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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, October 11, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 11, 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. Easy putt 5
2A 6. Clever 5
3A 11. Exam for a future atty. 4
4A 15. Boulderer's safety item 3
5A 18. Muffin alternative 5
6A 19. Sea surrounding Mykonos 6
7A 21. Flour in Indian cooking 4
8A 22. "Mr. Blue Sky" band, in brief 3
9A 23. Some "Star Trek" slang? 12
10A 25. Infamous Russian mystic 8
11A 27. Glow up? 3
12A 28. One might be liquid or frozen 5
13A 29. Street that might run all the way through town 4
14A 31. Like most autographs 5
15A 32. French filmmaker Jacques 4
16A 34. Secrets known only to E.N.T.s? 14
17A 38. Depression formed by a volcano's collapse 7
18A 41. Did a taxing job? 7
19A 42. C.I.A. forerunner 3
20A 43. Listened to "Rigoletto" way too many times? 12
21A 46. Mideast leaders 5
22A 48. Member of the South Asian diaspora 4
23A 49. Ocho menos uno 5
24A 50. Berkeley university, familiarly 3
25A 53. Rubber stamp go-with 6
26A 56. Many a David Foster Wallace piece 5
27A 58. Not gross 3
28A 59. Wild hogs 5
29A 61. "___ y plata" (Montana's motto) 3
30A 62. Sleuth, slangily 3
31A 64. "A sharp edge recalls a splinter's bite" or "The forest's final revenge is whisper-thin," e.g.? 14
32A 69. N.K. ___, "Broken Earth" trilogy author 7
33A 73. Summer in France 3
34A 74. Person discussed in Article II, Section 1, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution 7
35A 75. Spark joy? 14
36A 80. Educational inst. 3
37A 81. "Feast," in Arabic 3
38A 82. Count (up) 5
39A 83. Slippery swimmer 3
40A 85. Daniel ___ (children's TV character) 5
41A 89. "The heart of the internet," per its tagline 6
42A 91. Handful 3
43A 93. Those opposed 5
44A 95. Animated explorer 4
45A 96. Cornea-reshaping surgery 5
46A 98. Diwali or Holi? 12
47A 101. Queen ___ (pop nickname) 3
48A 102. Bouncing 7
49A 105. Some hair products 7
50A 106. Like the world's worst demolition company? 14
51A 110. Rose bowl? 4
52A 111. Status after a leadoff walk 5
53A 112. Drubbing 4
54A 113. Wibbly-wobbly 5
55A 115. Hot stone massage location 3
56A 118. Take a risk 8
57A 120. A whole bunch of ocean detritus? 12
58A 124. Tsp. or tbsp. 3
59A 125. Triumphal monument shape 4
60A 126. Off-target 6
61A 127. Family girl 5
62A 128. Fleur-de-___ 3
63A 129. Luxury goods retailer since 1867 4
64A 130. Needlessly adorns, in an idiom 5
65A 131. Massachusetts county in which the term "gerrymandering" was first applied 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Easy putt"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Clever"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore
  • Similar words include: smarting, impudent, overbold
  • Opposite of: stupid
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Exam for a future atty."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Boulderer's safety item"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge
  • Similar words include: diggings, digs, launch area
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "18. Muffin alternative"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small biscuit (rich with cream and eggs) cut into diamonds or sticks and baked in an oven or (especially originally) on a griddle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "19. Sea surrounding Mykonos"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an arm of the mediterranean between greece and turkey; a main trade route for the ancient civilizations of crete and greece and rome and persia
  • Similar words include: Aegean Sea
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AEGEAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "21. Flour in Indian cooking"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "22. "Mr. Blue Sky" band, in brief"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "23. Some "Star Trek" slang?"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "25. Infamous Russian mystic"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that siberian peasant monk who was religious advisor in the court of nicholas ii; was assassinated by russian noblemen who feared that his debauchery would weaken the monarchy (1872-1916)
  • Similar words include: Grigori Efimovich Rasputin
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RASPUTIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "27. Glow up?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
  • Similar words include: solarise, insolate, Sunday
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "28. One might be liquid or frozen"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a useful or valuable quality
  • Similar words include: plus
  • Opposite of: liability
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASSET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. Street that might run all the way through town"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any very large body of (salt) water
  • Similar words include: principal, independent, master
  • Opposite of: dependent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Like most autographs"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. French filmmaker Jacques"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french filmmaker (1908-1982)
  • Similar words include: Jacques Tati, Jacques Tatischeff
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TATI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Secrets known only to E.N.T.s?"

14 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "38. Depression formed by a volcano's collapse"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large crater caused by the violent explosion of a volcano that collapses into a depression
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CALDERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "41. Did a taxing job?"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification
  • Similar words include: audit, scrutinize, scrutinise
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AUDITED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "42. C.I.A. forerunner"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
  • Similar words include: os, OS, Os
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "43. Listened to "Rigoletto" way too many times?"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "46. Mideast leaders"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent ruler or chieftain (especially in africa or arabia)
  • Similar words include: emeer, ameer, emir
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMIRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "48. Member of the South Asian diaspora"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "49. Ocho menos uno"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "50. Berkeley university, familiarly"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "53. Rubber stamp go-with"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a block of absorbent material saturated with ink; used to transfer ink evenly to a rubber stamp
  • Similar words include: stamp pad, pad, inking pad
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INKPAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "56. Many a David Foster Wallace piece"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an analytic or interpretive literary composition
  • Similar words include: attempt, seek, test
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESSAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "58. Not gross"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "59. Wild hogs"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that old world wild swine having a narrow body and prominent tusks from which most domestic swine come; introduced in united states
  • Similar words include: boar, Sus scrofa, wild boar
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "61. "___ y plata" (Montana's motto)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "62. Sleuth, slangily"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a police officer who investigates crimes
  • Similar words include: police detective, investigator, detective
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "64. "A sharp edge recalls a splinter's bite" or "The forest's final revenge is whisper-thin," e.g.?"

14 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "69. N.K. ___, "Broken Earth" trilogy author"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "73. Summer in France"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "74. Person discussed in Article II, Section 1, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a citizen who has a legal right to vote
  • Similar words include: voter
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELECTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "75. Spark joy?"

14 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "80. Educational inst."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "81. "Feast," in Arabic"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "82. Count (up)"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
  • Similar words include: count, numeration, tot
  • Opposite of: disagree
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "83. Slippery swimmer"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "85. Daniel ___ (children's TV character)"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fierce or audacious person
  • Similar words include: Panthera tigris
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIGER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "89. "The heart of the internet," per its tagline"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "91. Handful"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small elite group
  • Opposite of: many
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "93. Those opposed"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is opposed (to an action or policy or practice etc.)
  • Similar words include: anti
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "95. Animated explorer"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "96. Cornea-reshaping surgery"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a refractive surgery procedure that reshapes the cornea
  • Similar words include: laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LASIK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "98. Diwali or Holi?"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "101. Queen ___ (pop nickname)"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (formerly) a title of respect for a man in turkey or egypt
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "102. Bouncing"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of ejecting someone or forcing them out
  • Similar words include: throw out, expel, oust
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUSTING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "105. Some hair products"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hairdressing consisting of a perfumed oil or ointment
  • Similar words include: pomatum, pomade
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POMADES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "106. Like the world's worst demolition company?"

14 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "110. Rose bowl?"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an open jar of glass or porcelain used as an ornament or to hold flowers
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "111. Status after a leadoff walk"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "112. Drubbing"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disorderly crowd of people
  • Similar words include: root, expel, spread-eagle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "113. Wibbly-wobbly"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "115. Hot stone massage location"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "118. Take a risk"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "120. A whole bunch of ocean detritus?"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "124. Tsp. or tbsp."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "125. Triumphal monument shape"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
  • Similar words include: mischievous, arc, patronising
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "126. Off-target"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that straying from the right course or from accepted standards
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERRANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "127. Family girl"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a daughter of your brother or sister
  • Opposite of: nephew
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIECE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "128. Fleur-de-___"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a soft silver-white univalent element of the alkali metal group; the lightest metal known; occurs in several minerals
  • Similar words include: lithium, Li, atomic number 3
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63A: "129. Luxury goods retailer since 1867"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64A: "130. Needlessly adorns, in an idiom"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a formal association of people with similar interests
  • Similar words include: begild, gild, engild
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GILDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65A: "131. Massachusetts county in which the term "gerrymandering" was first applied"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a county in southeastern england on the north sea and the thames estuary
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESSEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Disapproving sounds 4
2D 2. "Dissent is patriotic" grp. 4
3D 3. Anti-matter? 9
4D 4. Overnight stop 3
5D 5. Made irrelevant 7
6D 6. ___ serif 4
7D 7. Free-for-all 5
8D 8. Stress-induced discomfort 5
9D 9. Stimpy's TV partner 3
10D 10. Make it? 3
11D 11. Roundup rope 6
12D 12. Comics legend behind the Fantastic Four 7
13D 13. Calls out on social media, slangily 3
14D 14. Odd-toed ungulate 5
15D 15. Document used for a travel companion who might sit under a seat 11
16D 16. Many characters in Pixar's "Elio" 6
17D 17. "The Bear" matriarch played by Jamie Lee Curtis 5
18D 20. Rootless 7
19D 24. Green Egyptian god 6
20D 26. Get into, as a cab, say 6
21D 30. DiFranco who made her Broadway debut in "Hadestown" 3
22D 33. Northernmost arm of the Mediterranean 8
23D 35. Like a blue moon or blue steak 4
24D 36. Something to chew on 3
25D 37. Ship brass 8
26D 38. Work with Python, say 4
27D 39. Park and Fifth, e.g.: Abbr. 4
28D 40. Tennis score following deuce 4
29D 44. Second-in-command 4
30D 45. ___ Place, female companion of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 4
31D 47. Closely examine 7
32D 51. "Dancing With the Stars" network 3
33D 52. Cardinals legend Brock 3
34D 54. With the bow, in music 4
35D 55. Sullen 4
36D 57. "Indeed!" 7
37D 60. Performed exceptionally, in slang 3
38D 63. Bibliography listing 8
39D 65. Louvre Pyramid architect 3
40D 66. Mail Boxes ___ 3
41D 67. Chain that sells climbing gear 3
42D 68. Only egg-laying mammals besides platypuses 8
43D 69. Mocking cry 4
44D 70. "Night" memoirist Wiesel 4
45D 71. They might be the last to be booked on an airplane 11
46D 72. Grp. for Commanders and Chiefs 3
47D 76. Holiday classic starring Will Ferrell 3
48D 77. Soapmaker's supply 3
49D 78. Be inclined 4
50D 79. Cryptid with a Tibetan name 4
51D 84. Speech therapist's target 4
52D 86. Frigg and Freyja, e.g. 9
53D 87. One of the Great Lakes 4
54D 88. Cleaning cloths 4
55D 90. Home of the N.C.A.A.'s Flyers 6
56D 92. Train sound 7
57D 93. Home services website 4
58D 94. Dig up dirt, say 6
59D 97. "Barry Lyndon" director 7
60D 99. QB's worry: Abbr. 3
61D 100. Statement by someone who's out of date? 7
62D 101. Vietnamese sandwich 6
63D 103. Animals known for their slow metabolism 6
64D 104. Capital of ancient Troy? 3
65D 106. Alternative to express 5
66D 107. Ancient Andeans 5
67D 108. Like some allergy sprays 5
68D 109. Splendid 5
69D 114. Young newts 4
70D 116. A runner may need to pick it up 4
71D 117. Charger's option, informally 4
72D 119. Flop ___ (period of failure) 3
73D 121. Part of NGO: Abbr. 3
74D 122. Prefix with cycle 3
75D 123. Christmas carol contraction 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Disapproving sounds"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Dissent is patriotic" grp."

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Anti-matter?"

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not having a point especially a sharp point
  • Similar words include: purposeless, unpointed, senseless
  • Opposite of: pointed
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POINTLESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Overnight stop"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Made irrelevant"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be in contradiction with
  • Similar words include: neutralize, contravene, contradict
  • Opposite of: affirm
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEGATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. ___ serif"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Free-for-all"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a noisy riotous fight
  • Similar words include: scrimmage, battle royal
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MELEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Stress-induced discomfort"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Stimpy's TV partner"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Make it?"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a label written or printed on paper, cardboard, or plastic that is attached to something to indicate its owner, nature, price, etc.
  • Similar words include: track, tag end, rag
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Roundup rope"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long noosed rope used to catch animals
  • Similar words include: riata, lasso, reata
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LARIAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Comics legend behind the Fantastic Four"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Calls out on social media, slangily"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a highly unstable radioactive element (the heaviest of the halogen series); a decay product of uranium and thorium
  • Similar words include: atomic number 85, at, At
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Odd-toed ungulate"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large inoffensive chiefly nocturnal ungulate of tropical america and southeast asia having a heavy body and fleshy snout
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAPIR

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15D: "15. Document used for a travel companion who might sit under a seat"

11 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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16D: "16. Many characters in Pixar's "Elio""

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
  • Similar words include: noncitizen, extraterrestrial being, extraterrestrial
  • Opposite of: acquaintance, citizen
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIENS

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17D: "17. "The Bear" matriarch played by Jamie Lee Curtis"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an italian woman of rank
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DONNA

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18D: "20. Rootless"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: wandering, mobile, peregrine
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOMADIC

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19D: "24. Green Egyptian god"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that egyptian god of the underworld and judge of the dead; husband and brother of isis; father of horus
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSIRIS

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20D: "26. Get into, as a cab, say"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that draw the cork from (bottles)
  • Opposite of: cork
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNCORK

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21D: "30. DiFranco who made her Broadway debut in "Hadestown""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that black tropical american cuckoo
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANI

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22D: "33. Northernmost arm of the Mediterranean"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an arm of the mediterranean between slovenia and croatia and montenegro and albania on the east and italy on the west
  • Similar words include: Adriatic Sea
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADRIATIC

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23D: "35. Like a blue moon or blue steak"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
  • Similar words include: uncommon, rarefied, rarified
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Something to chew on"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Ship brass"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the supreme commander of a fleet; ranks above a vice admiral and below a fleet admiral
  • Similar words include: admiral, full admiral
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADMIRALS

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26D: "38. Work with Python, say"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)
  • Similar words include: codification, encrypt, cypher
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. Park and Fifth, e.g.: Abbr."

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (ornithology) the class of birds
  • Similar words include: class Aves
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVES

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28D: "40. Tennis score following deuce"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "44. Second-in-command"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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30D: "45. ___ Place, female companion of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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31D: "47. Closely examine"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that look over carefully
  • Similar words include: audit, visit, scrutinise
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INSPECT

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32D: "51. "Dancing With the Stars" network"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
  • Similar words include: ABC's, alphabet, first rudiment
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABC

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33D: "52. Cardinals legend Brock"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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34D: "54. With the bow, in music"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of instruments in the violin family) to be played with the bow
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCO

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35D: "55. Sullen"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that stubbornly unyielding; ; ; ; - t.s.eliot
  • Similar words include: glowering, grim, sour
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOUR

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36D: "57. "Indeed!""

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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37D: "60. Performed exceptionally, in slang"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
  • Similar words include: feed, corrode, rust
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATE

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38D: "63. Bibliography listing"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an official award (as for bravery or service) usually given as formal public statement
  • Similar words include: mention, credit, cite
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CITATION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "65. Louvre Pyramid architect"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states architect (born in china in 1917)
  • Similar words include: Ieoh Ming Pei, I. M. Pei
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "66. Mail Boxes ___"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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41D: "67. Chain that sells climbing gear"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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42D: "68. Only egg-laying mammals besides platypuses"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a burrowing monotreme mammal covered with spines and having a long snout and claws for hunting ants and termites; native to new guinea
  • Similar words include: echidna, anteater, spiny anteater
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECHIDNAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "69. Mocking cry"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that showing your contempt by derision
  • Similar words include: jeering, flout, gibe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "70. "Night" memoirist Wiesel"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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45D: "71. They might be the last to be booked on an airplane"

11 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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46D: "72. Grp. for Commanders and Chiefs"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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47D: "76. Holiday classic starring Will Ferrell"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
  • Similar words include: pixy, brownie, imp
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELF

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48D: "77. Soapmaker's supply"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYE

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49D: "78. Be inclined"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50D: "79. Cryptid with a Tibetan name"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the himalayas
  • Similar words include: abominable snowman
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YETI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51D: "84. Speech therapist's target"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a speech defect that involves pronouncing `s' like voiceless `th' and `z' like voiced `th'
  • Similar words include: list-processing language
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LISP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52D: "86. Frigg and Freyja, e.g."

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a female deity
  • Similar words include: goddess
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GODDESSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53D: "87. One of the Great Lakes"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of an iroquoian people formerly living on the south shore of lake erie in northern ohio and northwest pennsylvania and western new york
  • Similar words include: Lake Erie
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54D: "88. Cleaning cloths"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece of cloth or paper
  • Similar words include: get at, get to, bother
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55D: "90. Home of the N.C.A.A.'s Flyers"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in southwest ohio; manufacturing center
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAYTON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56D: "92. Train sound"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
  • Similar words include: sing, tin whistle, whistling
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHISTLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57D: "93. Home services website"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58D: "94. Dig up dirt, say"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hand tool for lifting loose material; consists of a curved container or scoop and a handle
  • Similar words include: excavator, digger, shovelful
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59D: "97. "Barry Lyndon" director"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states filmmaker (born in 1928)
  • Similar words include: Stanley Kubrick
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KUBRICK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60D: "99. QB's worry: Abbr."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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61D: "100. Statement by someone who's out of date?"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62D: "101. Vietnamese sandwich"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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63D: "103. Animals known for their slow metabolism"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disinclination to work or exert yourself
  • Similar words include: acedia, tree sloth, laziness
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLOTHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64D: "104. Capital of ancient Troy?"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 19th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65D: "106. Alternative to express"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that public transport consisting of a bus or train that stops at all stations or stops
  • Similar words include: topical anaesthetic, local anesthetic, local anaesthetic
  • Opposite of: national, express
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOCAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66D: "107. Ancient Andeans"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ruler of the incas (or a member of his family)
  • Similar words include: Inca, Inka, Incan
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67D: "108. Like some allergy sprays"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a consonant produced through the nose with the mouth closed
  • Similar words include: adenoidal, pinched, os nasale
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NASAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68D: "109. Splendid"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
  • Similar words include: rarified, K, gilded
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

69D: "114. Young newts"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a newt in its terrestrial stage of development
  • Similar words include: eft
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EFTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

70D: "116. A runner may need to pick it up"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
  • Similar words include: footstep, step, gait
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71D: "117. Charger's option, informally"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a stock exchange in new york
  • Similar words include: Curb, American Stock Exchange
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

72D: "119. Flop ___ (period of failure)"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

73D: "121. Part of NGO: Abbr."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

74D: "122. Prefix with cycle"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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75D: "123. Christmas carol contraction"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
  • Similar words include: te, atomic number 22, ti
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIS

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

65 Across Clues
75 Down Clues
140 Total Clues

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Last updated: October 11, 2026 at 10:10 AM