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

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 09, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. "OK," in modern slang 3
2A 4. Develop 5
3A 9. Postlarval insects 5
4A 14. Prefix with skeleton 3
5A 15. Ewok's home 5
6A 16. Blow, as 13-Down does repeatedly 5
7A 17. Top starter 3
8A 18. Unsecured artillery that can slide across the deck 11
9A 20. "Semper Fidelis," for one 5
10A 22. Advantage 5
11A 23. Me-time destination 3
12A 24. Creature of Egyptian myth 6
13A 26. Bus schedule component 4
14A 28. Some landscaping equipment 6
15A 31. Worker who's behind the Times? 6
16A 35. Plow puller of old 4
17A 37. "Verb," ironically 4
18A 39. Part of a black suit 5
19A 40. Its three largest cities all have names starting with C 4
20A 41. Completely lost ... or where the now-idiomatic answer to each italicized clue has a literal meaning 5
21A 43. Barely made (out) 4
22A 44. Chat, informally 5
23A 46. Old-timey "Listen!" 4
24A 47. Out of juice 4
25A 48. Paint options 6
26A 50. Permanent-press 6
27A 52. Part of many a shallow-water ecosystem 4
28A 54. Music genre for some yoga classes 6
29A 57. Suffix with devil 3
30A 60. Expresses approval, in a way 5
31A 63. Remove from its original packaging, say 5
32A 64. Equatorial ocean area notorious for lack of winds 11
33A 67. Consumed 3
34A 68. Character in "Monsters, Inc." 5
35A 69. Like many a campfire story 5
36A 70. Hiker to a QB: Abbr. 3
37A 71. Elevate, as a flag 5
38A 72. Shell out cash 5
39A 73. Word with sewing or starter 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

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

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Develop"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Postlarval insects"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Prefix with skeleton"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Ewok's home"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Top starter"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Advantage"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Me-time destination"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Creature of Egyptian myth"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Bus schedule component"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Some landscaping equipment"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. Plow puller of old"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Chat, informally"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Out of juice"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Paint options"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Permanent-press"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "57. Suffix with devil"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Consumed"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "72. Shell out cash"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

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

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Has a happy face"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Fit in"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Big celebrity"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Leftovers"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Decorative vessel"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Each"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Sicilian smoker"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Lazy ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Roman theaters"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Comedian Foxx"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. Similar"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Minimal paint job"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "49. Promote"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "53. Gradually tapered cuts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "56. Wield, as authority"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "57. Bite reminder, maybe"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "59. Prefix with sphere"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "62. Positive"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "66. Max's opposite"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

39 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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

Saturday, January 3, 2026

NYT Crossword Across January 03, 2026: All 33 Horizontal Answers & Strategic Tips

Across Clues NYT January 03, 2026 - Today's Complete Horizontal Solutions

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 33 Across clues. We have all the horizontal answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: November 22 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | July 18 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | January 19 2021 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Across Clues

NYT Across clues solutions for January 03, 2026
NYT Across Clues - Saturday, January 03, 2026
Across Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date January 03, 2026
Day of Week Saturday
Total Across Clues 33 clues
Direction Horizontal (Left to Right)
Difficulty Medium

All Across Clues - Complete List

Here are all 33 Across clues for today's puzzle. These go horizontally from left to right.

Complete Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 1. Spoilers that ruin a whole lot
2 Across 10. Ditch digger
3 Across 15. Building that shouldn't have running water
4 Across 16. Actor Maguire
5 Across 17. Save me!
6 Across 18. Stretch one's legs, say
7 Across 19. Really went for
8 Across 20. French fathers
9 Across 21. PlayStation 5 maker
10 Across 22. Hairstyle associated with lesbian culture
11 Across 24. Campus mil. group
12 Across 26. "On top of that ..."
13 Across 28. European capital that names some animals if you interchange its last two letters
14 Across 29. Part of many a financial portfolio
15 Across 30. Spot
16 Across 31. One in hand?
17 Across 32. Add pizazz to
18 Across 35. Poke option
19 Across 36. Prefix with sphere
20 Across 38. Place to make offers
21 Across 39. Admit
22 Across 41. "Allow me!"
23 Across 43. Number range for some board games
24 Across 44. How someone might be caught
25 Across 45. Blemish
26 Across 47. Unwasted?
27 Across 48. Direction to get to an address
28 Across 53. "Your point being ...?"
29 Across 54. Uncovered
30 Across 55. Have a feeling
31 Across 56. Aids in recalling
32 Across 57. What "seder" means, literally
33 Across 58. Exaggerated speaking style that promotes language development

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Across Clues

Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Across clue. Also check these helpful guides:

Complete Across Solutions:


1 Across: "1. Spoilers that ruin a whole lot"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: B_______S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer BADAPPLES


2 Across: "10. Ditch digger"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S___E
  • Similar words: nigger, nigra
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SPADE


3 Across: "15. Building that shouldn't have running water"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: I_______E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ICEPALACE


4 Across: "16. Actor Maguire"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: T___Y
  • Similar words: Mark Tobey
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer TOBEY


5 Across: "17. Save me!"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: L_______E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer LASTDANCE


6 Across: "18. Stretch one's legs, say"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A___E
  • Similar words: saunter, mosey
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)
  • This is Across clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer AMBLE


7 Across: "19. Really went for"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: L_______D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer LIKELIKED


8 Across: "20. French fathers"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P___S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer PERES


9 Across: "21. PlayStation 5 maker"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S__Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SONY


10 Across: "22. Hairstyle associated with lesbian culture"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: M____T
  • Similar words: gray mullet, grey mullet
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: highly valued lean flesh of marine or freshwater mullet
  • This is Across clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer MULLET


11 Across: "24. Campus mil. group"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'C'
  • Word pattern: R__C
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ROTC


12 Across: "26. "On top of that ...""

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: M______R
  • Similar words: furthermore, what is more
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: in addition
  • This is Across clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer MOREOVER


13 Across: "28. European capital that names some animals if you interchange its last two letters"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: M___K
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer MINSK


14 Across: "29. Part of many a financial portfolio"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: B__D
  • Similar words: James Bond, draw together
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: an electrical force linking atoms
  • This is Across clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer BOND


15 Across: "30. Spot"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S__E
  • Similar words: locate, website
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SITE


16 Across: "31. One in hand?"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Similar words: sensation, whizz
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ACE


17 Across: "32. Add pizazz to"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: S_____P
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SPICEUP


18 Across: "35. Poke option"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'I'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer AHI


19 Across: "36. Prefix with sphere"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: H__I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer HEMI


20 Across: "38. Place to make offers"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: E__Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer EBAY


21 Across: "39. Admit"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: L___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer LETIN


22 Across: "41. "Allow me!""

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: I______P
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ICANHELP


23 Across: "43. Number range for some board games"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A__S
  • Similar words: age, long time
  • Opposite of: rejuvenate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: how long something has existed
  • This is Across clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer AGES


24 Across: "44. How someone might be caught"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ONTAPE


25 Across: "45. Blemish"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'G'
  • Word pattern: D__G
  • Similar words: dingdong, dong
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a ringing sound
  • This is Across clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DING


26 Across: "47. Unwasted?"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: S___R
  • Similar words: sombre, drab
  • Opposite of: playful
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: cause to become sober
  • This is Across clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SOBER


27 Across: "48. Direction to get to an address"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C_______E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer CLICKHERE


28 Across: "53. "Your point being ...?""

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: O___D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer OKAND


29 Across: "54. Uncovered"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: A_______L
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer AUNATUREL


30 Across: "55. Have a feeling"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S___E
  • Similar words: smell, sensation
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a general conscious awareness
  • This is Across clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SENSE


31 Across: "56. Aids in recalling"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: M_______S
  • Similar words: mnemonic
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a method or system for improving the memory
  • This is Across clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer MNEMONICS


32 Across: "57. What "seder" means, literally"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: O___R
  • Similar words: arrange, enjoin
  • Opposite of: disorderliness
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g.
  • This is Across clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ORDER


33 Across: "58. Exaggerated speaking style that promotes language development"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P_______E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer PARENTESE

Expert Strategies for Solving Across Clues

Master the horizontal clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Across Clues?

  • Across clues often provide more letter intersections
  • Reading left to right feels more natural
  • Many common phrases run horizontally
  • Across answers often help solve Down clues

Across Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Across entries
  2. Common phrases: Many idioms run horizontally
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Across
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear horizontally

Time-Saving Across Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Across first Get a mental map of the horizontal flow
Fill short Across words 3-4 letter words are often articles or prepositions
Use crossing letters Down letters help confirm Across answers
Look for themes Related Across answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Across Clues

What are Across clues in crossword puzzles?

Across clues are the horizontal entries in a crossword puzzle that read from left to right. They're numbered and correspond to specific rows in the grid.

Should I solve Across or Down clues first?

Many solvers prefer starting with Across clues because reading left-to-right feels more natural. However, the best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Across clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 33 Across clues.

Are Across clues easier than Down clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Across clues often contain more common phrases and expressions.

How do Across clues interact with Down clues?

Across and Down clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Across clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: January 03, 2026 at 04:51 AM

Search terms: NYT Across, Across clues, horizontal, crossword answers, left to right, January 03 2026 across clues