping through hoops 9
25D 36. Form of detective fiction 4
26D 37. Channel for gaming enthusiasts? 4
27D 38. Actress Skye 4
28D 39. Words after check, follow or catch 4
29D 40. Bum 5
30D 41. Reason to take a shot 3
31D 46. Some odoriferous gifts 4
32D 48. Smartphone predecessors, for short 4
33D 49. Female rapper with a longtime feud with Foxy Brown 6
34D 51. "Diminutive" Greek letter 4
35D 52. Nickname that omits "-ory" 4
36D 53. London park 4
37D 55. Chemistry test? 9
38D 57. Travel bag 6
39D 58. Bag 3
40D 59. Not very favorable, as some 84-Down 4
41D 61. Car with a stylized lightning bolt logo 4
42D 64. Thai money 4
43D 65. "Gotcha" 4
44D 66. Group with a tartan 4
45D 68. It may drive one to distraction, in brief 4
46D 69. Thumbnail, maybe 3
47D 71. A-lister 4
48D 74. Sauce traditionally made in a mortar 5
49D 76. Steal 9
50D 78. Attach with a click 6
51D 80. Carpenter's spacer 4
52D 81. Ophthalmology concerns 5
53D 82. Green sci. 4
54D 84. 2 to 5, say 4
55D 85. Infraction at an arcade 4
56D 86. ___ of Horus (Egyptian symbol of healing) 3
57D 91. Element used in bulb filaments 8
58D 94. "Shoo!" 5
59D 95. Display some emotion, perhaps 5
60D 96. Member of the N.F.L.'s "Big Blue," in brief 7
61D 98. Prepares to puree, perhaps, as papayas 7
62D 99. Fantasy realm ruled by King Caspian 6
63D 100. Feature of Anthony Robles, a 2011 N.C.A.A. national champion wrestler 6
64D 101. Shows pride in one's appearance, in a way 6
65D 102. Result in 6
66D 103. Producer of a call to arms 4
67D 104. Go ___ (fail) 5
68D 109. Poop 4
69D 110. School grps. 4
70D 111. Hide 4
71D 113. Vet 4
72D 114. Western Indians 4
73D 115. Subtle summons 4
74D 117. Fingers 3
75D 118. Park place? 3
76D 119. Road recklessness of a sort, for short 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Striplings"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a boy or man
  • Similar words include: sonny boy, cub, lad
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Texter's "Then again ...""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Bananas"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
  • Similar words include: buggy, fruity, around the bend
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOCO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Chants"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically
  • Similar words include: tone, chant, intone
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INTONES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Briefly swam"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Home to more than 1,500 languages: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Affixed, as a patch"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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8D: "8. "Let's do this!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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9D: "9. Macadamia, for one"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that usually large hard-shelled seed
  • Similar words include: fruitcake, nut case, crackpot
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NUT

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10D: "10. Closely following"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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11D: "11. Racing vehicle"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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12D: "12. Napoleon exile site"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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13D: "13. No longer relevant"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hypothetical case that law students argue as an exercise
  • Similar words include: consider, arguable, debate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOOT

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14D: "14. Inc., abroad"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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15D: "15. Childish comeback"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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16D: "16. Maid of Sherwood Forest"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to or venerating the virgin mary
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARIAN

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17D: "17. Many a printer"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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18D: "20. Consequences of supply chain problems"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the property of being an amount by which something is less than expected or required
  • Similar words include: deficit, dearth, shortfall
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHORTAGES

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19D: "24. Cross"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the complete duration of something
  • Similar words include: twosome, pair, duad
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAN

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20D: "25. Dizzying gallery works"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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21D: "26. Pauses while playing"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something left after other parts have been taken away
  • Similar words include: residue, lie, catch one's breath
  • Opposite of: be active, change
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESTS

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22D: "32. Treasure or desert follower"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLAND

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23D: "33. Ewoks' home moon"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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24D: "35. Job that may involve jumping through hoops"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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25D: "36. Form of detective fiction"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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26D: "37. Channel for gaming enthusiasts?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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27D: "38. Actress Skye"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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28D: "39. Words after check, follow or catch"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "40. Bum"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that ask for and get free; be a parasite
  • Similar words include: bum, scrounge, schnorr
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CADGE

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30D: "41. Reason to take a shot"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acute febrile highly contagious viral disease
  • Similar words include: grippe, influenza
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLU

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31D: "46. Some odoriferous gifts"

4 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: wreath, coronal, lei
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Smartphone predecessors, for short"

4 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: personal organiser, PDA, personal organizer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PDAS

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33D: "49. Female rapper with a longtime feud with Foxy Brown"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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34D: "51. "Diminutive" Greek letter"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
  • Similar words include: whit, smidgin, shred
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOTA

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35D: "52. Nickname that omits "-ory""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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36D: "53. London park"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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37D: "55. Chemistry test?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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38D: "57. Travel bag"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small overnight bag for short trips
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VALISE

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39D: "58. Bag"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the tcp/ip network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
  • Similar words include: earnings, web, profit
  • Opposite of: gross
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "59. Not very favorable, as some 84-Down"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take off weight
  • Similar words include: reduce, slenderize, svelte
  • Opposite of: gain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLIM

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41D: "61. Car with a stylized lightning bolt logo"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that german industrialist who was the first in germany to use an assembly line in manufacturing automobiles (1871-1948)
  • Similar words include: Wilhelm von Opel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "64. Thai money"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in thailand
  • Similar words include: tical
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "65. "Gotcha""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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44D: "66. Group with a tartan"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that group of people related by blood or marriage
  • Similar words include: tribe, kindred, kinship group
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "68. It may drive one to distraction, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
  • Similar words include: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADD, minimal brain damage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADHD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46D: "69. Thumbnail, maybe"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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47D: "71. A-lister"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48D: "74. Sauce traditionally made in a mortar"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sauce typically served with pasta; contains crushed basil leaves and garlic and pine nuts and parmesan cheese in olive oil
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PESTO

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49D: "76. Steal"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50D: "78. Attach with a click"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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51D: "80. Carpenter's spacer"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thin wedge of material (wood or metal or stone) for driving into crevices
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52D: "81. Ophthalmology concerns"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
  • Similar words include: eye infection, sty, hordeolum
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53D: "82. Green sci."

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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54D: "84. 2 to 5, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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55D: "85. Infraction at an arcade"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a combat between two mounted knights tilting against each other with blunted lances
  • Similar words include: disputation, arguing, list
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TILT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56D: "86. ___ of Horus (Egyptian symbol of healing)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the organ of sight
  • Similar words include: middle, oculus, center
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57D: "91. Element used in bulb filaments"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
  • Similar words include: atomic number 74, W, wolfram
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUNGSTEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58D: "94. "Shoo!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that leave immediately; used usually in the imperative form
  • Similar words include: buzz off, get, fuck off
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCRAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59D: "95. Display some emotion, perhaps"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that show a response or a reaction to something
  • Similar words include: respond, oppose
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60D: "96. Member of the N.F.L.'s "Big Blue," in brief"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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61D: "98. Prepares to puree, perhaps, as papayas"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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62D: "99. Fantasy realm ruled by King Caspian"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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63D: "100. Feature of Anthony Robles, a 2011 N.C.A.A. national champion wrestler"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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64D: "101. Shows pride in one's appearance, in a way"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that clean with one's bill
  • Similar words include: dress, primp, congratulate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PREENS

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65D: "102. Result in"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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66D: "103. Producer of a call to arms"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
  • Similar words include: trumpet, saddle horn, tusk
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HORN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67D: "104. Go ___ (fail)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the region of the united states lying to the south of the mason-dixon line
  • Similar words include: Dixie, Confederate States, Confederate States of America
  • Opposite of: north
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOUTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68D: "109. Poop"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hoop that covers a wheel
  • Similar words include: tire out, wear upon, wear
  • Opposite of: interest, refresh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

69D: "110. School grps."

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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70D: "111. Hide"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
  • Similar words include: shin, scrape, peel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71D: "113. Vet"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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72D: "114. Western Indians"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the shoshonean people of utah and colorado and new mexico
  • Similar words include: Ute
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

73D: "115. Subtle summons"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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74D: "117. Fingers"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in the rocky mountains
  • Similar words include: Idaho, ID, Gem State
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

75D: "118. Park place?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
  • Similar words include: set, mickle, mint
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

76D: "119. Road recklessness of a sort, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

64 Across Clues
76 Down Clues
140 Total Clues

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Last updated: August 16, 2026 at 04:04 AM