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Saturday, May 9, 2026

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

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: 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. Gold meddlers? 10
2A 11. One making calls on the fly? 4
3A 15. You or me, e.g. 10
4A 16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread) 4
5A 17. Exclamation of surprise from a host 10
6A 18. Place for a post 4
7A 19. Dr. J, for all of his N.B.A. career 5
8A 20. Perspective 4
9A 21. Husky hellos? 4
10A 22. Reached new heights 4
11A 24. Low-level clouds 6
12A 26. Central Plains nation governed by the Nasharo Council 6
13A 30. Storage unit 4
14A 32. Portable retirement option 3
15A 33. Black-and-white debut of 1912 4
16A 34. Like something no money can buy 4
17A 36. Accomplished 5
18A 38. List of qualifications? 15
19A 41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation 5
20A 42. Pomegranate morsel 4
21A 43. Certain razorback 4
22A 44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names 3
23A 45. Still active after all these years 4
24A 47. Looks all over 6
25A 49. ___ paratha (cheese-filled flatbread) 6
26A 51. Great find in the candy aisle, by the sound of it 4
27A 53. Things to let: Abbr. 4
28A 54. "I could be wrong, but ...," for short 4
29A 56. Tropical ring 5
30A 61. Hoot 4
31A 62. 2000 parody of a 62-Across 10
32A 64. "That's for sure" 4
33A 65. Postponed court date? 10
34A 66. No time like the present 4
35A 67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps 10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Gold meddlers?"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who was versed in the practice of alchemy and who sought an elixir of life and a panacea and an alkahest and the philosopher's stone
  • Similar words include: alchemist
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALCHEMISTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "11. One making calls on the fly?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
  • Similar words include: shuttle, chick, shuttlecock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIRD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. You or me, e.g."

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Exclamation of surprise from a host"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Place for a post"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies
  • Similar words include: web log
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Dr. J, for all of his N.B.A. career"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
  • Similar words include: sestet, sextet, sextuplet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIXER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Perspective"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
  • Similar words include: require, take aim, subscribe to
  • Opposite of: disclaim, give
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Husky hellos?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Reached new heights"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
  • Similar words include: uprise, develop, grow
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GREW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Low-level clouds"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large dark low cloud
  • Similar words include: stratus, stratus cloud
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRATI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. Central Plains nation governed by the Nasharo Council"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the pawnee nation formerly living in nebraska and kansas but now largely in oklahoma
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAWNEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Storage unit"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one character of alphanumeric data) processed as a single unit of information
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BYTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. Portable retirement option"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sheath worn to protect a finger
  • Similar words include: camp bed, crib, fingerstall
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. Black-and-white debut of 1912"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chocolate cookie with white cream filling
  • Similar words include: oreo cookie
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Like something no money can buy"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people who are free
  • Similar words include: barren, unloosen, liberal
  • Opposite of: freeze, block
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Accomplished"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. List of qualifications?"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that formed by reaction between an acid and an alcohol with elimination of water
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Pomegranate morsel"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fleshy and usually brightly colored cover of some seeds that develops from the ovule stalk and partially or entirely envelopes the seed
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Certain razorback"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that old world wild swine having a narrow body and prominent tusks from which most domestic swine come; introduced in united states
  • Similar words include: wild boar, Sus scrofa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 17th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Still active after all these years"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that moving quickly and lightly
  • Similar words include: agile, nimble, quick
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Looks all over"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that diarrhea in livestock
  • Similar words include: purge, scour, abrade
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCOURS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. ___ paratha (cheese-filled flatbread)"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Great find in the candy aisle, by the sound of it"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Things to let: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. "I could be wrong, but ...," for short"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Tropical ring"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an island consisting of a circular coral reef surrounding a lagoon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATOLL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Hoot"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public act of violence by an unruly mob
  • Similar words include: public violence, thigh-slapper, wow
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "62. 2000 parody of a 62-Across"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. "That's for sure""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that proper alignment; the property possessed by something that is in correct or proper alignment
  • Similar words include: avowedly, reliable, dead on target
  • Opposite of: untruthful, false
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Postponed court date?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. No time like the present"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that time long past
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987 4
2D 2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped 4
3D 3. Central point 4
4D 4. "This is for you" 4
5D 5. Spring up 6
6D 6. One of the Three Stooges 3
7D 7. Extra hot 5
8D 8. Parlor treat typically served with the first five letters of its name 15
9D 9. Lecture 4
10D 10. Least straightforward, say 6
11D 11. Weighty subject of some children's books 5
12D 12. Statement that may be followed by a dash 10
13D 13. Where spirits are high? 10
14D 14. Vacationers' hires, perhaps 10
15D 23. Makes some calls 4
16D 25. Kings of Los Angeles, e.g. 4
17D 26. Event at which you hope to get good deals? 10
18D 27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening" 10
19D 28. Traveled to perform 10
20D 29. Central point 4
21D 31. Legendary Himalayan climber 4
22D 35. Sound made by many fans 4
23D 37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history) 4
24D 39. Bath seat? 4
25D 40. Setup for an extra point 4
26D 46. Color separators 6
27D 48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon 6
28D 50. Perfume with an accent on its fourth letter 5
29D 52. Won land 5
30D 55. What some bio majors do prep work for 4
31D 57. Garment that once indicated citizenship 4
32D 58. A zero is one 4
33D 59. Kilo follower 4
34D 60. Certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, in brief 4
35D 63. New ___ University of Knuckleheads (fictional institution where Leslie Nielsen lectured about the Three Stooges) 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Central point"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small conspicuous constellation in the southern hemisphere in the milky way near centaurus
  • Similar words include: Crux Australis, crux of the matter, Southern Cross
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRUX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "This is for you""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the present location; this place
  • Similar words include: hither, Hera
  • Opposite of: there
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Spring up"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come out into view, as from concealment
  • Similar words include: issue, egress, come forth
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMERGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. One of the Three Stooges"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Extra hot"

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!

8D: "8. Parlor treat typically served with the first five letters of its name"

15 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Lecture"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an exchange of ideas via conversation
  • Similar words include: spill, blab out, blab
  • Opposite of: keep quiet
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Least straightforward, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by skill in deception
  • Similar words include: tricksy, foxy, dodgy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLYEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Weighty subject of some children's books"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an imaginary elephant that appears in a series of french books for children
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BABAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Statement that may be followed by a dash"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Where spirits are high?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Vacationers' hires, perhaps"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Makes some calls"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or american football) who is expected to ensure fair play
  • Similar words include: referee, ref
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Kings of Los Angeles, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
  • Similar words include: squad, team up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Event at which you hope to get good deals?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening""

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Traveled to perform"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Central point"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a connecting point at which several lines come together
  • Similar words include: client, lymph gland, guest
  • Opposite of: antinode
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Legendary Himalayan climber"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the himalayas
  • Similar words include: abominable snowman
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YETI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Sound made by many fans"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a deep prolonged loud noise
  • Similar words include: roaring, holloa, boom
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Bath seat?"

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: prat, posterior, arsehole
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Setup for an extra point"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in addition
  • Similar words include: as well, too, likewise
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "46. Color separators"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a polyhedron with two congruent and parallel faces (the bases) and whose lateral faces are parallelograms
  • Similar words include: optical prism, prism
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRISMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
  • Similar words include: hamper, spasm, muscle spasm
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRAMPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "50. Perfume with an accent on its fourth letter"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "52. Won land"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an asian peninsula (off manchuria) separating the yellow sea and the sea of japan; the korean name is dae-han-min-gook or han-gook
  • Similar words include: Dae-Han-Min-Gook, Korean Peninsula, Han-Gook
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KOREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "55. What some bio majors do prep work for"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "57. Garment that once indicated citizenship"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient rome
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "58. A zero is one"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
  • Similar words include: prolate, egg-shaped, ovoid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "59. Kilo follower"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that capital and largest city and economic center of peru; located in western peru; was capital of the spanish empire in the new world until the 19th century
  • Similar words include: capital of Peru
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "60. Certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "63. New ___ University of Knuckleheads (fictional institution where Leslie Nielsen lectured about the Three Stooges)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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: May 09, 2026 at 06:03 AM

Today's Trivia Week 2 NYT Mini Crossword May 09, 2026 Answers

Trivia Week 2 May 09, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Hints

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: March 10 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | September 21 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | March 13 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for May 09, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Saturday, May 09, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date May 09, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week {week_num} NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

  1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
  2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
  3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
  4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
  5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

  • Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
  • Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
  • Best time to play: During a coffee break
  • Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread)
2 Across 24. Low-level clouds
3 Across 21. Husky hellos?
4 Across 42. Pomegranate morsel
5 Across 45. Still active after all these years
6 Across 22. Reached new heights
7 Across 18. Place for a post
8 Across 67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps
9 Across 44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names
10 Across 41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

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


1 Across: "16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread)"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: A__O

Answer:

Click to reveal ALOO


2 Across: "24. Low-level clouds"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: S____I

Answer:

Click to reveal STRATI


3 Across: "21. Husky hellos?"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A__S

Answer:

Click to reveal ARFS


4 Across: "42. Pomegranate morsel"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: A__L

Answer:

Click to reveal ARIL


5 Across: "45. Still active after all these years"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S__Y

Answer:

Click to reveal SPRY


6 Across: "22. Reached new heights"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: G__W

Answer:

Click to reveal GREW


7 Across: "18. Place for a post"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'G'
  • Word pattern: B__G

Answer:

Click to reveal BLOG


8 Across: "67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 10 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: S________D

Answer:

Click to reveal STEAKSALAD


9 Across: "44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'O'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal RHO


10 Across: "41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: E___R

Answer:

Click to reveal ESTER

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped
2 Down 11. Weighty subject of some children's books
3 Down 55. What some bio majors do prep work for
4 Down 4. "This is for you"
5 Down 59. Kilo follower
6 Down 1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987
7 Down 48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon
8 Down 27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening"
9 Down 40. Setup for an extra point
10 Down 37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history)

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:


1 Down: "2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: L__I

Answer:

Click to reveal LEOI


2 Down: "11. Weighty subject of some children's books"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: B___R

Answer:

Click to reveal BABAR


3 Down: "55. What some bio majors do prep work for"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: M__T

Answer:

Click to reveal MCAT


4 Down: "4. "This is for you""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: H__E

Answer:

Click to reveal HERE


5 Down: "59. Kilo follower"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: L__A

Answer:

Click to reveal LIMA


6 Down: "1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A__S

Answer:

Click to reveal AMYS


7 Down: "48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: C____S

Answer:

Click to reveal CRAMPS


8 Down: "27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 10 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: A________O

Answer:

Click to reveal ARISHAPIRO


9 Down: "40. Setup for an extra point"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: A__O

Answer:

Click to reveal ALSO


10 Down: "37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history)"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: D__O

Answer:

Click to reveal DABO

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
  2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
  3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
  4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
  5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • The letter E is the most common in English
  • Words ending in S are often plurals
  • If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
  • Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds Advanced Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes Good You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes Learning You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20 clues to solve
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25 squares to fill
Average Time: Most people solve in 1 minute 3 seconds
Difficulty: A bit tricky

Common Questions About Trivia Week 2

When can I play the Trivia Week 2 Mini?

The Trivia Week 2 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 2?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 2 Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play Trivia Week 2?

No! The Trivia Week 2 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 2 solver?

Good Trivia Week 2 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 2?

Trivia Week 2 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.


About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: May 09, 2026 at 06:03 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, May 09 2026 mini crossword

Saturday, April 18, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 18, 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. "The Jeffersons" or "The Simpsons," notably 7
2A 8. Team with the mascot Big Al, familiarly 4
3A 12. In time 13
4A 14. Dish purportedly invented in Los Angeles's Little Tokyo neighborhood 14
5A 15. New York's ___ Valley 6
6A 16. Thawing 7
7A 17. Treat 6
8A 18. New outfit or accessory for a character, in video game-speak 3
9A 19. Things that shouldn't be hidden 4
10A 20. Non-eco-friendly refrigerant 5
11A 21. Term in the bedroom, maybe 8
12A 23. Unite 3
13A 24. Two-pronged 4
14A 26. Metros in the 1990s 4
15A 27. "Wait just a sec" 9
16A 29. Cowboy's friend, informally 4
17A 30. Name that spiked in popularity following a 2013 Disney movie 4
18A 31. Finalized 3
19A 34. "You've got nothing to worry about" 8
20A 36. All-time scoring leader for the Miami Heat, familiarly 5
21A 38. Routine surfaces 4
22A 39. Browns, on a scoreboard 3
23A 40. Mathematics writer Gardner 6
24A 41. Words of endorsement 7
25A 43. Arrived 6
26A 44. Make-believe sorrow 14
27A 46. Cause of amusement to a vet, maybe 13
28A 47. Daredevil's calculation 4
29A 48. Some fairy tale characters 7

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "The Jeffersons" or "The Simpsons," notably"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "8. Team with the mascot Big Al, familiarly"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "12. In time"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Dish purportedly invented in Los Angeles's Little Tokyo neighborhood"

14 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. New York's ___ Valley"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a new york river; flows southward into new york bay; explored by henry hudson early in the 17th century
  • Similar words include: Hudson River, W. H. Hudson, William Henry Hudson
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUDSON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Thawing"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the easing of tensions or strained relations (especially between nations)
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DETENTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Treat"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a licensed medical practitioner
  • Similar words include: restore, doc, doctor up
  • Opposite of: break
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOCTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. New outfit or accessory for a character, in video game-speak"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a british teenager or young adult in the 1960s; noted for their clothes consciousness and opposition to the rockers
  • Similar words include: modernistic, modern
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Things that shouldn't be hidden"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fixed charge for a privilege or for professional services
  • Similar words include: tip, bung, fee
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Non-eco-friendly refrigerant"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any one or more chlorofluorocarbons (or related compounds) that are used as an aerosol propellant, organic solvent, or refrigerant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FREON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "21. Term in the bedroom, maybe"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Unite"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fourth day of the week; the third working day
  • Similar words include: espouse, Wednesday, splice
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. Two-pronged"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that consisting of or involving two parts or components usually in pairs
  • Similar words include: two-fold, threefold, twofold
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Metros in the 1990s"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "27. "Wait just a sec""

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. Cowboy's friend, informally"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "30. Name that spiked in popularity following a 2013 Disney movie"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "31. Finalized"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. "You've got nothing to worry about""

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "36. All-time scoring leader for the Miami Heat, familiarly"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "38. Routine surfaces"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. Browns, on a scoreboard"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "40. Mathematics writer Gardner"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french bishop who is a patron saint of france (died in 397)
  • Similar words include: Mary Martin, Dean Martin, Steve Martin
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARTIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "41. Words of endorsement"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "43. Arrived"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "44. Make-believe sorrow"

14 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "46. Cause of amusement to a vet, maybe"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "47. Daredevil's calculation"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
  • Similar words include: betting odds
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "48. Some fairy tale characters"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a young unmarried woman
  • Similar words include: damozel, damsel, damosel
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAMSELS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Did business with, in a way 6
2D 2. Blowgun projectile 10
3D 3. Words before "a penny" or "a treat" 5
4D 4. Fifth-most abundant element in the universe 4
5D 5. Lieutenant in "Catch-22" 3
6D 6. Into 6
7D 7. Breakfast dish that might go over well? 9
8D 8. How people get into a swimming pool, typically 8
9D 9. Yom Kippur observers 7
10D 10. Like the cheese in fondue 6
11D 11. Backdrop for many van Gogh paintings 5
12D 12. Blitzed 6
13D 13. ___ pull-downs (exercise) 3
14D 14. Item in a list on the fridge, maybe 5
15D 17. Texas air hub, for short 3
16D 18. Silky-haired toy 7
17D 21. Start to give 3
18D 22. "Hey, no backing out now!" 10
19D 25. Still waffling 9
20D 27. Relatives of ottomans 8
21D 28. Texter's affectionate sign-off 3
22D 29. It's not fit for human consumption 7
23D 31. Cutting stuff 6
24D 32. Cuts a line? 5
25D 33. It takes two hands to show 3
26D 34. Musketeer's tool 6
27D 35. Nissan model 6
28D 37. Brings about, as havoc 6
29D 38. Less than milli-, more than nano- 5
30D 40. Paint option 5
31D 42. Metric for a venture capitalist, in brief 3
32D 43. Play (with) 4
33D 45. Calc. calculation 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Did business with, in a way"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Blowgun projectile"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Words before "a penny" or "a treat""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Fifth-most abundant element in the universe"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
  • Similar words include: atomic number 10, Ne
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Lieutenant in "Catch-22""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that canadian hockey player (born 1948)
  • Similar words include: Robert Orr, Bobby Orr
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Into"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Breakfast dish that might go over well?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. How people get into a swimming pool, typically"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that without shoes
  • Similar words include: shoeless, barefooted
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAREFOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Yom Kippur observers"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Like the cheese in fondue"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
  • Similar words include: melt down, mellow, dissolve
  • Opposite of: unmelted
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MELTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Backdrop for many van Gogh paintings"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that money given by a buyer to a seller to bind a contract
  • Similar words include: earnest money
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Blitzed"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that behave saucily or impudently towards
  • Similar words include: sauce
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAUCED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. ___ pull-downs (exercise)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a broad flat muscle on either side of the back
  • Similar words include: latissimus dorsi
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Item in a list on the fridge, maybe"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee
  • Similar words include: job, task
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "17. Texas air hub, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "18. Silky-haired toy"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of malta
  • Similar words include: Malti, Maltese language, Maltese dog
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MALTESE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "21. Start to give"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "22. "Hey, no backing out now!""

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "25. Still waffling"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought
  • Similar words include: open, unresolved, on the fence
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNDECIDED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Relatives of ottomans"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that thick cushion used as a seat
  • Similar words include: pouffe, pouf, hassock
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HASSOCKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "28. Texter's affectionate sign-off"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "29. It's not fit for human consumption"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food prepared for animal pets
  • Similar words include: pet food, pet-food
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PETFOOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "31. Cutting stuff"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

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!

24D: "32. Cuts a line?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting
  • Similar words include: edit, blue-pencil, edit out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "33. It takes two hands to show"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

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-spot, x, decade
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "34. Musketeer's tool"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rod used to ram the charge into a muzzle-loading firearm
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAMROD

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27D: "35. Nissan model"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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28D: "37. Brings about, as havoc"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
  • Similar words include: play, make for, wreak
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WREAKS

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29D: "38. Less than milli-, more than nano-"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that extremely small in scale or scope or capability
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MICRO

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30D: "40. Paint option"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mixture of sulfides that forms when sulfide metal ores are smelted
  • Similar words include: matted, matt-up, mat
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATTE

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31D: "42. Metric for a venture capitalist, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (corporate finance) the amount, expressed as a percentage, that is earned on a company's total capital calculated by dividing the total capital into earnings before interest, taxes, or dividends are paid
  • Similar words include: return on invested capital, return on investment
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROI

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32D: "43. Play (with)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of confusion and disorderliness
  • Similar words include: mass, kettle of fish, muss
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MESS

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33D: "45. Calc. calculation"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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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

29 Across Clues
33 Down Clues
62 Total Clues

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Last updated: April 18, 2026 at 05:22 AM