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

Friday, February 20, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 20, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Disney character who sings "In Summer" 4
2A 5. Product code used in inventory management 3
3A 8. Ropes in 6
4A 14. Ones always grinding at their jobs? 8
5A 16. Connect 6
6A 17. Baking sheets, cake pans, muffin tins, etc. 8
7A 18. Manages 6
8A 19. Pleasant chill in the air, say 14
9A 21. Baylor of N.B.A. fame 5
10A 22. Org. whose work takes many forms? 3
11A 23. Took in 3
12A 24. Smear 6
13A 26. Nahuatl speaker 5
14A 28. Muse aloud 5
15A 29. Actress Seehorn of "Pluribus" 4
16A 30. "I smell trouble ...!" 4
17A 34. Break down while studying? 15
18A 37. First place? 4
19A 38. Docs that deal with sensitive information 4
20A 39. Miracle on the ___ (surprise French/English victory of W.W. I) 5
21A 40. Like many working horses, but not many working dogs 5
22A 42. Binges 6
23A 43. N.Y.C.-based dance group 3
24A 46. Wonder 3
25A 47. Descendants of the Picts 5
26A 48. Someone you might like to get to know better 14
27A 52. Wyndham hotel brand 6
28A 53. Has to keep going 8
29A 55. Extra 6
30A 56. Instruction before an M.R.I. 8
31A 57. Gets wise to? 6
32A 58. Li'l ___ (tykes) 3
33A 59. Fix 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

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

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Ropes in"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Connect"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Manages"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Took in"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Smear"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Nahuatl speaker"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Muse aloud"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. First place?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Binges"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Wonder"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Descendants of the Picts"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Wyndham hotel brand"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Has to keep going"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Extra"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Gets wise to?"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "59. Fix"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

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

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Posh hotel room amenities"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Cholesterol-lowering drug"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Relaxed"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. One of the Obamas"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. It has eight players"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Arrogant self-assurance"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Extra"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Was a copycat of"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. To come"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Shady dealers"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Trade for cash"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Valuable deposits"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Brings in"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Online nickname"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. x"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Wood finish"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Carry on"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

33 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
68 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: February 20, 2026 at 05:01 AM

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 04, 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. Indian megacity of 16+ million 5
2A 6. Talks too much 5
3A 11. Text initialism that's the name of a 2010 Usher hit 3
4A 14. Like some walls at Harvard and Dartmouth 5
5A 15. "Casablanca" actor's nickname 5
6A 16. Actress Long or Peeples 3
7A 17. Native American rite of passage 11
8A 19. Explosive item for Wile E. Coyote 3
9A 20. "I wish it were so" 6
10A 21. Behavioral quirk 3
11A 22. Clarified butter 4
12A 23. Roof type with removable panels 4
13A 25. Girl encouraged to wake up, in a 1957 #1 Everly Brothers hit 5
14A 27. Heartbeat tests, in brief 4
15A 30. Jewish rite of passage 10
16A 34. L.L.Bean competitor 3
17A 35. "___ of Dogs" (2018 film) 4
18A 36. Occurring at an appropriate moment 6
19A 37. N.F.L. player in a purple uniform 5
20A 39. What might help someone be loud and clear? 3
21A 41. Strong point 5
22A 42. "I'll be right with you" 6
23A 44. Screw up 4
24A 46. Lead-in to X, Y or Z 3
25A 47. Amish rite of passage 10
26A 49. More than giga-, less than peta- 4
27A 50. Really plague 5
28A 51. Each "point" of Taurus's horns, e.g. 4
29A 53. Stand up to 4
30A 55. Profs' aides 3
31A 57. Beethoven work originally titled "Bonaparte," after Napoleon 6
32A 61. Kimono sash 3
33A 62. "Seinfeld" catchphrase ... or, when parsed as three words, how a participant of 17-, 30- or 47-Across might be greeted? 11
34A 64. Dallas baller 3
35A 65. Kind of pipe or patch 5
36A 66. Like an Islay single malt, to Scotch enthusiasts 5
37A 67. Ball one or ball two? 3
38A 68. Great Plains nation 5
39A 69. Pittsburgh-based industrial giant 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Indian megacity of 16+ million"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in north central india
  • Similar words include: Old Delhi
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELHI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Talks too much"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that divulge confidential information or secrets
  • Similar words include: talk, blab, tittle-tattle
  • Opposite of: keep quiet
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Text initialism that's the name of a 2010 Usher hit"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Like some walls at Harvard and Dartmouth"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that overgrown with ivy
  • Similar words include: ivy-covered
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IVIED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. "Casablanca" actor's nickname"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an evil spirit
  • Similar words include: bogey, bogy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOGIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Actress Long or Peeples"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Native American rite of passage"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Explosive item for Wile E. Coyote"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that explosive consisting of a yellow crystalline compound that is a flammable toxic derivative of toluene
  • Similar words include: trinitrotoluene
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. "I wish it were so""

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Behavioral quirk"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a local and habitual twitching especially in the face
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Clarified butter"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that clarified butter used in indian cookery
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GHEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Roof type with removable panels"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Girl encouraged to wake up, in a 1957 #1 Everly Brothers hit"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Heartbeat tests, in brief"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph
  • Similar words include: EKG, ECG, cardiogram
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EKGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Jewish rite of passage"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. L.L.Bean competitor"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. "___ of Dogs" (2018 film)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small island
  • Similar words include: islet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Occurring at an appropriate moment"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that before a time limit expires
  • Similar words include: seasonably, well-timed, apropos
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIMELY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. N.F.L. player in a purple uniform"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large black bird with a straight bill and long wedge-shaped tail
  • Similar words include: prey, Corvus corax, pig
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAVEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. What might help someone be loud and clear?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Strong point"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an asset of special worth or utility
  • Similar words include: speciality, strength, loudly
  • Opposite of: weak point, piano
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. "I'll be right with you""

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Screw up"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a man who is a stupid incompetent fool
  • Similar words include: blunder, goofball, goose
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOOF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Lead-in to X, Y or Z"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal term for information
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Amish rite of passage"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. More than giga-, less than peta-"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a three-tone chadic language
  • Similar words include: Yamaltu, Pidlimdi
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. Really plague"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "51. Each "point" of Taurus's horns, e.g."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
  • Similar words include: headliner, asterisk, whizz
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "53. Stand up to"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that resist or confront with resistance
  • Similar words include: withstand, hold, refuse
  • Opposite of: lend oneself
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEFY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Profs' aides"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hard grey lustrous metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion; occurs in niobite and fergusonite and tantalite
  • Similar words include: tantalum, Ta, atomic number 73
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Beethoven work originally titled "Bonaparte," after Napoleon"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "61. Kimono sash"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. "Seinfeld" catchphrase ... or, when parsed as three words, how a participant of 17-, 30- or 47-Across might be greeted?"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Dallas baller"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Kind of pipe or patch"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that eurasian rose with prickly stems and fragrant leaves and bright pink flowers followed by scarlet hips
  • Similar words include: tree heath, sweetbriar, Rosa eglanteria
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Like an Islay single malt, to Scotch enthusiasts"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or pertaining to or of the nature of peat
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEATY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "67. Ball one or ball two?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the organ of sight
  • Similar words include: center, heart, centre
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "68. Great Plains nation"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in missouri in the valleys of the missouri and osage rivers; oil was found on osage lands early in the 20th century
  • Similar words include: Osage River
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "69. Pittsburgh-based industrial giant"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Melodramatic sort 4
2D 2. Like Cinderella's stepmother 4
3D 3. Rapper in K-pop's Blackpink 4
4D 4. Jobs in "Heat" and "Ocean's Eleven" 6
5D 5. Lead-in to know or care 5
6D 6. Potato chip flavor, informally 3
7D 7. Ruffian 4
8D 8. Workplace concern for seniors 6
9D 9. British cookie 7
10D 10. 10 squats at the gym, perhaps 3
11D 11. Facing an imminent prospect (of) 10
12D 12. "None for you!" 4
13D 13. Right out of the ___ 4
14D 18. Rookies, to gamers 5
15D 22. Doohickey 5
16D 24. Sources of lines for a reading, maybe 4
17D 26. Like some upper lips and drinks 5
18D 27. Unforced ___ (athlete's concern) 5
19D 28. Reeves of "Hardball" 5
20D 29. "Up top!" 10
21D 31. Ruler's length? 5
22D 32. Cuff or hem, say 5
23D 33. Any of Scar's underlings in "The Lion King" 5
24D 35. Unfit for the job 5
25D 38. Bar exam component 5
26D 40. Gear parts 4
27D 43. Completely collapses 7
28D 45. Like some Quaker products 5
29D 48. Where you are when in Roma 6
30D 49. Cement spreader 6
31D 52. Snack similar to a gordita 5
32D 53. Noggin 4
33D 54. Site for online bids 4
34D 56. Foundry waste 4
35D 58. Part of a line at an Apple Store 4
36D 59. Adversary of Julius Caesar 4
37D 60. Actress Taylor-Joy of "The Gorge" 4
38D 62. "The Penguin" airer 3
39D 63. Foundry material 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Melodramatic sort"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinguished female operatic singer; a female operatic star
  • Similar words include: prima donna
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Like Cinderella's stepmother"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that morally objectionable behavior
  • Similar words include: immorality, wickedness, vicious
  • Opposite of: goodness, good
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Rapper in K-pop's Blackpink"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Jobs in "Heat" and "Ocean's Eleven""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of stealing
  • Similar words include: rip-off, armed robbery, stickup
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEISTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Lead-in to know or care"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Potato chip flavor, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Ruffian"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward stupid person
  • Similar words include: lummox, lump, lubber
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Workplace concern for seniors"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that discrimination against middle-aged and elderly people
  • Similar words include: agism
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGEISM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. British cookie"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda
  • Similar words include: cooky, cookie
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BISCUIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. 10 squats at the gym, perhaps"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: go down, localize, pose
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Facing an imminent prospect (of)"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "None for you!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Right out of the ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a movable barrier in a fence or wall
  • Similar words include: logic gate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Rookies, to gamers"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Doohickey"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something unspecified whose name is either forgotten or not known
  • Similar words include: whatchamacallum, gadget, gismo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIZMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Sources of lines for a reading, maybe"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
  • Similar words include: medal, thenar, decoration
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PALM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Like some upper lips and drinks"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ordinary man
  • Similar words include: strong, cockeyed, slopped
  • Opposite of: impotent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STIFF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Unforced ___ (athlete's concern)"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
  • Similar words include: mistake, erroneous belief, misplay
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERROR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Reeves of "Hardball""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. "Up top!""

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Ruler's length?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period during which something or somebody is dominant or powerful
  • Similar words include: sovereignty, rule, predominate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REIGN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Cuff or hem, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
  • Similar words include: neuter, vary, spay
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Any of Scar's underlings in "The Lion King""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that doglike nocturnal mammal of africa and southern asia that feeds chiefly on carrion
  • Similar words include: hyaena
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYENA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Unfit for the job"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not elegant or graceful in expression
  • Similar words include: cumbersome, ill-chosen, tactless
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INEPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Bar exam component"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an analytic or interpretive literary composition
  • Similar words include: examine, assay, attempt
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESSAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Gear parts"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a subordinate who performs an important but routine function
  • Similar words include: cog, sprocket
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "43. Completely collapses"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bowl-shaped geological formation at the top of a volcano
  • Similar words include: crater, volcanic crater, Crater
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRATERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Like some Quaker products"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or related to or derived from oats
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OATEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. Where you are when in Roma"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in southern europe on the italian peninsula; was the core of the roman republic and the roman empire between the 4th century bc and the 5th century ad
  • Similar words include: Italy, Italian Republic
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITALIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Cement spreader"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small hand tool with a handle and flat metal blade; used for scooping or spreading plaster or similar materials
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROWEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "52. Snack similar to a gordita"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. Noggin"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward
  • Similar words include: noggin, attic, covered stadium
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "54. Site for online bids"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "56. Foundry waste"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals
  • Similar words include: scoria, dross
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "58. Part of a line at an Apple Store"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "59. Adversary of Julius Caesar"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "60. Actress Taylor-Joy of "The Gorge""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "62. "The Penguin" airer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "63. Foundry material"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORE

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: February 04, 2026 at 04:54 AM