Search Clues

Showing posts sorted by date for query PETTY. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query PETTY. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Thursday, August 13, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 13, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Take a quick turn 3
2A 4. Sound from a monitor 4
3A 8. One who's definitely not being invited to the party 6
4A 14. Letters indicating a texter's P.O.V. 3
5A 15. Fried side dish with catfish, perhaps 4
6A 16. Cough drop brand whose name is yodeled in its commercials 6
7A 17. Mafia members, e.g. 8
8A 19. Gave a talking to? 6
9A 20. Tiptoed, say 5
10A 21. Bamboozle 5
11A 23. Michigan, in Chicago: Abbr. 3
12A 24. Messenger 6
13A 26. Alimony recipients, say 9
14A 28. Boil ... or a sign of boiling 5
15A 30. Important travel info, in brief 4
16A 31. Dessert often eaten before the ides of March 3
17A 33. Hold up 5
18A 35. "Light" weapon 5
19A 39. Verbalized shivers 4
20A 41. Drinks at a pub 4
21A 43. Kind of bean used in Egyptian falafel 4
22A 44. ___ Ingebrigtsen, track gold medalist at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics 5
23A 46. Teary-eyed expression 5
24A 48. In need of training, say 3
25A 49. Collect over and over, as resources in a video game 4
26A 51. Pass, as time doing something 5
27A 53. 11th of a noted 12 8
28A 57. Was especially wintry 6
29A 60. Part of a slider 3
30A 61. ___ Roy, "Succession" role for which Kieran Culkin won an Emmy 5
31A 63. "It is not enough to be industrious; ___ the ants": Henry David Thoreau 5
32A 64. Smallest member of the genus Lynx 6
33A 66. Evaluating, as an opponent ... or a hint to "fitting" the answers to the italicized clues into the grid 8
34A 68. Uncommon color on the red carpet 6
35A 69. Draw together, as brows 4
36A 70. Decline cookies, say, with "out" 3
37A 71. Soaked up the sun 6
38A 72. ___ Pictures (media giant) 4
39A 73. Last term in a math lecture series? 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Take a quick turn"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Sound from a monitor"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Tiptoed, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Bamboozle"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Messenger"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Alimony recipients, say"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Hold up"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. "Light" weapon"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Verbalized shivers"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Drinks at a pub"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Teary-eyed expression"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "57. Was especially wintry"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "60. Part of a slider"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "71. Soaked up the sun"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

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

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. 0"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Love of Bologna"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Fly off the handle"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. They might have deposits"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Makes an oopsie"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Sticky stuff"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Littlest bits"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Motrin alternative"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "36. Something to jump on"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Many a sleepless night"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Untapped, as talent"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Casual gaming site?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Overwhelming stream"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "47. Compactness"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "50. Ran amok"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "52. Lunchtime, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "53. Monastic superior"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "59. Consideration when diving"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "62. El ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

39 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

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

Friday, June 26, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers June 26, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Hectic time for JFK 4
2A 5. Bar of note? 4
3A 9. Texter's "Hang on a sec" 3
4A 12. Tightfisted sort 5
5A 14. Took an Uber, say 4
6A 15. Top banana 4
7A 16. Biggest restaurant size that nevertheless is often topped? 15
8A 19. Logic gate that is only on when neither input is 3
9A 20. Like many films in teaser trailers 11
10A 21. Spanish "both" 6
11A 23. Top banana, for short 3
12A 24. Ocean-mapping instruments 6
13A 25. Upper limit that cannot be exceeded 7
14A 29. Torment 5
15A 30. Symbol in the Kentucky Derby logo 4
16A 31. Jazz singer Anita 4
17A 33. Holders of nets 4
18A 34. Schlepped 5
19A 35. SCOTUS head count 4
20A 36. "Got it" 4
21A 37. Those for 4
22A 38. Sing like Sinatra 5
23A 39. Mickey Mouse 7
24A 41. Jewelry fasteners 6
25A 42. ___ will 3
26A 43. Slangy response to a knock at the door 6
27A 44. Onetime rap group whose initials spell out a synonym for "Jump Around," appropriately 11
28A 49. Unresponsive, maybe, for short 3
29A 51. Current affairs? 15
30A 53. Polite request 4
31A 54. Public transport option 4
32A 55. Popular toys, in a plural form officially discouraged by their maker 5
33A 56. ___ admin (I.T. role) 3
34A 57. "Look, here's the deal ..." 4
35A 58. Refuses to 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Hectic time for JFK"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a christian holiday celebrating the birth of christ; a quarter day in england, wales, and ireland
  • Similar words include: Christmas, Dec 25, Christmas Day
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: XMAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Bar of note?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that agitation resulting from active worry
  • Similar words include: key pattern, fuss, swither
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Texter's "Hang on a sec""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "12. Tightfisted sort"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MISER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Took an Uber, say"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
  • Similar words include: depend on, tease, hinge on
  • Opposite of: walk
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "15. Top banana"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male monarch or emperor (especially of russia prior to 1917)
  • Similar words include: tsar, tzar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CZAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "16. Biggest restaurant size that nevertheless is often topped?"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Logic gate that is only on when neither input is"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Like many films in teaser trailers"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Spanish "both""

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Top banana, for short"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the corporate executive responsible for the operations of the firm; reports to a board of directors; may appoint other managers (including a president)
  • Similar words include: chief executive officer, chief operating officer
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Ocean-mapping instruments"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measuring instrument that sends out an acoustic pulse in water and measures distances in terms of the time for the echo of the pulse to return
  • Similar words include: echo sounder, sonar, asdic
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Upper limit that cannot be exceeded"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Torment"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain
  • Similar words include: torture, suffering, excruciation
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGONY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Symbol in the Kentucky Derby logo"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of many shrubs of the genus rosa that bear roses
  • Similar words include: stand up, rosaceous, rise up
  • Opposite of: turn in, wane
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Jazz singer Anita"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Holders of nets"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object
  • Similar words include: rim, brim, flange
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Schlepped"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that carry with difficulty
  • Similar words include: add up, total, summate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. SCOTUS head count"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
  • Similar words include: niner, baseball club, ennead
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "36. "Got it""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "37. Those for"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "38. Sing like Sinatra"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sing softly
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CROON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "39. Mickey Mouse"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (informal) small and of little importance
  • Similar words include: footling, superficial, petty
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIVIAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "41. Jewelry fasteners"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together
  • Similar words include: grasp, grip, clench
  • Opposite of: unclasp, unbuckle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLASPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "42. ___ will"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
  • Similar words include: inauspicious, badly, complaint
  • Opposite of: well
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "43. Slangy response to a knock at the door"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "44. Onetime rap group whose initials spell out a synonym for "Jump Around," appropriately"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "49. Unresponsive, maybe, for short"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. Current affairs?"

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "53. Polite request"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "54. Public transport option"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers
  • Similar words include: ropeway, trolley, tramcar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "55. Popular toys, in a plural form officially discouraged by their maker"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (trademark) a child's plastic construction set for making mechanical models
  • Similar words include: Lego set, Lego
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "56. ___ admin (I.T. role)"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "57. "Look, here's the deal ...""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "58. Refuses to"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an established custom
  • Similar words include: habit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WONT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Group of mutants 4
2D 2. Expert on cosmos? 10
3D 3. Expert on the cosmos 10
4D 4. "To be," in Tijuana 3
5D 5. Goals for those in a rush, informally 5
6D 6. Golf great McIlroy 4
7D 7. Unlikely scenarios, in techspeak 9
8D 8. Vacillated 8
9D 9. [WRONG!] 4
10D 10. Level 4
11D 11. Two-pronged fastener 4
12D 13. Was used up 6
13D 15. Stan's workplace on "American Dad!," for short 3
14D 17. Places to go in the U.K. 4
15D 18. Spur 4
16D 22. Third-generation Japanese American 6
17D 24. Draped garment 4
18D 25. Resting place 5
19D 26. Pulitzer-winning poet Aiken 6
20D 27. "Later, dude!" 10
21D 28. Prison design that allows one guard to keep watch on all the inmates 10
22D 30. Chess tactic in which the king and queen are attacked simultaneously by a single piece 9
23D 32. Itches 4
24D 34. Personalize for 8
25D 38. Like offspring in a strictly asexual lineage 6
26D 40. ___ Nam 4
27D 41. Likely contact point of an uppercut 4
28D 43. Self-driving car company started by Google 5
29D 44. Closes (in) 4
30D 45. Big name in skin care 4
31D 46. Some missed-exit maneuvers, informally 4
32D 47. Poli-___ (certain college major, for short) 3
33D 48. Smartphone predecessors, for short 4
34D 50. Second: Abbr. 4
35D 52. Copy cats? 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Group of mutants"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Expert on cosmos?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an employee who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks at a bar
  • Similar words include: barkeeper, barkeep, bartender
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIXOLOGIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Expert on the cosmos"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a physicist who studies astronomy
  • Similar words include: uranologist, stargazer
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASTRONOMER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "To be," in Tijuana"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Goals for those in a rush, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a social club for male undergraduates
  • Similar words include: frat, fraternity
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Golf great McIlroy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Unlikely scenarios, in techspeak"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Vacillated"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move unsteadily, with a rocking motion
  • Similar words include: seesaw, teeter, totter
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEETERED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. [WRONG!]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Level"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tear down so as to make flat with the ground
  • Similar words include: take down, level, pull down
  • Opposite of: raise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Two-pronged fastener"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small nail
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "13. Was used up"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "15. Stan's workplace on "American Dad!," for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent agency of the united states government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest; headed by the director of central intelligence under the supervision of the president and national security council
  • Similar words include: Central Intelligence Agency
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "17. Places to go in the U.K."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that austrian architect (1870-1933)
  • Similar words include: closet, water closet, W.C.
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "18. Spur"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
  • Similar words include: egg on, goading, stab
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Third-generation Japanese American"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Draped garment"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dress worn primarily by hindu women; consists of several yards of light material that is draped around the body
  • Similar words include: saree
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Resting place"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOTEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Pulitzer-winning poet Aiken"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english novelist (born in poland) noted for sea stories and for his narrative technique (1857-1924)
  • Similar words include: Joseph Conrad, Teodor Josef Konrad Korzeniowski
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONRAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. "Later, dude!""

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "28. Prison design that allows one guard to keep watch on all the inmates"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an area where everything is visible
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PANOPTICON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "30. Chess tactic in which the king and queen are attacked simultaneously by a single piece"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Itches"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a yearning for something or to do something
  • Similar words include: yen, yearn, ache
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. Personalize for"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Like offspring in a strictly asexual lineage"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to a clone
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLONAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. ___ Nam"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Likely contact point of an uppercut"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the protruding part of the lower jaw
  • Similar words include: Kuki, Kuki-Chin, chin up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Self-driving car company started by Google"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Closes (in)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
  • Similar words include: ahem, hem
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. Big name in skin care"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "46. Some missed-exit maneuvers, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "47. Poli-___ (certain college major, for short)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "48. Smartphone predecessors, for short"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lightweight consumer electronic device that looks like a hand-held computer but instead performs specific tasks; can serve as a diary or a personal database or a telephone or an alarm clock etc.
  • Similar words include: personal organizer, organizer, organiser
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PDAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Second: Abbr."

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "52. Copy cats?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)
  • Similar words include: sea mew, miaou, miaul
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEW

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

35 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
70 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: June 26, 2026 at 07:07 AM