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
- Across Clues Table (71 clues)
- Across Clues - Detailed Hints
- Down Clues Table (69 clues)
- Down Clues - Detailed Hints
- Expert Solving Strategies
- Today's Puzzle Statistics
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. Second attempt | 4 |
| 2A | 5. Hunk of marble, e.g. | 4 |
| 3A | 9. Very proficient | 5 |
| 4A | 14. What many plants do in the heat | 4 |
| 5A | 18. Neighbor of Turkmenistan | 4 |
| 6A | 19. Word with happy or half | 4 |
| 7A | 20. Unusual trinket | 5 |
| 8A | 21. ___ furniture | 5 |
| 9A | 22. Stoical British guys? | 15 |
| 10A | 25. Creative spark, in slang | 5 |
| 11A | 26. Avoid | 6 |
| 12A | 27. Sleepover challenge | 4 |
| 13A | 28. It's made with grains | 7 |
| 14A | 30. They twist beneath the surface | 4 |
| 15A | 31. Poles support this | 4 |
| 16A | 33. Prefix with watt | 4 |
| 17A | 34. "___ Miz" | 3 |
| 18A | 35. Assortment | 5 |
| 19A | 37. "The skin cream you're using must be Neutrogena or CeraVe!"? | 14 |
| 20A | 40. Hollywood's Johnny | 4 |
| 21A | 41. Stuck in the mud | 5 |
| 22A | 43. Fitting | 3 |
| 23A | 44. Baseball legend who dated J.Lo | 4 |
| 24A | 45. Lying on | 4 |
| 25A | 46. Tai ___ | 3 |
| 26A | 47. Filthy, in slang | 5 |
| 27A | 49. Like 2026, but not 2025 | 4 |
| 28A | 51. Pined for an ex-boyfriend? | 11 |
| 29A | 55. Awl, for one | 4 |
| 30A | 57. Richard of "Pretty Woman" | 4 |
| 31A | 58. Grasp | 3 |
| 32A | 59. Muscle below a delt | 3 |
| 33A | 60. [Pow!] | 4 |
| 34A | 62. Save the Children, e.g., in brief | 3 |
| 35A | 63. Roughly | 4 |
| 36A | 64. Exasperated television producer's plea? | 15 |
| 37A | 68. '20s architecture style | 4 |
| 38A | 71. Bridal line | 3 |
| 39A | 72. They can be candied | 4 |
| 40A | 73. HVAC measure | 3 |
| 41A | 74. Molecule with the nucleotides G, U, A and C | 3 |
| 42A | 77. The Arabian Sea's Gulf of ___ | 4 |
| 43A | 78. Pickle type | 4 |
| 44A | 80. Reach out to people born between July 23 and August 22? | 11 |
| 45A | 83. When repeated, "Oh, please" | 4 |
| 46A | 84. Phrase on a Spanish candy heart | 5 |
| 47A | 86. ___ carte | 3 |
| 48A | 87. Sister of Osiris | 4 |
| 49A | 88. Actress Ryan of the "Star Trek" franchise | 4 |
| 50A | 90. "Me?!" | 3 |
| 51A | 91. Like milk that isn't worth crying over | 5 |
| 52A | 93. Warning after a slice | 4 |
| 53A | 94. Good name for a salon specializing in mani-pedis? | 14 |
| 54A | 98. Floppy hat | 5 |
| 55A | 99. Aromatherapist's workplace | 3 |
| 56A | 100. Common forecast in Portland | 4 |
| 57A | 101. Struggling to decide | 4 |
| 58A | 102. Musical group? | 4 |
| 59A | 103. Princess Leia or Hester Prynne | 7 |
| 60A | 105. Visitor center handouts | 4 |
| 61A | 107. City west of Montreal | 6 |
| 62A | 110. Worship | 5 |
| 63A | 111. Loading the dishes and unloading the dishes, e.g.? | 15 |
| 64A | 116. Agitated | 5 |
| 65A | 117. Selfish person | 5 |
| 66A | 118. Coin, commonly | 4 |
| 67A | 119. Stink | 4 |
| 68A | 120. Pen ___ (corresponding pair) | 4 |
| 69A | 121. Like the strawberry champagne in Bruno Mars's "That's What I Like" | 5 |
| 70A | 122. Neuter's partner | 4 |
| 71A | 123. Tibetan oxen | 4 |
Across Clues - Strategic Hints
1A: "1. Second attempt"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that do over, as of (part of) a house
- Similar words include: refashion, make over, remake
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REDO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2A: "5. Hunk of marble, e.g."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that block consisting of a thick piece of something
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAB
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3A: "9. Very proficient"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
- Similar words include: wizard, superstar, practiced
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADEPT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4A: "14. What many plants do in the heat"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any plant disease characterized by drooping and shriveling; usually caused by parasites attacking the roots
- Similar words include: wilting, droop, wilt disease
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WILT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5A: "18. Neighbor of Turkmenistan"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a theocratic islamic republic in the middle east in western asia; iran was the core of the ancient empire that was known as persia until 1935; rich in oil
- Similar words include: Islamic Republic of Iran, Persia
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRAN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6A: "19. Word with happy or half"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
- Similar words include: hr, 60 minutes, time of day
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOUR
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7A: "20. Unusual trinket"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that something unusual -- perhaps worthy of collecting
- Similar words include: rarity, curiosity, peculiarity
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CURIO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
8A: "21. ___ furniture"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
- Similar words include: terrace
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PATIO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
9A: "22. Stoical British guys?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONTROLLEDCHAPS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10A: "25. Creative spark, in slang"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INSPO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11A: "26. Avoid"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
- Similar words include: shun
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESCHEW
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12A: "27. Sleepover challenge"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
- Similar words include: defy, daring, make bold
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DARE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13A: "28. It's made with grains"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SANDART
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14A: "30. They twist beneath the surface"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
- Similar words include: eel
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EELS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15A: "31. Poles support this"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
- Similar words include: encamp, camp out, camp
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16A: "33. Prefix with watt"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIGA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17A: "34. "___ Miz""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
- Similar words include: lupus erythematosus, LE
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18A: "35. Assortment"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an orderly arrangement
- Similar words include: range, set out, lay out
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARRAY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19A: "37. "The skin cream you're using must be Neutrogena or CeraVe!"?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THATSSONOTOLAY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20A: "40. Hollywood's Johnny"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEPP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21A: "41. Stuck in the mud"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that cause to get stuck as if in a mire
- Similar words include: muck, bog down, get stuck
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIRED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22A: "43. Fitting"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward
- Similar words include: disposed, pertinent, given
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23A: "44. Baseball legend who dated J.Lo"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AROD
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24A: "45. Lying on"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that on, to, or at the top
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATOP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25A: "46. Tai ___"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the circulating life energy that in chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things; in traditional chinese medicine the balance of negative and positive forms in the body is believed to be essential for good health
- Similar words include: qi, ch'i, ki
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26A: "47. Filthy, in slang"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRODY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27A: "49. Like 2026, but not 2025"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
- Similar words include: flush, evening, regular
- Opposite of: odd, uneven
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVEN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28A: "51. Pined for an ex-boyfriend?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MISSEDABEAU
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29A: "55. Awl, for one"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an implement used in the practice of a vocation
- Similar words include: creature, instrument, joyride
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOOL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30A: "57. Richard of "Pretty Woman""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GERE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31A: "58. Grasp"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
- Similar words include: take care, visualise, meet
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
32A: "59. Muscle below a delt"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a broad flat muscle on either side of the back
- Similar words include: latissimus dorsi
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
33A: "60. [Pow!]"
Solving Hints:
- Similar words include: whop, wallop, whack
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHAM
Remember this word for future puzzles!
34A: "62. Save the Children, e.g., in brief"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an organization that is not part of the local or state or federal government
- Similar words include: nongovernmental organization
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NGO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
35A: "63. Roughly"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORSO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
36A: "64. Exasperated television producer's plea?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIVEMEONESEASON
Remember this word for future puzzles!
37A: "68. '20s architecture style"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a style of design that was popular in the 1920s and 1930s; marked by stylized forms and geometric designs adapted to mass production
- Similar words include: art deco
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DECO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
38A: "71. Bridal line"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an artificial language that is a revision and simplification of esperanto
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
39A: "72. They can be candied"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that edible tuber of any of several yams
- Similar words include: yam plant, yam
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YAMS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
40A: "73. HVAC measure"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree fahrenheit at one atmosphere pressure; equivalent to 251.997 calories
- Similar words include: British thermal unit, B.Th.U.
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BTU
Remember this word for future puzzles!
41A: "74. Molecule with the nucleotides G, U, A and C"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (biochemistry) a long linear polymer of nucleotides found in the nucleus but mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell where it is associated with microsomes; it transmits genetic information from dna to the cytoplasm and controls certain chemical processes in the cell
- Similar words include: ribonucleic acid
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RNA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
42A: "77. The Arabian Sea's Gulf of ___"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a strategically located monarchy on the southern and eastern coasts of the arabian peninsula; the economy is dominated by oil
- Similar words include: Muscat and Oman, Sultanate of Oman
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMAN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
43A: "78. Pickle type"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that aromatic old world herb having aromatic threadlike foliage and seeds used as seasoning
- Similar words include: Anethum graveolens, dill weed
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DILL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
44A: "80. Reach out to people born between July 23 and August 22?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONTACTLEOS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
45A: "83. When repeated, "Oh, please""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
- Similar words include: do, ejaculate, fall
- Opposite of: leave, go
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COME
Remember this word for future puzzles!
46A: "84. Phrase on a Spanish candy heart"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAMO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
47A: "86. ___ carte"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
48A: "87. Sister of Osiris"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that egyptian goddess of fertility; daughter of geb; sister and wife of osiris
- Similar words include: ISI, Inter-Services Intelligence, Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISIS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
49A: "88. Actress Ryan of the "Star Trek" franchise"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JERI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
50A: "90. "Me?!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
51A: "91. Like milk that isn't worth crying over"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container
- Similar words include: slop, shed, disgorge
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPILT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
52A: "93. Warning after a slice"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that front part of a vessel or aircraft
- Similar words include: stem, prow, bow
- Opposite of: aft
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
53A: "94. Good name for a salon specializing in mani-pedis?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIRSTCLASSNAIL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
54A: "98. Floppy hat"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a cap with no brim or bill; made of soft cloth
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BERET
Remember this word for future puzzles!
55A: "99. Aromatherapist's workplace"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
- Similar words include: watering hole, watering place, health spa
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
56A: "100. Common forecast in Portland"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
- Similar words include: rain down, rainwater, pelting
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAIN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
57A: "101. Struggling to decide"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that separate or cause to separate abruptly
- Similar words include: snap, deplumate, tear
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TORN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
58A: "102. Musical group?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the actors in a play
- Similar words include: chuck, roam, rove
- Opposite of: keep down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAST
Remember this word for future puzzles!
59A: "103. Princess Leia or Hester Prynne"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the main good female character in a work of fiction
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEROINE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
60A: "105. Visitor center handouts"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)
- Similar words include: map, represent, single-valued function
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAPS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
61A: "107. City west of Montreal"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a member of the algonquian people of southern ontario
- Similar words include: capital of Canada, Outaouais, Ottawa river
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTTAWA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
62A: "110. Worship"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that love intensely
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADORE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
63A: "111. Loading the dishes and unloading the dishes, e.g.?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DISSONANTCHORES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
64A: "116. Agitated"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
- Similar words include: miffed, steamed, pissed off
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RILED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
65A: "117. Selfish person"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that one who accepts an offer
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAKER
Remember this word for future puzzles!
66A: "118. Coin, commonly"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate
- Similar words include: phonograph record, phonograph recording, saucer
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DISK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
67A: "119. Stink"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant
- Similar words include: stench, smell, fetor
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REEK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
68A: "120. Pen ___ (corresponding pair)"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
- Similar words include: chum up, sidekick, chum
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PALS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
69A: "121. Like the strawberry champagne in Bruno Mars's "That's What I Like""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONICE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
70A: "122. Neuter's partner"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that remove the ovaries of
- Similar words include: alter, castrate, neuter
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
71A: "123. Tibetan oxen"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that large long-haired wild ox of tibet often domesticated
- Similar words include: yack, Bos grunniens, gab
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YAKS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
Down Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | 1. White bed, perhaps | 4 |
| 2D | 2. Love god | 4 |
| 3D | 3. Stance that resembles a ballerina on one leg | 10 |
| 4D | 4. Using Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, etc. | 9 |
| 5D | 5. "The Conners" and "The Jeffersons" | 5 |
| 6D | 6. Common palindromic text | 3 |
| 7D | 7. "___ Lang Syne" | 4 |
| 8D | 8. "Relax. Calm yourself" | 7 |
| 9D | 9. One of two found on résumés? | 6 |
| 10D | 10. "Of course!" | 3 |
| 11D | 11. Distinct period | 3 |
| 12D | 12. Domino dot | 3 |
| 13D | 13. Add at no extra cost | 6 |
| 14D | 14. Sorcerer's stick | 4 |
| 15D | 15. "We're toast!" | 10 |
| 16D | 16. Experts in body language? | 10 |
| 17D | 17. Foot, cutesily | 6 |
| 18D | 21. Something a child takes a swing at | 6 |
| 19D | 23. Count (on) | 4 |
| 20D | 24. Really not look forward to | 5 |
| 21D | 29. Earlier | 3 |
| 22D | 32. Ruler in Russian history | 4 |
| 23D | 33. Finished | 7 |
| 24D | 35. President in 1800 | 5 |
| 25D | 36. Knot again | 5 |
| 26D | 37. Windy City paper, with "the" | 4 |
| 27D | 38. Trouble ___ | 4 |
| 28D | 39. Only U.S. state whose flag features a different design on each side (the back is a beaver!) | 6 |
| 29D | 41. N.H.L. star Connor ___ | 7 |
| 30D | 42. "Awful! Awful! Awful!" | 8 |
| 31D | 47. Relative of an alpaca | 7 |
| 32D | 48. Accessory used in some stretches | 8 |
| 33D | 50. Paleo- : old :: ___ : new | 3 |
| 34D | 52. Pharmacist Lilly | 3 |
| 35D | 53. She may have a little lamb | 3 |
| 36D | 54. Sailor's opener | 4 |
| 37D | 56. Feline that a neighbor may find | 7 |
| 38D | 61. Note to staff | 4 |
| 39D | 64. They're toast | 6 |
| 40D | 65. Supervillain in "Fantastic Four" comics | 7 |
| 41D | 66. XXX-XX-XXXX ID | 3 |
| 42D | 67. Away from the office | 3 |
| 43D | 68. OB/GYN, e.g. | 3 |
| 44D | 69. Online reference with many faces | 10 |
| 45D | 70. Miniature photo gallery | 10 |
| 46D | 74. Touristy destination | 10 |
| 47D | 75. Bête ___ | 5 |
| 48D | 76. Insider, in spy lingo | 5 |
| 49D | 79. So-called "Land of a Million Elephants" | 4 |
| 50D | 81. Follow closely | 4 |
| 51D | 82. Individual account? | 9 |
| 52D | 85. Spray, in a way | 4 |
| 53D | 89. "It was my best effort" | 6 |
| 54D | 91. Wrap name | 5 |
| 55D | 92. Parts of card-swiping machines | 7 |
| 56D | 94. G flat's equivalent | 6 |
| 57D | 95. Pink-slip | 3 |
| 58D | 96. Misinformed, say | 6 |
| 59D | 97. "Stop!" | 6 |
| 60D | 98. Place for miniature boats | 4 |
| 61D | 102. Arrogant | 5 |
| 62D | 104. Sources of lead or gold | 4 |
| 63D | 106. Cut quickly | 4 |
| 64D | 108. Half of a fortnight | 4 |
| 65D | 109. Invites | 4 |
| 66D | 112. "Mean Girls" character Janis ___ | 3 |
| 67D | 113. Jet ___ | 3 |
| 68D | 114. Jiff | 3 |
| 69D | 115. It may request that you remove your coat, in brief | 3 |
Down Clues - Strategic Hints
1D: "1. White bed, perhaps"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished
- Similar words include: Timothy Miles Bindon Rice, Sir Tim Rice, Elmer Rice
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICE
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2D: "2. Love god"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (greek mythology) god of love; son of aphrodite; identified with roman cupid
- Similar words include: sexual desire, concupiscence, physical attraction
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EROS
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3D: "3. Stance that resembles a ballerina on one leg"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DANCERPOSE
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4D: "4. Using Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, etc."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONTHEAPPS
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5D: "5. "The Conners" and "The Jeffersons""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
- Similar words include: demo, evidence, render
- Opposite of: disprove, hide
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOWS
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6D: "6. Common palindromic text"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOL
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7D: "7. "___ Lang Syne""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a scottish word
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AULD
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8D: "8. "Relax. Calm yourself""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
- Similar words include: suspire, emit, catch one's breath
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BREATHE
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9D: "9. One of two found on résumés?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that distinctive manner of oral expression
- Similar words include: emphasis, accentuate, dialect
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACCENT
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10D: "10. "Of course!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUH
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11D: "11. Distinct period"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
- Similar words include: earned run average, geological era, epoch
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERA
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12D: "12. Domino dot"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a disease of poultry
- Similar words include: spot, whip, rack up
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIP
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13D: "13. Add at no extra cost"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOSSIN
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14D: "14. Sorcerer's stick"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a rod used by a magician or water diviner
- Similar words include: scepter, baton, verge
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAND
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15D: "15. "We're toast!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITSALLOVER
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16D: "16. Experts in body language?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIPREADERS
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17D: "17. Foot, cutesily"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOOTSY
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18D: "21. Something a child takes a swing at"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that plaything consisting of a container filled with toys and candy; suspended from a height for blindfolded children to break with sticks
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PINATA
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19D: "23. Count (on)"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that have confidence or faith in
- Similar words include: trust, swear, bank
- Opposite of: mistrust
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RELY
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20D: "24. Really not look forward to"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that fearful expectation or anticipation
- Similar words include: dreadful, apprehension, frightening
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DREAD
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21D: "29. Earlier"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that gone by; or in the past
- Similar words include: agone
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGO
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22D: "32. Ruler in Russian history"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a male monarch or emperor (especially of russia prior to 1917)
- Similar words include: tzar, czar
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSAR
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23D: "33. Finished"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOTDONE
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24D: "35. President in 1800"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that american revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the boston tea party and signer of the declaration of independence (1722-1803)
- Similar words include: ecstasy, XTC, Mount Adams
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADAMS
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25D: "36. Knot again"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that tie again or anew
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETIE
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26D: "37. Windy City paper, with "the""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIB
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27D: "38. Trouble ___"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a point located with respect to surface features of some region
- Similar words include: spy, maculation, smudge
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPOT
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28D: "39. Only U.S. state whose flag features a different design on each side (the back is a beaver!)"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a state in northwestern united states on the pacific
- Similar words include: Beaver State, OR
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREGON
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29D: "41. N.H.L. star Connor ___"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MCDAVID
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30D: "42. "Awful! Awful! Awful!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IHATEDIT
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31D: "47. Relative of an alpaca"
Solving Hints:
- Similar words include: Lama guanicoe
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUANACO
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32D: "48. Accessory used in some stretches"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YOGABALL
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33D: "50. Paleo- : old :: ___ : new"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (used as a combining form) recent or new
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEO
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34D: "52. Pharmacist Lilly"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELI
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35D: "53. She may have a little lamb"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a member of a people living in southern benin and togo and southeastern ghana
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EWE
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36D: "54. Sailor's opener"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AHOY
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37D: "56. Feline that a neighbor may find"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOSTCAT
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38D: "61. Note to staff"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a written proposal or reminder
- Similar words include: memorandum, memoranda
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEMO
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39D: "64. They're toast"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a person in desperate straits; someone doomed
- Similar words include: goner, toast
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GONERS
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40D: "65. Supervillain in "Fantastic Four" comics"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOLEMAN
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41D: "66. XXX-XX-XXXX ID"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SSN
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42D: "67. Away from the office"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (baseball) a failure by a batter or runner to reach a base safely in baseball
- Similar words include: come out, come out of the closet, prohibited
- Opposite of: safe
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUT
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43D: "68. OB/GYN, e.g."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a licensed medical practitioner
- Similar words include: Department of Commerce, physician, Commerce Department
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOC
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44D: "69. Online reference with many faces"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMOJIPEDIA
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45D: "70. Miniature photo gallery"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAMERAROLL
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46D: "74. Touristy destination"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESORTAREA
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47D: "75. Bête ___"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOIRE
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48D: "76. Insider, in spy lingo"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a useful or valuable quality
- Similar words include: plus
- Opposite of: liability
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASSET
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49D: "79. So-called "Land of a Million Elephants""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a mountainous landlocked communist state in southeastern asia; achieved independence from france in 1949
- Similar words include: Lao People's Democratic Republic, Laotian, Lao
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAOS
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50D: "81. Follow closely"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
- Similar words include: backside, stern, tag
- Opposite of: head
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAIL
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51D: "82. Individual account?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIFESTORY
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52D: "85. Spray, in a way"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a thin fog with condensation near the ground
- Similar words include: fog, obscure, haze over
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIST
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53D: "89. "It was my best effort""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITRIED
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54D: "91. Wrap name"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any of various thermoplastic resins used to make things
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARAN
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55D: "92. Parts of card-swiping machines"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PINPADS
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56D: "94. G flat's equivalent"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FSHARP
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57D: "95. Pink-slip"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.
- Similar words include: bathroom, backside, stern
- Opposite of: hire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAN
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58D: "96. Misinformed, say"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIEDTO
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59D: "97. "Stop!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOMORE
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60D: "98. Place for miniature boats"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
- Similar words include: bathtub, bathe, bathroom
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BATH
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61D: "102. Arrogant"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that overly self-confident or self-assertive
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COCKY
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62D: "104. Sources of lead or gold"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
- Similar words include: ore
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
63D: "106. Cut quickly"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a small piece of anything (especially a piece that has been snipped off)
- Similar words include: nip off, snippet, lop
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNIP
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64D: "108. Half of a fortnight"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any period of seven consecutive days
- Similar words include: calendar week, workweek, hebdomad
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEEK
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65D: "109. Invites"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that inquire about
- Similar words include: take, ask, demand
- Opposite of: obviate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASKS
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66D: "112. "Mean Girls" character Janis ___"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IAN
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67D: "113. Jet ___"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used in pairs for gliding over snow
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
68D: "114. Jiff"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the systeme international d'unites
- Similar words include: Securities and Exchange Commission, s, unsweet
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEC
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69D: "115. It may request that you remove your coat, in brief"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an agency established in 2001 to safeguard united states transportation systems and insure safe air travel
- Similar words include: Transportation Security Administration
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSA
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Expert Solving Strategies
Start Smart
Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.
Decode the Clues
Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.
Use Cross-References
Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.
Build Vocabulary
Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.
Today's Puzzle Stats
71 Across Clues
69 Down Clues
140 Total Clues
More NYT Crossword Help
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