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Monday, April 27, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 27, 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. Paths for lobbed tennis balls 4
2A 5. Tribe of Arizona 4
3A 9. Flinch, say 5
4A 14. Short blast from a horn 4
5A 15. Actor McGregor of "Trainspotting" 4
6A 16. Han Solo's response to Leia's "I love you" 5
7A 17. Singer's recovery period 9
8A 19. "Catch my drift?" 5
9A 20. Shop 5
10A 21. Spot for a soak 3
11A 23. Dear ___ (letter start) 3
12A 24. Pumice or basalt 12
13A 29. Chemical that speeds up a fruit's aging process 7
14A 32. Film director Coen 5
15A 33. "Our Lips ___ Sealed" (hit by the Go-Go's) 3
16A 34. Youngest woman ever elected to Congress, familiarly 3
17A 36. Betraying surprise, in a way 5
18A 39. Spinoff of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" 15
19A 44. Big name in microprocessors 5
20A 45. "Who's Who in the Cast" blurb 3
21A 46. Tie-breaking periods, for short 3
22A 47. How a picture book may be read at bedtime 5
23A 50. ___ of hand (magician's skill) 7
24A 53. Congressional history 12
25A 56. Palindrome akin to "Aha!" 3
26A 57. Work well together 3
27A 58. Florida's ___-Dade County 5
28A 62. Jousting weapon 5
29A 65. Device worn by a video gamer ... or a hint to 17-, 24-, 39- and 53-Across 9
30A 68. Basic piano chord 5
31A 69. Notes of indebtedness 4
32A 70. Gets eyes on 4
33A 71. Sends frisky messages 5
34A 72. Strong soapmaking solutions 4
35A 73. Like bourbon 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Paths for lobbed tennis balls"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
  • Similar words include: arc, bow, spark
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Tribe of Arizona"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the shoshonean people of northeastern arizona
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOPI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Flinch, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

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!

4A: "14. Short blast from a horn"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blast of a horn
  • Similar words include: carousal, beep, booze-up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Actor McGregor of "Trainspotting""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Han Solo's response to Leia's "I love you""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Singer's recovery period"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. "Catch my drift?""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Shop"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
  • Similar words include: computer storage, memory board, put in
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Spot for a soak"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body
  • Similar words include: tubful, bath, bathing tub
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Dear ___ (letter start)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

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!

12A: "24. Pumice or basalt"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. Chemical that speeds up a fruit's aging process"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. Film director Coen"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. "Our Lips ___ Sealed" (hit by the Go-Go's)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
  • Similar words include: equal, ar, be
  • Opposite of: differ
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Youngest woman ever elected to Congress, familiarly"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Betraying surprise, in a way"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Spinoff of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills""

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "44. Big name in microprocessors"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "45. "Who's Who in the Cast" blurb"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "46. Tie-breaking periods, for short"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. How a picture book may be read at bedtime"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that using the voice; not silently
  • Similar words include: loud, loudly, out loud
  • Opposite of: softly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "50. ___ of hand (magician's skill)"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that adroitness in using the hands
  • Similar words include: manual dexterity, dexterity
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "53. Congressional history"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "56. Palindrome akin to "Aha!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "57. Work well together"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "58. Florida's ___-Dade County"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the extinct algonquian people formerly living in northern indiana and southern michigan
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIAMI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "62. Jousting weapon"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
  • Similar words include: spear, shaft, fizgig
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LANCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "65. Device worn by a video gamer ... or a hint to 17-, 24-, 39- and 53-Across"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "68. Basic piano chord"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
  • Similar words include: trine, trey, triple
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "69. Notes of indebtedness"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal debt instrument; representing `i owe you'
  • Similar words include: IOU
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "70. Gets eyes on"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
  • Similar words include: fancy, take in, understand
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "71. Sends frisky messages"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fourth of the seven canonical hours; about noon
  • Similar words include: sext
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEXTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "72. Strong soapmaking solutions"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide
  • Similar words include: lye
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "73. Like bourbon"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Four-wheelers, in brief 4
2D 2. Word before beer or after square 4
3D 3. Pixar film with the Oscar-winning song "Remember Me" 4
4D 4. "Feed a cold, ___ a fever" (dubious medical advice) 6
5D 5. That girl 3
6D 6. Have debts 3
7D 7. Many an Olive Garden entree 5
8D 8. Sounding good, as a musical instrument 6
9D 9. 18-wheeler 3
10D 10. Barely get (by) 3
11D 11. Snack with celery, peanut butter and raisins 10
12D 12. "Peanuts" or "Pickles" 5
13D 13. Do some booty-shaking 5
14D 18. Spinks who defeated Muhammad Ali 4
15D 22. One-eighth of a byte 3
16D 25. Titular Shakespearean king 4
17D 26. Remove outer parts from, as a photo 4
18D 27. Burn until black 4
19D 28. Prego alternative 4
20D 29. Sitar virtuoso Shankar 4
21D 30. Tehran's land 4
22D 31. Grammy-winning a cappella group famous for their Christmas albums 10
23D 35. Chicago slugger 3
24D 37. "Late Night" host Meyers 4
25D 38. "Hey! Over here!" 4
26D 40. Place to purchase pastrami 4
27D 41. North Carolina university 4
28D 42. Catchall category: Abbr. 4
29D 43. Sport on a horse 4
30D 48. Sheepskin boot brand 3
31D 49. Role for Mike Myers in the Austin Powers movies 6
32D 51. Columnist Bombeck 4
33D 52. Doubling-down assertion 6
34D 53. Battery measure 5
35D 54. Chicago airport 5
36D 55. "The Jetsons" boy 5
37D 59. On the waves 4
38D 60. Gentle and submissive 4
39D 61. ___-bitsy 4
40D 63. Garfield in the funny pages, e.g. 3
41D 64. Magazine bigwigs, in brief 3
42D 66. Gradation of color 3
43D 67. Letter before tee 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Four-wheelers, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Word before beer or after square"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
  • Similar words include: rootage, theme, ancestor
  • Opposite of: descendant
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Pixar film with the Oscar-winning song "Remember Me""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tall palm tree bearing coconuts as fruits; widely planted throughout the tropics
  • Similar words include: coco palm, cocoa palm, coconut tree
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COCO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "Feed a cold, ___ a fever" (dubious medical advice)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be hungry; go without food
  • Similar words include: hunger, famish, lust
  • Opposite of: feed, be full
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STARVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. That girl"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Have debts"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be obliged to pay or repay
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Many an Olive Garden entree"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dish that contains pasta as its main ingredient
  • Similar words include: alimentary paste
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PASTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Sounding good, as a musical instrument"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. 18-wheeler"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gear (including necessary machinery) for a particular enterprise
  • Similar words include: fishing rig, semi, set
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Barely get (by)"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Snack with celery, peanut butter and raisins"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "Peanuts" or "Pickles""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a professional performer who tells jokes and performs comical acts
  • Similar words include: risible, funny, amusing
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Do some booty-shaking"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Spinks who defeated Muhammad Ali"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a historical area and former kingdom in northwestern spain
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. One-eighth of a byte"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece or quantity of something
  • Similar words include: seize with teeth, scrap, morsel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Titular Shakespearean king"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that british artist and writer of nonsense verse (1812-1888)
  • Similar words include: Edward Lear, King Lear
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Remove outer parts from, as a photo"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the yield from plants in a single growing season
  • Similar words include: dress, craw, cut back
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CROP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Burn until black"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a charred substance
  • Similar words include: cleaning lady, woman, sear
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Prego alternative"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Sitar virtuoso Shankar"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Tehran's land"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a theocratic islamic republic in the middle east in western asia; iran was the core of the ancient empire that was known as persia until 1935; rich in oil
  • Similar words include: Persia, Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Grammy-winning a cappella group famous for their Christmas albums"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Chicago slugger"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward and inexperienced youth
  • Similar words include: greenhorn, sonny, lad
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. "Late Night" host Meyers"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) third son of adam and eve; given by god in place of the murdered abel
  • Similar words include: Set
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SETH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. "Hey! Over here!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Place to purchase pastrami"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shop selling ready-to-eat food products
  • Similar words include: delicatessen, food shop
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. North Carolina university"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Catchall category: Abbr."

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Sport on a horse"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that venetian traveler who explored asia in the 13th century and served kublai khan (1254-1324)
  • Similar words include: Marco Polo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Sheepskin boot brand"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Role for Mike Myers in the Austin Powers movies"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Columnist Bombeck"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Doubling-down assertion"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Battery measure"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is 1 watt; equivalent to the potential difference across a resistance of 1 ohm when 1 ampere of current flows through it
  • Similar words include: volt, V
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VOLTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Chicago airport"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. "The Jetsons" boy"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "59. On the waves"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in the direction of the sea
  • Similar words include: seaward, seawards
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "60. Gentle and submissive"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
  • Similar words include: modest, spiritless, mild
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "61. ___-bitsy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "63. Garfield in the funny pages, e.g."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
  • Similar words include: computerized tomography, computed axial tomography, barf
  • Opposite of: keep down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "64. Magazine bigwigs, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rapid automatic system to detect plastic explosives in passengers' luggage using x-ray technology and computers; designed for use in airports
  • Similar words include: male erecticle dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, ED
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "66. Gradation of color"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
  • Similar words include: imbue, chromaticity
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "67. Letter before tee"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons
  • Similar words include: einsteinium, Es, atomic number 99
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESS

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

35 Across Clues
43 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: April 27, 2026 at 06:14 AM

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Sunday's NYT Down Dec 21 - Full Vertical Grid Solutions

NYT Down Clues Answers December 21, 2025 - All 71 Vertical Solutions & Expert Hints

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 71 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: April 11 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | November 09 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | NYT Down Crossword October 15 2025 |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for December 21, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Sunday, December 21, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 21, 2025
Day of Week Sunday
Total Down Clues 71 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Easy

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 71 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. Make furious
2 Down 2. "The Family Circus" cartoonist Bil ___
3 Down 3. Tennis line judge's ruling
4 Down 4. Duke Ellington classic with the lyric "That was my heart serenading you"
5 Down 5. West side of L.A.?
6 Down 6. "Is there still time for me to join you?"
7 Down 7. 51 to the hour
8 Down 8. Stage direction
9 Down 9. Phillipa of Broadway
10 Down 10. Grammy winner Erykah
11 Down 11. ___ Gorman, "The Hill We Climb" poet
12 Down 12. Copy
13 Down 13. Iced-tea-and-lemonade refreshments
14 Down 14. Spending romp
15 Down 15. Output of certain mining
16 Down 16. Counterpart of a sub
17 Down 17. Fast start?
18 Down 18. Father, familiarly
19 Down 19. Mentally overpower, with "out"
20 Down 28. Like most moccasins
21 Down 29. Great Dane of cartoons, informally
22 Down 33. More livid
23 Down 37. Keister, in Leicester
24 Down 39. 2015 chart-topping hit for the Weeknd
25 Down 40. Symbolic for its time
26 Down 41. Shoe company with an iconic checkerboard design
27 Down 42. Descendant
28 Down 43. Apple: Fr.
29 Down 44. Is without
30 Down 47. Rabid in appearance
31 Down 50. Woman's nickname that sounds like two letters
32 Down 51. Rice-A-___
33 Down 52. "Borderlands" director ___ Roth
34 Down 53. Hiding place
35 Down 55. Gene pools?
36 Down 57. Org. with its own alphabet
37 Down 61. Abbr. not found on most smartphones
38 Down 63. "Aren't ___ lucky one?!"
39 Down 66. It has a lot of secretaries
40 Down 67. Shirt collar stiffener
41 Down 69. Where to find six "presents" in this puzzle?
42 Down 71. Knock 'em dead
43 Down 72. Coolidge who sang the theme for "Octopussy"
44 Down 73. Just getting started with
45 Down 74. Green shade
46 Down 75. What Joe Montana was in the '80s
47 Down 76. A TD scores six of these
48 Down 77. "Fancy, that!"
49 Down 78. Prickly denizen of coral reefs
50 Down 80. Famed lawyer in the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial
51 Down 81. Most minimal
52 Down 84. Some Korean exports
53 Down 86. Calmed deceptively
54 Down 88. Baseball slugger's stat
55 Down 90. Bird used to deliver messages on "Game of Thrones"
56 Down 92. Blueprints
57 Down 97. Author Zora Neale ___
58 Down 98. Noodled on, with "over"
59 Down 100. Girlfriend in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
60 Down 101. Informant
61 Down 103. "Ta-ta!"
62 Down 104. Tricky pool shot
63 Down 106. Someone enjoying a walk in the park
64 Down 108. Mentally with it
65 Down 109. ___ four
66 Down 110. Fits one inside the other
67 Down 112. Porcine : pigs :: cervine : ___
68 Down 113. Essential
69 Down 117. It might be good for a change
70 Down 119. One who knows the drill?: Abbr.
71 Down 120. Teslas, e.g., for short

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues

Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:

Complete Down Solutions:


1 Down: "1. Make furious"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: S___M
  • Similar words: steamer, steam clean
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: water at boiling temperature diffused in the atmosphere
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer STEAM


2 Down: "2. "The Family Circus" cartoonist Bil ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: K___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KEANE


3 Down: "3. Tennis line judge's ruling"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: I___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ITSIN


4 Down: "4. Duke Ellington classic with the lyric "That was my heart serenading you""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 14 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P____________S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PRELUDETOAKISS


5 Down: "5. West side of L.A.?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LOS


6 Down: "6. "Is there still time for me to join you?""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A_____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AMILATE


7 Down: "7. 51 to the hour"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: N______T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NINEPAST


8 Down: "8. Stage direction"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: E___R
  • Similar words: embark, participate
  • Opposite of: exit
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: to come or go into
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ENTER


9 Down: "9. Phillipa of Broadway"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SOO


10 Down: "10. Grammy winner Erykah"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: B__U
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BADU


11 Down: "11. ___ Gorman, "The Hill We Climb" poet"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: A____A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AMANDA


12 Down: "12. Copy"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: M____R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MIRROR


13 Down: "13. Iced-tea-and-lemonade refreshments"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 13 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A___________S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARNOLDPALMERS


14 Down: "14. Spending romp"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S___E
  • Similar words: fling
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a brief indulgence of your impulses
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SPREE


15 Down: "15. Output of certain mining"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: O__S
  • Similar words: ore
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ORES


16 Down: "16. Counterpart of a sub"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'M'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DOM


17 Down: "17. Fast start?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 12 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: A__________Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ASHWEDNESDAY


18 Down: "18. Father, familiarly"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: O____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OLDMAN


19 Down: "19. Mentally overpower, with "out""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: P___H
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PSYCH


20 Down: "28. Like most moccasins"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: S____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLIPON


21 Down: "29. Great Dane of cartoons, informally"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'B'
  • Word pattern: S___B
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCOOB


22 Down: "33. More livid"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: I____R
  • Similar words: irate, ireful
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: feeling or showing extreme anger
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IRATER


23 Down: "37. Keister, in Leicester"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A__E
  • Similar words: rear, tush
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARSE


24 Down: "39. 2015 chart-topping hit for the Weeknd"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 14 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C____________E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CANTFEELMYFACE


25 Down: "40. Symbolic for its time"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: O_____A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OFANERA


26 Down: "41. Shoe company with an iconic checkerboard design"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: V__S
  • Similar words: van, new wave
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer VANS


27 Down: "42. Descendant"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: S___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a descendent or heir
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCION


28 Down: "43. Apple: Fr."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer POMME


29 Down: "44. Is without"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: H___T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HASNT


30 Down: "47. Rabid in appearance"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'G'
  • Word pattern: F______G
  • Similar words: form bubbles, fizz
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: become bubbly or frothy or foaming
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FROTHING


31 Down: "50. Woman's nickname that sounds like two letters"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: E__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EVIE


32 Down: "51. Rice-A-___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: R__I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RONI


33 Down: "52. "Borderlands" director ___ Roth"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'I'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ELI


34 Down: "53. Hiding place"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'N'
  • Similar words: hideaway, hideout
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the habitation of wild animals
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DEN


35 Down: "55. Gene pools?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: D______S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DNABANKS


36 Down: "57. Org. with its own alphabet"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: N__O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NATO


37 Down: "61. Abbr. not found on most smartphones"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: O__R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OPER


38 Down: "63. "Aren't ___ lucky one?!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: I__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ITHE


39 Down: "66. It has a lot of secretaries"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: C_____T
  • Similar words: locker, console
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CABINET


40 Down: "67. Shirt collar stiffener"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S__Y
  • Similar words: stick, remain
  • Opposite of: depart
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: continuing or remaining in a place or state
  • This is Down clue number 40

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer STAY


41 Down: "69. Where to find six "presents" in this puzzle?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 12 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: U__________E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 41

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer UNDERTHETREE


42 Down: "71. Knock 'em dead"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S__Y
  • Similar words: dispatch, hit
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: kill intentionally and with premeditation
  • This is Down clue number 42

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLAY


43 Down: "72. Coolidge who sang the theme for "Octopussy""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: R__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 43

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RITA


44 Down: "73. Just getting started with"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: N___T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 44

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NEWAT


45 Down: "74. Green shade"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O___E
  • Similar words: Olea europaea
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 45

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OLIVE


46 Down: "75. What Joe Montana was in the '80s"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: N___R
  • Similar words: ennead, IX
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
  • This is Down clue number 46

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NINER


47 Down: "76. A TD scores six of these"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: platinum, Pt
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 47

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PTS


48 Down: "77. "Fancy, that!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'H'
  • Similar words: aah
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
  • This is Down clue number 48

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OOH


49 Down: "78. Prickly denizen of coral reefs"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 13 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: P___________H
  • Similar words: porcupine fish, Diodon hystrix
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 49

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PORCUPINEFISH


50 Down: "80. Famed lawyer in the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 14 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: C____________W
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 50

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CLARENCEDARROW


51 Down: "81. Most minimal"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: B____T
  • Similar words: simple, scanty
  • Opposite of: sheathed
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: completely unclothed
  • This is Down clue number 51

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BAREST


52 Down: "84. Some Korean exports"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: K__S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 52

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KIAS


53 Down: "86. Calmed deceptively"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: L____D
  • Similar words: calm, tranquilize
  • Opposite of: agitate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: calm by deception
  • This is Down clue number 53

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LULLED


54 Down: "88. Baseball slugger's stat"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: R__S
  • Similar words: rbi, run batted in
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a run that is the result of the batter's performance
  • This is Down clue number 54

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RBIS


55 Down: "90. Bird used to deliver messages on "Game of Thrones""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: R___N
  • Similar words: Corvus corax, predate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 55

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RAVEN


56 Down: "92. Blueprints"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: S______A
  • Similar words: scheme, schema
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 56

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCHEMATA


57 Down: "97. Author Zora Neale ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: H_____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 57

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HURSTON


58 Down: "98. Noodled on, with "over""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: M____D
  • Similar words: reflect, think over
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: reflect deeply on a subject
  • This is Down clue number 58

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MULLED


59 Down: "100. Girlfriend in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 59

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLOANE


60 Down: "101. Informant"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S____E
  • Similar words: author, rootage
  • Opposite of: sink
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the place where something begins
  • This is Down clue number 60

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SOURCE


61 Down: "103. "Ta-ta!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: S___A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 61

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SEEYA


62 Down: "104. Tricky pool shot"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: M___E
  • Similar words: masse shot
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 62

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MASSE


63 Down: "106. Someone enjoying a walk in the park"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: H___R
  • Similar words: tramper, tramp
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 63

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HIKER


64 Down: "108. Mentally with it"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: S___P
  • Similar words: shrill, precipitous
  • Opposite of: dull
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 64

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SHARP


65 Down: "109. ___ four"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: P___T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 65

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PETIT


66 Down: "110. Fits one inside the other"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: N___S
  • Similar words: nestle, cuddle
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 66

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NESTS


67 Down: "112. Porcine : pigs :: cervine : ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: D__R
  • Similar words: cervid
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 67

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DEER


68 Down: "113. Essential"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: N__D
  • Similar words: necessitate, call for
  • Opposite of: obviate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a condition requiring relief
  • This is Down clue number 68

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NEED


69 Down: "117. It might be good for a change"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
  • Similar words: dyestuff
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 69

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DYE


70 Down: "119. One who knows the drill?: Abbr."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 70

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SGT


71 Down: "120. Teslas, e.g., for short"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: electron volt, eV
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 71

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EVS

Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues

Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Down Clues?

  • Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
  • Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
  • Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
  • Down answers often help solve Across clues

Down Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically

Time-Saving Down Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Down first Get a mental map of the vertical flow
Fill short Down words 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors
Use crossing letters Across letters help confirm Down answers
Look for themes Related Down answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues

What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?

Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.

Should I solve Down or Across clues first?

Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 71 Down clues.

Are Down clues easier than Across clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.

How do Down clues interact with Across clues?

Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 21, 2025 at 05:15 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, December 21 2025 down clues