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

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 22, 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. "All the world," per Shakespeare's Jaques 5
2A 6. Countertop piece 4
3A 10. First things first for a chef 4
4A 14. Villain in the Bible's Christmas story 5
5A 15. Titanic 4
6A 16. Lead-in to pad or port 4
7A 17. Spurred on 10
8A 19. God served by the ravens Huginn and Muninn 4
9A 20. Condition that may involve stimming, for short 4
10A 21. "Good grief!" 6
11A 23. Trojan's sch. 3
12A 24. Some buggies, for short 4
13A 26. Rakish 6
14A 28. Exercise for the arms and back 6
15A 31. Emerge once more 8
16A 33. Not squarely balanced 5
17A 34. Like some Scots 6
18A 35. Ax 3
19A 36. Applies, as facial cream 5
20A 37. Paint container 3
21A 40. Opposed (to) 6
22A 42. Studies all night, say 5
23A 44. You might pass to one 8
24A 47. Like some Scots 6
25A 48. Small advancement 6
26A 49. En ___ (with all the judges present) 4
27A 50. One might be used for battering 3
28A 51. Tiny slice 6
29A 54. Cry of pain 4
30A 58. Apple on a desk? 4
31A 60. One offering lessons 10
32A 62. "Strega ___" (1975 children's book) 4
33A 63. Genesis grandchild 4
34A 64. Material for a ceramicist 5
35A 65. It might grow slowly on a face 4
36A 66. Fibrous 4
37A 67. "The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships" 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "All the world," per Shakespeare's Jaques"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any distinct time period in a sequence of events
  • Similar words include: degree, microscope stage, represent
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Countertop piece"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that block consisting of a thick piece of something
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. First things first for a chef"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Villain in the Bible's Christmas story"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that king of judea who (according to the new testament) tried to kill jesus by ordering the death of all children under age two in bethlehem (73-4 bc)
  • Similar words include: Herod the Great
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEROD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Titanic"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; - w.r.inge
  • Similar words include: vast, immense, Brobdingnagian
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Lead-in to pad or port"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Spurred on"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that contribute to the progress or growth of
  • Similar words include: bucked up, advance, boost
  • Opposite of: discourage
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENCOURAGED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. God served by the ravens Huginn and Muninn"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (norse mythology) ruler of the aesir; supreme god of war and poetry and knowledge and wisdom (for which he gave an eye) and husband of frigg; identified with the teutonic wotan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Condition that may involve stimming, for short"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
  • Similar words include: MBD, ADD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADHD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. "Good grief!""

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Trojan's sch."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Some buggies, for short"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Rakish"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of questionable taste or morality
  • Similar words include: shady
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOUCHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Exercise for the arms and back"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Emerge once more"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that appear again
  • Similar words include: re-emerge
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REAPPEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Not squarely balanced"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
  • Similar words include: leaning, canted, tipped
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATILT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Like some Scots"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a branch of the indo-european languages that (judging from inscriptions and place names) was spread widely over europe in the pre-christian era
  • Similar words include: Celtic language, Gaelic
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CELTIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Ax"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Applies, as facial cream"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that material used to daub walls
  • Similar words include: smudge, slur, plaster
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAUBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. Paint container"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Opposed (to)"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
  • Similar words include: antipathetic, loth, antipathetical
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVERSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Studies all night, say"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that crowd or pack to capacity
  • Similar words include: bone up, drum, jampack
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. You might pass to one"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fellow member of a team
  • Similar words include: mate
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAMMATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Like some Scots"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of several related languages of the celts in ireland and scotland
  • Similar words include: Goidelic, Erse, Celtic
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAELIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Small advancement"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an encroachment or intrusion
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INROAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. En ___ (with all the judges present)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. One might be used for battering"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible
  • Similar words include: pound, drive, jampack
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "51. Tiny slice"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small thin sharp bit or wood or glass or metal
  • Similar words include: paring, splinter, shaving
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLIVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Cry of pain"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. Apple on a desk?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. One offering lessons"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person whose occupation is teaching
  • Similar words include: teacher
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INSTRUCTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. "Strega ___" (1975 children's book)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Genesis grandchild"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Material for a ceramicist"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various thin shiny (savory or sweet) coatings applied to foods
  • Similar words include: candy, sugarcoat, glass over
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. It might grow slowly on a face"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
  • Similar words include: grinning, smiling, smile
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Fibrous"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or resembling rope (or ropes) in being long and strong
  • Similar words include: thready, stringy, ropey
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "67. "The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of zeus and leda who was abducted by paris; the greek army sailed to troy to get her back which resulted in the trojan war
  • Similar words include: Helen of Troy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HELEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. ___ butter 4
2D 2. Mind 4
3D 3. Grand entryway 4
4D 4. Jane ___ Institute (wildlife conservation group) 7
5D 5. Professor's URL ender 3
6D 6. Some prerevolutionary Mideast leaders 5
7D 7. It's going downhill fast! 4
8D 8. James who wrote "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men" 4
9D 9. Supporters of a king or queen? 8
10D 10. Dish traditionally flavored with Saigon cinnamon 3
11D 11. With 31- and 43-Down, an environmentalist motto ... as suggested elsewhere in different ways in this puzzle 6
12D 12. Actress Cuthbert of "The Girl Next Door" 6
13D 13. One of two on a scorpion 6
14D 18. "Let me know if you're coming" 4
15D 22. Kachina doll carvers 4
16D 25. Alternative to "tsk" 3
17D 27. Bars on an energy bar, say, for short 3
18D 28. K Street grp. 3
19D 29. Tony winner Hagen 3
20D 30. Former N.B.A. champion Jeremy 3
21D 31. See 11-Down 5
22D 32. German river to the North Sea 4
23D 34. Icon on an online shop 4
24D 36. Like a black mamba vis-à-vis a python 8
25D 37. Golden Bears' school, familiarly 3
26D 38. "___ dreaming?" 3
27D 39. Grp. in the Situation Room 3
28D 40. "Te ___" (Spanish "I love you") 3
29D 41. Annual show with astronaut-shaped trophies, for short 4
30D 42. Is able to 3
31D 43. See 11-Down 7
32D 44. Draining 6
33D 45. Win over 6
34D 46. Italian luxury brand 6
35D 47. Teri of "Tootsie" 4
36D 49. Nickname alternative for Liz 5
37D 52. ___ uncertain terms (clearly) 4
38D 53. Letters on a Cognac bottle 4
39D 55. "And some other authors": Abbr. 4
40D 56. Seep 4
41D 57. Carolina ___ 4
42D 59. John 3
43D 61. "That stinks!" 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. ___ butter"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Mind"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Grand entryway"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Jane ___ Institute (wildlife conservation group)"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english zoologist noted for her studies of chimpanzees in the wild (born in 1934)
  • Similar words include: Jane Goodall
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOODALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Professor's URL ender"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Some prerevolutionary Mideast leaders"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that title for the former hereditary monarch of iran
  • Similar words include: Shah of Iran, Shah
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHAHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. It's going downhill fast!"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a racing sled for one or two people
  • Similar words include: toboggan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. James who wrote "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states novelist (1909-1955)
  • Similar words include: James Agee
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Supporters of a king or queen?"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Dish traditionally flavored with Saigon cinnamon"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. With 31- and 43-Down, an environmentalist motto ... as suggested elsewhere in different ways in this puzzle"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cut down on; make a reduction in
  • Similar words include: subdue, shrink, come down
  • Opposite of: blow up, gain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REDUCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Actress Cuthbert of "The Girl Next Door""

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. One of two on a scorpion"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hand tool for holding consisting of a compound lever for grasping
  • Similar words include: nipper, pair of pincers, chela
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PINCER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. "Let me know if you're coming""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Kachina doll carvers"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the shoshonean people of northeastern arizona
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOPI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Alternative to "tsk""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Bars on an energy bar, say, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. K Street grp."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that committee formed by a special-interest group to raise money for their favorite political candidates
  • Similar words include: political action committee
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Tony winner Hagen"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a reptile genus of iguanidae
  • Similar words include: genus Uta
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Former N.B.A. champion Jeremy"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states sculptor and architect whose public works include the memorial to veterans of the vietnam war in washington (born in 1959)
  • Similar words include: Maya Lin
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. See 11-Down"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. German river to the North Sea"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a river in central europe that arises in northwestern czechoslovakia and flows northward through germany to empty into the north sea
  • Similar words include: Elbe River
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Icon on an online shop"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal
  • Similar words include: pushcart, hale, haul
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Like a black mamba vis-à-vis a python"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that causing or capable of causing death
  • Similar words include: virulent, mortal, deathly
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEADLIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Golden Bears' school, familiarly"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. "___ dreaming?""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. Grp. in the Situation Room"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a committee in the executive branch of government that advises the president on foreign and military and national security; supervises the central intelligence agency
  • Similar words include: National Security Council
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NSC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "40. "Te ___" (Spanish "I love you")"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "41. Annual show with astronaut-shaped trophies, for short"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "42. Is able to"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "43. See 11-Down"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to repeat a cycle
  • Similar words include: reprocess, reuse
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RECYCLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "44. Draining"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lose interest or become bored with something or somebody
  • Similar words include: fag out, outwear, wear down
  • Opposite of: interest, refresh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIRING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "45. Win over"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that attract; cause to be enamored
  • Similar words include: bewitch, enamour, capture
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENAMOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "46. Italian luxury brand"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "47. Teri of "Tootsie""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "49. Nickname alternative for Liz"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "52. ___ uncertain terms (clearly)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "53. Letters on a Cognac bottle"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "55. "And some other authors": Abbr."

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "56. Seep"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any thick, viscous matter
  • Similar words include: gook, seepage, transude
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OOZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "57. Carolina ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english architect who designed more than fifty london churches (1632-1723)
  • Similar words include: jenny wren, Sir Christopher Wren
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WREN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "59. John"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "61. "That stinks!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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

37 Across Clues
43 Down Clues
80 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: April 22, 2026 at 05:38 AM

Friday, February 20, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 20, 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. Disney character who sings "In Summer" 4
2A 5. Product code used in inventory management 3
3A 8. Ropes in 6
4A 14. Ones always grinding at their jobs? 8
5A 16. Connect 6
6A 17. Baking sheets, cake pans, muffin tins, etc. 8
7A 18. Manages 6
8A 19. Pleasant chill in the air, say 14
9A 21. Baylor of N.B.A. fame 5
10A 22. Org. whose work takes many forms? 3
11A 23. Took in 3
12A 24. Smear 6
13A 26. Nahuatl speaker 5
14A 28. Muse aloud 5
15A 29. Actress Seehorn of "Pluribus" 4
16A 30. "I smell trouble ...!" 4
17A 34. Break down while studying? 15
18A 37. First place? 4
19A 38. Docs that deal with sensitive information 4
20A 39. Miracle on the ___ (surprise French/English victory of W.W. I) 5
21A 40. Like many working horses, but not many working dogs 5
22A 42. Binges 6
23A 43. N.Y.C.-based dance group 3
24A 46. Wonder 3
25A 47. Descendants of the Picts 5
26A 48. Someone you might like to get to know better 14
27A 52. Wyndham hotel brand 6
28A 53. Has to keep going 8
29A 55. Extra 6
30A 56. Instruction before an M.R.I. 8
31A 57. Gets wise to? 6
32A 58. Li'l ___ (tykes) 3
33A 59. Fix 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Disney character who sings "In Summer""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Product code used in inventory management"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Ropes in"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that belgian composer (1532-1594)
  • Similar words include: Orlando di Lasso, lariat, Lasso
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LASSOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Ones always grinding at their jobs?"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Connect"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to be attached
  • Similar words include: bond, tie, confiscate
  • Opposite of: detach
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATTACH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Baking sheets, cake pans, muffin tins, etc."

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that heat-resistant dishware in which food can be cooked as well as served
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVENWARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Manages"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Pleasant chill in the air, say"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Baylor of N.B.A. fame"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Org. whose work takes many forms?"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bureau of the treasury department responsible for tax collections
  • Similar words include: Internal Revenue Service
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Took in"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Smear"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that speak unfavorably about
  • Similar words include: traduce, evil, drag through the mud
  • Opposite of: benign
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MALIGN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Nahuatl speaker"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the nahuatl people who established an empire in mexico that was overthrown by cortes in 1519
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AZTEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Muse aloud"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
  • Similar words include: sound off, animadvert, guess
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Actress Seehorn of "Pluribus""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fertility goddess in ancient greek mythology; wife of cronus and mother of zeus; identified with roman ops and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Similar words include: Rhea americana, nandu, Pterocnemia pennata
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. "I smell trouble ...!""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Break down while studying?"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. First place?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
  • Similar words include: Shangri-la, paradise, promised land
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Docs that deal with sensitive information"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Miracle on the ___ (surprise French/English victory of W.W. I)"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Like many working horses, but not many working dogs"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that furnish with shoes
  • Similar words include: shod, shoe, shodden
  • Opposite of: unshod
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Binges"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brief indulgence of your impulses
  • Similar words include: spree, fling
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPREES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. N.Y.C.-based dance group"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Wonder"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
  • Similar words include: veneration, fear, reverence
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Descendants of the Picts"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the dialect of english used in scotland
  • Similar words include: Scotch, Scotsman, Scottish
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Someone you might like to get to know better"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Wyndham hotel brand"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Has to keep going"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Extra"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
  • Similar words include: too, excessively, to a fault
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVERLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Instruction before an M.R.I."

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Gets wise to?"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an impudent or insolent rejoinder
  • Similar words include: sass, lip, back talk
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SASSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. Li'l ___ (tykes)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization of independent states formed in 1945 to promote international peace and security
  • Similar words include: UN, United Nations
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "59. Fix"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove the ovaries of
  • Similar words include: neuter, alter, castrate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Seller's shorthand for "I'm willing to haggle" 3
2D 2. W.C.s 4
3D 3. "Is this being broadcast now?" 9
4D 4. Posh hotel room amenities 10
5D 5. Cholesterol-lowering drug 6
6D 6. ___ Bass, first female mayor of Los Angeles 5
7D 7. Customer, in tech-speak 4
8D 8. Social activity that may involve wearing a vest 8
9D 9. Relaxed 6
10D 10. "Let it stand" 4
11D 11. One of the Obamas 5
12D 12. It has eight players 5
13D 13. Word with bird or leave 5
14D 15. Arrogant self-assurance 7
15D 20. Becomes aged, in a way 6
16D 24. Extra 4
17D 25. Was a copycat of 4
18D 26. To come 5
19D 27. Shady dealers 10
20D 29. Trade for cash 6
21D 31. "Some free advice ..." 9
22D 32. State bird found in only a single state 4
23D 33. Valuable deposits 4
24D 35. They might be made up in the spring 8
25D 36. Brings in 7
26D 41. Online nickname 6
27D 42. Things made by toddlers and directors 6
28D 43. Hairstyles often associated with the '60s and '70s 5
29D 44. "Well done!" 5
30D 45. x 5
31D 47. Wood finish 5
32D 49. Crispy flaps of crust on sourdough loaves 4
33D 50. Org. with a "Know Your Rights" campaign 4
34D 51. ___ Bunny, toon who debuted in "Space Jam" 4
35D 54. Carry on 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Seller's shorthand for "I'm willing to haggle""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. W.C.s"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
  • Similar words include: can, john, lav
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAVS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. "Is this being broadcast now?""

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Posh hotel room amenities"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Cholesterol-lowering drug"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a medicine that lowers blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting hmg-coa reductase
  • Similar words include: lipid-lowering medication, statin drug, lipid-lowering medicine
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STATIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. ___ Bass, first female mayor of Los Angeles"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the tibeto-burman language spoken in the thailand and burmese borderlands
  • Similar words include: Karenic
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAREN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Customer, in tech-speak"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who makes use of a thing; someone who uses or employs something
  • Similar words include: substance abuser, drug user, exploiter
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Social activity that may involve wearing a vest"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Relaxed"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. "Let it stand""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that printing: cancel, as of a correction or deletion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. One of the Obamas"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. It has eight players"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one
  • Similar words include: VIII, ogdoad, octonary
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OCTET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Word with bird or leave"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the land along the edge of a body of water
  • Similar words include: prop, shore up, shoring
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Arrogant self-assurance"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an itinerant australian laborer who carries his personal belongings in a bundle as he travels around in search of work
  • Similar words include: swash, tittup, prance
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWAGGER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. Becomes aged, in a way"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Extra"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english statesman who opposed henry viii's divorce from catherine of aragon and was imprisoned and beheaded; recalled for his concept of utopia, the ideal state
  • Similar words include: to a greater extent, Thomas More, more than
  • Opposite of: fewer, less
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Was a copycat of"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that imitate uncritically and in every aspect
  • Similar words include: caricature, ape
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. To come"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having the leading position or higher score in a contest
  • Similar words include: beforehand, forward, in advance
  • Opposite of: back, backward
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AHEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Shady dealers"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Trade for cash"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that save from sins
  • Similar words include: save, ransom, pay off
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REDEEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. "Some free advice ...""

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. State bird found in only a single state"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Valuable deposits"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Similar words include: ore
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. They might be made up in the spring"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Brings in"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country
  • Similar words include: moment, significance, meaning
  • Opposite of: export, inconsequence
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPORTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Online nickname"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it
  • Similar words include: manage, wield, palm
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HANDLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Things made by toddlers and directors"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the place where some action occurs
  • Similar words include: tantrum, scenery, picture
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCENES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Hairstyles often associated with the '60s and '70s"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rounded thickly curled hairdo
  • Similar words include: Afro, Afro hairdo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFROS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. "Well done!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. x"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
  • Similar words include: clip, multiplication, fourth dimension
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Wood finish"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a soiled or discolored appearance
  • Similar words include: sully, maculate, grunge
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Crispy flaps of crust on sourdough loaves"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
  • Similar words include: pinna, ear, auricle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Org. with a "Know Your Rights" campaign"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. ___ Bunny, toon who debuted in "Space Jam""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Carry on"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in combination
  • Similar words include: run, supply, provide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLY

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

33 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
68 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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: February 20, 2026 at 05:01 AM