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Friday, October 16, 2026

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

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Word with strip or skirt 5
2A 6. Conniption 3
3A 9. Cuban poet/philosopher JosΓ© 5
4A 14. 2000 hit song with the lyric "But to lose all my senses / That is just so typically me" 15
5A 17. Mail-centric fiction? 15
6A 18. Virginia is in it, in brief 3
7A 19. "Hah!" 7
8A 20. "___ had it!" 3
9A 21. Former home of Mr. and Mrs. Met 4
10A 23. "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" spinoff 5
11A 24. Riot 4
12A 25. Spiller of tea 5
13A 27. Smelling things? 5
14A 28. Date night viewing, often 13
15A 34. High concept? 9
16A 35. They explain what's in the cards 13
17A 39. Comic strip sound of impact 5
18A 40. Infant discomfort 5
19A 42. Battery-powered string instrument player 4
20A 43. Predicated 5
21A 48. It has its highs and lows 4
22A 49. Rocky openings? 3
23A 50. Burrowing animal whose name is made up of two other animals 7
24A 52. It may begin with a +1: Abbr. 3
25A 53. Idolizes 15
26A 56. Indiana Jones or Rocky Balboa, e.g. 15
27A 57. Losing causes? 5
28A 58. Yoga ___ 3
29A 59. The 22nd Amendment limits them 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Word with strip or skirt"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slice of meat cut from the fleshy part of an animal or large fish
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Conniption"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a display of bad temper
  • Similar words include: meet, gibe, jibe
  • Opposite of: unfit, disagree
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Cuban poet/philosopher JosΓ©"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cuban poet and revolutionary who fought for cuban independence from spain (1853-1895)
  • Similar words include: Jose Julian Marti
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARTI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. 2000 hit song with the lyric "But to lose all my senses / That is just so typically me""

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Mail-centric fiction?"

15 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Virginia is in it, in brief"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a command that is the primary provider of air combat weapon systems to the united states air force; operates fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, battle-management, and rescue aircraft
  • Similar words include: Air Combat Command
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. "Hah!""

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. "___ had it!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Former home of Mr. and Mrs. Met"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" spinoff"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Riot"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
  • Similar words include: boo, darn, razz
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Spiller of tea"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (yiddish) a vulgar shrew; a shallow coarse termagant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YENTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Smelling things?"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
  • Similar words include: common salt, salt, table salt
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Date night viewing, often"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "34. High concept?"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. They explain what's in the cards"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "39. Comic strip sound of impact"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "40. Infant discomfort"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that acute abdominal pain (especially in infants)
  • Similar words include: intestinal colic, gripes, griping
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COLIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "42. Battery-powered string instrument player"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "43. Predicated"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that use as a basis for; found on
  • Similar words include: free-base, found, establish
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "48. It has its highs and lows"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
  • Similar words include: lunar time period, surge
  • Opposite of: ebb
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "49. Rocky openings?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "50. Burrowing animal whose name is made up of two other animals"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "52. It may begin with a +1: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "53. Idolizes"

15 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "56. Indiana Jones or Rocky Balboa, e.g."

15 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "57. Losing causes?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a prescribed selection of foods
  • Similar words include: dieting, diet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "58. Yoga ___"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
  • Similar words include: snarl, lustrelessness, matting
  • Opposite of: unsnarl, disentangle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. The 22nd Amendment limits them"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that status with respect to the relations between people or groups
  • Similar words include: full term, price, damage
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TERMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. "Piece of cake!" 6
2D 2. Reality show whose contestants report to the Judge's Table 7
3D 3. Not gendered 7
4D 4. Dope 3
5D 5. Some emergency resources 4
6D 6. Serious dirt 5
7D 7. State whose official fruit is the huckleberry 5
8D 8. Done to death 5
9D 9. Flow down the neck 4
10D 10. Past word 3
11D 11. Hot pockets? 7
12D 12. 20-20, e.g. 7
13D 13. Small sounds 6
14D 15. One of 412 in the White House 4
15D 16. Supermodel Banks 4
16D 22. Took back one's words 7
17D 24. One struggling to make ends meet 7
18D 26. Grant 5
19D 27. Foe of Dr. Eggman, in video games 5
20D 29. Procured 3
21D 30. "___ Share of Night" (acclaimed 2019 Mariana EnrΓ­quez book) 3
22D 31. Complimentary lines 3
23D 32. Tool for tracing family trees 3
24D 33. Prefix with the name of any month 3
25D 35. Mideast salad, in one spelling 7
26D 36. Simon the Zealot, e.g. 7
27D 37. Sparkly bits in a school art project 7
28D 38. Like some deliveries 7
29D 39. Holder of all the digits, from 1 to 0 6
30D 41. Stage-left orchestra section 6
31D 43. Coccyx or phalange, e.g. 4
32D 44. Unwelcome sound during a dream 5
33D 45. Brown tint 5
34D 46. Construct 5
35D 47. Art movement proclaimed in a 1916 manifesto 4
36D 50. May honorees 4
37D 51. Outdoor item with flaps 4
38D 54. Took a load off 3
39D 55. 2011 platinum single by Tyler, the Creator 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. "Piece of cake!""

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Reality show whose contestants report to the Judge's Table"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Not gendered"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made
  • Similar words include: bisexual, sissy, epicene person
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPICENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Dope"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: can, screw, behind
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Some emergency resources"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a case for containing a set of articles
  • Similar words include: outfit, kit up, kit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Serious dirt"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any substance considered disgustingly foul or unpleasant
  • Similar words include: soil, dirt, dirty word
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FILTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. State whose official fruit is the huckleberry"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Done to death"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lose interest or become bored with something or somebody
  • Similar words include: well-worn, exhaust, outwear
  • Opposite of: interest, refresh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIRED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Flow down the neck"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that long coarse hair growing from the crest of the animal's neck
  • Similar words include: head of hair
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Past word"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gone by; or in the past
  • Similar words include: agone
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Hot pockets?"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small circular or square cases of dough with savory fillings
  • Similar words include: cappelletti
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAVIOLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. 20-20, e.g."

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Small sounds"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)
  • Similar words include: intake, recess, inlet
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INLETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. One of 412 in the White House"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
  • Similar words include: doorway, room access, threshold
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "16. Supermodel Banks"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Took back one's words"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. One struggling to make ends meet"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Grant"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
  • Similar words include: earmark, let, set aside
  • Opposite of: forbid, prevent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Foe of Dr. Eggman, in video games"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of speed) having or caused by speed approximately equal to that of sound in air at sea level
  • Similar words include: transonic
  • Opposite of: subsonic
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Procured"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
  • Similar words include: flummox, drive, aim
  • Opposite of: leave, take away
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. "___ Share of Night" (acclaimed 2019 Mariana EnrΓ­quez book)"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Complimentary lines"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Tool for tracing family trees"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (biochemistry) a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix; associated with the transmission of genetic information
  • Similar words include: deoxyribonucleic acid, desoxyribonucleic acid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Prefix with the name of any month"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Mideast salad, in one spelling"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. Simon the Zealot, e.g."

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ardent early supporter of a cause or reform
  • Similar words include: Apostelic Father
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APOSTLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "37. Sparkly bits in a school art project"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of shining with a bright reflected light
  • Similar words include: coruscation, scintillation, glisten
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLITTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "38. Like some deliveries"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of pitches) made with the arm moving parallel to the ground
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIDEARM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "39. Holder of all the digits, from 1 to 0"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a keyboard that is a data input device for computers; arrangement of keys is modelled after the typewriter keyboard
  • Similar words include: computer keyboard
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KEYPAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "41. Stage-left orchestra section"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large stringed instrument; seated player holds it upright while playing
  • Similar words include: violoncello, cello
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CELLOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "43. Coccyx or phalange, e.g."

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates
  • Similar words include: swot, swot up, ivory
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "44. Unwelcome sound during a dream"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fear resulting from the awareness of danger
  • Similar words include: warning device, appal, appall
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALARM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "45. Brown tint"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shade of brown with a tinge of red
  • Similar words include: mahogany, genus Sepia, Venetian red
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEPIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "46. Construct"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that construct, build, or erect
  • Similar words include: set up, raise, vertical
  • Opposite of: unerect, level
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "47. Art movement proclaimed in a 1916 manifesto"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
  • Similar words include: pa, pop, daddy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "50. May honorees"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for a mother
  • Similar words include: mommy, mammy, mummy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "51. Outdoor item with flaps"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
  • Similar words include: collapsible shelter, bivouac, encamp
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "54. Took a load off"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the sabbath by jews and some christians
  • Similar words include: posture, sit, Saturday
  • Opposite of: arise, stand
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "55. 2011 platinum single by Tyler, the Creator"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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

29 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
68 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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Last updated: October 16, 2026 at 08:20 AM

Sunday, September 6, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 06, 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: Challenging

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. Spanish nibbles 5
2A 6. Do great 7
3A 13. "Silly me!" 7
4A 20. Letter in the Hebrew spelling of "Adonai" 5
5A 21. Closest area to a movie theater projector, maybe 7
6A 22. Noteworthy 7
7A 23. The Flash dancing with two wolves 21
8A 26. Loudmouth's lack, perhaps 4
9A 27. Director Lee 3
10A 28. Taylor-Joy of "Dune: Part Three" 4
11A 29. Word after B or bucket 4
12A 30. "Rock of Ages" or "Stand by Me" 4
13A 32. Advantage 4
14A 36. White of the eye 6
15A 39. A lighthouse illuminates the Gucci logo 20
16A 45. "Yeah, I know them" 5
17A 46. Burrowing rodent 7
18A 47. "So-o-o, as I was saying ..." 6
19A 49. "Mr. Blue Sky" band, for short 3
20A 50. Banger of a song 3
21A 51. "Fortnight" singer, to fans 3
22A 52. Directed 4
23A 54. "That is ... I mean ..." 3
24A 55. "Fifty Shades of Grey" author 7
25A 58. Dog hybrid with thick, low-shedding fur 7
26A 60. Mr. Knightley's love interest, in classic literature 4
27A 61. Embed with a hammer 6
28A 62. Cigar smoking Lion at a desk with money 14
29A 65. Operatic pop group formed by Simon Cowell 6
30A 67. Sort of person who brings people together 6
31A 68. Bad Boys with a giant X through them 14
32A 74. Arab chiefs 6
33A 78. Fruit whose name has three syllables in four letters 4
34A 79. PanameΓ±as y puertorriqueΓ±as 7
35A 80. "A.S.A.P.!" 7
36A 81. Someone who exercises out of habit? 3
37A 82. Bird store supply 4
38A 84. "Starter" starter 3
39A 85. Word combined with "-fetti" in a portmanteau 3
40A 86. Onetime British Olympian/politician Sebastian 3
41A 87. Counterparts of troughs 6
42A 89. ___ Finch, lawyer in "To Kill a Mockingbird" 7
43A 91. [waving the white flag] 5
44A 93. Batman gets inoculated 20
45A 97. ChatGPT's company 6
46A 98. They never start with 9: Abbr. 4
47A 99. Word after news or line 4
48A 100. Famous last words 4
49A 103. Partner of rave 4
50A 105. Quite the head-turner? 3
51A 107. Live broadcast 4
52A 110. 12 Angry Men in dark suits 21
53A 117. Pushing off 7
54A 118. Rectangular baking container 7
55A 119. Give it a twirl! 5
56A 120. Follows the first rule of improv 7
57A 121. All together 7
58A 122. Obdurate 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Spanish nibbles"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry and pipturus albidus
  • Similar words include: tappa bark, tapa, tappa
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAPAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Do great"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "13. "Silly me!""

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "20. Letter in the Hebrew spelling of "Adonai""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 1st letter of the hebrew alphabet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALEPH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "21. Closest area to a movie theater projector, maybe"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "22. Noteworthy"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "23. The Flash dancing with two wolves"

21 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "26. Loudmouth's lack, perhaps"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
  • Similar words include: tactfulness
  • Opposite of: tactlessness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "27. Director Lee"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a civilian reserve component of the united states air force that provides prompt mobilization during war and assistance during national emergencies
  • Similar words include: Air National Guard
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "28. Taylor-Joy of "Dune: Part Three""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "29. Word after B or bucket"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
  • Similar words include: lean, inclination, heel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "30. "Rock of Ages" or "Stand by Me""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a song of praise (to god or to a saint or to a nation)
  • Similar words include: anthem
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYMN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "32. Advantage"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the boundary of a surface
  • Similar words include: bound, butt, border
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "36. White of the eye"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the whitish fibrous membrane (albuginea) that with the cornea forms the outer covering and protection of the eyeball
  • Similar words include: sclerotic coat
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCLERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "39. A lighthouse illuminates the Gucci logo"

20 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THELIGHTHOUSEOFGUCCI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "45. "Yeah, I know them""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "46. Burrowing rodent"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "47. "So-o-o, as I was saying ...""

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "49. "Mr. Blue Sky" band, for short"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "50. Banger of a song"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the law enforcement agency of the justice department that operates a nationwide system of prisons and detention facilities to incarcerate inmates sentenced to imprisonment for federal crimes
  • Similar words include: bonk, whop, Federal Bureau of Prisons
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "51. "Fortnight" singer, to fans"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a branch of the tai languages
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "52. Directed"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chadic language spoken in northern nigeria
  • Similar words include: wish, entreat, offer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "54. "That is ... I mean ...""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "55. "Fifty Shades of Grey" author"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "58. Dog hybrid with thick, low-shedding fur"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "60. Mr. Knightley's love interest, in classic literature"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "61. Embed with a hammer"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "62. Cigar smoking Lion at a desk with money"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THELIONKINGPIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "65. Operatic pop group formed by Simon Cowell"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "67. Sort of person who brings people together"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "68. Bad Boys with a giant X through them"

14 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BADBOYSDONTCRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "74. Arab chiefs"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the leader of an arab village or family
  • Similar words include: sheikh, dude, Arab chief
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHEIKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "78. Fruit whose name has three syllables in four letters"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "79. PanameΓ±as y puertorriqueΓ±as"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "80. "A.S.A.P.!""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "81. Someone who exercises out of habit?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woman religious
  • Similar words include: conical buoy, nun buoy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "82. Bird store supply"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small hard fruit
  • Similar words include: germ, semen, source
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "84. "Starter" starter"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that negation of a word or group of words
  • Similar words include: not
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "85. Word combined with "-fetti" in a portmanteau"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that activities that are enjoyable or amusing
  • Similar words include: sport, merriment, play
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "86. Onetime British Olympian/politician Sebastian"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "87. Counterparts of troughs"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
  • Similar words include: tip, crown, crest
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRESTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "89. ___ Finch, lawyer in "To Kill a Mockingbird""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: genus Atticus
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATTICUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "91. [waving the white flag]"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "93. Batman gets inoculated"

20 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASHOTINTHEDARKKNIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "97. ChatGPT's company"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "98. They never start with 9: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "99. Word after news or line"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
  • Similar words include: point, particular, detail
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "100. Famous last words"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "103. Partner of rave"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "105. Quite the head-turner?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
  • Similar words include: bird of night, bird of Minerva, hooter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "107. Live broadcast"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food for domestic livestock
  • Similar words include: prey, feast, tip
  • Opposite of: starve
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "110. 12 Angry Men in dark suits"

21 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "117. Pushing off"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
  • Similar words include: charge, send out, institutionalize
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENDING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "118. Rectangular baking container"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "119. Give it a twirl!"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thin tapered rod used by a conductor to lead an orchestra or choir
  • Similar words include: truncheon, billy club, wand
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BATON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "120. Follows the first rule of improv"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "121. All together"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "122. Obdurate"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that abounding in rocks or stones
  • Similar words include: obdurate, granitic, rocklike
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STONY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Chief justice who remarked "I don't remember that I ever was president" 4
2D 2. Mozart's "Rondo ___ Turca" 4
3D 3. Sext symbol? 10
4D 4. Newsroom writing standard, in brief 7
5D 5. "Just listen ..." 3
6D 6. Group of families 4
7D 7. Cooking surface 8
8D 8. Sch. with the second-most N.F.L. draft picks of all time, after Notre Dame 3
9D 9. Sault ___ Marie, Mich. 3
10D 10. 9-5, say: Abbr. 3
11D 11. State that's the setting for "American Gothic" 4
12D 12. Pullover/cardigan combo 7
13D 13. Down the middle, say 6
14D 14. "Gaping" feature 3
15D 15. Latin 101 verb 3
16D 16. Reasoning that doesn't hold up 7
17D 17. Texter's "Duh!" 4
18D 18. Cheers for the Spanish national team? 4
19D 19. For fear that 4
20D 24. Minced oath 4
21D 25. Toymaker behind Tickle Me Elmo 4
22D 31. Lincoln Laboratory operator, in brief 3
23D 33. Co. with red-and-yellow trucks 3
24D 34. One of Ralph Waldo Emerson's six "Representative Men" 6
25D 35. Offerer of a 33-country train pass 6
26D 37. "Good heavens!" 4
27D 38. Arcane letter 4
28D 39. Many a middle schooler 5
29D 40. Slangy "very" 5
30D 41. Kaiser Permanente and others, in brief 4
31D 42. Initiate small talk, say 5
32D 43. ___ change 5
33D 44. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony 5
34D 48. Desert country popular for whale watching 4
35D 50. Like some novelty straws 5
36D 52. Lovely, as a lass 5
37D 53. D.J. and record producer Steve ___ 4
38D 56. Clearing account? 5
39D 57. ___ Minderbinder from "Catch-22" 4
40D 58. Minced oath 5
41D 59. Comes down hard 5
42D 60. Long-feathered flier 5
43D 62. Jason Seaver or Ward Cleaver, notably 5
44D 63. These are fighting words 5
45D 64. Classic drink brand sold in tall bottles 4
46D 66. Castaway's setting 4
47D 68. En ___ (legal phrase) 4
48D 69. Lexus rival 5
49D 70. People with no word for "please" in their native language 5
50D 71. Last in the batting order 5
51D 72. Govt. instruments 6
52D 73. Coyotes, foxes et al. 6
53D 75. Vegan brand with the logo of a cow wearing a fake mustache 10
54D 76. ___ ball (rubbery toy) 5
55D 77. "Awesome" 5
56D 80. When many parks close 4
57D 82. Sign of the cross? 4
58D 83. 90° del norte 4
59D 85. Fandom identities often with fluffy tails and ears 8
60D 88. Part of a three-word phrase expressing regret 7
61D 89. Quivering with excitement 7
62D 90. John 3
63D 91. Percentage at a bank: Abbr. 3
64D 92. Be perfectly supine, say 7
65D 94. Like Cinderella, initially 6
66D 95. Aloo gobi go-with 4
67D 96. Burn unit? 4
68D 100. Vintage goods e-tailer 4
69D 101. Overly sentimental, to Brits 4
70D 102. Hamiltons 4
71D 104. Ending with Jumbo or beta 4
72D 106. Fortified stuff, maybe 4
73D 108. Milton Friedman's field, familiarly 4
74D 109. Big Apple fashion house 4
75D 111. Info on auto documents, for short 3
76D 112. Wrap up 3
77D 113. It has a thick skin 3
78D 114. Deg. for some writers 3
79D 115. Mini-albums, for short 3
80D 116. Cheap shot? 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Chief justice who remarked "I don't remember that I ever was president""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states sculptor (1860-1936)
  • Similar words include: William Howard Taft, President Taft, Lorado Taft
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Mozart's "Rondo ___ Turca""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Sext symbol?"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Newsroom writing standard, in brief"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "Just listen ...""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Group of families"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Cooking surface"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Sch. with the second-most N.F.L. draft picks of all time, after Notre Dame"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Sault ___ Marie, Mich."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. 9-5, say: Abbr."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
  • Similar words include: 60 minutes, hour, hr
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. State that's the setting for "American Gothic""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in iowa and minnesota and missouri
  • Similar words include: IA, Hawkeye State, Ioway
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOWA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Pullover/cardigan combo"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Down the middle, say"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. "Gaping" feature"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for the mouth
  • Similar words include: trap, hole, cakehole
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "15. Latin 101 verb"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "16. Reasoning that doesn't hold up"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning
  • Similar words include: false belief
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FALLACY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "17. Texter's "Duh!""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "18. Cheers for the Spanish national team?"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "19. For fear that"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that being ten more than forty
  • Similar words include: l, 50, fifty
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "24. Minced oath"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "25. Toymaker behind Tickle Me Elmo"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Lincoln Laboratory operator, in brief"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an engineering university in cambridge
  • Similar words include: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Co. with red-and-yellow trucks"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. One of Ralph Waldo Emerson's six "Representative Men""

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that german poet and novelist and dramatist who lived in weimar (1749-1832)
  • Similar words include: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOETHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Offerer of a 33-country train pass"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "37. "Good heavens!""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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27D: "38. Arcane letter"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any character from an ancient germanic alphabet used in scandinavia from the 3rd century to the middle ages
  • Similar words include: runic letter
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUNE

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28D: "39. Many a middle schooler"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "40. Slangy "very""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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30D: "41. Kaiser Permanente and others, in brief"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that group insurance that entitles members to services of participating hospitals and clinics and physicians
  • Similar words include: health maintenance organization, HMO
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HMOS

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31D: "42. Initiate small talk, say"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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32D: "43. ___ change"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
  • Similar words include: fool, patsy, gull
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHUMP

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33D: "44. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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34D: "48. Desert country popular for whale watching"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strategically located monarchy on the southern and eastern coasts of the arabian peninsula; the economy is dominated by oil
  • Similar words include: Muscat and Oman, Sultanate of Oman
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMAN

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35D: "50. Like some novelty straws"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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36D: "52. Lovely, as a lass"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that very pleasing to the eye
  • Similar words include: bonnie, comely, sightly
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BONNY

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37D: "53. D.J. and record producer Steve ___"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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38D: "56. Clearing account?"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
  • Similar words include: exculpation, excuse, self-justification
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIBI

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39D: "57. ___ Minderbinder from "Catch-22""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small drought-resistant sorghums having large yellow or whitish grains
  • Similar words include: milo maize
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MILO

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40D: "58. Minced oath"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a new branch
  • Similar words include: burgeon forth, charge, scoot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOOT

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41D: "59. Comes down hard"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to run
  • Similar words include: pelt, stream, pour out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POURS

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42D: "60. Long-feathered flier"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various usually white herons having long plumes during breeding season
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGRET

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43D: "62. Jason Seaver or Ward Cleaver, notably"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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44D: "63. These are fighting words"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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45D: "64. Classic drink brand sold in tall bottles"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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46D: "66. Castaway's setting"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small island
  • Similar words include: islet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLE

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47D: "68. En ___ (legal phrase)"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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48D: "69. Lexus rival"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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49D: "70. People with no word for "please" in their native language"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of denmark
  • Similar words include: Dane
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DANES

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50D: "71. Last in the batting order"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that position nine in a countable series of things
  • Similar words include: one-ninth, 9th
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINTH

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51D: "72. Govt. instruments"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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52D: "73. Coyotes, foxes et al."

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various fissiped mammals with nonretractile claws and typically long muzzles
  • Similar words include: canid, canine
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANIDS

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53D: "75. Vegan brand with the logo of a cow wearing a fake mustache"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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54D: "76. ___ ball (rubbery toy)"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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55D: "77. "Awesome""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)
  • Similar words include: gratifying, scented, odoriferous
  • Opposite of: dry, sour
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWEET

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56D: "80. When many parks close"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time of day immediately following sunset
  • Similar words include: gloaming, twilight, gloam
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUSK

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57D: "82. Sign of the cross?"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the event of something ending
  • Similar words include: break off, turn back, halt
  • Opposite of: start, continuant consonant
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOP

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58D: "83. 90° del norte"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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59D: "85. Fandom identities often with fluffy tails and ears"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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60D: "88. Part of a three-word phrase expressing regret"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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61D: "89. Quivering with excitement"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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62D: "90. John"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.
  • Similar words include: fanny, force out, commode
  • Opposite of: hire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAN

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63D: "91. Percentage at a bank: Abbr."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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64D: "92. Be perfectly supine, say"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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65D: "94. Like Cinderella, initially"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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66D: "95. Aloo gobi go-with"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that leavened bread baked in a clay oven in india; usually shaped like a teardrop
  • Similar words include: nan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAAN

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67D: "96. Burn unit?"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a furnace for firing or burning or drying such things as porcelain or bricks
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KILN

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68D: "100. Vintage goods e-tailer"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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69D: "101. Overly sentimental, to Brits"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that affectedly dainty or refined
  • Similar words include: dainty, niminy-piminy, prim
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWEE

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70D: "102. Hamiltons"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
  • Similar words include: X, decade, tenner
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENS

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71D: "104. Ending with Jumbo or beta"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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72D: "106. Fortified stuff, maybe"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fermented juice (of grapes especially)
  • Similar words include: wine-coloured, wine-colored, vino
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WINE

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73D: "108. Milton Friedman's field, familiarly"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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74D: "109. Big Apple fashion house"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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75D: "111. Info on auto documents, for short"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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76D: "112. Wrap up"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
  • Similar words include: cease, final stage, remnant
  • Opposite of: begin, beginning
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: END

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77D: "113. It has a thick skin"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that edible tuber of any of several yams
  • Similar words include: yam plant
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YAM

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78D: "114. Deg. for some writers"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a master's degree in fine arts
  • Similar words include: Master of Fine Arts
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MFA

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79D: "115. Mini-albums, for short"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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80D: "116. Cheap shot?"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a computer that is running software that allows users to leave messages and access information of general interest
  • Similar words include: bulletin board, bulletin board system, BB shot
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BBS

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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

58 Across Clues
80 Down Clues
138 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 06, 2026 at 08:00 AM