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Thursday, July 30, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 30, 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. Change entirely 5
2A 6. Like former secrets 6
3A 12. Make like a frog 3
4A 15. One who doesn't speak while in a cast 5
5A 16. Balkan state that's been independent since 2008 6
6A 17. Like the name of former soccer star Mark De Man 3
7A 18. Cluster 12
8A 20. Density symbol 3
9A 21. Go for gold? 3
10A 22. It may be padded or slapped 4
11A 23. Do you read me? 5
12A 25. Veteran 6
13A 27. Agent 9
14A 31. Change logos, maybe 7
15A 33. "Bravo!" 3
16A 34. Dour 4
17A 35. Unnatural, in a way 4
18A 36. H.S. course covering integrals 6
19A 39. ___ trading 3
20A 40. Steam 10
21A 43. Sow, e.g. 3
22A 46. Black-and-orange bird 6
23A 47. Bob who painted "happy little trees" 4
24A 50. Jackie who co-starred in "Rush Hour" 4
25A 52. Top halves of centaurs 3
26A 53. They may be lifted ... or downed 7
27A 56. Gambit 9
28A 59. City with red buses 6
29A 60. Big or bad follower 5
30A 61. So-called "Land of a Million Elephants" 4
31A 63. Fripp & ___ (musical duo) 3
32A 64. ___ culpa 3
33A 65. Communication aid that helps make sense of the italicized clues 12
34A 70. Subj. for immigrants, maybe 3
35A 71. Training aids for a lab, say 6
36A 72. Plain 5
37A 73. ___ pad 3
38A 74. What headphones often play in 6
39A 75. Shark's mark 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Change entirely"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that device for resetting instruments or controls
  • Similar words include: readjust
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Like former secrets"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have in common
  • Similar words include: apportion, divided up, share
  • Opposite of: unshared
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHARED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "12. Make like a frog"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of hopping; jumping upward or forward (especially on one foot)
  • Similar words include: record hop, skip, hop-skip
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. One who doesn't speak while in a cast"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a minor actor in crowd scenes
  • Similar words include: spear carrier, additional, supernumerary
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Balkan state that's been independent since 2008"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a serbian province in southern serbia and montenegro populated predominantly by albanians
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KOSOVO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Like the name of former soccer star Mark De Man"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward
  • Similar words include: minded, tending, given
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Cluster"

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Density symbol"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 17th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Go for gold?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
  • Similar words include: tangent, suntan, topaz
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. It may be padded or slapped"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Do you read me?"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
  • Similar words include: new, refreshing, fresh
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Veteran"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Agent"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Change logos, maybe"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. "Bravo!""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Dour"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
  • Similar words include: dreary, downcast, dismal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Unnatural, in a way"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that color with dye
  • Similar words include: colored, bleached, dye
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DYED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. H.S. course covering integrals"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. ___ trading"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that time for earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
  • Similar words include: daytime, 24-hour interval, mean solar day
  • Opposite of: night
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Steam"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Sow, e.g."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that domestic swine
  • Similar words include: grunter, Sus scrofa, bull
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "46. Black-and-orange bird"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mostly tropical songbird; the male is usually bright orange and black
  • Similar words include: Old World oriole, American oriole, New World oriole
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORIOLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "47. Bob who painted "happy little trees""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that scottish explorer who led arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the northwest passage (1777-1856)
  • Similar words include: Betsy Ross, Sir John Ross, Nellie Ross
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "50. Jackie who co-starred in "Rush Hour""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "52. Top halves of centaurs"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the force of workers available
  • Similar words include: work force, manpower, man
  • Opposite of: woman, civilian
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "53. They may be lifted ... or downed"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
  • Similar words include: flavour, smell, liveliness
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPIRITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "56. Gambit"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "59. City with red buses"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of england; located on the thames in southeastern england; financial and industrial and cultural center
  • Similar words include: British capital, John Griffith Chaney, capital of the United Kingdom
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LONDON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "60. Big or bad follower"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh
  • Similar words include: orchard apple tree, Malus pumila
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APPLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. So-called "Land of a Million Elephants""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mountainous landlocked communist state in southeastern asia; achieved independence from france in 1949
  • Similar words include: Lao, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Laotian
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Fripp & ___ (musical duo)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. ___ culpa"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Communication aid that helps make sense of the italicized clues"

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "70. Subj. for immigrants, maybe"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "71. Training aids for a lab, say"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something considered choice to eat
  • Similar words include: delicacy, goody, kickshaw
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "72. Plain"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that open and observable; not secret or hidden
  • Similar words include: open
  • Opposite of: covert
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "73. ___ pad"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an internationally recognized distress signal in radio code
  • Similar words include: soh, so, sol
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "74. What headphones often play in"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reproducer in which two microphones feed two or more loudspeakers to give a three-dimensional effect to the sound
  • Similar words include: stereophonic system, stereoscopic picture, stereoscopic photograph
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEREO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "75. Shark's mark"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Church leader 6
2D 2. Took one's breath away? 7
3D 3. Remain loyal to 7
4D 4. Pronounce "aisle" as it's spelled, e.g. 3
5D 5. It often leans left or right 9
6D 6. ___-Ball 4
7D 7. Joel follows it 5
8D 8. Flame's remains 3
9D 9. Lumpsucker eggs 3
10D 10. Biblical second coming? 3
11D 11. Prima ___ 5
12D 12. University of Cambridge 7
13D 13. "Hamlet" noblewoman 7
14D 14. Developer of a geocentric model of the universe 7
15D 19. Words after cash or zero 4
16D 24. [Horrors!] 3
17D 26. Org. leader 4
18D 28. One who knows all the shortcuts, maybe 5
19D 29. Puts down 6
20D 30. Where Dante's path to paradise begins 4
21D 32. Panama's ___ National Park 6
22D 37. That's the whole point! 5
23D 38. Seller of knickknacks 9
24D 41. Gospel singer Franklin 4
25D 42. Like a zoomer after 1997 4
26D 43. Minecraft and World of Warcraft 7
27D 44. "If we're lucky!" 7
28D 45. Rhyming name for a certain group of friends 7
29D 48. It's not the main part of the action 7
30D 49. High achievers? 7
31D 51. Notable org. with 32 members 3
32D 54. Sit (down) heavily 4
33D 55. Arrogant 6
34D 57. Lets 5
35D 58. Really please 5
36D 62. Plus 4
37D 66. It might be left hanging 3
38D 67. Most common letter in this clue 3
39D 68. Boat propeller 3
40D 69. Director DuVernay 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Church leader"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person authorized to conduct religious worship
  • Similar words include: curate, parson, minister
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RECTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Took one's breath away?"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give out (breath or an odor)
  • Similar words include: emanate, expire, give forth
  • Opposite of: inhale
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXHALED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Remain loyal to"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that can be relied on when needed
  • Similar words include: understudy
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STANDBY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Pronounce "aisle" as it's spelled, e.g."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. It often leans left or right"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. ___-Ball"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Joel follows it"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a minor hebrew prophet (8th century bc)
  • Similar words include: Book of Hosea
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOSEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Flame's remains"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Lumpsucker eggs"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
  • Similar words include: hard roe
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Biblical second coming?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Prima ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. University of Cambridge"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a university in massachusetts
  • Similar words include: John Harvard, Harvard University
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARVARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "Hamlet" noblewoman"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Developer of a geocentric model of the universe"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that alexandrian astronomer (of the 2nd century) who proposed a geocentric system of astronomy that was undisputed until the late renaissance
  • Similar words include: Claudius Ptolemaeus, Ptolemaic dynasty
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PTOLEMY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Words after cash or zero"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. [Horrors!]"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Org. leader"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. One who knows all the shortcuts, maybe"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

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, topical anesthetic, local anaesthetic
  • Opposite of: general, national
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOCAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Puts down"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a point located with respect to surface features of some region
  • Similar words include: billet, rate, office
  • Opposite of: divest
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLACES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Where Dante's path to paradise begins"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any place of pain and turmoil
  • Similar words include: netherworld, sin, underworld
  • Opposite of: Heaven
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Panama's ___ National Park"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "37. That's the whole point!"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pointed projection
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRONG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "38. Seller of knickknacks"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "41. Gospel singer Franklin"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "42. Like a zoomer after 1997"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that british nuclear physicist (born in germany) honored for his contributions to quantum mechanics (1882-1970)
  • Similar words include: endure, innate, have a bun in the oven
  • Opposite of: unborn
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BORN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. Minecraft and World of Warcraft"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "44. "If we're lucky!""

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Rhyming name for a certain group of friends"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. It's not the main part of the action"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. High achievers?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an attacker who pelts the victim with stones (especially with intent to kill)
  • Similar words include: lapidator, stoner
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STONERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "51. Notable org. with 32 members"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "54. Sit (down) heavily"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the noise of a rounded object dropping into a liquid without a splash
  • Similar words include: plunk, plank, plump down
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "55. Arrogant"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used colloquially) overly conceited or arrogant; -laurent le sage
  • Similar words include: persnickety, bigheaded, uppish
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNOTTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "57. Lets"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service
  • Similar words include: rip, engage, take
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RENTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "58. Really please"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "62. Plus"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in addition
  • Similar words include: too, likewise, as well
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "66. It might be left hanging"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the products of human creativity; works of art collectively
  • Similar words include: artistry, artwork, graphics
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "67. Most common letter in this clue"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the starting place for each hole on a golf course
  • Similar words include: teeing ground, football tee, tee up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "68. Boat propeller"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an implement used to propel or steer a boat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "69. Director DuVernay"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

39 Across Clues
40 Down Clues
79 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: July 30, 2026 at 06:03 AM

Saturday, July 18, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 18, 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. Unite, with "up" 4
2A 5. Many an extra in the "Lord of the Rings" movies 3
3A 8. Like fondue, traditionally 5
4A 13. Nairobi-based collection of NGOs 5
5A 15. Restriction on how much one can serve 9
6A 17. Conductor's reference 5
7A 18. Opportunity to compare notes, perhaps 9
8A 19. Very traditional sort 6
9A 21. Khloe, Kim or Kourtney, familiarly 3
10A 22. Jennifer who won a Pulitzer for "A Visit From the Goon Squad" 4
11A 23. Concerning 4
12A 24. Weight 4
13A 26. Orange video game character who appears in "Wreck-It Ralph" 5
14A 27. Retailer with mountains in its logo 3
15A 28. Persuade, as on a course of action 4
16A 29. Shade 3
17A 30. Smartphone feature that debuted worldwide in 2011 13
18A 34. Hot 6
19A 35. Kind of acid partly responsible for sourdough's tang 6
20A 37. "Sorry, that's way above my pay grade" 13
21A 40. Black ___ 3
22A 41. Line holders 4
23A 42. Brilliant example 3
24A 43. Digs up by the roots 5
25A 46. Cry at the end of a countdown 4
26A 47. Dead center? 4
27A 48. Song whose titular subject has a "dark brown voice" 4
28A 49. Mesh 3
29A 50. One side of many a transaction 6
30A 52. Backs up on its own, say 9
31A 55. Titular animated dog of children's TV 5
32A 56. Go down swinging, perhaps 9
33A 57. What might add a bit of flavor to a salsa? 5
34A 58. Company bought by Tempur-Pedic in 2012 5
35A 59. W.W. II-era occupation for baseball's Moe Berg, following his playing career 3
36A 60. Rides 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Unite, with "up""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
  • Similar words include: squad, team up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Many an extra in the "Lord of the Rings" movies"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Like fondue, traditionally"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the natives or inhabitants of switzerland
  • Similar words include: Swiss people
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. Nairobi-based collection of NGOs"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Restriction on how much one can serve"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Conductor's reference"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
  • Similar words include: hit, musical score, sexual conquest
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Opportunity to compare notes, perhaps"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Very traditional sort"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who insists on great precision and correctness (especially in the use of words)
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PURIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Khloe, Kim or Kourtney, familiarly"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a female person who has the same parents as another person
  • Similar words include: te, atomic number 14, sister
  • Opposite of: brother
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Jennifer who won a Pulitzer for "A Visit From the Goon Squad""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Concerning"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Weight"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the property of being large in mass
  • Similar words include: ponderousness, ponderosity, heave up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Orange video game character who appears in "Wreck-It Ralph""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Retailer with mountains in its logo"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Persuade, as on a course of action"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the activity of persuading someone to buy
  • Similar words include: deal, trade, betray
  • Opposite of: buy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. Shade"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "30. Smartphone feature that debuted worldwide in 2011"

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Hot"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an erotic person
  • Similar words include: titillating
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EROTIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. Kind of acid partly responsible for sourdough's tang"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to or obtained from milk (especially sour milk or whey)
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LACTIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. "Sorry, that's way above my pay grade""

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Black ___"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (roman mythology) goddess of abundance and fertility; wife of saturn; counterpart of greek rhea and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. Line holders"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long thin implement made of metal or wood
  • Similar words include: retinal rod, pole, rod
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RODS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Brilliant example"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
  • Similar words include: stone, precious stone, gemstone
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Digs up by the roots"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for a meal
  • Similar words include: mooch, eats, bum
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRUBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Cry at the end of a countdown"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an instance or single occasion for some event
  • Similar words include: clock time, clock, sentence
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Dead center?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
  • Similar words include: grave
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "48. Song whose titular subject has a "dark brown voice""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "49. Mesh"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "50. One side of many a transaction"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
  • Similar words include: principal, trader, monger
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEALER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "52. Backs up on its own, say"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "55. Titular animated dog of children's TV"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "56. Go down swinging, perhaps"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an out resulting from the batter getting three strikes
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRIKEOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "57. What might add a bit of flavor to a salsa?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small drum; played with the hands
  • Similar words include: Tragelaphus eurycerus, bongo drum, Boocercus eurycerus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BONGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "58. Company bought by Tempur-Pedic in 2012"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "59. W.W. II-era occupation for baseball's Moe Berg, following his playing career"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors
  • Similar words include: stag, spot, snoop
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "60. Rides"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone (especially a woman) who annoys people by constantly finding fault
  • Similar words include: scold, plug, hen-peck
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Left 7
2D 2. "Um ... what?!" 8
3D 3. With even stronger reasoning, in law 9
4D 4. Super man? 5
5D 5. Quite a few characters in 2025's "Elio," for short 3
6D 6. Unleashes 7
7D 7. Results of one's labors, so to speak 5
8D 8. Shrewd 3
9D 9. You might give this to someone you want to avoid 9
10D 10. Outward appearance 5
11D 11. Instrument that's held at about a 45-degree angle from the player's body 5
12D 12. Inner tube? 5
13D 14. "Bonjour, ___ amis!" 3
14D 16. Figures listed on Zocdoc, for short 3
15D 20. Gustav Klimt masterpiece 7
16D 25. Choose 5
17D 26. Charlatans 6
18D 28. Exercises with a "butterfly" variation, in which the soles of one's feet are pressed together 6
19D 29. Overtook? 7
20D 31. Cosmetic additive that comes from the Southwest 9
21D 32. Flowering period 5
22D 33. Actor who plays the title role on TV's "Andor" 9
23D 36. Classic Easter treat 8
24D 38. Report 7
25D 39. Items frozen in cryopreservation 7
26D 43. Flute, for one 5
27D 44. Way 5
28D 45. Prefix with marathon 5
29D 46. Bygone recorders 5
30D 47. Grabber 5
31D 49. Race of supernatural spirits 3
32D 51. Fall back 3
33D 53. You might look up to this 3
34D 54. Unpleasant digs 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Left"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Um ... what?!""

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. With even stronger reasoning, in law"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Super man?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Quite a few characters in 2025's "Elio," for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Unleashes"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Results of one's labors, so to speak"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
  • Similar words include: yield
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRUIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Shrewd"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. You might give this to someone you want to avoid"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Outward appearance"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Instrument that's held at about a 45-degree angle from the player's body"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a stringed instrument of india; has a long neck and movable frets; has 6 or 7 metal strings for playing and usually 13 resonating strings
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SITAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Inner tube?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slender tube inserted inside a tubular body part (as a blood vessel) to provide support during and after surgical anastomosis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. "Bonjour, ___ amis!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in new england
  • Similar words include: ME, Pine Tree State, Maine
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "16. Figures listed on Zocdoc, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding einsteinium with alpha particles (md is the current symbol for mendelevium but mv was formerly the symbol)
  • Similar words include: Dr., Md, physician
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. Gustav Klimt masterpiece"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Choose"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an exclusive group of people
  • Similar words include: elite, chosen
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Charlatans"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an untrained person who pretends to be a physician and who dispenses medical advice
  • Similar words include: quack
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: QUACKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Exercises with a "butterfly" variation, in which the soles of one's feet are pressed together"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Overtook?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that save up as for future use
  • Similar words include: collect, hoard, stash
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOARDED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Cosmetic additive that comes from the Southwest"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Flowering period"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the organic process of bearing flowers
  • Similar words include: heyday, rosiness, bloom of youth
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Actor who plays the title role on TV's "Andor""

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Classic Easter treat"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Report"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. Items frozen in cryopreservation"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (botany) a minute rudimentary plant contained within a seed or an archegonium
  • Similar words include: embryo, fertilized egg, conceptus
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMBRYOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. Flute, for one"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
  • Similar words include: drinking glass, meth, deoxyephedrine
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "44. Way"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an established line of travel or access
  • Similar words include: itinerary, road, path
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROUTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Prefix with marathon"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used of opinions and actions) far beyond the norm
  • Similar words include: radical, extremist
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ULTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. Bygone recorders"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "47. Grabber"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Race of supernatural spirits"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a device consisting of a container of fuel and two explosive charges; the first charge bursts open the fuel container at a predetermined height and spreads the fuel in a cloud that mixes with atmospheric oxygen; the second charge detonates the cloud which creates an enormous blast wave and incinerates whatever is below
  • Similar words include: fuel-air explosive
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FAE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Fall back"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
  • Similar words include: ebbing, ebb out, wane
  • Opposite of: tide
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EBB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "53. You might look up to this"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
  • Similar words include: flip, toss, pitch
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "54. Unpleasant digs"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

36 Across Clues
34 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: July 18, 2026 at 05:39 AM