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Thursday, October 22, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 22, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Her breast milk created the Milky Way, in Greek myth 4
2A 5. Something passed at a charity event 3
3A 8. Bratty 6
4A 14. Some supermarkets, in brief 4
5A 15. What makes her hear? 3
6A 16. Island capital that's an anagram for a word meaning "steamy baths" 6
7A 17. *It may precede or follow "a million" 8
8A 19. *Line used in plotting points 6
9A 20. Dawn hrs. 3
10A 21. Succeeds without really trying 6
11A 23. Small grouse 3
12A 24. Nursery cry 3
13A 25. ZipRecruiter client 5
14A 26. Like some flaws 5
15A 28. By ___ (barely) 5
16A 30. *Trendy 9
17A 32. Pre-euro money 4
18A 33. Confection whose name is a contraction 5
19A 34. *Weapon in "Ivanhoe" 7
20A 38. *Second letter addendum, for short 7
21A 42. "Oz the Great and Powerful" director, 2013 5
22A 44. Display, with "out" 4
23A 45. *Subs 9
24A 49. The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows," to "Wouldn't It Be Nice" 5
25A 50. Tablets that can't be swallowed 5
26A 51. Volkswagen compact 5
27A 53. "Who knew?!" 3
28A 54. Richard Branson, for one 3
29A 55. Tops of palaces? 6
30A 56. Unhealthy 3
31A 57. *Inventory clearance option 6
32A 60. "Forget it!" ... or a phonetic hint to aligning seven answers in this puzzle with their starred clues 8
33A 62. Like Alban Berg's opera "Lulu" 6
34A 63. When said five times, an Abba song 3
35A 64. Region that produces Riesling wine 4
36A 65. Core beliefs 6
37A 66. French possessive 3
38A 67. 35mm options 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Her breast milk created the Milky Way, in Greek myth"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that queen of the olympian gods in ancient greek mythology; sister and wife of zeus remembered for her jealously of the many mortal women zeus fell in love with; identified with roman juno
  • Similar words include: Here
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Something passed at a charity event"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
  • Similar words include: chapeau, lid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Bratty"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that naughtily or annoyingly playful
  • Similar words include: prankish, pixilated, wicked
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Some supermarkets, in brief"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the most common of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; the chief antibody in the membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts
  • Similar words include: IgA, immunoglobulin A
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IGAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. What makes her hear?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mother of the ancient irish gods; sometimes identified with danu
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Island capital that's an anagram for a word meaning "steamy baths""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital of the bahamas
  • Similar words include: capital of the Bahamas
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NASSAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. *It may precede or follow "a million""

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. *Line used in plotting points"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
  • Similar words include: axiom, maxim
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXIOMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Dawn hrs."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic metallic element; discovered by bombarding uranium with helium atoms
  • Similar words include: AM, amplitude modulation, Artium Magister
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Succeeds without really trying"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the shore of a sea or ocean
  • Similar words include: glide, seashore, sea-coast
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COASTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Small grouse"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a luminance unit equal to 1 candle per square meter measured perpendicular to the rays from the source
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Nursery cry"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. ZipRecruiter client"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person responsible for hiring workers
  • Similar words include: boss
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIRER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Like some flaws"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that bringing death
  • Similar words include: disastrous, fateful, black
  • Opposite of: nonfatal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FATAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. By ___ (barely)"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. *Trendy"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Pre-euro money"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money on malta; equal to 100 cents
  • Similar words include: Italian lira, Maltese lira, Turkish lira
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Confection whose name is a contraction"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. *Weapon in "Ivanhoe""

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. *Second letter addendum, for short"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. "Oz the Great and Powerful" director, 2013"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Display, with "out""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slow pace of running
  • Similar words include: jog, Trotskyite, clip
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. *Subs"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a classroom in which all students in a particular grade (or in a division of a grade) meet at certain times under the supervision of a teacher who takes attendance and does other administrative business
  • Similar words include: home room, homeroom
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOMEROOMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows," to "Wouldn't It Be Nice""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Tablets that can't be swallowed"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Volkswagen compact"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. "Who knew?!""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of force equal to the force exerted by gravity; used to indicate the force to which a body is subjected when it is accelerated
  • Similar words include: g, g-force
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Richard Branson, for one"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that term of address for a man
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Tops of palaces?"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a jeweled headdress worn by women on formal occasions
  • Similar words include: tiara
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIARAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Unhealthy"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
  • Similar words include: poorly, inauspicious, badly
  • Opposite of: well
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. *Inventory clearance option"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that woman whose dancing beguiled herod into giving her the head of john the baptist
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALOME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. "Forget it!" ... or a phonetic hint to aligning seven answers in this puzzle with their starred clues"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. Like Alban Berg's opera "Lulu""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that characterized by avoidance of traditional western tonality
  • Similar words include: unkeyed
  • Opposite of: tonal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATONAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "63. When said five times, an Abba song"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an artificial language that is a revision and simplification of esperanto
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. Region that produces Riesling wine"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "65. Core beliefs"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
  • Similar words include: tenet, dogma
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "66. French possessive"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brittle silver-white metalloid element that is related to selenium and sulfur; it is used in alloys and as a semiconductor; occurs mainly as tellurides in ores of copper and nickel and silver and gold
  • Similar words include: atomic number 52, ti, te
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "67. 35mm options"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Was unable to go further 8
2D 2. Extreme boastfulness 8
3D 3. Instrument heard at Rosh Hashana services 8
4D 4. Wood used in making guitar bodies 3
5D 5. World capital known as the "City for Peace" 5
6D 6. World capital that's home to the Kocatepe Mosque 6
7D 7. Attachments to mortarboards 7
8D 8. Lead-in to much 4
9D 9. Late psychedelic artist Peter 3
10D 10. Fraternity letter 3
11D 11. Understands, despite efforts at concealment 6
12D 12. Dr. Seuss character in a red hat 6
13D 13. Step on it 6
14D 18. Post-marathon problem 4
15D 22. Disney street-smart mutt 5
16D 26. Bit of red tape 4
17D 27. Old pros 6
18D 29. Hallowed 6
19D 31. ___ shu pork 3
20D 35. Dinghy gear 4
21D 36. "O ___ babbino caro" (Puccini aria) 3
22D 37. Thumbs Up or Thinking Face 5
23D 39. First out 8
24D 40. Item in a miniature collector's collection 8
25D 41. Team with the most Super Bowl wins in the 1970s 8
26D 43. "Seriously!" 7
27D 45. Alternative to boo 6
28D 46. Analgesic agent 6
29D 47. Brando with two Oscars 6
30D 48. Took big steps 6
31D 49. Big blowout 4
32D 52. ___ de asador (Mexican meal) 5
33D 55. Some info on bus. cards 4
34D 58. Apt letters missing from j_i_ _d 3
35D 59. Tumbler's surface 3
36D 61. Ding-dong 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Was unable to go further"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Extreme boastfulness"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an intense and irresistible love for yourself and concern for your own needs
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGOMANIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Instrument heard at Rosh Hashana services"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Wood used in making guitar bodies"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the residue that remains when something is burned
  • Similar words include: ash tree
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. World capital known as the "City for Peace""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital city of vietnam; located in north vietnam
  • Similar words include: capital of Vietnam
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HANOI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. World capital that's home to the Kocatepe Mosque"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital of turkey; located in west-central turkey; it was formerly known as angora and is the home of angora goats
  • Similar words include: capital of Turkey, Angora, Turkish capital
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANKARA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Attachments to mortarboards"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that adornment consisting of a bunch of cords fastened at one end
  • Similar words include: tassel
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TASSELS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Lead-in to much"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Late psychedelic artist Peter"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that street names for gamma hydroxybutyrate
  • Similar words include: goop, soap, easy lay
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Fraternity letter"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

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!

11D: "11. Understands, despite efforts at concealment"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Dr. Seuss character in a red hat"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Step on it"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property
  • Similar words include: ado, flimflam, gyp
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUSTLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Post-marathon problem"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
  • Similar words include: languish, smart, pine
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Disney street-smart mutt"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disreputable vagrant
  • Similar words include: hiking, hobo, hiker
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Bit of red tape"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
  • Similar words include: manakin, course, organize
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Old pros"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
  • Similar words include: whizz, wizard, wiz
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADEPTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Hallowed"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that concerned with religion or religious purposes
  • Similar words include: sanctified, hallowed, consecrated
  • Opposite of: profane
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SACRED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. ___ shu pork"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by a cow or bull
  • Similar words include: low
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "35. Dinghy gear"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an implement used to propel or steer a boat
  • Similar words include: oar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "36. "O ___ babbino caro" (Puccini aria)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "37. Thumbs Up or Thinking Face"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "39. First out"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an original creation (i.e., an audio recording) from which copies can be made
  • Similar words include: archetype, master copy, pilot
  • Opposite of: unoriginal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORIGINAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "40. Item in a miniature collector's collection"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "41. Team with the most Super Bowl wins in the 1970s"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. "Seriously!""

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Alternative to boo"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. Analgesic agent"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narcotic drug that contains opium or an opium derivative
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPIATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Brando with two Oscars"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Took big steps"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that walk with long steps
  • Similar words include: stride
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Big blowout"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vigorous blow
  • Similar words include: smash, brawl, knock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. ___ de asador (Mexican meal)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of mexican descent
  • Similar words include: wetback, greaser, taco
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TACOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "55. Some info on bus. cards"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. Apt letters missing from j_i_ _d"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: unity, single, I
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "59. Tumbler's surface"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
  • Similar words include: matte, matting, tangle
  • Opposite of: disentangle, unsnarl
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "61. Ding-dong"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: tail, rear, bottom
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASS

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

38 Across Clues
36 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: October 22, 2026 at 08:46 AM

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 21, 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. Teacher's pet, say, in slang 6
2A 7. Cumming who won a Tony for "Cabaret" 4
3A 11. White lie 3
4A 14. Not well known 6
5A 15. Driving range? 4
6A 16. N.H.L.'s Mammoth, on scoreboards 3
7A 17. Driver's Ed: B 11
8A 19. Alt tab? 3
9A 20. Sporty vehicles, in brief 4
10A 21. Reunion attendee, for short 4
11A 22. Blunts 5
12A 24. Crop whose trade contributed to the Opium Wars 3
13A 25. Parisian permission 3
14A 26. Tender bend-er 7
15A 28. Gym: B+ 13
16A 31. ___ faire (festival with jousting) 3
17A 32. Life phase, informally 3
18A 33. In the thick of 4
19A 34. Had dinner at home 5
20A 37. Great sorrow 3
21A 38. Nutrition sources 5
22A 39. ___ saltado (Peruvian stir-fry dish) 4
23A 40. Tavern 3
24A 41. Baby boy 3
25A 42. Wood shop: A 13
26A 46. Have the same opinion about 7
27A 47. Chemical suffix that indicates a double bond 3
28A 48. "A Nightmare on ___ Street" 3
29A 51. Scene that may begin "Follow that car!" 5
30A 52. Like a tennis player who didn't even swing, maybe 4
31A 54. Sneaker brand 4
32A 55. Province with Niagara Falls: Abbr. 3
33A 56. History: A+ 11
34A 59. Look back on with regret 3
35A 60. At any point 4
36A 61. Stephen King's telekinetic teen of horror 6
37A 62. Figures in some rumored landings, for short 3
38A 63. Short Instagram posting 4
39A 64. Difficult, as a problem 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Teacher's pet, say, in slang"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Cumming who won a Tony for "Cabaret""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. White lie"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a trivial lie
  • Similar words include: taradiddle, tale, story
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Not well known"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Driving range?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrow way or road
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. N.H.L.'s Mammoth, on scoreboards"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Driver's Ed: B"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Alt tab?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a powerful hallucinogenic drug manufactured from lysergic acid
  • Similar words include: lysergic acid diethylamide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LSD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Sporty vehicles, in brief"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the shoshonean people of utah and colorado and new mexico
  • Similar words include: Ute
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Reunion attendee, for short"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one-hundredth of a right angle
  • Similar words include: alum, graduate, alumna
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Blunts"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make dull in appearance
  • Similar words include: dampen, benumb, pall
  • Opposite of: sharpen
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DULLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Crop whose trade contributed to the Opium Wars"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
  • Similar words include: Camellia sinensis, tea leaf, afternoon tea
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Parisian permission"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Tender bend-er"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Gym: B+"

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOVINGAVERAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. ___ faire (festival with jousting)"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Life phase, informally"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. In the thick of"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Had dinner at home"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. Great sorrow"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that misery resulting from affliction
  • Similar words include: woefulness, suffering
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "38. Nutrition sources"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a prescribed selection of foods
  • Similar words include: diet, dieting
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. ___ saltado (Peruvian stir-fry dish)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "40. Tavern"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
  • Similar words include: stripe, streak, blockade
  • Opposite of: unbar
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "41. Baby boy"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "42. Wood shop: A"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUILDINGSUPER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "46. Have the same opinion about"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Chemical suffix that indicates a double bond"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the compass point midway between northeast and east
  • Similar words include: east northeast
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "48. "A Nightmare on ___ Street""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various trees of the genus ulmus: important timber or shade trees
  • Similar words include: elm tree, elmwood
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. Scene that may begin "Follow that car!""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
  • Similar words include: chase after, trail, Salmon P. Chase
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "52. Like a tennis player who didn't even swing, maybe"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succeed at easily
  • Similar words include: pass with flying colors, breeze through, ace
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "54. Sneaker brand"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "55. Province with Niagara Falls: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "56. History: A+"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "59. Look back on with regret"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that european strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
  • Similar words include: herb of grace, Ruta graveolens, regret
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "60. At any point"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at any time
  • Similar words include: ever so, always, of all time
  • Opposite of: never
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "61. Stephen King's telekinetic teen of horror"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "62. Figures in some rumored landings, for short"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "63. Short Instagram posting"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
  • Similar words include: swag, lurch, Scottish reel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "64. Difficult, as a problem"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe
  • Similar words include: elusive, tough, baffling
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNOTTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Wrecked 5
2D 2. Like a passionate solver discovering a filled-in airline magazine crossword, say 5
3D 3. Edvard Munch painting, with "The" 6
4D 4. Fifth Avenue retailer 4
5D 5. Mono- 3
6D 6. Bird that gives pebbles as a courtship gesture 7
7D 7. Bravo preceder 4
8D 8. Made public 8
9D 9. Actress Dowd of "The Handmaid's Tale" 3
10D 10. "Can I help?" 6
11D 11. First and last, say 8
12D 12. "That checks out" 8
13D 13. Rotten apples 8
14D 18. Sly look, say 4
15D 23. Kyiv's country 7
16D 25. Bake-off need 4
17D 27. Sch. that's home to Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village 3
18D 29. Birds with a Baltimore species 7
19D 30. Physicist Ohm 5
20D 34. White tuna 8
21D 35. One that's hard to crack 8
22D 36. Airline headquartered in Dubai 8
23D 37. "Are you ready for this?" 8
24D 38. Fabulous, in slang 4
25D 40. Info that might include "Originally from ..." 3
26D 41. Open-air part of a cruise ship 7
27D 43. More profound 6
28D 44. Soak slowly 4
29D 45. Backslide 6
30D 49. Allowed 5
31D 50. Fellow crew member 5
32D 53. Shortcut key 4
33D 54. Musical lead-in to beat 4
34D 57. Blvd. crosser 3
35D 58. Tried for office 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Wrecked"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that destroyed or killed
  • Similar words include: gone, done for
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAPUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Like a passionate solver discovering a filled-in airline magazine crossword, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feeling or showing extreme anger
  • Similar words include: ireful
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Edvard Munch painting, with "The""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sharp piercing cry
  • Similar words include: cry, screeching, shriek
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCREAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Fifth Avenue retailer"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Mono-"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Bird that gives pebbles as a courtship gesture"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that short-legged flightless birds of cold southern especially antarctic regions having webbed feet and wings modified as flippers
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PENGUIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Bravo preceder"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Made public"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Actress Dowd of "The Handmaid's Tale""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. "Can I help?""

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. First and last, say"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "That checks out""

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Rotten apples"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Sly look, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Kyiv's country"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in southeastern europe; formerly a european soviet; the center of the original russian state which came into existence in the ninth century
  • Similar words include: Ukrayina
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UKRAINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Bake-off need"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Sch. that's home to Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Birds with a Baltimore species"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mostly tropical songbird; the male is usually bright orange and black
  • Similar words include: American oriole, oriole, Old World oriole
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORIOLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Physicist Ohm"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "34. White tuna"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that relatively small tuna with choice white flesh; major source of canned tuna
  • Similar words include: Thunnus alalunga, long-fin tunny
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALBACORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "35. One that's hard to crack"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "36. Airline headquartered in Dubai"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the domain controlled by an emir
  • Similar words include: emirate
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMIRATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. "Are you ready for this?""

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Fabulous, in slang"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that street names for marijuana
  • Similar words include: pot, dope up, green goddess
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Info that might include "Originally from ...""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Open-air part of a cruise ship"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "43. More profound"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
  • Similar words include: rich, abstruse, recondite
  • Opposite of: shallow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEEPER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Soak slowly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
  • Similar words include: ooze
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Backslide"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that go back to a previous state
  • Similar words include: regress, turn back, return
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REVERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Allowed"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sanctioned by custom or morality especially sexual morality
  • Similar words include: legitimate, lawful
  • Opposite of: illicit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LICIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Fellow crew member"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used colloquially) having the relationship of friends or pals
  • Similar words include: palsy-walsy, chummy, pally
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. Shortcut key"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "54. Musical lead-in to beat"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "57. Blvd. crosser"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "58. Tried for office"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
  • Similar words include: fly the coop, pass, campaign
  • Opposite of: malfunction, idle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAN

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
35 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

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Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 08:44 AM