Thursday, May 14, 2026 – LA Times Crossword Answers & Hints

LA Times Crossword – May 14, 2026 (Thursday)

Today’s crossword puzzle is fun and a little tricky.

If you are stuck, don’t worry!

Here you can find the answers and help.

Crossword puzzles help us:

• Learn new words
• Improve spelling
• Think smart

Theme Answer: WOODCUT

Clue: Artistic printing method, and a feature of rows 2, 5, 11, and 14 in this puzzle

Answer: WOODCUT

Explanation:

A woodcut is a way of printing pictures. The artist carves a design into wood, puts ink on it, and prints it on paper. Today’s puzzle hides types of wood in four rows.

Across Clues

6A. Thurman of “Pretty Lethal”

Answer: UMA

Explanation: Uma Thurman is a famous actress.

13A. Moral principle

Answer: ETHIC

Explanation: An ethic is a rule about what is right or wrong.

14A. “MAS*H” setting, for short

Answer: KOR

Explanation: MASH takes place in Korea (KOR = short form).

15A. “Butterfly Dance” artist

Answer: YANNI

Explanation: Yanni is a music composer.

19A. College where Robert Frost taught English

Answer: AMHERST

Explanation: Robert Frost was a famous poet who taught at Amherst College.

22A. NYC home of Matisse’s “Landscape at Collioure”

Answer: MOMA

Explanation: MoMA is the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

25A. Taylor-Joy of “The Northman”

Answer: ANYA

Explanation: Anya Taylor-Joy is a movie actress.

34A. “Downton Abbey” cook

Answer: DAISY

Explanation: Daisy is a character in the TV show Downton Abbey.

38A. Here, in Honduras

Answer: ACA

Explanation: In Spanish, “aca” means “here.”

41A. Mod About You polish maker

Answer: OPI

Explanation: OPI is a brand that makes nail polish.

42A. Mexican sandwich

Answer: TORTA

Explanation: A torta is a Mexican sandwich.

50A. Electrically adaptable

Answer: AC/DC

Explanation: AC/DC means it can work with both types of electric current.

55A. Sazerac options

Answer: RYES

Explanation: Rye is a type of grain used in drinks.

58A. Abu Dhabi, e.g.

Answer: EMIRATE

Explanation: Abu Dhabi is one of the Emirates in the UAE.

61A. Expanse crossed by Odysseus

Answer: IONIAN SEA

Explanation: In Greek stories, Odysseus crossed the Ionian Sea.

65A. Like van Gogh and Vermeer

Answer: DUTCH

Explanation: Both artists were from the Netherlands (Dutch).

70A. Blades for some Olympians

Answer: EPEES

Explanation: An épée is a type of fencing sword used in the Olympics.

Down Clues

1D. Super Mario Bros. console

Answer: NES

Explanation: NES is a Nintendo gaming system.

2D. Jazzy James

Answer: ETTA

Explanation: Etta James was a famous singer.

3D. Guitar accessory that may create vibrato

Answer: WHAMMY BAR

Explanation: A whammy bar is used on guitars to change sound.

4D. Knights’ neighbors

Answer: BISHOPS

Explanation: In chess, bishops sit next to knights.

5D. Blueprint

Answer: SCHEMA

Explanation: A schema is a plan or design.

9D. Prehistoric supercontinent

Answer: PANGAEA

Explanation: Pangaea was one giant land before continents split.

11D. Moriarty, to Holmes

Answer: ENEMY

Explanation: Moriarty is the enemy of Sherlock Holmes.

18D. Latvian capital

Answer: RIGA

Explanation: Riga is the capital city of Latvia.

36D. Hormel product

Answer: SPAM

Explanation: Spam is a canned meat product.

43D. Elements of a strategy

Answer: TACTICS

Explanation: Tactics are small actions used in a plan.

51D. Easy part of a sky in a jigsaw puzzle

Answer: CLOUD

Explanation: Puzzle sky areas are often blue with clouds.

54D. Oscar winner Witherspoon

Answer: REESE

Explanation: Reese Witherspoon is an actress.

60D. Brontë orphan

Answer: EYRE

Explanation: Jane Eyre is a famous novel character.

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 14, 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
• Across Clues Table (37 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (37 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

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. Cliff formed by a fault	5
2A	6. Avoided a tag, say	4
3A	10. Penultimate Greek letter	3
4A	13. "My fault entirely"	5
5A	14. Taste perception first identified in 1908	5
6A	15. Physics unit named for a physicist	3
7A	16. Feature that debuted on Page 1 of The New York Times in 1997	11
8A	18. Confucian "way"	3
9A	19. Prime breeding environment for mosquitoes	13
10A	20. Impression on some fancy sheets	9
11A	22. Puente of "The Mambo Kings"	4
12A	23. Traveled path	5
13A	24. At sea, say	10
14A	27. Powerful fireboat gear	12
15A	30. Rationalist's theology	5
16A	31. Decree	4
17A	32. Part of an analogy	4
18A	33. "___'s da breaks!"	3
19A	34. Lovestruck	7
20A	37. Flesh and blood	3
21A	38. Biblical locale guarded by a flaming sword	4
22A	40. Direction to bow, in music	4
23A	41. Squeezing (out)	5
24A	43. Gets bloated, say	12
25A	45. Pair for a pool	10
26A	46. Ruthless Athenian lawgiver	5
27A	47. Tidy up, in a way	4
28A	48. What collects in a puddle	9
29A	49. Things often getting free refills	13
30A	54. Simile segment	3
31A	55. Broadcasting giant with hundreds of stations	11
32A	57. ___ Friday	3
33A	58. Origin of the words "sky" and "scrape"	5
34A	59. Heather genus that's also a woman's name	5
35A	60. Good periods	3
36A	61. Former small-sized G.M. cars	4
37A	62. Compound with a caret-shaped molecule, as depicted by this puzzle's circled letters	5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Cliff formed by a fault"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a long steep slope or cliff at the edge of a plateau or ridge; usually formed by erosion
• Similar words include: escarp, protective embankment, escarpment
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCARP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Avoided a tag, say"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
• Similar words include: skid, slue, slither
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SLID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Penultimate Greek letter"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of pressure
• Similar words include: pounds per square inch
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PSI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. "My fault entirely""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALLME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Taste perception first identified in 1908"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UMAMI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "15. Physics unit named for a physicist"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of electrical resistance equal to the resistance between two points on a conductor when a potential difference of one volt between them produces a current of one ampere
• Similar words include: Georg Simon Ohm
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OHM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "16. Feature that debuted on Page 1 of The New York Times in 1997"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COLORPHOTOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Confucian "way""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an adherent of any branch of taoism
• Similar words include: Taoist
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Prime breeding environment for mosquitoes"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STANDINGWATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Impression on some fancy sheets"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a line marking the level reached by a body of water
• Similar words include: water line
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WATERMARK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Puente of "The Mambo Kings""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that yugoslav statesman who led the resistance to german occupation during world war ii and established a communist state after the war (1892-1980)
• Similar words include: Marshal Tito, Josip Broz
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TITO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Traveled path"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an established line of travel or access
• Similar words include: path, road, itinerary
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROUTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. At sea, say"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONTHEWATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Powerful fireboat gear"

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a hose (carried on a truck) that fires water under high pressure to disperse crowds (especially crowds of rioters)
• Similar words include: watercannon, water cannon
• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WATERCANNONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Rationalist's theology"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the form of theological rationalism that believes in god on the basis of reason without reference to revelation
• Similar words include: free thought
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEISM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Decree"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
• Similar words include: decree, rescript, edict
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FIAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Part of an analogy"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. "___'s da breaks!""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Lovestruck"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that inflict a heavy blow on, with the hand, a tool, or a weapon
• Similar words include: soft on, infatuated, potty
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SMITTEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. Flesh and blood"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person having kinship with another or others
• Similar words include: kin group, family, cognate
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "38. Biblical locale guarded by a flaming sword"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
• Similar words include: Shangri-la, promised land, heaven
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Direction to bow, in music"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (of instruments in the violin family) to be played with the bow
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARCO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "41. Squeezing (out)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EKING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Gets bloated, say"

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RETAINSWATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "45. Pair for a pool"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WATERWINGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "46. Ruthless Athenian lawgiver"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that athenian lawmaker whose code of laws prescribed death for almost every offense (circa 7th century bc)
• Similar words include: Dragon, genus Draco
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRACO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Tidy up, in a way"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that fine powdery material such as dry earth or pollen that can be blown about in the air
• Similar words include: sprinkle, debris, detritus
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "48. What collects in a puddle"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that drops of fresh water that fall as precipitation from clouds
• Similar words include: rain
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAINWATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "49. Things often getting free refills"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WATERPITCHERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "54. Simile segment"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "55. Broadcasting giant with hundreds of stations"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IHEARTRADIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "57. ___ Friday"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters
• Similar words include: gallon
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "58. Origin of the words "sky" and "scrape""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an inhabitant of scandinavia
• Similar words include: North Germanic, Scandinavian, Northman
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NORSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "59. Heather genus that's also a woman's name"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any plant of the genus erica
• Similar words include: true heath
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERICA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "60. Good periods"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Similar words include: up
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "61. Former small-sized G.M. cars"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GEOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "62. Compound with a caret-shaped molecule, as depicted by this puzzle's circled letters"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
• Similar words include: H2O, water system, water supply
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Anatomical containers	4
2D	2. Thicken	4
3D	3. Palindrome on an Italian restaurant menu	4
4D	4. September to April, in the oyster industry	7
5D	5. Alternatives to hourly wages	8
6D	6. Ecological concern	4
7D	7. Trellis piece	4
8D	8. "If u ask me"	3
9D	9. Gossip about, informally	6
10D	10. A peeling that's appealing?	10
11D	11. Prolifically posting about one's kids online, in a neologism	10
12D	12. Reassuring reply	4
13D	14. "That ... ain't it"	4
14D	17. Essence	4
15D	21. Certain tax-free bond, informally	4
16D	23. Velocity, e.g.	4
17D	24. Relatively unusual	5
18D	25. Had to have right away	10
19D	26. Races against the clock	10
20D	27. Travel by pick-up?	5
21D	28. "The Elder" or "The Younger" Roman	4
22D	29. Strains to hear?	5
23D	31. Hemlock relatives	4
24D	35. Hand, at a hacienda	4
25D	36. Group with a satellite truck	8
26D	39. Palindrome on an Indian restaurant menu	4
27D	42. Seven-stringed instrument that gave the guitar its name	7
28D	44. Ancient book of divination	6
29D	45. Member of a sluglike "Star Wars" species	4
30D	47. Presaging disaster	4
31D	48. Meaty pasta sauce	4
32D	49. Long lunch?	4
33D	50. Get ahead of	4
34D	51. Cut and paste, e.g.	4
35D	52. Force through a food mill	4
36D	53. Go way up	4
37D	56. Uprooting tool	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Anatomical containers"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an enclosed space
• Similar words include: pocket, Sauk, sac
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SACS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Thicken"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
• Similar words include: clog, clabber, coagulate
• Opposite of: homogenize

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Palindrome on an Italian restaurant menu"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. September to April, in the oyster industry"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RMONTHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Alternatives to hourly wages"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PERDIEMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Ecological concern"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
• Similar words include: smogginess
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SMOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Trellis piece"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a narrow thin strip of wood used as backing for plaster or to make latticework
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LATH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. "If u ask me""

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!

9D: "9. Gossip about, informally"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DISHON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. A peeling that's appealing?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POTATOSKIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Prolifically posting about one's kids online, in a neologism"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHARENTING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Reassuring reply"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMOK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. "That ... ain't it""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UHNO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "17. Essence"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants
• Similar words include: gist, nitty-gritty, marrow
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PITH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Certain tax-free bond, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MUNI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Velocity, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
• Similar words include: value, pace, place
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Relatively unusual"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that not divisible by two
• Similar words include: left, leftover, rum
• Opposite of: even

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ODDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Had to have right away"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEEDEDASAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Races against the clock"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIMETRIALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Travel by pick-up?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a period of time spent in military service
• Similar words include: thumb, encumbrance, limp
• Opposite of: unhitch

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HITCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "28. "The Elder" or "The Younger" Roman"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CATO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "29. Strains to hear?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a short musical composition with words
• Similar words include: song, Sung, vocal
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SONGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "31. Hemlock relatives"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that nonresinous wood of a fir tree
• Similar words include: true fir, fir, fir tree
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FIRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Hand, at a hacienda"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MANO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Group with a satellite truck"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEWSCREW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Palindrome on an Indian restaurant menu"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that leavened bread baked in a clay oven in india; usually shaped like a teardrop
• Similar words include: nan
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Seven-stringed instrument that gave the guitar its name"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KITHARA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Ancient book of divination"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICHING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Member of a sluglike "Star Wars" species"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUTT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "47. Presaging disaster"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless; ; - g.c.marshall
• Similar words include: horrific, dreadful, terrible
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "48. Meaty pasta sauce"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAGU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Long lunch?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
• Similar words include: sub, zep, grinder
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HERO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Get ahead of"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
• Similar words include: flip, take place, occur
• Opposite of: be born, fail

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Cut and paste, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting
• Similar words include: delete, edit out, blue-pencil
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EDIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "52. Force through a food mill"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished
• Similar words include: Timothy Miles Bindon Rice, Elmer Leopold Rice, Elmer Rice
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "53. Go way up"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of rising upward into the air
• Similar words include: soar upwards, sailplane, surge
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SOAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Uprooting tool"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a tool with a flat blade attached at right angles to a long handle
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOE

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

37 Down Clues

74 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.

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Last updated: May 14, 2026 at 06:36 AM

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 10, 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
• Across Clues Table (74 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (66 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

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. Many web banners	3
2A	4. DNA sample implement	4
3A	8. Grp. that regulates streams	3
4A	11. Vape alternative	3
5A	14. Apple tablet	4
6A	18. It might hang during the summer	8
7A	20. "Me, that's ___!"	3
8A	21. "Well, lah-di-dah!"	3
9A	22. Rural skyline feature	4
10A	23. U.F.C. fighter	12
11A	25. Where many large cutlets are seen	8
12A	27. A, as in aviating?	4
13A	28. "Little piggies"	4
14A	29. Dadaism, it's said	7
15A	31. Naught	3
16A	32. Wild cats	21
17A	36. Animated figure	4
18A	37. Extraterrestrial British TV villain that debuted in 1963	5
19A	38. Laura seen in "Big Little Lies"	4
20A	39. King ___	4
21A	40. Greatly admires	7
22A	42. Table salt, in a lab	4
23A	44. Fan's buzz	5
24A	46. Restaurant prearrangement, in brief	3
25A	47. "What's the ___?"	3
26A	49. Gaping gap	5
27A	52. Replay reviewer	3
28A	53. Days in Spain	4
29A	55. A string player plays the strings with it	3
30A	58. Try intermittent fasting, perhaps	4
31A	60. P.G.A. peg	3
32A	61. Tiler's measurement	4
33A	63. "The Daily" publisher: Abbr.	3
34A	64. Large summer delivery, in past times / N.F.L. linemen, at times	17
35A	66. Reddish-purple vegetable	4
36A	67. Instagram update	4
37A	68. Situps tighten them	3
38A	69. Lifeguard's tubeful / Baby gift bearing the alphabet, maybe	17
39A	70. Game entry	4
40A	71. Web page	4
41A	72. ___ Turner, antislavery rebel	3
42A	73. Dad, in a euphemism / Naval barrier preventing entering and leaving	17
43A	74. Jaunty greeting	4
44A	75. Big name in deep-dish pizza	3
45A	76. Letterman rival	4
46A	77. Refusals	3
47A	78. The Almighty	4
48A	80. Junkyard guardian's warning	3
49A	81. In itself	5
50A	83. Tanner's letters	3
51A	85. Newsstand item, in brief	3
52A	86. East Asian fiddles	5
53A	88. Numbskull, in Yiddish	4
54A	90. "Ha! My statement wasn't really true — sue me!"	7
55A	94. Get ad-libby-dibby while singy-ingy-inging?	4
56A	95. Apr. 15 experts	4
57A	97. Barely visible, as a star?	5
58A	98. Eagle's grabber	4
59A	99. Chic venue that features great bands	21
60A	107. Hesitant reply	3
61A	108. 2015 thriller starring Emily Blunt as an F.B.I. agent	7
62A	109. Midsummer babies	4
63A	110. "___ framed!"	4
64A	111. They're frequently bcced	8
65A	113. Ensure that a task is finished ... and a hint that might help with finishing this puzzle	12
66A	116. Rx quantity	4
67A	117. Theater hit's inits.	3
68A	118. Babysitter's bane	3
69A	119. Gnawable, wearable items that might help with A.D.H.D.	8
70A	120. Baa-baa mamas	4
71A	121. QB's highlights	3
72A	122. Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival	3
73A	123. Gas giant?	4
74A	124. Girl in the fam	3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Many web banners"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a public promotion of some product or service
• Similar words include: ad, advertizement, advertisement
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. DNA sample implement"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that implement consisting of a small piece of cotton that is used to apply medication or cleanse a wound or obtain a specimen of a secretion
• Similar words include: swob, dab, mop
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SWAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Grp. that regulates streams"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an independent government agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio and television and wire and cable and satellite
• Similar words include: Federal Communications Commission
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FCC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "11. Vape alternative"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Apple tablet"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IPAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. It might hang during the summer"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a canopy made of canvas to shelter people or things from rain or sun
• Similar words include: parasol, sunblind, awning
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUNSHADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "20. "Me, that's ___!""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a united nations agency to coordinate international health activities and to help governments improve health services
• Similar words include: World Health Organization
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. "Well, lah-di-dah!""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Rural skyline feature"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a cylindrical tower used for storing silage
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SILO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. U.F.C. fighter"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPACEINVADER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. Where many large cutlets are seen"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEGAMALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "27. A, as in aviating?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALFA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. "Little piggies""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one of the digits of the foot
• Similar words include: toe, toenail
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Dadaism, it's said"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANTIART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Naught"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a quantity of no importance
• Similar words include: zippo, nada, goose egg
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Wild cats"

21 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YOUTHFULINDISCRETIONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Animated figure"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a film made by photographing a series of cartoon drawings to give the illusion of movement when projected in rapid sequence
• Similar words include: animated cartoon, cartoon
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Extraterrestrial British TV villain that debuted in 1963"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DALEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Laura seen in "Big Little Lies""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DERN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. King ___"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that british artist and writer of nonsense verse (1812-1888)
• Similar words include: Edward Lear, King Lear
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Greatly admires"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that american silversmith remembered for his midnight ride (celebrated in a poem by longfellow) to warn the colonists in lexington and concord that british troops were coming (1735-1818)
• Similar words include: worship, venerate, Paul Revere
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REVERES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Table salt, in a lab"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NACL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Fan's buzz"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that sound of something in rapid motion
• Similar words include: purr, whiz, whir
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WHIRR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Restaurant prearrangement, in brief"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a widely distributed system consisting of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal particles etc, except for certain white blood cells
• Similar words include: Ra, re, reticuloendothelial system
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. "What's the ___?""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DIF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Gaping gap"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a deep opening in the earth's surface
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHASM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Replay reviewer"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or american football) who is expected to ensure fair play
• Similar words include: referee
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Days in Spain"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that portuguese explorer who in 1488 was the first european to get round the cape of good hope (thus establishing a sea route from the atlantic to asia) (1450-1500)
• Similar words include: Bartholomeu Diaz, Diaz, Defense Intelligence Agency
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DIAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. A string player plays the strings with it"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
• Similar words include: prow, give in, curtain call
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. Try intermittent fasting, perhaps"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a prescribed selection of foods
• Similar words include: dieting
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DIET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. P.G.A. peg"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the starting place for each hole on a golf course
• Similar words include: teeing ground, football tee, tee up
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "61. Tiler's measurement"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
• Similar words include: sphere, region, orbit
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. "The Daily" publisher: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NYT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Large summer delivery, in past times / N.F.L. linemen, at times"

17 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________/________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICEBLOCK/BLOCKERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. Reddish-purple vegetable"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

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, beetroot, common beet
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "67. Instagram update"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand
• Similar words include: station, office, Emily Post
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. Situps tighten them"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of a class of composite plastics used to make car bodies and cases for computers and other appliances
• Similar words include: ab, type AB, AB
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "69. Lifeguard's tubeful / Baby gift bearing the alphabet, maybe"

17 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________/________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUNBLOCK/BLOCKSET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "70. Game entry"

4 letters Category: Common Word

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!

40A: "71. Web page"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
• Similar words include: web site, internet site, locate
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "72. ___ Turner, antislavery rebel"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "73. Dad, in a euphemism / Naval barrier preventing entering and leaving"

17 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________/________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLDBLOCK/BLOCKADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "74. Jaunty greeting"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HIHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "75. Big name in deep-dish pizza"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "76. Letterman rival"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LENO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "77. Refusals"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known
• Similar words include: atomic number 102, No, no
• Opposite of: yes

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "78. The Almighty"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that terms referring to the judeo-christian god
• Similar words include: Almighty, Creator, Divine
• Opposite of: Lady, noblewoman

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LORD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "80. Junkyard guardian's warning"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GRR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "81. In itself"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PERSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "83. Tanner's letters"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the degree to which a sunscreen protects the skin from the direct rays of the sun
• Similar words include: sun protection factor
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "85. Newsstand item, in brief"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
• Similar words include: magazine
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "86. East Asian fiddles"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERHUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "88. Numbskull, in Yiddish"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YUTZ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "90. "Ha! My statement wasn't really true — sue me!""

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SOILIED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "94. Get ad-libby-dibby while singy-ingy-inging?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that singing jazz; the singer substitutes nonsense syllables for the words of the song and tries to sound like a musical instrument
• Similar words include: run away, run, scat singing
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "95. Apr. 15 experts"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an accountant who has passed certain examinations and met all other statutory and licensing requirements of a united states state to be certified by that state
• Similar words include: CPA, certified public accountant
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CPAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "97. Barely visible, as a star?"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DLIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "98. Eagle's grabber"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles
• Similar words include: nipper, chela, hook
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "99. Chic venue that features great bands"

21 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROCKANDROLLHALLOFFAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "107. Hesitant reply"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EHH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "108. 2015 thriller starring Emily Blunt as an F.B.I. agent"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SICARIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "109. Midsummer babies"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in leo
• Similar words include: Leo, Leo the Lion, Lion
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63A: "110. "___ framed!""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IWAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64A: "111. They're frequently bcced"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AWAYTEAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65A: "113. Ensure that a task is finished ... and a hint that might help with finishing this puzzle"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLOSETHELOOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66A: "116. Rx quantity"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a measured portion of medicine taken at any one time
• Similar words include: Venus's curse, Lucy in the sky with diamonds, window pane
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67A: "117. Theater hit's inits."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68A: "118. Babysitter's bane"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
• Similar words include: elf, pixie, pixy
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

69A: "119. Gnawable, wearable items that might help with A.D.H.D."

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHEWELRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

70A: "120. Baa-baa mamas"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a member of a people living in southern benin and togo and southeastern ghana
• Similar words include: Ewe, ewe
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EWES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71A: "121. QB's highlights"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

72A: "122. Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the new year in vietnam; observed for three days after the first full moon after january 20th
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

73A: "123. Gas giant?"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that english pianist (1890-1965)
• Similar words include: Walter Hess, Dame Myra Hess, Walter Rudolf Hess
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

74A: "124. Girl in the fam"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a female person who has the same parents as another person
• Similar words include: International System, silicon, atomic number 14
• Opposite of: brother

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Purity analysis	5
2D	2. Kids' play set brand	5
3D	3. Messy mix-up	5
4D	4. ___/her	3
5D	5. Pass the time until	7
6D	6. "Meek" in "Blessed are the meek," e.g.	6
7D	7. Slant made with a table saw	5
8D	8. Abbr. starting an email header	3
9D	9. His first star turn was in the 1995 film "Devil in a Blue Dress"	7
10D	10. Less freshly funny	7
11D	11. "Peanuts," e.g.	5
12D	12. "They say ..."	6
13D	13. Begin using sustainable alternatives	7
14D	14. Ending with material	3
15D	15. Instrument with keys	5
16D	16. Daring bet	5
17D	17. Barbies, e.g.	5
18D	19. Disperse, as seeds	7
19D	24. The Beatles' "Please Please Me" and "A Hard Day's Night," e.g.	6
20D	26. Draw in	7
21D	30. Audibly expressed dismay	5
22D	33. Squirrel away	5
23D	34. Sat ___ (Brit's GPS)	3
24D	35. Length equaling 25.4 millimeters	4
25D	39. Bic filler	9
26D	40. Travelers' cases	9
27D	41. Leafy dish served with an entree	9
28D	43. Arsenic's realm, in years past	9
29D	44. Finalizes	7
30D	45. Leading lady's part	7
31D	46. Luxury sunglasses	7
32D	48. Dalmatian in a red hat, maybe	7
33D	50. Transparent, in brief	7
34D	51. Falling stars	7
35D	54. Just silly	5
36D	55. Plains animal in a herd	5
37D	56. Prefix meaning "eye"	5
38D	57. Meanders	5
39D	59. Fruity-smelling perfume ingredient	5
40D	62. Had a fast break?	3
41D	65. ◼️◼️◼️	15
42D	66. "___, humbug!"	3
43D	76. Admit, in a way	7
44D	79. Late-evening beverage request	5
45D	82. Use a straw	4
46D	84. Travel guide writer Eugene	5
47D	85. Lithium, magnesium and aluminum	6
48D	87. Unedited data set, say	7
49D	89. Maximally weird-yet-delightful	7
50D	91. Against the law	7
51D	92. Reply feigning guiltlessness	7
52D	93. Kinda	3
53D	94. Wades in puddles, say	7
54D	96. Digital S.L.R. insert	6
55D	98. Dress	6
56D	99. English writer with an apt surname	5
57D	100. "Gee whillikers!"	5
58D	101. Pursue	5
59D	102. Fidel ___, Philippine president in the 1990s	5
60D	103. Parasite	5
61D	104. Military deserters, in brief	5
62D	105. Native New Zealander's language	5
63D	106. Best Play and Best Upset	5
64D	112. "Affirmative!"	3
65D	114. Sign up, with "in"	3
66D	115. Disgusted squeals	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Purity analysis"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an appraisal of the state of affairs
• Similar words include: try, attempt, seek
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASSAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Kids' play set brand"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DUPLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Messy mix-up"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an acronym often used by soldiers in world war ii: situation normal all fucked up
• Similar words include: fucked-up
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SNAFU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. ___/her"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Pass the time until"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WAITFOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. "Meek" in "Blessed are the meek," e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an adjective used as a noun
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADNOUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Slant made with a table saw"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that two surfaces meeting at an angle different from 90 degrees
• Similar words include: cant, chamfer, bevel square
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Abbr. starting an email header"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FWD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. His first star turn was in the 1995 film "Devil in a Blue Dress""

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHEADLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Less freshly funny"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that dull and tiresome but with pretensions of significance or originality
• Similar words include: platitudinous, platitudinal, corny
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CORNIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. "Peanuts," e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a professional performer who tells jokes and performs comical acts
• Similar words include: laughable, comedian, comical
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COMIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "They say ...""

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IHEARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Begin using sustainable alternatives"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOGREEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Ending with material"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
• Similar words include: philosophical system, philosophy, doctrine
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "15. Instrument with keys"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
• Similar words include: pianoforte, forte-piano, softly
• Opposite of: forte

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PIANO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "16. Daring bet"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALLIN

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17D: "17. Barbies, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small replica of a person; used as a toy
• Similar words include: skirt, chick, doll
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOLLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "19. Disperse, as seeds"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a haphazard distribution in all directions
• Similar words include: dissipate, scattering, disperse
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCATTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "24. The Beatles' "Please Please Me" and "A Hard Day's Night," e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage
• Similar words include: digression, excursus, aside
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASIDES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "26. Draw in"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
• Similar words include: appeal, pull, pull in
• Opposite of: repel

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATTRACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Audibly expressed dismay"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that utter `tsk,' `tut,' or `tut-tut,' as in disapproval
• Similar words include: tsk, tut, tut-tut
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TSKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Squirrel away"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a secret store of valuables or money
• Similar words include: lay away, roll up, collect
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Sat ___ (Brit's GPS)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Length equaling 25.4 millimeters"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
• Similar words include: column inch, edge, in
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. Bic filler"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIFESTORY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Travelers' cases"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RESTSTOPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Leafy dish served with an entree"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SIDESALAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Arsenic's realm, in years past"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LATENIGHT

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29D: "44. Finalizes"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WRAPSUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. Leading lady's part"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the main good female character in a work of fiction
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HEROINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "46. Luxury sunglasses"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAYBANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Dalmatian in a red hat, maybe"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that metal supports for logs in a fireplace
• Similar words include: dog, dog-iron, andiron
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FIREDOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Transparent, in brief"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEETHRU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Falling stars"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (astronomy) any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth's atmosphere
• Similar words include: meteor, meteoroid, shooting star
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: METEORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Just silly"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that devoid of intelligence
• Similar words include: fatuous, vacuous, mindless
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Plains animal in a herd"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of several large humped bovids having shaggy manes and large heads and short horns
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BISON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Prefix meaning "eye""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OCULO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "57. Meanders"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that direct one's course or way
• Similar words include: wend
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WENDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. Fruity-smelling perfume ingredient"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that formed by reaction between an acid and an alcohol with elimination of water
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "62. Had a fast break?"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
• Similar words include: deplete, exhaust, eat on
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "65. ◼️◼️◼️"

15 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BLOCKBLOCKBLOCK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "66. "___, humbug!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "76. Admit, in a way"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LETPAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "79. Late-evening beverage request"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that coffee with the caffeine removed
• Similar words include: decaffeinated coffee
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DECAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "82. Use a straw"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of sucking
• Similar words include: sucking, nurse, sop up
• Opposite of: bottlefeed

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUCK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46D: "84. Travel guide writer Eugene"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FODOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47D: "85. Lithium, magnesium and aluminum"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
• Similar words include: metal, metallic element, alloy
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: METALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48D: "87. Unedited data set, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAWFILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49D: "89. Maximally weird-yet-delightful"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that ludicrous, foolish
• Similar words include: cockamamie, clownish, sappy
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ZANIEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50D: "91. Against the law"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention
• Similar words include: illegitimate, unlawful, outlaw
• Opposite of: licit

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ILLICIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51D: "92. Reply feigning guiltlessness"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LILOLME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52D: "93. Kinda"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53D: "94. Wades in puddles, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that make a splashing sound
• Similar words include: slosh around, squish, slop
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SLOSHES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54D: "96. Digital S.L.R. insert"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SDCARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55D: "98. Dress"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that provide with clothes or put clothes on
• Similar words include: raiment, dress, adorn
• Opposite of: undress

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLOTHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56D: "99. English writer with an apt surname"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: READE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57D: "100. "Gee whillikers!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OHWOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58D: "101. Pursue"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
• Similar words include: go after, following, trail
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59D: "102. Fidel ___, Philippine president in the 1990s"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAMOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60D: "103. Parasite"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end
• Similar words include: sponger, phlebotomize, sponge
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEECH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61D: "104. Military deserters, in brief"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one who is away or absent without leave
• Similar words include: AWOL
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AWOLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62D: "105. Native New Zealander's language"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an ethnic minority of polynesian and melanesian descent who speak maori and live in new zealand
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAORI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63D: "106. Best Play and Best Upset"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that catch sight of
• Similar words include: spy, descry, espy
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESPYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64D: "112. "Affirmative!""

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!

65D: "114. Sign up, with "in""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that select as an alternative over another
• Similar words include: choose, prefer
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66D: "115. Disgusted squeals"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that military action involving the use of electromagnetic energy to determine or exploit or reduce or prevent hostile use of the electromagnetic spectrum
• Similar words include: electronic warfare, EW
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EWS

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

74 Across Clues

66 Down Clues

140 Total Clues

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Last updated: May 10, 2026 at 06:22 AM