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Tuesday, September 15, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 15, 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. Laffy ___, candy with a rhyming name 5
2A 6. Poker buy-in 4
3A 10. "The windows to the soul," metaphorically 4
4A 14. Frighten 5
5A 15. Villain's hideout 4
6A 16. American Girl toy 4
7A 17. Cringey ad campaign going viral, for example 10
8A 19. Madonna's "La ___ Bonita" 4
9A 20. Goes out with 4
10A 21. Piglet and Pooh's marsupial friend 3
11A 22. "Well, in that case ..." 6
12A 24. Clic Stic and Wite-Out brand 3
13A 26. Character at the heart of the "Who shot ...?" cliffhanger of 1980s TV 7
14A 27. Colombian cornmeal cake 5
15A 29. San José, ___ Rica 5
16A 30. Oculus Rift or Meta Quest 3 9
17A 32. Opposite of chaos 5
18A 36. Texter's "I think ..." 3
19A 37. Started a game of blackjack, say 5
20A 38. 18-wheeler 4
21A 39. Agrees nonverbally 4
22A 41. Red root vegetables 5
23A 44. Kind of rally at high school 3
24A 45. Put up, as a building 5
25A 47. Many characters on "The Pitt" 9
26A 49. "Quick!" 5
27A 51. Group holding a nominating convention 5
28A 52. Scannable squares often used in place of paper menus 7
29A 55. ___-Wan Kenobi 3
30A 56. Rang, as a bell 6
31A 57. Pooch's bark 3
32A 59. Paddington Bear's country of origin 4
33A 63. What a light bulb represents, in comics 4
34A 64. Puppet dragon of 1960s kids' TV 10
35A 67. Bottom-heavy fruit 4
36A 68. Britney Spears's "___! ... I Did It Again" 4
37A 69. Perform better than 5
38A 70. Daughters' brothers 4
39A 71. Exam 4
40A 72. French fries-to-be 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Laffy ___, candy with a rhyming name"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chewy candy of sugar or syrup boiled until thick and pulled until glossy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAFFY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Poker buy-in"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. "The windows to the soul," metaphorically"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that opinion or judgment
  • Similar words include: oculus, eye, eyeball
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Frighten"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sudden mass fear and anxiety over anticipated events
  • Similar words include: frighten off, pall, scare off
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Villain's hideout"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Similar words include: den
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. American Girl toy"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small replica of a person; used as a toy
  • Similar words include: dame, wench, chick
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOLL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Cringey ad campaign going viral, for example"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Madonna's "La ___ Bonita""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Goes out with"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
  • Similar words include: view, visit, escort
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Piglet and Pooh's marsupial friend"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. "Well, in that case ...""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Clic Stic and Wite-Out brand"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Character at the heart of the "Who shot ...?" cliffhanger of 1980s TV"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Colombian cornmeal cake"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. San José, ___ Rica"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a riblike part of a plant or animal (such as a middle rib of a leaf or a thickened vein of an insect wing)
  • Similar words include: rib
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COSTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Oculus Rift or Meta Quest 3"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Opposite of chaos"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
  • Similar words include: ordination, edict, purchase order
  • Opposite of: deregulate, disorder
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Texter's "I think ...""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

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!

19A: "37. Started a game of blackjack, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
  • Similar words include: dispense, address, make out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. 18-wheeler"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the two competitions in the next to the last round of an elimination tournament
  • Similar words include: tractor trailer, trailer truck, trucking rig
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEMI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Agrees nonverbally"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sign of assent or salutation or command
  • Similar words include: nod
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NODS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. Red root vegetables"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that biennial eurasian plant usually having a swollen edible root; widely cultivated as a food crop
  • Similar words include: Beta vulgaris, beet, beetroot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Kind of rally at high school"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that liveliness and energy
  • Similar words include: ginger, peppiness
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Put up, as a building"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that construct, build, or erect
  • Similar words include: raise, upright, vertical
  • Opposite of: level, unerect
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Many characters on "The Pitt""

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. "Quick!""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
  • Similar words include: rush, festinate, haste
  • Opposite of: delay
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HURRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Group holding a nominating convention"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization to gain political power
  • Similar words include: political party, company
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Scannable squares often used in place of paper menus"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. ___-Wan Kenobi"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (west indies) followers of a religious system involving witchcraft and sorcery
  • Similar words include: obeah
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Rang, as a bell"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that ring slowly
  • Similar words include: toll
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOLLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Pooch's bark"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. Paddington Bear's country of origin"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in western south america; achieved independence from spain in 1821; was the heart of the inca empire from the 12th to 16th centuries
  • Similar words include: Republic of Peru
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PERU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. What a light bulb represents, in comics"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
  • Similar words include: musical theme, mind, estimate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Puppet dragon of 1960s kids' TV"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Bottom-heavy fruit"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sweet juicy gritty-textured fruit available in many varieties
  • Similar words include: Pyrus communis, pear tree
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "68. Britney Spears's "___! ... I Did It Again""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "69. Perform better than"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be or do something to a greater degree
  • Similar words include: exceed, surmount, outgo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUTDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "70. Daughters' brothers"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male human offspring
  • Similar words include: Logos, Son, Word
  • Opposite of: daughter, girl
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "71. Exam"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that trying something to find out about it
  • Similar words include: tryout, try out, mental test
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "72. French fries-to-be"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edible tuber native to south america; a staple food of ireland
  • Similar words include: tater, bourgeon, sprout
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPUDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Cough syrup amts. 4
2D 2. Farmland measure 4
3D 3. Haircut that transitions from shorter sides to longer top 4
4D 4. Ultimate ___ (team sport) 7
5D 5. Word of consent 3
6D 6. Too 4
7D 7. Grp. with a phonetic alphabet 4
8D 8. Cause for overtime 3
9D 9. Screw-ups 6
10D 10. Conflicts over Wikipedia content 8
11D 11. Mario's dinosaur sidekick 5
12D 12. Actress Pompeo of "Grey's Anatomy" 5
13D 13. Vernacular found in Urban Dictionary 5
14D 18. Place for coin-op game machines 6
15D 23. Kind of high-fat diet 4
16D 25. Tablet with Pro, Air and mini versions 4
17D 26. Scribbled (down) 6
18D 27. Knight's wear 5
19D 28. The "R" in R.I. 5
20D 29. The "log" in "ants on a log" 6
21D 30. Trellis-climbing plant 4
22D 31. "Light" Jedi weapons 6
23D 33. Railroad station 5
24D 34. Manicurist's filing board 5
25D 35. Laces (into) 4
26D 40. Well-educated sorts 8
27D 42. Fill back to capacity, as a glass 6
28D 43. Healing cover 4
29D 46. "Lose the ___, dude!" 4
30D 48. Causes to make a mistake 7
31D 50. Bit of fiery cinnamon candy 6
32D 52. Cotton swabs not recommended for ear canal use 5
33D 53. Cowboy contest 5
34D 54. Fresh from the dishwasher 5
35D 57. Grindr and Tinder, for two 4
36D 58. Sign of decay 4
37D 60. "___, Brute?" 4
38D 61. "Ant-Man" star Paul 4
39D 62. Sights that make you go "What the ...?!" 4
40D 65. ___ v. Wade (1973 Supreme Court decision) 3
41D 66. Rejections 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Cough syrup amts."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Farmland measure"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in english-speaking countries
  • Similar words include: Accho, Akko, Akka
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Haircut that transitions from shorter sides to longer top"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a golf shot that curves to the right for a right-handed golfer
  • Similar words include: slice, evanesce, languish
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Ultimate ___ (team sport)"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a light, plastic disk about 10 inches in diameter; propelled with a flip of the wrist for recreation or competition
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRISBEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Word of consent"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an affirmative
  • Opposite of: no
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Too"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Grp. with a phonetic alphabet"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an international organization created in 1949 by the north atlantic treaty for purposes of collective security
  • Similar words include: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NATO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Cause for overtime"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
  • Similar words include: attach, tie-in, crosstie
  • Opposite of: untie, disconnect
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Screw-ups"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
  • Similar words include: wrongdoing, error, mistake
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERRORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Conflicts over Wikipedia content"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Mario's dinosaur sidekick"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Actress Pompeo of "Grey's Anatomy""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Vernacular found in Urban Dictionary"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions; often vituperative or vulgar
  • Similar words include: befool, put on, slang expression
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLANG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Place for coin-op game machines"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a covered passageway with shops and stalls on either side
  • Similar words include: colonnade
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Kind of high-fat diet"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Tablet with Pro, Air and mini versions"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Scribbled (down)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that write briefly or hurriedly; write a short note of
  • Similar words include: jot, jot down
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JOTTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Knight's wear"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that protective covering made of metal and used in combat
  • Similar words include: armour
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARMOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. The "R" in R.I."

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. The "log" in "ants on a log""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that widely cultivated herb with aromatic leaf stalks that are eaten raw or cooked
  • Similar words include: cultivated celery, Apium graveolens dulce
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CELERY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Trellis-climbing plant"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. "Light" Jedi weapons"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

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, saber
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SABERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Railroad station"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods
  • Similar words include: storage, store, terminus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEPOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. Manicurist's filing board"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hard grey-black mineral consisting of corundum and either hematite or magnetite; used as an abrasive (especially as a coating on paper)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMERY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Laces (into)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dissolute man in fashionable society
  • Similar words include: pull, rake, rent
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Well-educated sorts"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines
  • Similar words include: student, scholarly person, assimilator
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCHOLARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Fill back to capacity, as a glass"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Healing cover"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike
  • Similar words include: rat, fink, blackleg
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. "Lose the ___, dude!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Causes to make a mistake"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Bit of fiery cinnamon candy"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. Cotton swabs not recommended for ear canal use"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "53. Cowboy contest"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an exhibition of cowboy skills
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RODEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "54. Fresh from the dishwasher"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then jerked overhead
  • Similar words include: sporty, houseclean, fair
  • Opposite of: unfairly, dirty
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLEAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "57. Grindr and Tinder, for two"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "58. Sign of decay"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a red or brown oxide coating on iron or steel caused by the action of oxygen and moisture
  • Similar words include: corrode, rusting, eat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "60. "___, Brute?""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "61. "Ant-Man" star Paul"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that european freshwater fish resembling the roach
  • Similar words include: Scardinius erythrophthalmus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUDD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "62. Sights that make you go "What the ...?!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown; especially those considered to have extraterrestrial origins
  • Similar words include: unidentified flying object, UFO, flying saucer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UFOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "65. ___ v. Wade (1973 Supreme Court decision)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "66. Rejections"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known
  • Similar words include: nobelium, atomic number 102, No
  • Opposite of: yes
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOS

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

40 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
81 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: September 15, 2026 at 08:49 AM

Saturday, September 12, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 12, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Light décor 10
2A 11. Last place? 4
3A 15. Pop-up with an envelope icon 10
4A 16. Round figure 4
5A 17. Winner's circle? 10
6A 18. Take two 4
7A 19. Hyperfixated 6
8A 20. "Thick ___ Brick" (1972 Jethro Tull album) 3
9A 21. Earth's pull, informally 4
10A 22. On the ___ (free) 5
11A 23. Thumbs-down votes in the Duma 5
12A 25. Why wait? 3
13A 26. Personal circumstances, so to speak 5
14A 28. Justice who's the subject of the 2026 biography "Revenge for the Sixties" 5
15A 30. Rolls out the green carpet? 4
16A 34. First full word sung in "The Alphabet Song" 3
17A 35. Proverbial small amount 6
18A 36. "Now we're talking!" 15
19A 39. Capers 6
20A 40. Common ___ 3
21A 41. Rowing machines, in gym lingo 4
22A 42. "Schitt's Creek" matriarch 5
23A 43. Really hurts 5
24A 45. Rout, in computer game lingo 3
25A 46. Word with letter or grant 5
26A 48. Toothbrush handle? 5
27A 53. Smokes 4
28A 55. N.B.A. coach Jordan ___ 3
29A 56. Punnily named production company behind TV's "Insecure" and "A Black Lady Sketch Show" 6
30A 57. Stat 4
31A 58. Common sleep aid 10
32A 60. Acquire by default? 4
33A 61. Math class assignment 10
34A 62. Labor, e.g.: Abbr. 4
35A 63. Appliances that are always blowing out? 10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Light décor"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a protective ornamental shade used to screen a light bulb from direct view
  • Similar words include: lampshade, lamp shade
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAMPSHADES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "11. Last place?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. Pop-up with an envelope icon"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Round figure"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
  • Similar words include: ovoid, ovate, prolate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Winner's circle?"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Take two"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that do over, as of (part of) a house
  • Similar words include: remake, remodel, refashion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Hyperfixated"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. "Thick ___ Brick" (1972 Jethro Tull album)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Earth's pull, informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. On the ___ (free)"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that grant freedom to; free from confinement
  • Similar words include: unaffixed, at large, relax
  • Opposite of: confine, stiffen
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Thumbs-down votes in the Duma"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Why wait?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
  • Similar words include: confidential information, wind, bakshish
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Personal circumstances, so to speak"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular situation
  • Similar words include: shoe, horseshoe, brake shoe
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Justice who's the subject of the 2026 biography "Revenge for the Sixties""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Rolls out the green carpet?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
  • Similar words include: sod, turf, sodomite
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SODS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. First full word sung in "The Alphabet Song""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Proverbial small amount"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a very small quantity of something
  • Similar words include: lowlife, rotter, crumb
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRUMBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. "Now we're talking!""

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Capers"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
  • Similar words include: trick, put-on, caper
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTICS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Common ___"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Rowing machines, in gym lingo"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cgs unit of work or energy; the work done by a force of one dyne acting over a distance of one centimeter
  • Similar words include: erg
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. "Schitt's Creek" matriarch"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Really hurts"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disfiguration or mutilation
  • Similar words include: maim
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAIMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Rout, in computer game lingo"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Word with letter or grant"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
  • Similar words include: deflect, forget, embarrass
  • Opposite of: unstuff, unblock
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOCK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Toothbrush handle?"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Smokes"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. N.B.A. coach Jordan ___"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Punnily named production company behind TV's "Insecure" and "A Black Lady Sketch Show""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Stat"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that as soon as possible
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. Common sleep aid"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Acquire by default?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. Math class assignment"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "62. Labor, e.g.: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "63. Appliances that are always blowing out?"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Carpenter's tool 5
2D 2. ___ acid 5
3D 3. Kind of photography lens for a close-up 5
4D 4. Wraps in the Mideast 5
5D 5. Certain geometry calculations 6
6D 6. Playwright Moss ___ 4
7D 7. Gymnast Raisman 3
8D 8. What a joke may get eventually 15
9D 9. Takes marks off in a classroom? 6
10D 10. Mid-March V.I.P., informally 5
11D 11. "Surf" food in Japan, or "turf" animal in Spain 4
12D 12. Kitchen counter 9
13D 13. Became a household name, say 9
14D 14. Examples of media on Medium 9
15D 23. Many a listing in an etiquette book 4
16D 24. Wrap in South Asia 4
17D 27. Actors unsuited for subtle roles 4
18D 29. Country singer Combs 4
19D 30. Rewards program tracker 9
20D 31. "It's finally clear" 9
21D 32. Phone connector? 9
22D 33. Arouse 4
23D 35. Simoleon 4
24D 37. Labor pain? 4
25D 38. Journalist Larson who wrote "The Splendid and the Vile" 4
26D 43. Godzilla adversary 6
27D 44. Longhorn's rival 6
28D 47. Acidic 5
29D 49. Capacious 5
30D 50. Surface 5
31D 51. Pointer for a public speaker 5
32D 52. Sources of the juice that "bleeds" in a faux meat patty 5
33D 54. Tough thing to be in 4
34D 56. Stayed together 4
35D 59. Placeholder abbr. 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Carpenter's tool"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
  • Similar words include: stratum, plane, tied
  • Opposite of: raise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. ___ acid"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the radical -nh2
  • Similar words include: amino group, aminic
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMINO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Kind of photography lens for a close-up"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a single computer instruction that results in a series of instructions in machine language
  • Similar words include: macro instruction
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MACRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Wraps in the Mideast"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that usually small round bread that can open into a pocket for filling
  • Similar words include: pita, pocket bread
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PITAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Certain geometry calculations"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an elevated geological formation
  • Similar words include: squelch, squish, splosh
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLOPES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Playwright Moss ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states playwright who collaborated with george s. kaufman (1904-1961)
  • Similar words include: stag, Lorenz Hart, Moss Hart
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Gymnast Raisman"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. What a joke may get eventually"

15 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Takes marks off in a classroom?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove from memory or existence
  • Similar words include: delete, rub out, wipe out
  • Opposite of: record
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Mid-March V.I.P., informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. "Surf" food in Japan, or "turf" animal in Spain"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Kitchen counter"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Became a household name, say"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Examples of media on Medium"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Many a listing in an etiquette book"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Wrap in South Asia"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

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!

17D: "27. Actors unsuited for subtle roles"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)
  • Similar words include: ham actor, ham, overplay
  • Opposite of: underact
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Country singer Combs"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (new testament) the apostle closely associated with st. paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third gospel
  • Similar words include: Saint Luke, Gospel of Luke, Gospel According to Luke
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Rewards program tracker"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. "It's finally clear""

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Phone connector?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Arouse"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event
  • Similar words include: shake, put forward, ado
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Simoleon"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that burrowing marine mollusk living on sand or mud; the shell closes with viselike firmness
  • Similar words include: dollar bill, buck, dollar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Labor pain?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike
  • Similar words include: rat, strikebreaker, fink
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Journalist Larson who wrote "The Splendid and the Vile""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. Godzilla adversary"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "44. Longhorn's rival"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or resident of oklahoma
  • Similar words include: Oklahoman, preferably, rather
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOONER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "47. Acidic"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "49. Capacious"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an associate who shares a room with you
  • Similar words include: roomie, spacious, roommate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOMY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "50. Surface"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come into existence; take on form or shape
  • Similar words include: lift, originate, rise up
  • Opposite of: sit down, go to bed
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARISE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "51. Pointer for a public speaker"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; an optical device that produces an intense monochromatic beam of coherent light
  • Similar words include: optical maser
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LASER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. Sources of the juice that "bleeds" in a faux meat patty"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that biennial eurasian plant usually having a swollen edible root; widely cultivated as a food crop
  • Similar words include: Beta vulgaris, common beet, beetroot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "54. Tough thing to be in"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a point located with respect to surface features of some region
  • Similar words include: stain, smirch, make out
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "56. Stayed together"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
  • Similar words include: book, bind, concur
  • Opposite of: disagree, let go of
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HELD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "59. Placeholder abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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: September 12, 2026 at 08:01 AM