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Wednesday, July 8, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 08, 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. Cartographers' concerns 4
2A 5. Go by 6
3A 11. Helpful skill for guessers 3
4A 14. Working obediently 4
5A 15. Mickey with an Oscar nomination for "The Wrestler" 6
6A 16. Champiñones ___ plancha (Spanish dish) 3
7A 17. [C/P]ause 11
8A 19. Droop 3
9A 20. Food mentioned in the Lord's Prayer 5
10A 21. What "Eat" stands for in the mnemonic "Never Eat Soggy Waffles" 4
11A 22. Buzz before a release 4
12A 23. Low-quality synthetic images, informally 6
13A 25. Prepare to drive, in golf 5
14A 27. [L/C]ure 12
15A 32. Result of touching poison ivy 4
16A 35. "The Deer Hunter" setting, in brief 3
17A 36. Old, as a joke 5
18A 37. Casual refusal 3
19A 38. "Way to go, kid!" 7
20A 41. Heir to the throne, maybe 3
21A 42. Like a good explanation, say 5
22A 44. Brain ___ 3
23A 45. Prominent features of tarsiers 4
24A 46. [M/H]inds 12
25A 50. Fitness fad popularized by Billy Blanks 5
26A 51. "Animal Farm" or "The Simpsons" 6
27A 55. Soccer great Mia 4
28A 57. Apartment with a high ceiling 4
29A 60. New beginning 5
30A 61. Pub order 3
31A 62. [Z/R]est 11
32A 64. Magic setting, in brief 3
33A 65. List of things to discuss 6
34A 66. Mother of a stable family? 4
35A 67. ___ pal 3
36A 68. Individual 6
37A 69. Hershey toffee bar 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Cartographers' concerns"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)
  • Similar words include: single-valued function, represent, map
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Go by"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: slip by, go along, pass
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELAPSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Helpful skill for guessers"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that apparent power to perceive things that are not present to the senses
  • Similar words include: extrasensory perception, clairvoyance, second sight
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Working obediently"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Mickey with an Oscar nomination for "The Wrestler""

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Champiñones ___ plancha (Spanish dish)"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. [C/P]ause"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Droop"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shape that sags
  • Similar words include: droop, sag down, flag
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Food mentioned in the Lord's Prayer"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
  • Similar words include: clams, staff of life, shekels
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BREAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. What "Eat" stands for in the mnemonic "Never Eat Soggy Waffles""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
  • Similar words include: Orient, due east, E
  • Opposite of: west
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Buzz before a release"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that blatant or sensational promotion
  • Similar words include: ballyhoo, hoopla, plug
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Low-quality synthetic images, informally"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Prepare to drive, in golf"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. [L/C]ure"

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRICKORTREAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Result of touching poison ivy"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. "The Deer Hunter" setting, in brief"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Old, as a joke"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that urinate, of cattle and horses
  • Similar words include: cold, moth-eaten, dusty
  • Opposite of: fresh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Casual refusal"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. "Way to go, kid!""

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Heir to the throne, maybe"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. Like a good explanation, say"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of being free of suspicion
  • Similar words include: clear up, sack, elucidate
  • Opposite of: overcast, unclear
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Brain ___"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor
  • Similar words include: putrefaction, molder, hogwash
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Prominent features of tarsiers"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. [M/H]inds"

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEADSORTAILS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Fitness fad popularized by Billy Blanks"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. "Animal Farm" or "The Simpsons""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that witty language used to convey insults or scorn; ; ; --jonathan swift
  • Similar words include: caustic remark, sarcasm, irony
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SATIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "55. Soccer great Mia"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "57. Apartment with a high ceiling"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space
  • Similar words include: garret, pigeon loft, attic
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "60. New beginning"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that device for resetting instruments or controls
  • Similar words include: readjust
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Pub order"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "62. [Z/R]est"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. Magic setting, in brief"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. List of things to discuss"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to
  • Similar words include: docket, agendum, schedule
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGENDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. Mother of a stable family?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that female equine animal
  • Similar words include: maria, female horse
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. ___ pal"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters
  • Similar words include: gallon
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "68. Individual"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a human being
  • Similar words include: mortal, somebody, individual
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PERSON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "69. Hershey toffee bar"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Black ___, nickname for Kobe Bryant 5
2D 2. Company that created Pong 5
3D 3. Fish, roads or weapons that are long and thin 5
4D 4. Sneakiness 7
5D 5. Goof 3
6D 6. Brain or ear part 4
7D 7. Coolness, of a sort 4
8D 8. Magician's cry 6
9D 9. Many a Winter Olympian 6
10D 10. "Holy moley!" 3
11D 11. "No sweat!" 9
12D 12. ___ on the wrist 4
13D 13. Word with home or half 4
14D 18. What cologne may mask 4
15D 22. Injured 4
16D 24. Pub order 4
17D 26. Site for "unique and creative" items 4
18D 28. "Sleep is like a ___: It only comes to you if you ignore it": Gillian Flynn 3
19D 29. Big box store that merged with Sears in 2005 5
20D 30. Sunburn remedy 4
21D 31. X's, sometimes 4
22D 32. Ruler division 4
23D 33. Tall story 4
24D 34. Weekly reward for a strict dieter, maybe 9
25D 38. Keister, in Leicester 4
26D 39. Feathered accessory that won't constrict you 3
27D 40. Singer Redding 4
28D 43. First in a race? 4
29D 45. Regards highly 7
30D 47. Do a favor 6
31D 48. Worker overhead 6
32D 49. Cooking fat 4
33D 52. Chris with the 1991 hit "Wicked Game" 5
34D 53. Cool again, maybe 5
35D 54. Heavens 5
36D 55. Rest like a bat 4
37D 56. Jessica of "Fantastic Four" 4
38D 58. Marshy areas 4
39D 59. Task on a list 4
40D 62. Greatly surpass, as competitors in a race 3
41D 63. Raced 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Black ___, nickname for Kobe Bryant"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that arboreal snake of central and southern africa whose bite is often fatal
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAMBA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Company that created Pong"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Fish, roads or weapons that are long and thin"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic
  • Similar words include: freeway, thruway, motorway
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIKES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Sneakiness"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that avoiding detection by moving carefully
  • Similar words include: stealing
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEALTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Goof"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to make a mistake or be incorrect
  • Similar words include: mistake, stray, drift
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Brain or ear part"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (anatomy) a somewhat rounded subdivision of a bodily organ or part
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Coolness, of a sort"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure
  • Similar words include: gloriole, halo, atmosphere
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AURA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Magician's cry"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of tempo) very fast
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRESTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Many a Winter Olympian"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who skates
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. "Holy moley!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. "No sweat!""

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. ___ on the wrist"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
  • Similar words include: bang, smack, smacking
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Word with home or half"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
  • Similar words include: Thomas Nelson Page, Sir Frederick Handley Page, varlet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. What cologne may mask"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any property detected by the olfactory system
  • Similar words include: olfactory perception, smell, olfactory sensation
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Injured"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
  • Similar words include: injury, ache, smart
  • Opposite of: be well
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HURT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Pub order"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a british imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 4 gills or 568.26 cubic centimeters
  • Similar words include: dry pint
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PINT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Site for "unique and creative" items"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. "Sleep is like a ___: It only comes to you if you ignore it": Gillian Flynn"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
  • Similar words include: Caterpillar, cast, honk
  • Opposite of: keep down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Big box store that merged with Sears in 2005"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Sunburn remedy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. X's, sometimes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
  • Similar words include: ten, X, decade
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Ruler division"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
  • Similar words include: in, column inch, edge
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Tall story"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
  • Similar words include: fib, tarradiddle, narration
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. Weekly reward for a strict dieter, maybe"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Keister, in Leicester"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: rear end, buns, prat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Feathered accessory that won't constrict you"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur
  • Similar words include: feather boa
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Singer Redding"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states inventor who manufactured the first elevator with a safety device (1811-1861)
  • Similar words include: genus Otis, Elisha Graves Otis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. First in a race?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) in judeo-christian mythology; the first man and the husband of eve and the progenitor of the human race
  • Similar words include: XTC, X, cristal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Regards highly"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)
  • Similar words include: look upon, repute, think of
  • Opposite of: disrespect, disesteem
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESTEEMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "47. Do a favor"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that force somebody to do something
  • Similar words include: bind, accommodate, obligate
  • Opposite of: disoblige
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBLIGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "48. Worker overhead"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a craftsman who lays or repairs roofs
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOFER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Cooking fat"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that soft white semisolid fat obtained by rendering the fatty tissue of the hog
  • Similar words include: dramatize, pad, embroider
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Chris with the 1991 hit "Wicked Game""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Cool again, maybe"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fashion reminiscent of the past
  • Similar words include: retroactive, ex post facto
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Heavens"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies
  • Similar words include: aether, vinyl ether, divinyl ether
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETHER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Rest like a bat"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a special way of doing something
  • Similar words include: bent, fall, cling
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HANG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Jessica of "Fantastic Four""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "58. Marshy areas"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that 100 fen equal 1 yuan in china
  • Similar words include: marshland, fenland, fen
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. Task on a list"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "62. Greatly surpass, as competitors in a race"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
  • Similar words include: overlap, wash, swosh
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "63. Raced"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

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: incline, hightail it, pass
  • Opposite of: idle, malfunction
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

37 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
78 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: July 08, 2026 at 06:10 AM

Saturday, June 27, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers June 27, 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. "Delightful!" 10
2A 11. Cock-a-hoop 4
3A 15. "What if we just ... didn't?" 10
4A 16. Dancer's restraint? 4
5A 17. Kitchen project with minimal cleanup 10
6A 18. City on India's "golden triangle" tourism circuit 4
7A 19. Castaway's place, perhaps 10
8A 20. Alternative to Word 4
9A 21. GPS calculation: Abbr. 3
10A 22. Gavrila Derzhavin's "God," e.g. 3
11A 24. Word repeated in a fit of disbelief 3
12A 25. "That way ..." 4
13A 28. He's credited as the director of photography for the 1967 film "Magical Mystery Tour" 10
14A 32. Female lobster 3
15A 33. On the topic of 4
16A 34. Hindu rule of living 5
17A 35. U-Haul competitor 5
18A 37. GPS calculation: Abbr. 3
19A 39. Some choppers 5
20A 40. Give credit for 5
21A 41. Wee, informally 4
22A 43. "Your point being ...?" 3
23A 44. Defense council? 10
24A 47. ___ climbing a tree (Sichuan noodle dish) 4
25A 48. Musical group that went on hiatus in 2022 so its members could serve in the military 3
26A 49. British ___ (colonial rule of India) 3
27A 50. Lead-in to -ology, for the study of the atmosphere 3
28A 52. Doesn't sit by 4
29A 54. A bit stale, say 10
30A 60. British buddy 4
31A 61. Hit the hay, to a toddler 10
32A 62. Its tail blows in the wind 4
33A 63. "It's just me here" 10
34A 64. Worry, worry, worry 4
35A 65. When many rebellions emerge for the first time 10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "Delightful!""

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "11. Cock-a-hoop"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of numerous plants of the genus gladiolus native chiefly to tropical and south africa having sword-shaped leaves and one-sided spikes of brightly colored funnel-shaped flowers; widely cultivated
  • Similar words include: gladiolus, sword lily, beaming
  • Opposite of: sad
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. "What if we just ... didn't?""

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Dancer's restraint?"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
  • Similar words include: draw rein, harness, rein in
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Kitchen project with minimal cleanup"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. City on India's "golden triangle" tourism circuit"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in northern india; former capital of the mogul empire; site of the taj mahal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Castaway's place, perhaps"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Alternative to Word"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a licensed medical practitioner
  • Similar words include: Dr., MD, doctor
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. GPS calculation: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Gavrila Derzhavin's "God," e.g."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Word repeated in a fit of disbelief"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that and nothing more
  • Similar words include: merely, only, simply
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. "That way ...""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an aromatic gum resin obtained from various arabian or east african trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation
  • Similar words include: therefore, gum olibanum, hence
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. He's credited as the director of photography for the 1967 film "Magical Mystery Tour""

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. Female lobster"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that adult female chicken
  • Similar words include: biddy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. On the topic of"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Hindu rule of living"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rule or aphorism in sanskrit literature or a group of aphoristic doctrinal summaries prepared for memorization
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. U-Haul competitor"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. GPS calculation: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
  • Similar words include: Basque Homeland and Freedom, Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Euskadi ta Askatasuna
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Some choppers"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Give credit for"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Wee, informally"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. "Your point being ...?""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Defense council?"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. ___ climbing a tree (Sichuan noodle dish)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
  • Similar words include: pismire, emmet, ant
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Musical group that went on hiatus in 2022 so its members could serve in the military"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. British ___ (colonial rule of India)"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that british dominion over india (1757-1947)
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAJ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. Lead-in to -ology, for the study of the atmosphere"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Doesn't sit by"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
  • Similar words include: act as, bit, human activity
  • Opposite of: refrain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. A bit stale, say"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. British buddy"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a boy or man
  • Similar words include: crack, blighter, cuss
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. Hit the hay, to a toddler"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Its tail blows in the wind"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bank check that has been fraudulently altered to increase its face value
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. "It's just me here""

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Worry, worry, worry"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that agitation resulting from active worry
  • Similar words include: swither, grudge, lather
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. When many rebellions emerge for the first time"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. "___ have thought?!" 4
2D 2. Sharpen 4
3D 3. Moves a lot 4
4D 4. Wanes, with "off" 6
5D 5. Command from space command 5
6D 6. Walks with a wobble 7
7D 7. Persian poet who wrote the "Masnavi" 4
8D 8. "Qui ___-vous?" (French for "Who are you?") 4
9D 9. Kind of clock 6
10D 10. City between Madrid and Ciudad Real 6
11D 11. Person congratulated in a yard sign, maybe 4
12D 12. Toy adorned with a tiny rubber cape 10
13D 13. That blows! 10
14D 14. Things analyzed in some forensic tests 10
15D 23. Many a political piece 5
16D 25. Homages to a prior era 10
17D 26. "Look where you're going!" 10
18D 27. Deliberately downplay 10
19D 29. Suffix with urban 3
20D 30. Out 5
21D 31. Prom night rental 3
22D 33. Like a fired-up sports crowd 5
23D 36. Multipurpose shortening? 3
24D 38. Put away 3
25D 42. In a quietly dignified way 7
26D 45. Plastic item in a lunchbox 6
27D 46. ___ Oluo, author of 2018's "So You Want to Talk About Race" 6
28D 47. Diamond pattern 6
29D 51. Finish up by 5
30D 53. Eject 4
31D 55. Way up a mountain, perhaps 4
32D 56. "Do ___ ..." 4
33D 57. Light wind? 4
34D 58. Super Bowl X M.V.P. ___ Swann 4
35D 59. Diamond edges? 4

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. "___ have thought?!""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Sharpen"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a whetstone made of fine gritstone; used for sharpening razors
  • Similar words include: perfect
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Moves a lot"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Wanes, with "off""

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a convex shape that narrows toward a point
  • Similar words include: point, wick, sharpen
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAPERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Command from space command"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of terminating a project or procedure before it is completed
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABORT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Walks with a wobble"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move without being stable, as if threatening to fall
  • Similar words include: teeter, dodder, waddle
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOTTERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Persian poet who wrote the "Masnavi""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. "Qui ___-vous?" (French for "Who are you?")"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Kind of clock"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something having the property of being analogous to something else
  • Similar words include: linear, parallel, analogue
  • Opposite of: digital
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANALOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. City between Madrid and Ciudad Real"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an industrial city in northwestern ohio on lake erie
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOLEDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Person congratulated in a yard sign, maybe"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Toy adorned with a tiny rubber cape"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. That blows!"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Things analyzed in some forensic tests"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Many a political piece"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Homages to a prior era"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organism that has the characteristics of a more primitive type of that organism
  • Similar words include: throwback, reversion, atavism
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THROWBACKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. "Look where you're going!""

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Deliberately downplay"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that represent as less significant or important
  • Similar words include: minimize, minimise, downplay
  • Opposite of: overstate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNDERSTATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Suffix with urban"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Out"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Prom night rental"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that semiformal evening dress for men
  • Similar words include: black tie, tuxedo, dinner jacket
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Like a fired-up sports crowd"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Multipurpose shortening?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Put away"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "42. In a quietly dignified way"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in a grave and sober manner
  • Similar words include: soberly, gravely
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAIDLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "45. Plastic item in a lunchbox"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "46. ___ Oluo, author of 2018's "So You Want to Talk About Race""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "47. Diamond pattern"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a covered gravy holder of silver or other metal containing a detachable central vessel for hot water to keep the gravy warm
  • Similar words include: argyll
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARGYLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "51. Finish up by"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "53. Eject"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth
  • Similar words include: spit, chuck, purge
  • Opposite of: keep down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "55. Way up a mountain, perhaps"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "56. "Do ___ ...""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)
  • Similar words include: distinguish, severalise, state
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "57. Light wind?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slender double-reed instrument; a woodwind with a conical bore and a double-reed mouthpiece
  • Similar words include: hautbois, hautboy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. Super Bowl X M.V.P. ___ Swann"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "59. Diamond edges?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: June 27, 2026 at 06:41 AM