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Thursday, August 13, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 13, 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. Take a quick turn 3
2A 4. Sound from a monitor 4
3A 8. One who's definitely not being invited to the party 6
4A 14. Letters indicating a texter's P.O.V. 3
5A 15. Fried side dish with catfish, perhaps 4
6A 16. Cough drop brand whose name is yodeled in its commercials 6
7A 17. Mafia members, e.g. 8
8A 19. Gave a talking to? 6
9A 20. Tiptoed, say 5
10A 21. Bamboozle 5
11A 23. Michigan, in Chicago: Abbr. 3
12A 24. Messenger 6
13A 26. Alimony recipients, say 9
14A 28. Boil ... or a sign of boiling 5
15A 30. Important travel info, in brief 4
16A 31. Dessert often eaten before the ides of March 3
17A 33. Hold up 5
18A 35. "Light" weapon 5
19A 39. Verbalized shivers 4
20A 41. Drinks at a pub 4
21A 43. Kind of bean used in Egyptian falafel 4
22A 44. ___ Ingebrigtsen, track gold medalist at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics 5
23A 46. Teary-eyed expression 5
24A 48. In need of training, say 3
25A 49. Collect over and over, as resources in a video game 4
26A 51. Pass, as time doing something 5
27A 53. 11th of a noted 12 8
28A 57. Was especially wintry 6
29A 60. Part of a slider 3
30A 61. ___ Roy, "Succession" role for which Kieran Culkin won an Emmy 5
31A 63. "It is not enough to be industrious; ___ the ants": Henry David Thoreau 5
32A 64. Smallest member of the genus Lynx 6
33A 66. Evaluating, as an opponent ... or a hint to "fitting" the answers to the italicized clues into the grid 8
34A 68. Uncommon color on the red carpet 6
35A 69. Draw together, as brows 4
36A 70. Decline cookies, say, with "out" 3
37A 71. Soaked up the sun 6
38A 72. ___ Pictures (media giant) 4
39A 73. Last term in a math lecture series? 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Take a quick turn"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an angular shape characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions
  • Similar words include: zig, zigzag
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Sound from a monitor"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short high tone produced as a signal or warning
  • Similar words include: blare, toot, claxon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. One who's definitely not being invited to the party"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is rejected (from society or home)
  • Similar words include: Ishmael, outcast, castaway
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARIAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Letters indicating a texter's P.O.V."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the united nations agency concerned with international maritime activities
  • Similar words include: International Maritime Organization
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Fried side dish with catfish, perhaps"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that long green edible beaked pods of the okra plant
  • Similar words include: okra plant, gumbo, lady's-finger
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OKRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Cough drop brand whose name is yodeled in its commercials"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Mafia members, e.g."

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a criminal who is a member of gang
  • Similar words include: gangster, mobster
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOBSTERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Gave a talking to?"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that talk pompously
  • Similar words include: orate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Tiptoed, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
  • Similar words include: cringe, mouse, cower
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CREPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Bamboozle"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
  • Similar words include: pulpit, rostrum, ambo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STUMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Michigan, in Chicago: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Messenger"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (formal) a person who announces important news
  • Similar words include: forerunner, trumpeter, precursor
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERALD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Alimony recipients, say"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Boil ... or a sign of boiling"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water at boiling temperature diffused in the atmosphere
  • Similar words include: steam clean, steamer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Important travel info, in brief"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a system for screening luggage in airports; an agent passes a swab around or inside luggage and then runs the swab through a machine that can detect trace amounts of explosives
  • Similar words include: explosive trace detection, ETD
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Dessert often eaten before the ides of March"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top
  • Similar words include: Proto-Indo European
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Hold up"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a compartment in a stable where a single animal is confined and fed
  • Similar words include: stand, stalling, shillyshally
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. "Light" weapon"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle
  • Similar words include: sabre, cavalry sword
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SABER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Verbalized shivers"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Drinks at a pub"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
  • Similar words include: ale
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Kind of bean used in Egyptian falafel"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. ___ Ingebrigtsen, track gold medalist at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Teary-eyed expression"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. In need of training, say"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
  • Similar words include: newfangled, novel, newly
  • Opposite of: worn, old
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. Collect over and over, as resources in a video game"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that workplace consisting of farm buildings and cultivated land as a unit
  • Similar words include: grow, raise, produce
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FARM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Pass, as time doing something"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pass time in a specific way
  • Similar words include: pass, drop, expend
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPEND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. 11th of a noted 12"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in aquarius
  • Similar words include: Aquarius the Water Bearer, Water Bearer
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AQUARIUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "57. Was especially wintry"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fall as snow
  • Similar words include: snow, bamboozle, lead by the nose
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNOWED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "60. Part of a slider"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small rounded bread either plain or sweet
  • Similar words include: roll
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. ___ Roy, "Succession" role for which Kieran Culkin won an Emmy"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a resident of modern rome
  • Similar words include: romish, popish, papistic
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROMAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. "It is not enough to be industrious; ___ the ants": Henry David Thoreau"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. Smallest member of the genus Lynx"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small lynx of north america
  • Similar words include: Lynx rufus, bay lynx
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOBCAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "66. Evaluating, as an opponent ... or a hint to "fitting" the answers to the italicized clues into the grid"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Uncommon color on the red carpet"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
  • Similar words include: orangeness, orange tree, Orange River
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORANGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Draw together, as brows"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fabric made by knitting
  • Similar words include: pucker, plain, rumple
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "70. Decline cookies, say, with "out""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that select as an alternative over another
  • Similar words include: choose, prefer
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "71. Soaked up the sun"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that treat skins and hides with tannic acid so as to convert them into leather
  • Similar words include: bronze, suntanned, bronzed
  • Opposite of: untanned
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TANNED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "72. ___ Pictures (media giant)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "73. Last term in a math lecture series?"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. 0 5
2D 2. Love of Bologna 5
3D 3. Fly off the handle 9
4D 4. They might have deposits 7
5D 5. Pull (out), as a narrow victory 3
6D 6. Makes an oopsie 4
7D 7. Sticky stuff 5
8D 8. Query for Claude, e.g. 6
9D 9. Apple accessory announced alongside the removal of the iPhone's headphone jack 7
10D 10. Record label owned by 72-Across 3
11D 11. Littlest bits 5
12D 12. Motrin alternative 5
13D 13. Epitome of a hot place 5
14D 18. Reacted to a bad taste, perhaps 4
15D 22. Like a bike without wheels 7
16D 25. "Gold" of the 21st century 4
17D 27. Org. focused on cloud security? 4
18D 29. Five stars on a scale, typically 7
19D 31. Sandwich that may be a bit crunchy, for short 3
20D 32. Apt name for an investor 3
21D 34. A.I. that has been trained with massive amounts of text, in brief 3
22D 36. Something to jump on 9
23D 37. Many a sleepless night 3
24D 38. Untapped, as talent 3
25D 40. Casual gaming site? 4
26D 42. Drains the life out of 4
27D 45. Overwhelming stream 7
28D 47. Compactness 7
29D 50. Ran amok 6
30D 52. Lunchtime, say 4
31D 53. Monastic superior 5
32D 54. Website that describes itself as "a place to share knowledge and better understand the world" 5
33D 55. Allow to post on a forum again, e.g. 5
34D 56. Uses caution while in public during flu season, say 5
35D 58. Go off with a bang 5
36D 59. Consideration when diving 5
37D 62. El ___ 4
38D 65. Channel that pioneered 24-hour TV reporting 3
39D 67. Grape whose "white" wine is actually pink, informally 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. 0"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity of no importance
  • Similar words include: null, cipher, zip
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZILCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Love of Bologna"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Fly off the handle"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. They might have deposits"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped
  • Similar words include: bottleful, bottle, feeding bottle
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOTTLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Pull (out), as a narrow victory"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Makes an oopsie"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to make a mistake or be incorrect
  • Similar words include: drift, mistake, slip
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Sticky stuff"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any mixture of a soft and malleable consistency
  • Similar words include: glue, spread, library paste
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PASTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Query for Claude, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cue given to a performer (usually the beginning of the next line to be spoken)
  • Similar words include: quick, propel, instigate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROMPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Apple accessory announced alongside the removal of the iPhone's headphone jack"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Record label owned by 72-Across"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Littlest bits"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
  • Similar words include: smidgin, smidgen, smidgeon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOTAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Motrin alternative"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (trademarks aleve and anaprox and aflaxen) that fights pain and inflammation
  • Similar words include: Anaprox, naproxen sodium, Aflaxen
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALEVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Epitome of a hot place"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) the god of the underworld in ancient mythology; brother of zeus and husband of persephone
  • Similar words include: infernal region, Pluto, Hell
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HADES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Reacted to a bad taste, perhaps"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quarrel about petty points
  • Similar words include: spatter, pitter-patter, patter
  • Opposite of: boo
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Like a bike without wheels"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
  • Opposite of: useful
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USELESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. "Gold" of the 21st century"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn
  • Similar words include: information, datum, data point
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DATA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Org. focused on cloud security?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the airforce of the united states of america; the agency that defends the united states through control and exploitation of air and space
  • Similar words include: Air Force, US Air Force, United States Air Force
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Five stars on a scale, typically"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the largest possible quantity
  • Similar words include: uttermost, level best, maximal
  • Opposite of: minimum, minimal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAXIMUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. Sandwich that may be a bit crunchy, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Apt name for an investor"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a militant organization of irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive british forces from northern ireland and achieve a united independent ireland
  • Similar words include: wrath, anger, ire
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "34. A.I. that has been trained with massive amounts of text, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an advanced law degree
  • Similar words include: Master of Laws
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LLM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "36. Something to jump on"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a popular trend that attracts growing support
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BANDWAGON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Many a sleepless night"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) adam's wife in judeo-christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; god created eve from adam's rib and placed adam and eve in the garden of eden
  • Similar words include: evening, eventide, even
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Untapped, as talent"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for nakedness
  • Similar words include: new, bare-assed, naked as a jaybird
  • Opposite of: cooked
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Casual gaming site?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an upholstered seat for more than one person
  • Similar words include: lounge, couch
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOFA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. Drains the life out of"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant
  • Similar words include: saphead, sap, muggins
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Overwhelming stream"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rapid and continuous delivery of linguistic communication (spoken or written)
  • Similar words include: bombardment, shelling, battery
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BARRAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "47. Compactness"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the amount per unit size
  • Similar words include: concentration, compactness, denseness
  • Opposite of: distribution
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DENSITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "50. Ran amok"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take part in a riot; disturb the public peace by engaging in a riot
  • Similar words include: riot, roister, carouse
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIOTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "52. Lunchtime, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the middle of the day
  • Similar words include: noontide, noonday, midday
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "53. Monastic superior"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the superior of an abbey of monks
  • Similar words include: archimandrite
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABBOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "54. Website that describes itself as "a place to share knowledge and better understand the world""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "55. Allow to post on a forum again, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "56. Uses caution while in public during flu season, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a covering to disguise or conceal the face
  • Similar words include: masquerade party, block out, dissemble
  • Opposite of: unmask
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MASKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "58. Go off with a bang"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "59. Consideration when diving"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the extent downward or backward or inward
  • Similar words include: astuteness, profoundness, profundity
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEPTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "62. El ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "65. Channel that pioneered 24-hour TV reporting"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "67. Grape whose "white" wine is actually pink, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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

39 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: August 13, 2026 at 05:14 AM

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 28, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Insolence 4
2A 5. Scott ___, author of "Island of the Blue Dolphins" 5
3A 10. Be in need of ibuprofen, say 4
4A 14. Word with cap or socks 4
5A 15. Diet that eschews processed food 5
6A 16. In a minute 4
7A 17. With 58-Across, dad-joke response to the answers for each of this puzzle's starred clues 10
8A 19. Massage gun target 4
9A 20. Wyoming mountain range 6
10A 21. "Out with ya now!" 3
11A 23. Tax pro 3
12A 24. Primer mes del año 5
13A 25. *Essential oil with a musky scent 9
14A 28. Myrmecology subject 3
15A 29. Bonfire remains 3
16A 30. Concerning hearing 5
17A 31. *Home of the lowest town-level ZIP code in the continental U.S. (01001) 13
18A 36. Ruminant's mouthful 3
19A 37. Secondary social media account 3
20A 38. *"Until next time!" 13
21A 45. United 5
22A 47. Preposition in "The Star-Spangled Banner" 3
23A 48. Palindromic kitchen brand 3
24A 49. *Academy Award, e.g. 9
25A 51. ___ Taco (ice cream treat) 5
26A 53. The "S" of macOS: Abbr. 3
27A 54. Beam 3
28A 55. Bubble tea bubbles 6
29A 56. Some first responders, for short 4
30A 58. See 17-Across 10
31A 61. Director Johnson of the "Knives Out" movies 4
32A 62. Once more 5
33A 63. Spot to huddle under during a rainstorm 4
34A 64. Rat (on) 4
35A 65. Packs (down), as tobacco in a pipe 5
36A 66. Iditarod conveyance 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Insolence"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an impudent or insolent rejoinder
  • Similar words include: sassing, back talk, mouth
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Scott ___, author of "Island of the Blue Dolphins""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Be in need of ibuprofen, say"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
  • Similar words include: suffer, smart, aching
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Word with cap or socks"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
  • Similar words include: knee joint, stifle, articulatio genus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Diet that eschews processed food"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. In a minute"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in the near future
  • Similar words include: presently, shortly, before long
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. With 58-Across, dad-joke response to the answers for each of this puzzle's starred clues"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Massage gun target"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tight cluster of people or things
  • Similar words include: nautical mile, naut mi, mi
  • Opposite of: unknot, unravel
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Wyoming mountain range"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the large western branch of sioux people which was made up of several groups that lived on the plains
  • Similar words include: Teton, Teton Dakota, Teton Sioux
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TETONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. "Out with ya now!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
  • Similar words include: lowlife, dirty dog, rat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Tax pro"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an accountant who has passed certain examinations and met all other statutory and licensing requirements of a united states state to be certified by that state
  • Similar words include: certified public accountant
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Primer mes del año"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. *Essential oil with a musky scent"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small east indian shrubby mint; fragrant oil from its leaves is used in perfumes
  • Similar words include: pachouli, Pogostemon cablin, patchouly
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PATCHOULI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Myrmecology subject"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
  • Similar words include: emmet, pismire
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Bonfire remains"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the residue that remains when something is burned
  • Similar words include: ash tree
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Concerning hearing"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or pertaining to hearing or the ear
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AURAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. *Home of the lowest town-level ZIP code in the continental U.S. (01001)"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in new england; one of the original 13 colonies
  • Similar words include: Old Colony, Massachuset, MA
  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MASSACHUSETTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Ruminant's mouthful"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food of a ruminant regurgitated to be chewed again
  • Similar words include: chew, chaw, plug
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Secondary social media account"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
  • Similar words include: altitude, EL, elevation
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. *"Until next time!""

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATCHYOULATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "45. United"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. Preposition in "The Star-Spangled Banner""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. Palindromic kitchen brand"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. *Academy Award, e.g."

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small carved or molded figure
  • Similar words include: figurine
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STATUETTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. ___ Taco (ice cream treat)"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "53. The "S" of macOS: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "54. Beam"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a column of light (as from a beacon)
  • Similar words include: beam, electron beam, ray of light
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Bubble tea bubbles"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
  • Similar words include: bead, ivory, drop
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEARLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Some first responders, for short"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. See 17-Across"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. Director Johnson of the "Knives Out" movies"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Once more"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: over again, once again, once more
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Spot to huddle under during a rainstorm"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Rat (on)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)
  • Similar words include: recount, state, differentiate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Packs (down), as tobacco in a pipe"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tool for tamping (e.g., for tamping tobacco into a pipe bowl or a charge into a drill hole etc.)
  • Similar words include: tamp down, pack, tamper
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAMPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Iditarod conveyance"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
  • Similar words include: sledge, sleigh
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Sporting group at a cold-weather school 7
2D 2. Insect's feeler 7
3D 3. Six-line poems 7
4D 4. Honorific for many Spanish teachers 5
5D 5. Finishes deliberating 4
6D 6. "Well, lah-di-___!" 3
7D 7. Name that's an anagram of an untruth 3
8D 8. Units in horse racing 7
9D 9. Skill needed to solve a sudoku puzzle 5
10D 10. Query 3
11D 11. Plays the yes-man 7
12D 12. Muss and fuss 6
13D 13. Involve 6
14D 18. 1969 "bed-in" participant 3
15D 22. "___ be the day!" 6
16D 25. Expression of disgust that sounds like a family member 3
17D 26. Sun Devils' sch. 3
18D 27. "Straight ___ Compton" (1989 N.W.A album) 5
19D 32. Triflingly little 5
20D 33. Artistic visionary 6
21D 34. Org. mentioned in many zombie movies 3
22D 35. Evian, Perrier or Badoit 3
23D 38. Along a gulf, say 7
24D 39. Sweaty stretching session 7
25D 40. Up to this point 3
26D 41. Mined find 3
27D 42. "Oof, painfully true" 7
28D 43. Part of a country located entirely within another country 7
29D 44. Landed for the night 7
30D 45. Claim to be true 6
31D 46. Hinder 6
32D 50. Bother, as one's conscience 5
33D 51. Letter that can take a cedilla 3
34D 52. Puts through a harsh initiation 5
35D 55. Items sometimes chained to a desk 4
36D 57. Its alums include Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, in brief 3
37D 59. Rock singer ___ Fender 3
38D 60. Alcoholic equivalent of a fun-size candy bar 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Sporting group at a cold-weather school"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Insect's feeler"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an electrical device that sends or receives radio or television signals
  • Similar words include: transmitting aerial, feeler, aerial
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTENNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Six-line poems"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
  • Similar words include: sextette, VI, sixer
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SESTETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Honorific for many Spanish teachers"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a spanish title or form of address for a man; similar to the english `mr' or `sir'
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Finishes deliberating"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that select as an alternative over another
  • Similar words include: prefer, opt, choose
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. "Well, lah-di-___!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the longer of the two telegraphic signals used in morse code
  • Similar words include: dash
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Name that's an anagram of an untruth"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Units in horse racing"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
  • Similar words include: duration, distance, length
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LENGTHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Skill needed to solve a sudoku puzzle"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference
  • Similar words include: logical system, system of logic
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOGIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Query"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that inquire about
  • Similar words include: expect, need, take
  • Opposite of: obviate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Plays the yes-man"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be in accord; be in agreement
  • Similar words include: agree, hold, concur
  • Opposite of: disagree
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONCURS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Muss and fuss"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that blatant or sensational promotion
  • Similar words include: ballyhoo, plug, hype
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOOPLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Involve"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that land received by fee tail
  • Similar words include: imply, mean, fee-tail
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENTAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. 1969 "bed-in" participant"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states musician (born in japan) who married john lennon and collaborated with him on recordings (born in 1933)
  • Similar words include: Yoko Ono
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. "___ be the day!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Expression of disgust that sounds like a family member"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Sun Devils' sch."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. "Straight ___ Compton" (1989 N.W.A album)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "32. Triflingly little"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that work hastily or carelessly; deal with inadequately and superficially
  • Similar words include: short, stint, light
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "33. Artistic visionary"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a filmmaker who has a personal style and keeps creative control over his or her works
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AUTEUR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "34. Org. mentioned in many zombie movies"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Evian, Perrier or Badoit"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "38. Along a gulf, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to a coast
  • Opposite of: inland
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COASTAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Sweaty stretching session"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Up to this point"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that up to the present time
  • Similar words include: til now, in time, so far
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Mined find"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

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!

27D: "42. "Oof, painfully true""

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Part of a country located entirely within another country"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Landed for the night"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sit, as on a branch
  • Similar words include: roost, rest, perch
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOSTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. Claim to be true"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that state categorically
  • Similar words include: swan, asseverate, avow
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASSERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "46. Hinder"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a situation in golf where an opponent's ball blocks the line between your ball and the hole
  • Similar words include: embarrass, hinder, obstruct
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STYMIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Bother, as one's conscience"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "51. Letter that can take a cedilla"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "52. Puts through a harsh initiation"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
  • Similar words include: haze, daze, fog
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAZES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "55. Items sometimes chained to a desk"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
  • Similar words include: penitentiary, playpen, pen
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "57. Its alums include Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "59. Rock singer ___ Fender"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "60. Alcoholic equivalent of a fun-size candy bar"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small drink of liquor
  • Similar words include: shot, flavour, tanginess
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

36 Across Clues
38 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

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Last updated: July 28, 2026 at 06:06 AM