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

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 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: 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. "I'm afraid not," quaintly 6
2A 7. Food brand for Fido 4
3A 11. Like major-city airports, typically: Abbr. 4
4A 15. Cash in 6
5A 16. Avocado dip, informally 4
6A 17. Take a risk 4
7A 18. Audience's reverent response to a symphony finale? 11
8A 20. Keenly interested 4
9A 21. Shakespearean "soon" 4
10A 22. That certain je ne sais quoi in Beethoven's "Moonlight"? 11
11A 24. Commotion 3
12A 25. Measure of college readiness, for short 4
13A 26. Knuckled rub to the scalp 6
14A 27. Publishing house workers: Abbr. 3
15A 28. Goal 3
16A 29. Wood-shaping hand tool 4
17A 31. Tagging symbols 3
18A 32. ___-Magnon 3
19A 33. Vegas opener? 3
20A 34. Perry of pop 4
21A 36. Opportunity for a choral understudy? 12
22A 39. Belgrade native 4
23A 40. "Beats me," in a text 3
24A 41. Caviar, essentially 3
25A 42. Miss Piggy, for one 3
26A 43. Assns. 4
27A 45. Extended comedic riff 3
28A 46. Hindi for "rule" 3
29A 49. Chant heard at the start of "Hot Hot Hot" 6
30A 51. Girl in Glasgow 4
31A 52. Alias initialism 3
32A 53. When to play a note with sudden strong emphasis? 11
33A 56. "Groovy, man" 4
34A 57. Popular flavor of bubble tea 4
35A 58. "What's Opera, Doc?," e.g.? 11
36A 60. Volunteer's offer 4
37A 61. Hits hard 4
38A 62. Respond, as a pupil might 6
39A 63. Ending with kitchen 4
40A 64. Painter Paul 4
41A 65. Key of Brahms's Symphony No. 4 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "I'm afraid not," quaintly"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Food brand for Fido"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Like major-city airports, typically: Abbr."

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Cash in"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Avocado dip, informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Take a risk"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
  • Similar words include: make bold, defy, presume
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Audience's reverent response to a symphony finale?"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Keenly interested"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `for') ardently or excessively desirous
  • Similar words include: zealous, greedy, devouring
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Shakespearean "soon""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at another time
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. That certain je ne sais quoi in Beethoven's "Moonlight"?"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Commotion"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud harsh or strident noise
  • Similar words include: blaring, clamor, commotion
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Measure of college readiness, for short"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Knuckled rub to the scalp"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Publishing house workers: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rapid automatic system to detect plastic explosives in passengers' luggage using x-ray technology and computers; designed for use in airports
  • Similar words include: male erecticle dysfunction, ED, explosive detection system
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Goal"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
  • Similar words include: point, intent, direct
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. Wood-shaping hand tool"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that uttering in an irritated tone
  • Similar words include: rasping, wood file
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RASP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Tagging symbols"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a highly unstable radioactive element (the heaviest of the halogen series); a decay product of uranium and thorium
  • Similar words include: At, atomic number 85, astatine
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "32. ___-Magnon"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that electronic equipment that provides visual images of varying electrical quantities
  • Similar words include: cathode-ray oscilloscope, oscilloscope, scope
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "33. Vegas opener?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
  • Similar words include: Louisiana, lanthanum, La
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "34. Perry of pop"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "36. Opportunity for a choral understudy?"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. Belgrade native"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a slavic people who settled in serbia and neighboring areas in the 6th and 7th centuries
  • Similar words include: Serbian
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "40. "Beats me," in a text"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "41. Caviar, essentially"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
  • Similar words include: hard roe
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "42. Miss Piggy, for one"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adult female hog
  • Similar words include: inseminate, seed, sow in
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "43. Assns."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "45. Extended comedic riff"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece or quantity of something
  • Similar words include: second, piece, act
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "46. Hindi for "rule""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

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!

29A: "49. Chant heard at the start of "Hot Hot Hot""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "51. Girl in Glasgow"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a girl or young woman who is unmarried
  • Similar words include: young girl, lassie, jeune fille
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "52. Alias initialism"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "53. When to play a note with sudden strong emphasis?"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "56. "Groovy, man""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "57. Popular flavor of bubble tea"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that edible starchy tuberous root of taro plants
  • Similar words include: dasheen, Colocasia esculenta, dalo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TARO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "58. "What's Opera, Doc?," e.g.?"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "60. Volunteer's offer"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "61. Hits hard"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible
  • Similar words include: Aries the Ram, ram, read/write memory
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "62. Respond, as a pupil might"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become wider
  • Similar words include: exposit, elaborate, distend
  • Opposite of: contract
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DILATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "63. Ending with kitchen"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "64. Painter Paul"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that swiss painter influenced by kandinsky (1879-1940)
  • Similar words include: Paul Klee
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KLEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "65. Key of Brahms's Symphony No. 4"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Covered passageway 6
2D 2. Meteor in a November shower 6
3D 3. Enhancing accessories 6
4D 4. Actor Astin of the "Lord of the Rings" films 4
5D 5. Original Super Mario Bros. console 3
6D 6. Oversight 8
7D 7. Author's representative 5
8D 8. Moon over Managua 4
9D 9. Treaty 4
10D 10. What Saturn's moon Enceladus and Jupiter's moon Europa are both believed to have 6
11D 11. The Gem State 5
12D 12. Find one's way 8
13D 13. Dublin college founded in 1592 7
14D 14. Apartment planter sites, perhaps 6
15D 19. Good gardening soil 4
16D 23. Traditional samurai hairstyles 8
17D 25. Graph of y = ax2 + bx + c, for example 8
18D 29. Frame for a game of pool 4
19D 30. Forehead marking at the start of Lent 3
20D 32. Convention bldg., in a mailing address 3
21D 33. Dudes, in British English 4
22D 35. Big name in hardware stores 3
23D 36. Underground scurrier 8
24D 37. Half of a darting motion 3
25D 38. Jean-Bertrand ___, 1990s Haitian leader 8
26D 39. One-man band, for example 7
27D 42. Sentimental sort 6
28D 44. Comment 6
29D 45. Make ___ (earn vast sums) 4
30D 46. Unit of angular measurement 6
31D 47. Like 6
32D 48. Rolling Stones frontman 6
33D 50. Absorber of UV light 5
34D 51. Charter 5
35D 54. Word with cavity or contraceptive 4
36D 55. One acting rather quiet? 4
37D 56. Savory South Asian rice cake 4
38D 59. Lower, as lights 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Covered passageway"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a covered passageway with shops and stalls on either side
  • Similar words include: colonnade
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Meteor in a November shower"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Enhancing accessories"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Actor Astin of the "Lord of the Rings" films"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Original Super Mario Bros. console"

3 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: Nebraska, Ne, nor'-east
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Oversight"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mistake resulting from neglect
  • Similar words include: deletion, skip
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMISSION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Author's representative"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
  • Similar words include: agentive role, broker, federal agent
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Moon over Managua"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (roman mythology) the goddess of the moon; counterpart of greek selene
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Treaty"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
  • Similar words include: accord, treaty
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. What Saturn's moon Enceladus and Jupiter's moon Europa are both believed to have"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
  • Similar words include: ocean, sea
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OCEANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. The Gem State"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in the rocky mountains
  • Similar words include: Gem State, ID
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDAHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Find one's way"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that travel on water propelled by wind or by other means
  • Similar words include: pilot, sail, voyage
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAVIGATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Dublin college founded in 1592"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
  • Similar words include: deuce-ace, tercet, III
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRINITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Apartment planter sites, perhaps"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
  • Similar words include: shelf, ledge
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEDGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Good gardening soil"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rich soil consisting of a mixture of sand and clay and decaying organic materials
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Traditional samurai hairstyles"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that headdress consisting of a decorative ribbon or bow worn in the hair
  • Similar words include: topknot
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOPKNOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Graph of y = ax2 + bx + c, for example"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a plane curve formed by the intersection of a right circular cone and a plane parallel to an element of the curve
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARABOLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Frame for a game of pool"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that framework for holding objects
  • Similar words include: extort, scud, squeeze
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Forehead marking at the start of Lent"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Convention bldg., in a mailing address"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Dudes, in British English"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a boy or man
  • Similar words include: fellow, fella, cub
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Big name in hardware stores"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Underground scurrier"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Half of a darting motion"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an angular shape characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions
  • Similar words include: zigzag, zag
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Jean-Bertrand ___, 1990s Haitian leader"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. One-man band, for example"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Sentimental sort"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is weak and excessively sentimental
  • Similar words include: softy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOFTIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Comment"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
  • Similar words include: observe, notice, input
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REMARK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Make ___ (earn vast sums)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
  • Similar words include: banking company, coin bank, rely
  • Opposite of: withdraw, mistrust
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BANK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Unit of angular measurement"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the unit of plane angle adopted under the systeme international d'unites; equal to the angle at the center of a circle subtended by an arc equal in length to the radius (approximately 57.295 degrees)
  • Similar words include: rad
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RADIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Like"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Rolling Stones frontman"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english rock star (born in 1943)
  • Similar words include: Mick Jagger, Michael Philip Jagger
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAGGER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Absorber of UV light"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless gas (o3) soluble in alkalis and cold water; a strong oxidizing agent; can be produced by electric discharge in oxygen or by the action of ultraviolet radiation on oxygen in the stratosphere (where it acts as a screen for ultraviolet radiation)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OZONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Charter"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that property that is leased or rented out or let
  • Similar words include: take, rental, letting
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Word with cavity or contraceptive"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an examination conducted by spoken communication
  • Similar words include: unwritten, viva, oral exam
  • Opposite of: aboral, anal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. One acting rather quiet?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an actor who communicates entirely by gesture and facial expression
  • Similar words include: dumb show, pantomime, mimer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Savory South Asian rice cake"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Lower, as lights"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that switch (a car's headlights) from a higher to a lower beam
  • Similar words include: shadowy, wispy, blind
  • Opposite of: undimmed, focus
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIM

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

41 Across Clues
38 Down Clues
79 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: April 08, 2026 at 05:26 AM

Sunday, February 8, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 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: 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. Crafty sort 7
2A 8. Vegetables that should typically be sliced lengthwise before washing 5
3A 13. Cowboy on the pampas 6
4A 19. "Ecstasy of Saint Teresa" sculptor 7
5A 20. Supplement 6
6A 22. Get in on the game 6
7A 23. Scrunchie, e.g. 14
8A 25. "Oh, cruel fate!" 6
9A 26. Autocorrect target 4
10A 27. Classification 4
11A 28. Sports franchises, e.g. 5
12A 30. Fine-grained wood in some woodwind instruments 4
13A 31. Social norms 5
14A 34. Wizard of ___ Park (Thomas Edison nickname) 5
15A 35. Disney heroine based on New Orleans chef Leah Chase 5
16A 36. USA, e.g. 7
17A 39. Title for William beginning in 2022 13
18A 42. Hawk homes 6
19A 43. In view 4
20A 44. Money in rock 'n' roll 5
21A 45. Nonprofit group behind Smokey Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog 12
22A 48. Patron of sailors 6
23A 52. Work with a needle 3
24A 53. Position in basketball 5
25A 54. ___ Kippur 3
26A 57. Looks through someone's phone, say 6
27A 59. Pointers for a fencer? 5
28A 61. Slacken 6
29A 64. [Bo-o-oring!] 5
30A 65. Pop, to a tot 4
31A 67. Explicit command 11
32A 71. One-named singer with four Grammys 4
33A 72. Relative of a heron 5
34A 74. Sirenlike 6
35A 75. What a sad person might break into 5
36A 77. 1987 Dreyfuss/DeVito comedy 6
37A 79. "!!!" 3
38A 80. Philosopher Kierkegaard 5
39A 82. Dig up dirt? 3
40A 85. It typically has a string attached 6
41A 87. Bright shade similar to magenta 12
42A 91. "Things Fall ___" (Chinua Achebe novel) 5
43A 94. "Oh, cruel fate!" 4
44A 95. Canadian coin featuring a polar bear, informally 6
45A 96. Margaret Atwood novel with a love triangle involving a paleontologist 13
46A 101. Weasel relatives 7
47A 102. A water molecule contains three of these 5
48A 103. Vexillologist's subject 5
49A 104. Stone measure 5
50A 105. Explorer with her monkey friend Boots 4
51A 106. Bud of baseball 5
52A 107. What Excedrin relieves 4
53A 109. Strawberry ___ Refresher (Starbucks drink) 4
54A 113. Stir up 6
55A 115. Hit reality TV series suggested by this puzzle's groups of circled letters 14
56A 119. Place for a shoelace 6
57A 120. Manning with two Super Bowl rings 6
58A 121. "You can count on me!" 7
59A 122. Talks back to 6
60A 123. Witherspoon of "Legally Blonde" 5
61A 124. Patronized, as a restaurant 7

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Crafty sort"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft
  • Similar words include: artificer, craftsman, journeyman
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARTISAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "8. Vegetables that should typically be sliced lengthwise before washing"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that plant having a large slender white bulb and flat overlapping dark green leaves; used in cooking; believed derived from the wild allium ampeloprasum
  • Similar words include: scallion, Allium porrum, leek
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEEKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "13. Cowboy on the pampas"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cowboy of the south american pampas
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAUCHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "19. "Ecstasy of Saint Teresa" sculptor"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that italian sculptor and architect of the baroque period in italy; designed many churches and chapels and tombs and fountains (1598-1680)
  • Similar words include: Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BERNINI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "20. Supplement"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make better or improve in quality
  • Opposite of: impoverish, deprive
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENRICH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "22. Get in on the game"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "23. Scrunchie, e.g."

14 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "25. "Oh, cruel fate!""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "26. Autocorrect target"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind
  • Similar words include: erratum, typographical error, misprint
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TYPO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "27. Classification"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
  • Similar words include: sort, variety, tolerant
  • Opposite of: unkind
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KIND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "28. Sports franchises, e.g."

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "30. Fine-grained wood in some woodwind instruments"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sweet juicy gritty-textured fruit available in many varieties
  • Similar words include: pear tree, Pyrus communis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "31. Social norms"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (sociology) the conventions that embody the fundamental values of a group
  • Similar words include: Sir Thomas More, Thomas More, More
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "34. Wizard of ___ Park (Thomas Edison nickname)"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "35. Disney heroine based on New Orleans chef Leah Chase"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "36. USA, e.g."

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a path over which electrical signals can pass
  • Similar words include: line, distribution channel, canal
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHANNEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "39. Title for William beginning in 2022"

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "42. Hawk homes"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the lofty nest of a bird of prey (such as a hawk or eagle)
  • Similar words include: eyry, eyrie, aerie
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AERIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "43. In view"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
  • Similar words include: picture, date, view
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "44. Money in rock 'n' roll"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "45. Nonprofit group behind Smokey Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "48. Patron of sailors"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "52. Work with a needle"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fasten by sewing; do needlework
  • Similar words include: tailor, sew together, run up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "53. Position in basketball"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who keeps watch over something or someone
  • Similar words include: safeguard, safety device, hold
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "54. ___ Kippur"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "57. Looks through someone's phone, say"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a spy who makes uninvited inquiries into the private affairs of others
  • Similar words include: sleuth, snooper, spy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNOOPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "59. Pointers for a fencer?"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade
  • Similar words include: epee
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPEES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "61. Slacken"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "64. [Bo-o-oring!]"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rattling noise produced when snoring
  • Similar words include: saw wood, snoring, saw logs
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "65. Pop, to a tot"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
  • Similar words include: pappa, dadaism, pop
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "67. Explicit command"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "71. One-named singer with four Grammys"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "72. Relative of a heron"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large mostly old world wading birds typically having white-and-black plumage
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STORK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "74. Sirenlike"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that utter a shrill cry
  • Similar words include: pipe, pipe up, sharp
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHRILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "75. What a sad person might break into"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
  • Similar words include: bout, shoot down, displume
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "77. 1987 Dreyfuss/DeVito comedy"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "79. "!!!""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "80. Philosopher Kierkegaard"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "82. Dig up dirt?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tool with a flat blade attached at right angles to a long handle
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "85. It typically has a string attached"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "87. Bright shade similar to magenta"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "91. "Things Fall ___" (Chinua Achebe novel)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remote and separate physically or socially; ; - w.h.hudson
  • Similar words include: isolated, obscure, aside
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "94. "Oh, cruel fate!""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Similar words include: regrettably, unfortunately, ala
  • Opposite of: luckily, fortunately
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "95. Canadian coin featuring a polar bear, informally"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "96. Margaret Atwood novel with a love triangle involving a paleontologist"

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "101. Weasel relatives"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that musteline mammal of prairie regions of united states; nearly extinct
  • Similar words include: black-footed ferret, ferret out, Mustela nigripes
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FERRETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "102. A water molecule contains three of these"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
  • Similar words include: mote, speck, corpuscle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATOMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "103. Vexillologist's subject"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
  • Similar words include: flag, iris, masthead
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLAGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "104. Stone measure"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of weight for precious stones = 200 mg
  • Similar words include: kt, karat
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "105. Explorer with her monkey friend Boots"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "106. Bud of baseball"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "107. What Excedrin relieves"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
  • Similar words include: infliction, hurt, pain in the neck
  • Opposite of: pleasure
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "109. Strawberry ___ Refresher (Starbucks drink)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "113. Stir up"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give an incentive for action
  • Similar words include: prod, prompt, egg on
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "115. Hit reality TV series suggested by this puzzle's groups of circled letters"

14 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "119. Place for a shoelace"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small hole (usually round and finished around the edges) in cloth or leather for the passage of a cord or hook or bar
  • Similar words include: eyehole, grommet, grummet
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYELET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "120. Manning with two Super Bowl rings"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "121. "You can count on me!""

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "122. Talks back to"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "123. Witherspoon of "Legally Blonde""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "124. Patronized, as a restaurant"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Words on either side of "___ is ___" 4
2D 2. Bank (on) 4
3D 3. Sting operation 4
4D 4. Trouble with Z's? 8
5D 5. Take a load off 3
6D 6. Singer DiFranco who created Righteous Babe Records 3
7D 7. Small change 6
8D 8. Tilt 4
9D 9. Werewolf on TV's "Wednesday" 4
10D 10. Slip up 3
11D 11. Wee mewer 6
12D 12. Prestigious academic journal since 1880 7
13D 13. Résumé problems, at times 4
14D 14. 365 días 3
15D 15. More ideal? 6
16D 16. Trix or Kix 6
17D 17. ___ society 6
18D 18. Performances at Paris's Palais Garnier 6
19D 21. Well again 6
20D 24. Quick hellos 3
21D 29. Vibes 5
22D 32. Jumpy 6
23D 33. What many a shelter animal hopes to be 7
24D 34. BMW offering since 2000 4
25D 35. Many boy band fans 6
26D 36. 2019 film that one reviewer called "purr-fectly dreadful" 4
27D 37. Villainous chortle 4
28D 38. "Can I go now?" 9
29D 39. Await settlement, as a payment 4
30D 40. Partner of Parks, informally 3
31D 41. Goes well with 4
32D 43. California's Big ___ 3
33D 46. Band with the 1995 hit "Wonderwall" 5
34D 47. Clorox competitor 5
35D 49. Individualist 5
36D 50. Drink from a tub? 9
37D 51. Concert broadcast that celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025, with "the" 4
38D 55. The Who's "Love, Reign ___ Me" 3
39D 56. Makeup of some face masks 3
40D 58. Vast amount 3
41D 60. Italian city known for its cheese 5
42D 61. Vapes 5
43D 62. Georgia airport, for short 3
44D 63. ___ dish 5
45D 65. Annual reason for lost sleep: Abbr. 3
46D 66. Fighting 4
47D 68. Pi follower 3
48D 69. "Uhh ...," to Brits 3
49D 70. Come back in 7
50D 73. Alternatives to gyro platters 6
51D 76. Variety of rabbit or goat 6
52D 78. What a tall collar covers 4
53D 80. Read quickly 4
54D 81. Gives the green light 3
55D 83. "I've got this" 4
56D 84. Barely scrapes (by) 4
57D 86. Social blunder 5
58D 88. Amateur radio devotees 4
59D 89. Greeting in Brazil 3
60D 90. Easily moved 8
61D 92. Arrive by car 6
62D 93. Gym staff member 7
63D 96. Set of nine dancing in "The 12 Days of Christmas" 6
64D 97. 2017 figure skating biopic 6
65D 98. Compels 6
66D 99. Things that typically build up during vacation 6
67D 100. Easter purchase 6
68D 101. Social media tribute to a celeb, say 6
69D 104. Tech company exec 3
70D 106. Hollywood workplaces 4
71D 107. Major-leaguers 4
72D 108. Something hard to face? 4
73D 110. Small bug? 4
74D 111. ___ Minor 4
75D 112. Stevie Wonder's "___ She Lovely" 4
76D 114. Vex, with "off" 3
77D 116. Summer on the Riviera 3
78D 117. Onetime parent co. of Virgin Records 3
79D 118. Led 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Words on either side of "___ is ___""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Bank (on)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have confidence or faith in
  • Similar words include: swear, bank, trust
  • Opposite of: mistrust
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RELY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Sting operation"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
  • Similar words include: ambuscade, sand trap, pin down
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Trouble with Z's?"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inability to sleep; chronic sleeplessness
  • Opposite of: hypersomnia
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INSOMNIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Take a load off"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be around, often idly or without specific purpose
  • Similar words include: sit around, model, seat
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Singer DiFranco who created Righteous Babe Records"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that black tropical american cuckoo
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Small change"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hard malleable ductile silvery metallic element that is resistant to corrosion; used in alloys; occurs in pentlandite and smaltite and garnierite and millerite
  • Similar words include: atomic number 28, Ni, nickel note
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NICKEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Tilt"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical
  • Similar words include: inclination, tend, incline
  • Opposite of: fat, rich
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAN

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9D: "9. Werewolf on TV's "Wednesday""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a town in north central oklahoma
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENID

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10D: "10. Slip up"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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11D: "11. Wee mewer"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that young domestic cat
  • Similar words include: kitty
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KITTEN

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12D: "12. Prestigious academic journal since 1880"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular branch of scientific knowledge
  • Similar words include: skill, scientific discipline
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCIENCE

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13D: "13. Résumé problems, at times"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
  • Similar words include: break, disruption, crack
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAPS

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14D: "14. 365 días"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a palestinian international terrorist organization that split from the plo in 1974; has conducted terrorist attacks in 20 countries
  • Similar words include: Fatah Revolutionary Council, Fatah-RC, Arab Revolutionary Brigades
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANO

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15D: "15. More ideal?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a book written by sir thomas more (1516) describing the perfect society on an imaginary island
  • Similar words include: Sion, Zion
  • Opposite of: dystopia
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTOPIA

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16D: "16. Trix or Kix"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that grass whose starchy grains are used as food: wheat; rice; rye; oats; maize; buckwheat; millet
  • Similar words include: cereal grass, grain, food grain
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CEREAL

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17D: "17. ___ society"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pertaining to or concerned with the humanities
  • Similar words include: humanistic, humanist
  • Opposite of: inhumane
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUMANE

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18D: "18. Performances at Paris's Palais Garnier"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
  • Similar words include: Opera, opera house, opera
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPERAS

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19D: "21. Well again"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that heal or recover
  • Similar words include: cure, cured, bring around
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEALED

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20D: "24. Quick hellos"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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21D: "29. Vibes"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
  • Similar words include: humour, climate, humor
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOODS

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22D: "32. Jumpy"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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23D: "33. What many a shelter animal hopes to be"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that free from harm or evil
  • Similar words include: reclaimed, deliver, rescue
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESCUED

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24D: "34. BMW offering since 2000"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a very short skirt
  • Similar words include: miniskirt
  • Opposite of: midi
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINI

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25D: "35. Many boy band fans"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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26D: "36. 2019 film that one reviewer called "purr-fectly dreadful""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
  • Similar words include: hombre, computed tomography, true cat
  • Opposite of: keep down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATS

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27D: "37. Villainous chortle"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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28D: "38. "Can I go now?""

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "39. Await settlement, as a payment"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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30D: "40. Partner of Parks, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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31D: "41. Goes well with"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a display of bad temper
  • Similar words include: equip, paroxysm, tantrum
  • Opposite of: disagree
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FITS

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32D: "43. California's Big ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a port in southern lebanon on the mediterranean sea; formerly a major phoenician seaport famous for silks
  • Similar words include: Tyre
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUR

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33D: "46. Band with the 1995 hit "Wonderwall""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)
  • Similar words include: haven
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OASIS

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34D: "47. Clorox competitor"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clear oily brown solution of cresols in soap; used as an antiseptic and disinfectant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYSOL

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35D: "49. Individualist"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who avoids the company or assistance of others
  • Similar words include: lone hand, lone wolf
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LONER

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36D: "50. Drink from a tub?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the light of the moon
  • Similar words include: corn liquor, moonlight, bootleg
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOONSHINE

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37D: "51. Concert broadcast that celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025, with "the""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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38D: "55. The Who's "Love, Reign ___ Me""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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39D: "56. Makeup of some face masks"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water soaked soil; soft wet earth
  • Similar words include: mire, clay, muck up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MUD

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40D: "58. Vast amount"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
  • Similar words include: ocean
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEA

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41D: "60. Italian city known for its cheese"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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42D: "61. Vapes"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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43D: "62. Georgia airport, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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44D: "63. ___ dish"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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45D: "65. Annual reason for lost sleep: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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46D: "66. Fighting"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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47D: "68. Pi follower"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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48D: "69. "Uhh ...," to Brits"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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49D: "70. Come back in"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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50D: "73. Alternatives to gyro platters"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables
  • Similar words include: kabob, shish kebab, kebab
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KEBABS

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51D: "76. Variety of rabbit or goat"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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52D: "78. What a tall collar covers"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the back side of the neck
  • Similar words include: scruff, nucha
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAPE

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53D: "80. Read quickly"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of scanning; systematic examination of a prescribed region
  • Similar words include: glance over, skim, rake
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAN

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54D: "81. Gives the green light"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in south central united states
  • Similar words include: OK, okey, O.K.
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OKS

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55D: "83. "I've got this""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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56D: "84. Barely scrapes (by)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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57D: "86. Social blunder"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a socially awkward or tactless act
  • Similar words include: gaucherie, slip, solecism
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAFFE

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58D: "88. Amateur radio devotees"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)
  • Similar words include: Ham, jambon, overact
  • Opposite of: underact
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAMS

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59D: "89. Greeting in Brazil"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm used in india for writing paper
  • Similar words include: olla
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLA

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60D: "90. Easily moved"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small light typewriter; usually with a case in which it can be carried
  • Opposite of: unportable
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PORTABLE

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61D: "92. Arrive by car"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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62D: "93. Gym staff member"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who trains other persons or animals
  • Similar words include: flight simulator
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAINER

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63D: "96. Set of nine dancing in "The 12 Days of Christmas""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a polite name for any woman
  • Similar words include: dame, peeress, noblewoman
  • Opposite of: Lord, nobleman
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADIES

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64D: "97. 2017 figure skating biopic"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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65D: "98. Compels"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a powerful effect or influence
  • Similar words include: force play, storm, personnel
  • Opposite of: pull, push
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORCES

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66D: "99. Things that typically build up during vacation"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (computer science) a system of world-wide electronic communication in which a computer user can compose a message at one terminal that can be regenerated at the recipient's terminal when the recipient logs in
  • Similar words include: netmail, e-mail, electronic mail
  • Opposite of: snail mail
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMAILS

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67D: "100. Easter purchase"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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68D: "101. Social media tribute to a celeb, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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69D: "104. Tech company exec"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a federation of north american industrial unions that merged with the american federation of labor in 1955
  • Similar words include: Congress of Industrial Organizations
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIO

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70D: "106. Hollywood workplaces"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: band, position, lay
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SETS

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71D: "107. Major-leaguers"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an athlete who plays for pay
  • Similar words include: pro, professional
  • Opposite of: amateur, con
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

72D: "108. Something hard to face?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inflammatory disease involving the sebaceous glands of the skin; characterized by papules or pustules or comedones
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

73D: "110. Small bug?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs)
  • Similar words include: common cold, cold-blooded, low temperature
  • Opposite of: hotness, hot
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COLD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

74D: "111. ___ Minor"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASIA

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75D: "112. Stevie Wonder's "___ She Lovely""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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76D: "114. Vex, with "off""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the starting place for each hole on a golf course
  • Similar words include: teeing ground, tee up, football tee
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEE

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77D: "116. Summer on the Riviera"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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78D: "117. Onetime parent co. of Virgin Records"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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79D: "118. Led"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
  • Similar words include: operate, work, lam
  • 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

61 Across Clues
79 Down Clues
140 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 08, 2026 at 05:12 AM