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Monday, October 12, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 12, 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. "Let's not forget ..." 4
2A 5. Singer/actress Bareilles 4
3A 9. First part of a musical 4
4A 13. Close by 4
5A 14. Post-bath wrap 5
6A 15. Vegetable on a cob 4
7A 16. Electric vehicle from Japan 10
8A 18. God with a bow and arrow 4
9A 19. Brief 5
10A 20. Investment option for old age, in brief 3
11A 22. Mail carrier's assignment: Abbr. 3
12A 23. Signaling, as a performer 5
13A 24. Total mess 9
14A 27. Contents of a sleeve 3
15A 28. Birthstones for some Libras 5
16A 30. Quick kiss 4
17A 31. Movie princess with "space buns" 4
18A 33. Rapper ___ Kim 3
19A 34. Mercury, Venus or Mars 5
20A 35. Unpredictable emotional shift 9
21A 38. Striped kitty 5
22A 40. Main element in pewter 3
23A 41. "No ___, no foul" 4
24A 45. Olympic sword with a guarded tip 4
25A 46. Thick heads of hair 5
26A 48. Furious 3
27A 49. Celtics legend nicknamed "The Hick from French Lick" 9
28A 51. Kicks off, as a concert 5
29A 53. Singer Grande, informally 3
30A 54. Part of the Holy Trinity 3
31A 55. Tony winner Menzel 5
32A 56. ___-Cola 4
33A 58. Positioned precariously ... or where the ends of 16-, 24-, 35- and 49-Across can all be found 10
34A 62. Those, in Spanish 4
35A 63. Lollipop holder 5
36A 64. Great Plains tribe 4
37A 65. "Late Night" host Meyers 4
38A 66. ___ off (miffed) 4
39A 67. Little kid 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "Let's not forget ...""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Singer/actress Bareilles"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. First part of a musical"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. Close by"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move towards
  • Similar words include: most, cheeseparing, close
  • Opposite of: far
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Post-bath wrap"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rectangular piece of absorbent cloth (or paper) for drying or wiping
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOWEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "15. Vegetable on a cob"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in america in many varieties; the principal cereal in mexico and central and south america since pre-columbian times
  • Similar words include: corn whiskey, Zea mays, edible corn
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "16. Electric vehicle from Japan"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. God with a bow and arrow"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) god of love; son of aphrodite; identified with roman cupid
  • Similar words include: physical attraction, sexual desire, concupiscence
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EROS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Brief"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the location on a baseball field where the shortstop is stationed
  • Similar words include: myopic, poor, curtly
  • Opposite of: retentive, long
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHORT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Investment option for old age, in brief"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a militant organization of irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive british forces from northern ireland and achieve a united independent ireland
  • Similar words include: Irish Republican Army, Provos, Provisional IRA
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Mail carrier's assignment: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Signaling, as a performer"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that assist (somebody acting or reciting) by suggesting the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned
  • Similar words include: cue, remind, prompt
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. Total mess"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Contents of a sleeve"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
  • Similar words include: build up, fortify, branch
  • Opposite of: disarm
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Birthstones for some Libras"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color; some varieties are used as gemstones
  • Similar words include: opal
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Quick kiss"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
  • Similar words include: batch, peck at, hatful
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PECK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Movie princess with "space buns""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Rapper ___ Kim"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Mercury, Venus or Mars"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force
  • Similar words include: immortal, god, divinity
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Unpredictable emotional shift"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "38. Striped kitty"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cat with a grey or tawny coat mottled with black
  • Similar words include: tabby cat, brindle, brinded
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TABBY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Main element in pewter"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
  • Similar words include: cannister, atomic number 50, tin can
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "41. "No ___, no foul""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
  • Similar words include: scathe, hurt, impairment
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Olympic sword with a guarded tip"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Thick heads of hair"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a persian prophet who founded manichaeism (216-276)
  • Similar words include: head of hair, mane, man
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Furious"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that roused to anger; - mark twain
  • Similar words include: demented, disturbed, delirious
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. Celtics legend nicknamed "The Hick from French Lick""

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "51. Kicks off, as a concert"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
  • Similar words include: unfold, spread out, out-of-doors
  • Opposite of: close, fold
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "53. Singer Grande, informally"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "54. Part of the Holy Trinity"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "55. Tony winner Menzel"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "56. ___-Cola"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a south american shrub whose leaves are chewed by natives of the andes; a source of cocaine
  • Similar words include: Imogene Coca, coca plant, Erythroxylon coca
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "58. Positioned precariously ... or where the ends of 16-, 24-, 35- and 49-Across can all be found"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "62. Those, in Spanish"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "63. Lollipop holder"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an implement consisting of a length of wood
  • Similar words include: wedge, baffle, pin
  • Opposite of: dislodge, move
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STICK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "64. Great Plains tribe"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people inhabiting the valleys of the platte and missouri rivers in nebraska
  • Similar words include: Oto
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "65. "Late Night" host Meyers"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) third son of adam and eve; given by god in place of the murdered abel
  • Similar words include: Set
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SETH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "66. ___ off (miffed)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that place on a tee
  • Similar words include: tee up, tee
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "67. Little kid"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native of yorkshire
  • Similar words include: nestling, shaver, tike
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TYKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. "Tom Lake" novelist Patchett 3
2D 2. It isn't working 7
3D 3. Raw fish dish at a Japanese restaurant 7
4D 4. "Citizen Kane" director Welles 5
5D 5. Sun, in Spanish 3
6D 6. Astounded state 3
7D 7. Shows again, as a broadcast 6
8D 8. "Clemency" actress Woodard 5
9D 9. Card that may be hidden "up one's sleeve" 3
10D 10. "You're right!" 7
11D 11. Russian revolutionary Leon 7
12D 12. City map next to a state map, e.g. 5
13D 14. Explosive block in Minecraft 3
14D 17. Mythical Greek ship 4
15D 21. Tree with "quaking" leaves 5
16D 23. Baseball great Ripken 3
17D 24. ___ Marian, Robin Hood's beloved 4
18D 25. Outstanding athlete 7
19D 26. Sound from the horse's mouth 5
20D 29. Cunning tactic 4
21D 32. "Jurassic Park" insect casing 5
22D 34. Eat by candlelight, say 4
23D 36. Follows an order 5
24D 37. Sailboat propeller 4
25D 38. Hybrid flower named after a drink 7
26D 39. Kind of jam in a Sacher torte 7
27D 42. In-room safe or a chocolate on the pillow, say 7
28D 43. Went hog wild 7
29D 44. Some E.R. workers 3
30D 46. Time piece? 6
31D 47. Sweet, fizzy drink 4
32D 49. Roller skate strings 5
33D 50. Give a leg up 5
34D 52. Amelia Earhart, for one 5
35D 55. Squid's defensive output 3
36D 57. Residue on a grill 3
37D 59. Reason for overtime 3
38D 60. Anxious condition, in brief 3
39D 61. Hive occupant 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. "Tom Lake" novelist Patchett"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. It isn't working"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that time available for ease and relaxation
  • Similar words include: leisure time
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEISURE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Raw fish dish at a Japanese restaurant"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that very thinly sliced raw fish
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SASHIMI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "Citizen Kane" director Welles"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Sun, in Spanish"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a solid is suspended in a liquid
  • Similar words include: soh, so, colloidal suspension
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Astounded state"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Shows again, as a broadcast"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. "Clemency" actress Woodard"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Card that may be hidden "up one's sleeve""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: 1, wizard, super
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. "You're right!""

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make right or correct
  • Similar words include: make up, objurgate, counterbalance
  • Opposite of: incorrect, wrong
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORRECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Russian revolutionary Leon"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that russian revolutionary and communist theorist who helped lenin and built up the army; he was ousted from the communist party by stalin and eventually assassinated in mexico (1879-1940)
  • Similar words include: Lev Davidovich Bronstein, Leon Trotsky
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROTSKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. City map next to a state map, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small picture inserted within the bounds or a larger one
  • Similar words include: gusset, insert
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INSET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Explosive block in Minecraft"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that explosive consisting of a yellow crystalline compound that is a flammable toxic derivative of toluene
  • Similar words include: trinitrotoluene
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "17. Mythical Greek ship"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that formerly a large constellation in the southern hemisphere between canis major and the southern cross; now divided into carina and pyxis and puppis and vela
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Tree with "quaking" leaves"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of several trees of the genus populus having leaves on flattened stalks so that they flutter in the lightest wind
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASPEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Baseball great Ripken"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. ___ Marian, Robin Hood's beloved"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a female domestic
  • Similar words include: maidservant, amah, housemaid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Outstanding athlete"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Sound from the horse's mouth"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the characteristic sounds made by a horse
  • Similar words include: whinny, nicker, whicker
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEIGH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Cunning tactic"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an opening remark intended to secure an advantage for the speaker
  • Similar words include: stratagem, gambit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLOY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. "Jurassic Park" insect casing"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a deep yellow color
  • Similar words include: gold, brownish-yellow, yellow-brown
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMBER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Eat by candlelight, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have supper; eat dinner
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Follows an order"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be obedient to
  • Similar words include: obey
  • Opposite of: disobey
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBEYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Sailboat propeller"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
  • Similar words include: wind instrument, wrap, twist
  • Opposite of: unwind
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Hybrid flower named after a drink"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Kind of jam in a Sacher torte"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that asian tree having clusters of usually white blossoms and edible fruit resembling the peach
  • Similar words include: peach, yellowish pink, apricot tree
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APRICOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. In-room safe or a chocolate on the pillow, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pleasantness resulting from agreeable conditions
  • Similar words include: agreeableness
  • Opposite of: disagreeableness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMENITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Went hog wild"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Some E.R. workers"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding einsteinium with alpha particles (md is the current symbol for mendelevium but mv was formerly the symbol)
  • Similar words include: Free State, atomic number 101, Mv
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Time piece?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
  • Similar words include: minute of arc, infinitesimal, instant
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINUTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Sweet, fizzy drink"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sodium salt of carbonic acid; used in making soap powders and glass and paper
  • Similar words include: soda ash, sal soda, sodium carbonate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SODA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Roller skate strings"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment)
  • Similar words include: intertwine, plait, twine
  • Opposite of: untwine
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LACES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Give a leg up"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of giving hope or support to someone
  • Similar words include: rise, hike up, encourage
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOOST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "52. Amelia Earhart, for one"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight
  • Similar words include: pilot burner, buffer, pilot program
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PILOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "55. Squid's defensive output"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "57. Residue on a grill"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "59. Reason for overtime"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
  • Similar words include: link up, wed, splice
  • Opposite of: untie, disconnect
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "60. Anxious condition, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "61. Hive occupant"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEE

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

39 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: October 12, 2026 at 11:07 AM

Sunday, September 27, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 27, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Bad association 6
2A 7. Shoot for dinner? 5
3A 12. Jeweler's wares 7
4A 19. ... in global commerce)(Conflict ... 12
5A 20. Emerge 5
6A 21. DeVore who co-founded one of the first U.S. agencies for nonwhite models in 1946 7
7A 22. Potential benefit 6
8A 23. Was almost out of supplies 6
9A 25. That's saying something! 7
10A 26. Turned into an internet gag 5
11A 27. Japanese graphic novels 5
12A 28. ... outdoor festivals)(Bathrooms at ... 12
13A 30. Dukes, countesses, etc. 7
14A 32. Put down in writing 13
15A 37. Actress Sink of "Stranger Things" 5
16A 39. Baby who's up all night? 5
17A 40. Where many papyrus plants grow 4
18A 41. Frenzied locale at a rock concert 7
19A 44. Press a case? 3
20A 45. "Spring forward" hrs. 3
21A 47. Test room 3
22A 48. Cut back on 4
23A 49. Kind of effect that can manifest as a counterclockwise motion in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise motion in the Southern Hemisphere [with a hint to this puzzle's shaded squares] 8
24A 53. Carnivore whose vocalization sounds like giggling 5
25A 55. Google's domain 6
26A 58. Hindu festival of colors 4
27A 59. Auto brand whose logo is meant to evoke the precision of a caliper 5
28A 62. Instant 3
29A 63. Challenge to a potential investor 8
30A 66. ... transport)(Bigwig's ... 12
31A 68. Straightaway driving contests 9
32A 70. Philadelphia-area university that's a powerhouse in men's hoops 9
33A 73. ... park an auto)(Narrow space in which to ... 12
34A 74. Marvelous 8
35A 77. One in 100: Abbr. 3
36A 78. "It ___ Me" (2000 Shaggy hit) 5
37A 79. Word with dish or drag 4
38A 80. Locale for many a commercial logo 6
39A 82. German brewery since 1873 5
40A 85. Return to an earlier topic of conversation ... or what six answers in this puzzle literally do 8
41A 89. Cause of some red cheeks 4
42A 90. Entertainment source for general audiences, in brief? 3
43A 91. Bub 3
44A 94. ___ Lanka 3
45A 95. Custom-tailored 7
46A 98. One of Cuba's Castros 4
47A 100. Lose it 5
48A 102. Best-case 5
49A 103. Crafts used in NASA's Galileo and Juno missions 13
50A 107. Good position to be in? 7
51A 112. ... clarify or explain)(Seeking to ... 12
52A 113. Hide-outs 5
53A 115. Itsy-bitsy 5
54A 116. Disk-flipping strategy game 7
55A 119. Like wheat beers 6
56A 121. Certain factory machine 6
57A 122. Chaperones 7
58A 123. Many a John Williams composition 5
59A 124. ... of hindsight)(With the benefit ... 12
60A 125. Clear coat 7
61A 126. Oafs 5
62A 127. Deal made on the spot? 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Bad association"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the apical end of the style where deposited pollen enters the pistil
  • Similar words include: mark, brand, stain
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STIGMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Shoot for dinner?"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
  • Similar words include: branchlet, twig
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPRIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "12. Jeweler's wares"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "19. ... in global commerce)(Conflict ..."

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "20. Emerge"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come into existence; take on form or shape
  • Similar words include: uprise, rise, develop
  • Opposite of: go to bed, fall
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARISE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "21. DeVore who co-founded one of the first U.S. agencies for nonwhite models in 1946"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "22. Potential benefit"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the highest or uppermost side of anything
  • Similar words include: upper side, top, top side
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UPSIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "23. Was almost out of supplies"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "25. That's saying something!"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous)
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORATORY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "26. Turned into an internet gag"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "27. Japanese graphic novels"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "28. ... outdoor festivals)(Bathrooms at ..."

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Dukes, countesses, etc."

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the peers of a kingdom considered as a group
  • Similar words include: baronage
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEERAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. Put down in writing"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "37. Actress Sink of "Stranger Things""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "39. Baby who's up all night?"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "40. Where many papyrus plants grow"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the world's longest river (4150 miles); flows northward through eastern africa into the mediterranean; the nile river valley in egypt was the site of the world's first great civilization
  • Similar words include: Nile River
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "41. Frenzied locale at a rock concert"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "44. Press a case?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french writer whose novels described the sordid side of city life (1804-1857)
  • Similar words include: Eugene Sue, action, process
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "45. "Spring forward" hrs."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "47. Test room"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
  • Similar words include: science lab, research laboratory, research lab
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "48. Cut back on"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that decrease gradually or bit by bit
  • Similar words include: whittle, trim, skin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "49. Kind of effect that can manifest as a counterclockwise motion in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise motion in the Southern Hemisphere [with a hint to this puzzle's shaded squares]"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "53. Carnivore whose vocalization sounds like giggling"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that doglike nocturnal mammal of africa and southern asia that feeds chiefly on carrion
  • Similar words include: hyaena
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYENA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "55. Google's domain"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "58. Hindu festival of colors"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "59. Auto brand whose logo is meant to evoke the precision of a caliper"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "62. Instant"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

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: unsweet, s, second
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "63. Challenge to a potential investor"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "66. ... transport)(Bigwig's ..."

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "68. Straightaway driving contests"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "70. Philadelphia-area university that's a powerhouse in men's hoops"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "73. ... park an auto)(Narrow space in which to ..."

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "74. Marvelous"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having great beauty and splendor
  • Similar words include: fantabulous, excellent, splendiferous
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPLENDID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "77. One in 100: Abbr."

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fractional monetary unit of japan and indonesia and cambodia; equal to one hundredth of a yen or rupiah or riel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "78. "It ___ Me" (2000 Shaggy hit)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "79. Word with dish or drag"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any very large body of (salt) water
  • Similar words include: primary, chief, independent
  • Opposite of: dependent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "80. Locale for many a commercial logo"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "82. German brewery since 1873"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a beckoning gesture
  • Similar words include: beck
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BECKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "85. Return to an earlier topic of conversation ... or what six answers in this puzzle literally do"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "89. Cause of some red cheeks"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "90. Entertainment source for general audiences, in brief?"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "91. Bub"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
  • Similar words include: mack, mackintosh, macintosh
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "94. ___ Lanka"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "95. Custom-tailored"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be a signal for or a symptom of
  • Similar words include: signal, request, tailored
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BESPOKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "98. One of Cuba's Castros"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "100. Lose it"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "102. Best-case"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
  • Similar words include: idealistic, nonsuch, saint
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "103. Crafts used in NASA's Galileo and Juno missions"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "107. Good position to be in?"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "112. ... clarify or explain)(Seeking to ..."

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that that provides interpretation
  • Similar words include: interpretative
  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INTERPRETIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "113. Hide-outs"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Similar words include: den, lair
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAIRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "115. Itsy-bitsy"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used informally) very small
  • Similar words include: teeny-weeny, teensy-weensy, teentsy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEENY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "116. Disk-flipping strategy game"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "119. Like wheat beers"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or resembling or containing yeast
  • Similar words include: zestful, yeastlike, zesty
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YEASTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "121. Certain factory machine"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clerk who sorts things (as letters at the post office)
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SORTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "122. Chaperones"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
  • Similar words include: see, bodyguard, date
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESCORTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "123. Many a John Williams composition"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
  • Similar words include: root, idea, topic
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THEME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "124. ... of hindsight)(With the benefit ..."

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "125. Clear coat"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a coating that provides a hard, lustrous, transparent finish to a surface
  • Similar words include: seal
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VARNISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "126. Oafs"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: behind, fundament, bum
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "127. Deal made on the spot?"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Bewilder 5
2D 2. Conical accommodations 5
3D 3. Unhelpful way to respond to "Hello?" 5
4D 4. "Jackie Brown" star Pam 5
5D 5. Unruly rush 7
6D 6. Commercial suffix with Power 3
7D 7. Singer Bareilles 4
8D 8. Have a spring in one's step 6
9D 9. One of the Beatles 5
10D 10. Faith with five pillars 5
11D 11. Prefix with cache 3
12D 12. Assumed ownership over 7
13D 13. Pulls out, as weeds 7
14D 14. Choreographer Twyla 5
15D 15. Achieve a sunbather's goal 6
16D 16. ___ rating (chess stat) 3
17D 17. Old space station 3
18D 18. Perhaps 3
19D 24. Chinese artist Ai ___ 6
20D 27. Triage provider 5
21D 29. The Cardinals, on scoreboards 3
22D 31. Clothing brand named for perceived generational differences in the '60s 3
23D 33. "___ Rouge" 6
24D 34. It's driven into the ground 4
25D 35. Flair 4
26D 36. Redheaded "Queen of Country" 4
27D 38. Diminutive Spanish suffix 3
28D 41. Bill of HBO's "Real Time" 5
29D 42. Mine craft? 6
30D 43. Do some garment-making 3
31D 44. Performances for one 4
32D 46. Competitor of Bluesky and X 7
33D 48. Affliction for some vets, in brief 4
34D 50. Greek PPP 4
35D 51. Promise of payback 3
36D 52. Chef Nosrat who wrote the best seller "Salt Fat Acid Heat" 5
37D 54. Tall tale 4
38D 56. Sonic euphoria, colloquially 7
39D 57. Scottish hillsides 5
40D 60. Far from the target, in a guessing game 4
41D 61. Illuminated from below 5
42D 64. Univ. course that's in demand? 4
43D 65. Streisand musical 5
44D 67. "That's freaking epic!" 6
45D 69. Rubberneck 4
46D 70. ___ cava (major blood vessel) 4
47D 71. Sci-fi pioneer Jules 5
48D 72. It gets you a hand 4
49D 74. Portmanteau sandwich cookie with a layer of marshmallow 6
50D 75. Big ___, nickname for M.L.B.'s David Ortiz 4
51D 76. Lefty, to a righty 3
52D 81. "Ni ___" (Chinese "hello") 3
53D 82. ___ Khalifa, tower scaled by Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol" 4
54D 83. Heir with much hair in the Bible 4
55D 84. Great success 4
56D 86. Fish hawk 6
57D 87. Purportedly calming compound in some gummies, in brief 3
58D 88. Play for ___ 5
59D 92. Shaders of gray? 7
60D 93. Cultural group of SW Britain 7
61D 96. ___ soda 3
62D 97. Astronomically demoted, as per a 2006 Word of the Year 7
63D 99. Persist 6
64D 101. Fitting 3
65D 102. "Am I crazy ...?" 6
66D 104. Twin sister of Sherri on "The Simpsons" 5
67D 105. Malaise, with "the" 5
68D 106. Lets up 5
69D 108. Violently eliminates, in gamer-speak 5
70D 109. Volkswagen sedan 5
71D 110. Buck enshrined in Cooperstown 5
72D 111. David who fronted Talking Heads 5
73D 114. Some loaves or liquors 4
74D 116. Something gas cars do noisily that electric vehicles don't 3
75D 117. That, in Spanish 3
76D 118. Forerunner of the DVD player 3
77D 120. "when r u coming?" 3
78D 121. Relaxing getaway 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Bewilder"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
  • Similar words include: soapbox, mix up, stomp
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STUMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Conical accommodations"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native american tent; usually of conical shape
  • Similar words include: tipi, teepee
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Unhelpful way to respond to "Hello?""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "Jackie Brown" star Pam"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Unruly rush"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Commercial suffix with Power"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice
  • Similar words include: fruit drink
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Singer Bareilles"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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8D: "8. Have a spring in one's step"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a proud stiff pompous gait
  • Similar words include: strut, sashay, tittup
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRANCE

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9D: "9. One of the Beatles"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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10D: "10. Faith with five pillars"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the civilization of muslims collectively which is governed by the muslim religion
  • Similar words include: Muslimism, Mohammedanism, Islamism
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLAM

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11D: "11. Prefix with cache"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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12D: "12. Assumed ownership over"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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13D: "13. Pulls out, as weeds"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move (people) forcibly from their homeland into a new and foreign environment
  • Similar words include: exterminate, deracinate, eradicate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UPROOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Choreographer Twyla"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that innovative united states dancer and choreographer (born in 1941)
  • Similar words include: Twyla Tharp
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THARP

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15D: "15. Achieve a sunbather's goal"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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16D: "16. ___ rating (chess stat)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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17D: "17. Old space station"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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18D: "18. Perhaps"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the chance to speak
  • Similar words include: allege, enjoin, state
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAY

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19D: "24. Chinese artist Ai ___"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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20D: "27. Triage provider"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of several old world herbs of the genus medicago having small flowers and trifoliate compound leaves
  • Similar words include: trefoil, medick, medical officer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEDIC

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21D: "29. The Cardinals, on scoreboards"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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22D: "31. Clothing brand named for perceived generational differences in the '60s"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
  • Similar words include: spread, crack, col
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAP

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23D: "33. "___ Rouge""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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24D: "34. It's driven into the ground"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a collection of objects laid on top of each other
  • Similar words include: peck, great deal, mountain
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Flair"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
  • Similar words include: flair, panache, style
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELAN

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26D: "36. Redheaded "Queen of Country""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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27D: "38. Diminutive Spanish suffix"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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28D: "41. Bill of HBO's "Real Time""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "42. Mine craft?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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30D: "43. Do some garment-making"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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31D: "44. Performances for one"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any activity that is performed alone without assistance
  • Similar words include: solo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOLI

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32D: "46. Competitor of Bluesky and X"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for clothing
  • Similar words include: screw thread, togs, train of thought
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THREADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "48. Affliction for some vets, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an anxiety disorder associated with serious traumatic events and characterized by such symptoms as survivor guilt, reliving the trauma in dreams, numbness and lack of involvement with reality, or recurrent thoughts and images
  • Similar words include: posttraumatic stress disorder
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PTSD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Greek PPP"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 17th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Similar words include: rho
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "51. Promise of payback"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal debt instrument; representing `i owe you'
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "52. Chef Nosrat who wrote the best seller "Salt Fat Acid Heat""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "54. Tall tale"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
  • Similar words include: recital, thread, narration
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YARN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "56. Sonic euphoria, colloquially"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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39D: "57. Scottish hillsides"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slope or hillside
  • Similar words include: brae
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRAES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "60. Far from the target, in a guessing game"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "61. Illuminated from below"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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42D: "64. Univ. course that's in demand?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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43D: "65. Streisand musical"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "67. "That's freaking epic!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "69. Rubberneck"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward stupid person
  • Similar words include: lubber, clod, stumblebum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAWK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46D: "70. ___ cava (major blood vessel)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
  • Similar words include: vein, venous blood vessel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VENA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47D: "71. Sci-fi pioneer Jules"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french writer who is considered the father of science fiction (1828-1905)
  • Similar words include: Jules Verne
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VERNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48D: "72. It gets you a hand"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49D: "74. Portmanteau sandwich cookie with a layer of marshmallow"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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50D: "75. Big ___, nickname for M.L.B.'s David Ortiz"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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51D: "76. Lefty, to a righty"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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52D: "81. "Ni ___" (Chinese "hello")"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that 10 hao equal 1 dong in vietnam
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAO

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53D: "82. ___ Khalifa, tower scaled by Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54D: "83. Heir with much hair in the Bible"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) the eldest son of isaac who would have inherited the covenant that god made with abraham and that abraham passed on to isaac; he traded his birthright to his twin brother jacob for a mess of pottage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55D: "84. Great success"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
  • Similar words include: putsch, coup d'etat, takeover
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56D: "86. Fish hawk"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large harmless hawk found worldwide that feeds on fish and builds a bulky nest often occupied for years
  • Similar words include: sea eagle, fish hawk, fish eagle
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSPREY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57D: "87. Purportedly calming compound in some gummies, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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58D: "88. Play for ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the financial means whereby one lives
  • Similar words include: go along, bread and butter, hold back
  • Opposite of: lose, break
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KEEPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59D: "92. Shaders of gray?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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60D: "93. Cultural group of SW Britain"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a celtic language spoken in cornwall
  • Similar words include: Cornish fowl
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORNISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61D: "96. ___ soda"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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62D: "97. Astronomically demoted, as per a 2006 Word of the Year"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63D: "99. Persist"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64D: "101. Fitting"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward
  • Similar words include: disposed, tending, minded
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APT

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65D: "102. "Am I crazy ...?""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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66D: "104. Twin sister of Sherri on "The Simpsons""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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67D: "105. Malaise, with "the""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general feeling of boredom and dissatisfaction
  • Similar words include: blah, rant, fustian
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLAHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68D: "106. Lets up"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
  • Similar words include: alleviate, relief, simpleness
  • Opposite of: difficulty
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

69D: "108. Violently eliminates, in gamer-speak"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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70D: "109. Volkswagen sedan"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71D: "110. Buck enshrined in Cooperstown"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

72D: "111. David who fronted Talking Heads"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

73D: "114. Some loaves or liquors"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seed of the cereal grass
  • Similar words include: Secale cereale, rye, rye whiskey
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

74D: "116. Something gas cars do noisily that electric vehicles don't"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rate of revolution of a motor
  • Similar words include: rev up, rpm, revolutions per minute
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

75D: "117. That, in Spanish"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

76D: "118. Forerunner of the DVD player"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a magnetic tape recorder for recording (and playing back) tv programs
  • Similar words include: videocassette recorder
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VCR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

77D: "120. "when r u coming?""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

78D: "121. Relaxing getaway"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
  • Similar words include: health spa, watering place, resort hotel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPA

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

62 Across Clues
78 Down Clues
140 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 27, 2026 at 09:24 AM