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Wednesday, September 9, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 09, 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: Moderate

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. "OK," in modern slang 3
2A 4. Develop 5
3A 9. Postlarval insects 5
4A 14. Prefix with skeleton 3
5A 15. Ewok's home 5
6A 16. Blow, as 13-Down does repeatedly 5
7A 17. Top starter 3
8A 18. Unsecured artillery that can slide across the deck 11
9A 20. "Semper Fidelis," for one 5
10A 22. Advantage 5
11A 23. Me-time destination 3
12A 24. Creature of Egyptian myth 6
13A 26. Bus schedule component 4
14A 28. Some landscaping equipment 6
15A 31. Worker who's behind the Times? 6
16A 35. Plow puller of old 4
17A 37. "Verb," ironically 4
18A 39. Part of a black suit 5
19A 40. Its three largest cities all have names starting with C 4
20A 41. Completely lost ... or where the now-idiomatic answer to each italicized clue has a literal meaning 5
21A 43. Barely made (out) 4
22A 44. Chat, informally 5
23A 46. Old-timey "Listen!" 4
24A 47. Out of juice 4
25A 48. Paint options 6
26A 50. Permanent-press 6
27A 52. Part of many a shallow-water ecosystem 4
28A 54. Music genre for some yoga classes 6
29A 57. Suffix with devil 3
30A 60. Expresses approval, in a way 5
31A 63. Remove from its original packaging, say 5
32A 64. Equatorial ocean area notorious for lack of winds 11
33A 67. Consumed 3
34A 68. Character in "Monsters, Inc." 5
35A 69. Like many a campfire story 5
36A 70. Hiker to a QB: Abbr. 3
37A 71. Elevate, as a flag 5
38A 72. Shell out cash 5
39A 73. Word with sewing or starter 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "OK," in modern slang"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the money risked on a gamble
  • Similar words include: depend, calculate, stake
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Develop"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that constitution of the human body
  • Similar words include: physique, physical body, form
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUILD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Postlarval insects"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an insect in the inactive stage of development (when it is not feeding) intermediate between larva and adult
  • Similar words include: pupa
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUPAE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Prefix with skeleton"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Ewok's home"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Blow, as 13-Down does repeatedly"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that start abruptly
  • Similar words include: burst, flare up, take fire
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERUPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Top starter"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: whizz, adept, one
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Unsecured artillery that can slide across the deck"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. "Semper Fidelis," for one"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a favorite saying of a sect or political group
  • Similar words include: slogan, shibboleth, catchword
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOTTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Advantage"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Me-time destination"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Creature of Egyptian myth"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inscrutable person who keeps his thoughts and intentions secret
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPHINX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Bus schedule component"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the event of something ending
  • Similar words include: full point, full stop, plosive speech sound
  • Opposite of: start, continuant consonant
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Some landscaping equipment"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who puts finishing edges on a garment
  • Similar words include: edger
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Worker who's behind the Times?"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
  • Similar words include: editor program, editor in chief
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDITOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. Plow puller of old"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile
  • Similar words include: scuff
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MULE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "37. "Verb," ironically"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Part of a black suit"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a playing card in the major suit that has one or more black figures on it
  • Similar words include: jigaboo, coon, nigra
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Its three largest cities all have names starting with C"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a midwestern state in north central united states in the great lakes region
  • Similar words include: Buckeye State, Ohio River, OH
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OHIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Completely lost ... or where the now-idiomatic answer to each italicized clue has a literal meaning"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Barely made (out)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Chat, informally"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Old-timey "Listen!""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that listen; used mostly in the imperative
  • Similar words include: harken, hearken
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Out of juice"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people who are no longer living
  • Similar words include: abruptly, deadened, stagnant
  • Opposite of: alive, living
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Paint options"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the visual property of something that shines with reflected light
  • Similar words include: shininess, luster, lustre
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHEENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Permanent-press"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Part of many a shallow-water ecosystem"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
  • Similar words include: Witwatersrand, Rand
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REEF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Music genre for some yoga classes"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "57. Suffix with devil"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. Expresses approval, in a way"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sudden very loud noise
  • Similar words include: acclaim, eruption, bam
  • Opposite of: boo
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Remove from its original packaging, say"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove from a box
  • Opposite of: box
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNBOX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. Equatorial ocean area notorious for lack of winds"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Consumed"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
  • Similar words include: eat on, consume, run through
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Character in "Monsters, Inc.""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a punctuation mark (,) used to indicate the separation of elements within the grammatical structure of a sentence
  • Similar words include: comma butterfly, Polygonia comma
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Like many a campfire story"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that suggestive of the supernatural; mysterious
  • Similar words include: eery
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EERIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "70. Hiker to a QB: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "71. Elevate, as a flag"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lifting device for raising heavy or cumbersome objects
  • Similar words include: lift, run up, wind
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "72. Shell out cash"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "73. Word with sewing or starter"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Has a happy face 5
2D 2. Former member of the force 5
3D 3. Stand barefoot in formation along seams of deck planks 10
4D 4. Fit in 6
5D 5. Game in which players draw and skip 3
6D 6. Big celebrity 4
7D 7. When repeated, leading only to bad outcomes 4
8D 8. Leftovers 5
9D 9. Stir-fry add-ins 7
10D 10. Decorative vessel 3
11D 11. "Sofa, so good" and such 4
12D 12. Each 4
13D 13. Sicilian smoker 4
14D 19. ___ as a bug's ear 4
15D 21. Drift with the natural flow of currents 8
16D 25. TV's "Warrior Princess" 4
17D 27. Bosun's whistled call signaling a shift change 8
18D 29. I.R.A. classification 4
19D 30. Lazy ___ 5
20D 32. Flattened against the masts in a changing wind 10
21D 33. Roman theaters 4
22D 34. Comedian Foxx 4
23D 35. Soft leather shoes, for short 4
24D 36. "That's not good" 4
25D 38. Fiddler-emperor, legend has it 4
26D 42. Similar 4
27D 45. Minimal paint job 7
28D 49. Promote 4
29D 51. Not just thrown away, say 6
30D 53. Gradually tapered cuts 5
31D 55. Jailed New York crime boss 5
32D 56. Wield, as authority 5
33D 57. Bite reminder, maybe 4
34D 58. "Get away!" 4
35D 59. Prefix with sphere 4
36D 61. Dice peppers, e.g. 4
37D 62. Positive 4
38D 65. Personally contacts online, for short 3
39D 66. Max's opposite 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Has a happy face"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
  • Similar words include: ray, irradiation, shaft of light
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Former member of the force"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Stand barefoot in formation along seams of deck planks"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Fit in"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be owned by; be in the possession of
  • Similar words include: go, belong to
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BELONG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Game in which players draw and skip"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Big celebrity"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a material effigy that is worshipped
  • Similar words include: god, graven image, beau ideal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDOL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. When repeated, leading only to bad outcomes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
  • Similar words include: misplace, mislay, fall back
  • Opposite of: find, win
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Leftovers"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid
  • Similar words include: settlings, dreg
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DREGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Stir-fry add-ins"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Decorative vessel"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large vase that usually has a pedestal or feet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: URN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. "Sofa, so good" and such"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a humorous play on words
  • Similar words include: punning, wordplay, pun
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Each"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Sicilian smoker"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inactive volcano in sicily; last erupted in 1961; the highest volcano in europe (10,500 feet)
  • Similar words include: bunsen burner, bunsen, Mount Etna
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "19. ___ as a bug's ear"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
  • Similar words include: precious, cunning
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Drift with the natural flow of currents"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. TV's "Warrior Princess""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Bosun's whistled call signaling a shift change"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. I.R.A. classification"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states writer whose novels portray middle-class jewish life (born in 1933)
  • Similar words include: Philip Milton Roth, Philip Roth
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Lazy ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Flattened against the masts in a changing wind"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Roman theaters"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Comedian Foxx"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Soft leather shoes, for short"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. "That's not good""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Fiddler-emperor, legend has it"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that roman emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of rome in 64) but the roman empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)
  • Similar words include: Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NERO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. Similar"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that similar in quality or character
  • Similar words include: cognate, consanguineal, kin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AKIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Minimal paint job"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "49. Promote"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "51. Not just thrown away, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that use again after processing
  • Similar words include: reprocess, recycle, reuse
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REUSED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "53. Gradually tapered cuts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a golf shot that curves to the right for a right-handed golfer
  • Similar words include: slice, wither, blow over
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FADES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "55. Jailed New York crime boss"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "56. Wield, as authority"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have and exercise
  • Similar words include: maintain, wield, exercise
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "57. Bite reminder, maybe"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation
  • Similar words include: spoil, itchiness, itching
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. "Get away!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that drive away by crying `shoo!'
  • Similar words include: shoo off, shoo away
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "59. Prefix with sphere"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "61. Dice peppers, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home)
  • Similar words include: preparation, homework
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PREP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "62. Positive"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
  • Similar words include: certain, surely, trusted
  • Opposite of: uncertain, unsure
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SURE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "65. Personally contacts online, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that diabetes caused by a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin and characterized by polyuria
  • Similar words include: decimeter, DM, decimetre
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "66. Max's opposite"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
  • Similar words include: Hokkianese, Fukien, minute
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

39 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 09, 2026 at 08:16 AM

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

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