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

Monday, May 11, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 11, 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. ___ Spiegel (German magazine) 3
2A 4. Animal that ranges around Peru 5
3A 9. Pointed, as a weapon 5
4A 14. Lumberjack's tool 3
5A 15. Cameroon neighbor 5
6A 16. Yell "#$%!" 5
7A 17. Rankings of song popularity used as the music industry standard 15
8A 20. Swells up 6
9A 21. Number in a septet 5
10A 22. Pb, in chemistry 4
11A 23. Own (up) 4
12A 24. Freeze's opposite 4
13A 28. Whirling water 4
14A 29. Up to, as a certain time 3
15A 30. Take fowl foully 5
16A 31. Canapé or deviled egg, for example 11
17A 34. Clears of charges 7
18A 38. A million gazillion 7
19A 39. Movie production facilities with controlled acoustics 11
20A 41. Leave stunned 5
21A 42. Monk's counterpart 3
22A 43. Cut of pork or lamb 4
23A 47. Spa service on the toes, in brief 4
24A 48. "Please, no more!" 4
25A 50. "That is so funny" 4
26A 51. Braid 5
27A 53. Helping for someone very, very hungry 6
28A 55. Insignificant amount 15
29A 59. Tired from overexposure 5
30A 60. "It was the ___ I could do" 5
31A 61. Big part of an elephant 3
32A 62. Storage places for lawn mowers 5
33A 63. Go kaboom, as a volcano 5
34A 64. Deadpan 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. ___ Spiegel (German magazine)"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that denoting a quantity consisting of 500 items or units
  • Similar words include: five hundred, d, 500
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Animal that ranges around Peru"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wild or domesticated south american cud-chewing animal related to camels but smaller and lacking a hump
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LLAMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Pointed, as a weapon"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
  • Similar words include: purpose, point, aim
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIMED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Lumberjack's tool"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
  • Similar words include: ax
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Cameroon neighbor"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic on the west coast of africa
  • Similar words include: Gabun, Gabonese Republic
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GABON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Yell "#$%!""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that utter obscenities or profanities
  • Similar words include: curse, affirm, depose
  • Opposite of: mistrust
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Rankings of song popularity used as the music industry standard"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Swells up"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that swelling of the rumen or intestinal tract of domestic animals caused by excessive gas
  • Similar words include: bloat
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Number in a septet"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
  • Similar words include: sevener, 7, septet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEVEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Pb, in chemistry"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an advantage held by a competitor in a race
  • Similar words include: atomic number 82, tether, pass
  • Opposite of: follow, deficit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Own (up)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (heraldry) an ordinary consisting of a broad horizontal band across a shield
  • Similar words include: Fes, fesse, Fez
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Freeze's opposite"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
  • Similar words include: unfreeze, melting, dethaw
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Whirling water"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that founder of christian science in 1866 (1821-1910)
  • Similar words include: Mary Baker Eddy, swirl, Mary Morse Baker Eddy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Up to, as a certain time"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Take fowl foully"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hunt illegally
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POACH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Canapé or deviled egg, for example"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Clears of charges"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
  • Similar words include: behave, carry, acquit
  • Opposite of: convict
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACQUITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. A million gazillion"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that innumerable but many
  • Similar words include: umteen
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UMPTEEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Movie production facilities with controlled acoustics"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Leave stunned"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that affect with wonder
  • Similar words include: flummox, puzzle, beat
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. Monk's counterpart"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woman religious
  • Similar words include: nun buoy, conical buoy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Cut of pork or lamb"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the irregular motion of waves (usually caused by wind blowing in a direction opposite to the tide)
  • Similar words include: chopper, hack, chop up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "47. Spa service on the toes, in brief"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. "Please, no more!""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the event of something ending
  • Similar words include: full point, cease, block off
  • Opposite of: begin, start
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. "That is so funny""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Braid"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
  • Similar words include: tress, braid, pleat
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLAIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Helping for someone very, very hungry"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
  • Similar words include: tierce, third base, third gear
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THIRDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Insignificant amount"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. Tired from overexposure"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lose interest or become bored with something or somebody
  • Similar words include: weary, fag, jade
  • Opposite of: refresh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JADED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. "It was the ___ I could do""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that is of no importance
  • Similar words include: to the lowest degree
  • Opposite of: most
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. Big part of an elephant"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
  • Similar words include: spike, pinna, capitulum
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Storage places for lawn mowers"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage
  • Similar words include: throw off, drop, moult
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Go kaboom, as a volcano"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that start abruptly
  • Similar words include: push through, irrupt, ignite
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERUPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Deadpan"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a reformer who opposes the use of intoxicating beverages
  • Similar words include: juiceless, teetotal, ironic
  • Opposite of: sweet, phlegmy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Practice casually, with "in" 6
2D 2. Kicked out, as from a country 6
3D 3. Fill with more ammunition 6
4D 4. Pride letters 4
5D 5. Vientiane is its capital 4
6D 6. Lawyers' org. 3
7D 7. Tasty little bites 7
8D 8. Peruvian mountains 5
9D 9. Tennis star Arthur 4
10D 10. "Don't involve me anymore" 8
11D 11. French for "sea" 3
12D 12. Gobble down 3
13D 13. Medical pros: Abbr. 3
14D 18. Noblewoman 4
15D 19. Rival of Walgreens 3
16D 23. Winning a blue ribbon 5
17D 25. Possess 4
18D 26. Unit initially conceived as the amount of land that can be plowed in a day 4
19D 27. "___ in doubt ..." 4
20D 29. Pre-K enrollees 4
21D 30. Enlivens, with "up" 4
22D 31. ___-and-seek 4
23D 32. Unearthed 5
24D 33. Rain clouds, to some 4
25D 34. Rapper ___ Rocky 4
26D 35. "___ as you are" 4
27D 36. College courtyard 4
28D 37. Opened, as a fly 8
29D 40. Request from someone craving more 7
30D 43. Fashionable 4
31D 44. Listened, poetically 6
32D 45. "Goodness me!" ... or a phonetic hint to 17-, 31-, 39- and 55-Across 6
33D 46. Croissant, éclair or Danish 6
34D 48. The "S" of S.F. 3
35D 49. Mr., Ms. or Mrs. 5
36D 52. Tube tops? 4
37D 53. Recipe amt. 4
38D 54. Jabba the ___ ("Star Wars" villain) 4
39D 55. Party pros playing tunes 3
40D 56. "Go team!" 3
41D 57. Poem of praise 3
42D 58. Contents of l'océan 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Practice casually, with "in""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that dip a foot or hand briefly into a liquid
  • Similar words include: smatter, paddle, splash around
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DABBLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Kicked out, as from a country"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that expel from a country
  • Similar words include: exile, expatriate, deport
  • Opposite of: repatriate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXILED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Fill with more ammunition"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that place a new load on
  • Similar words include: recharge
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RELOAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Pride letters"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Vientiane is its capital"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mountainous landlocked communist state in southeastern asia; achieved independence from france in 1949
  • Similar words include: Laotian, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lao
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Lawyers' org."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth; worn by arabs
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Tasty little bites"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small quantity of anything
  • Similar words include: morsel, bit, bite
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORSELS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Peruvian mountains"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mountain range in south america running 5000 miles along the pacific coast
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANDES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Tennis star Arthur"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states tennis player who was the first black to win united states and english singles championships (1943-1993)
  • Similar words include: Arthur Ashe, Arthur Robert Ashe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. "Don't involve me anymore""

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. French for "sea""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that denoting a quantity consisting of 1,000 items or units
  • Similar words include: one thousand, thousand, 1000
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Gobble down"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take in solid food
  • Similar words include: feed, run through, exhaust
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Medical pros: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Noblewoman"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a polite name for any woman
  • Similar words include: noblewoman, ma'am, madam
  • Opposite of: Lord, nobleman
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Rival of Walgreens"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a summary of your academic and work history
  • Similar words include: resume, CV, curriculum vitae
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CVS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Winning a blue ribbon"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the first or highest in an ordering or series
  • Similar words include: offset, first of all, world-class
  • Opposite of: middle, last
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIRST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Possess"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who possesses great material wealth
  • Similar words include: make, give, birth
  • Opposite of: abstain, refuse
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Unit initially conceived as the amount of land that can be plowed in a day"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in english-speaking countries
  • Similar words include: Akko, Akka, Accho
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. "___ in doubt ...""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Pre-K enrollees"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small amount (especially of a drink)
  • Similar words include: tot up, summate, tally
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Enlivens, with "up""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that liveliness and energy
  • Similar words include: peppiness, pep, ginger
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. ___-and-seek"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the dressed skin of an animal (especially a large animal)
  • Similar words include: obliterate, hide out, enshroud
  • Opposite of: show
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Unearthed"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Rain clouds, to some"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sign of something about to happen
  • Similar words include: presage, predict, forecast
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "34. Rapper ___ Rocky"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that as soon as possible
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "35. "___ as you are""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
  • Similar words include: descend, ejaculate, fare
  • Opposite of: go, leave
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "36. College courtyard"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of four children born at the same time from the same pregnancy
  • Similar words include: quadriceps, musculus quadriceps femoris, quadrangle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: QUAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "37. Opened, as a fly"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that open the zipper of
  • Similar words include: unzip
  • Opposite of: zip up
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNZIPPED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "40. Request from someone craving more"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various alternatives; some other
  • Similar words include: some other
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANOTHER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "43. Fashionable"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that elegance by virtue of being fashionable
  • Similar words include: chichi, stylishness, last word
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "44. Listened, poetically"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that listen; used mostly in the imperative
  • Similar words include: harken, hearken, hark
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "45. "Goodness me!" ... or a phonetic hint to 17-, 31-, 39- and 55-Across"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "46. Croissant, éclair or Danish"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dough of flour and water and shortening
  • Similar words include: pastry dough
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PASTRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "48. The "S" of S.F."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "49. Mr., Ms. or Mrs."

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
  • Similar words include: entitle, deed of conveyance, claim
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TITLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "52. Tube tops?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
  • Similar words include: palpebra, chapeau, lid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "53. Recipe amt."

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "54. Jabba the ___ ("Star Wars" villain)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "55. Party pros playing tunes"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who announces and plays popular recorded music
  • Similar words include: dj, disk-jockey, disc jockey
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DJS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "56. "Go team!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "57. Poem of praise"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "58. Contents of l'océan"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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

34 Across Clues
42 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: May 11, 2026 at 06:54 AM

Thursday, February 26, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 26, 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. 8' 4" 7
2A 8. 250,000 sheets 6
3A 14. Short piece of classical music 8
4A 15. Accessory for SpongeBob SquarePants 6
5A 16. Long-tongued animal 8
6A 17. Laudanum, e.g. 6
7A 18. Calif. M.L.B. team, on scoreboards 3
8A 19. Happening 5
9A 21. Collectively, the reigns of all English monarchs named George 11
10A 26. Grill, informally 3
11A 29. Bit of mining equipment 7
12A 30. It's not pretty 7
13A 32. Walt Disney's middle name 5
14A 34. Like a plane, informally 4
15A 35. System in which XL is smaller than L ... or a hint to interpreting
the answers to the italicized clues
13
16A 40. Malarkey 4
17A 41. "Stompin' at the ___" (Benny Goodman standard) 5
18A 42. "Based on my research ..." 7
19A 46. ___ Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow 7
20A 50. Vibe (with) 3
21A 51. Superhuman strength, mind-reading, invisibility and four dozen other powers 11
22A 53. Vexing 5
23A 54. Title for a certain union member? 3
24A 55. Like cats and dogs 6
25A 58. Stall, e.g. 8
26A 63. Charge, in a way 6
27A 64. Loose, as floorboards 8
28A 65. ☐☐☐☐☐
☐☐☐☐☐
6
29A 66. Total on a chiliagon 7

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. 8' 4""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any undertaking that is easy to do
  • Similar words include: cinch, girth, picnic
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CINCHES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "8. 250,000 sheets"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
  • Similar words include: aspiration, dream, pipe dream
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DREAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Short piece of classical music"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short and simple sonata
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONATINA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Accessory for SpongeBob SquarePants"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Long-tongued animal"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that toothless mammal of southern africa and asia having a body covered with horny scales and a long snout for feeding on ants and termites
  • Similar words include: aardvark, echidna, pangolin
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTEATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Laudanum, e.g."

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Calif. M.L.B. team, on scoreboards"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Happening"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that traveling by foot
  • Similar words include: underway
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Collectively, the reigns of all English monarchs named George"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "26. Grill, informally"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "29. Bit of mining equipment"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "30. It's not pretty"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something very ugly and offensive
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYESORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "32. Walt Disney's middle name"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english essayist (1775-1834)
  • Similar words include: Elia, Lamb, Charles Lamb
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELIAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "34. Like a plane, informally"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "35. System in which XL is smaller than L ... or a hint to interpreting
the answers to the italicized clues"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "40. Malarkey"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz
  • Similar words include: swing, swing music
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "41. "Stompin' at the ___" (Benny Goodman standard)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a geographical region of historical importance; a former duchy in what is now southwestern france, western switzerland, and northwestern italy
  • Similar words include: savoy cabbage
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAVOY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "42. "Based on my research ...""

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "46. ___ Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "50. Vibe (with)"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colloid in a more solid form than a sol
  • Similar words include: colloidal gel, mousse, gelatin
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "51. Superhuman strength, mind-reading, invisibility and four dozen other powers"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that anything that is owed to someone else
  • Similar words include: indebtedness, liability, financial obligation
  • Opposite of: asset
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIABILITIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "53. Vexing"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that causing irritation or annoyance
  • Similar words include: pestiferous, vexatious, plaguey
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PESKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "54. Title for a certain union member?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a form of address for a married woman
  • Similar words include: Mrs., Mister, Mr
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "55. Like cats and dogs"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the form of a word that is used to denote more than one
  • Similar words include: plural form
  • Opposite of: singular
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLURAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "58. Stall, e.g."

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "63. Charge, in a way"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become converted into ions
  • Similar words include: ionise
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IONIZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "64. Loose, as floorboards"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "65. ☐☐☐☐☐
☐☐☐☐☐
"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "66. Total on a chiliagon"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that clothes dryer for drying and ironing laundry by passing it between two heavy heated rollers
  • Similar words include: mangle, maul, cut up
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANGLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Nicolas Cage film set on a plane 6
2D 2. Amount measured in calories 6
3D 3. Highland refusal 3
4D 4. Org. that runs the "L" 3
5D 5. Alternative to a walk 3
6D 6. 67.5 deg. on a compass 3
7D 7. ___ Connor, the Terminator's target in "The Terminator" 5
8D 8. Wilted 6
9D 9. Peaceful state 6
10D 10. Make some alterations 4
11D 11. ___ minimum 3
12D 12. Cambridge sch. 3
13D 13. Get 3
14D 14. Sudden attack 5
15D 20. "Bah!" 3
16D 22. Workers who sing the opening number in "Frozen" 6
17D 23. Queen of the Pride Lands 4
18D 24. Friendly look 4
19D 25. Ending of seven country names 4
20D 26. Poke ___ 4
21D 27. Dudes 4
22D 28. End of a proof 3
23D 31. Patronize, as an Airbnb 6
24D 33. Questionable, in slang 3
25D 35. Side dish eaten with curry 4
26D 36. Roundish, say 4
27D 37. Salon job, informally 4
28D 38. Assessment, informally 4
29D 39. Side dish eaten with curry 4
30D 40. Some fancy footwork 3
31D 43. Dirtbag 6
32D 44. Parts of naves 6
33D 45. Animal in some traditional Tibetan races 3
34D 47. Like a fish out of water, e.g. 6
35D 48. Mercury's mythological counterpart 6
36D 49. Half-___ (subpar, in slang) 5
37D 52. "Dagnabbit!" 5
38D 53. Grand ___ 4
39D 55. Shots, informally 3
40D 56. Toss up? 3
41D 57. One, south of the border 3
42D 59. "Ballerina" star ___ de Armas 3
43D 60. You can stop right there! 3
44D 61. Remind too often 3
45D 62. Up to 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Nicolas Cage film set on a plane"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Amount measured in calories"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
  • Similar words include: breathing in, inlet, uptake
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INTAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Highland refusal"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Org. that runs the "L""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Alternative to a walk"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)
  • Similar words include: hitting, bump off, off
  • Opposite of: miss
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. 67.5 deg. on a compass"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. ___ Connor, the Terminator's target in "The Terminator""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) the wife of abraham and mother of isaac
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Wilted"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)
  • Similar words include: sagging, drooping
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DROOPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Peaceful state"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
  • Similar words include: recumb, reside, lay
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REPOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Make some alterations"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. ___ minimum"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Cambridge sch."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an engineering university in cambridge
  • Similar words include: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Get"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
  • Similar words include: construe, control, image
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Sudden attack"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an outburst resembling the discharge of firearms or the release of bombs
  • Similar words include: burst, fusillade, volley
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALVO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. "Bah!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Workers who sing the opening number in "Frozen""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who cuts and delivers ice
  • Similar words include: hatchet man, iceman
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICEMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Queen of the Pride Lands"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Friendly look"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "25. Ending of seven country names"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "26. Poke ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
  • Similar words include: stadium, bowling ball, pipe bowl
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOWL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "27. Dudes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "28. End of a proof"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a relativistic quantum theory of the electromagnetic interactions of photons and electrons and muons
  • Similar words include: quantum electrodynamics
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: QED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "31. Patronize, as an Airbnb"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Questionable, in slang"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that type genus of the suidae
  • Similar words include: genus Sus
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Side dish eaten with curry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished
  • Similar words include: Elmer Reizenstein, Sir Tim Rice, Elmer Rice
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. Roundish, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

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: ovoid, oviform, prolate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "37. Salon job, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "38. Assessment, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "39. Side dish eaten with curry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "40. Some fancy footwork"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that music in three-four time for dancing a jig
  • Similar words include: gigue
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "43. Dirtbag"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
  • Similar words include: cheapness, tat, tackiness
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "44. Parts of naves"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
  • Similar words include: gangway, aisle
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AISLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "45. Animal in some traditional Tibetan races"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large long-haired wild ox of tibet often domesticated
  • Similar words include: yakety-yak, yack, chatter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "47. Like a fish out of water, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with `like' or `as')
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIMILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "48. Mercury's mythological counterpart"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) messenger and herald of the gods; god of commerce and cunning and invention and theft; identified with roman mercury
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "49. Half-___ (subpar, in slang)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "52. "Dagnabbit!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "53. Grand ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "55. Shots, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chest in which coins from the mint are held to await assay
  • Similar words include: pyx, pyx chest, pix chest
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "56. Toss up?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an easy return of a tennis ball in a high arc
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "57. One, south of the border"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "59. "Ballerina" star ___ de Armas"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "60. You can stop right there!"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
  • Similar words include: lodge, auberge, hostel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "61. Remind too often"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone (especially a woman) who annoys people by constantly finding fault
  • Similar words include: hen-peck, scold, jade
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "62. Up to"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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

29 Across Clues
45 Down Clues
74 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.

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Last updated: February 26, 2026 at 05:06 AM