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 (31 clues)
- Across Clues - Detailed Hints
- Down Clues Table (29 clues)
- Down Clues - Detailed Hints
- Expert Solving Strategies
- Today's Puzzle Statistics
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. Spreads out in the morning? | 8 |
| 2A | 9. Tool in the opening scene of Disney's "Frozen" | 6 |
| 3A | 15. Moving day rental | 8 |
| 4A | 16. Portmanteau nickname for politician Harris | 6 |
| 5A | 17. Cleanse negative energy, in Indigenous tradition | 8 |
| 6A | 18. Lacy | 6 |
| 7A | 19. "What gives the artist real ___ is his imitators": Igor Stravinsky | 8 |
| 8A | 20. Showing signs of spring, say | 6 |
| 9A | 21. T-slots? | 8 |
| 10A | 22. Former CBS procedural that co-starred LL Cool J, informally | 6 |
| 11A | 23. Like bows, at times | 7 |
| 12A | 24. Aquarium device | 7 |
| 13A | 25. Judge | 4 |
| 14A | 27. Hare-brained | 5 |
| 15A | 28. Dealt with something | 5 |
| 16A | 33. Rapper who performed in the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, familiarly | 3 |
| 17A | 34. Ring master | 5 |
| 18A | 35. Rainer who was the first person ever to win two consecutive acting Academy Awards | 5 |
| 19A | 36. Tough crowd | 4 |
| 20A | 38. Took Marie Antoinette's advice? | 7 |
| 21A | 40. Pen holder, paper tray, memo pad, etc. | 7 |
| 22A | 46. Wild chase? | 6 |
| 23A | 47. Certain radio components | 8 |
| 24A | 48. Contribute to the pot | 6 |
| 25A | 49. "Yes" or "No" | 8 |
| 26A | 50. Binged, with "out" | 6 |
| 27A | 51. Multinational communications giant founded in 1964 | 8 |
| 28A | 52. Words after "Honey!" | 6 |
| 29A | 53. Budding actresses | 8 |
| 30A | 54. Lepidopterist, often | 6 |
| 31A | 55. Giant, as a mattress | 8 |
Across Clues - Strategic Hints
1A: "1. Spreads out in the morning?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (yiddish) a batch of things that go together
- Similar words include: shmear, schmear, schmeer
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCHMEARS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2A: "9. Tool in the opening scene of Disney's "Frozen""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICESAW
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3A: "15. Moving day rental"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UHAULVAN
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4A: "16. Portmanteau nickname for politician Harris"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOMALA
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5A: "17. Cleanse negative energy, in Indigenous tradition"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BURNSAGE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6A: "18. Lacy"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that having decorative ruffles or frills
- Similar words include: frilled, ruffled
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRILLY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7A: "19. "What gives the artist real ___ is his imitators": Igor Stravinsky"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a high standing achieved through success or influence or wealth etc.
- Similar words include: prestigiousness
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRESTIGE
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8A: "20. Showing signs of spring, say"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INLEAF
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9A: "21. T-slots?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a hole through which you put your arm and where a sleeve can be attached
- Similar words include: armhole
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARMHOLES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10A: "22. Former CBS procedural that co-starred LL Cool J, informally"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NCISLA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11A: "23. Like bows, at times"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that rub rosin onto
- Similar words include: rosin
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROSINED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12A: "24. Aquarium device"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an apparatus for exposing something to the air (as sewage)
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AERATOR
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13A: "25. Judge"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
- Similar words include: hold, view as, take for
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEEM
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14A: "27. Hare-brained"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that devoid of intelligence
- Similar words include: mindless, asinine, fatuous
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INANE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15A: "28. Dealt with something"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that come to terms with
- Similar words include: hook, make out, nail
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COPED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16A: "33. Rapper who performed in the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, familiarly"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17A: "34. Ring master"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that someone who fights with his fists for sport
- Similar words include: bagger, packer, pugilist
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOXER
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18A: "35. Rainer who was the first person ever to win two consecutive acting Academy Awards"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUISE
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19A: "36. Tough crowd"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an association of criminals
- Similar words include: ring, crew, bunch
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GANG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20A: "38. Took Marie Antoinette's advice?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATECAKE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21A: "40. Pen holder, paper tray, memo pad, etc."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DESKSET
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22A: "46. Wild chase?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an overland journey by hunters (especially in africa)
- Similar words include: campaign, hunting expedition
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAFARI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23A: "47. Certain radio components"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FMTUNERS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24A: "48. Contribute to the pot"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STIRIN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25A: "49. "Yes" or "No""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent
- Similar words include: answer, reception, reply
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESPONSE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26A: "50. Binged, with "out""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that live like a pig, in squalor
- Similar words include: guttle, raven, pig it
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIGGED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27A: "51. Multinational communications giant founded in 1964"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INTELSAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28A: "52. Words after "Honey!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMHOME
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29A: "53. Budding actresses"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a young (film) actress who is publicized as a future star
- Similar words include: starlet
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STARLETS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30A: "54. Lepidopterist, often"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that remaining after all deductions
- Similar words include: nett, net
- Opposite of: gross
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NETTER
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31A: "55. Giant, as a mattress"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KINGSIZE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
Down Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | 1. Deficient | 6 |
| 2D | 2. Mexican fried pastry often covered in cinnamon sugar | 6 |
| 3D | 3. Groups of female elephant seals | 6 |
| 4D | 4. Hindu clerk | 6 |
| 5D | 5. ___ Howard, first Black player on the Yankees | 6 |
| 6D | 6. Proved useful | 7 |
| 7D | 7. What those close to failure are said to be on | 10 |
| 8D | 8. Old blades | 5 |
| 9D | 9. "Don't worry, no injury!" | 6 |
| 10D | 10. Farm structure in which ears are stored | 8 |
| 11D | 11. Mexican revolutionary Zapata | 8 |
| 12D | 12. 0% in New Hampshire, Oregon, Montana, Alaska and Delaware | 8 |
| 13D | 13. Solitary | 8 |
| 14D | 14. Rover | 8 |
| 15D | 24. Religious right? | 10 |
| 16D | 26. Prohibition ___ | 3 |
| 17D | 28. School memento | 8 |
| 18D | 29. Doc's license plate in "Back to the Future" | 8 |
| 19D | 30. Staple of slapstick comedy | 8 |
| 20D | 31. Ce n'est pas du fast food | 8 |
| 21D | 32. "Oh, golly!" | 8 |
| 22D | 37. Browns | 7 |
| 23D | 39. ___ egg (chocolate treat with a toy) | 6 |
| 24D | 41. Ski race that debuted at the Olympics in 1988 | 6 |
| 25D | 42. Gentle hills | 6 |
| 26D | 43. Mr. Miyagi, to the Karate Kid | 6 |
| 27D | 44. Faux | 6 |
| 28D | 45. Pest with a repetitive name | 6 |
| 29D | 47. Cavort | 5 |
Down Clues - Strategic Hints
1D: "1. Deficient"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUBPAR
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2D: "2. Mexican fried pastry often covered in cinnamon sugar"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHURRO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3D: "3. Groups of female elephant seals"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that living quarters reserved for wives and concubines and female relatives in a muslim household
- Similar words include: harem, seraglio, serail
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAREMS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4D: "4. Hindu clerk"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MUNSHI
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5D: "5. ___ Howard, first Black player on the Yankees"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELSTON
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6D: "6. Proved useful"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that use to one's advantage
- Similar words include: help, avail
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVAILED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7D: "7. What those close to failure are said to be on"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAGGEDEDGE
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8D: "8. Old blades"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNEES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
9D: "9. "Don't worry, no injury!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMFINE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10D: "10. Farm structure in which ears are stored"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a crib for storing and drying ears of corn
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORNCRIB
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11D: "11. Mexican revolutionary Zapata"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMILIANO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12D: "12. 0% in New Hampshire, Oregon, Montana, Alaska and Delaware"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALESTAX
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13D: "13. Solitary"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLALONE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14D: "14. Rover"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a pedestrian who walks from place to place
- Similar words include: journeyer
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAYFARER
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15D: "24. Religious right?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMENDMENTI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16D: "26. Prohibition ___"
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
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17D: "28. School memento"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLASSPIN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18D: "29. Doc's license plate in "Back to the Future""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUTATIME
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19D: "30. Staple of slapstick comedy"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIEFIGHT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20D: "31. Ce n'est pas du fast food"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that edible terrestrial snail usually served in the shell with a sauce of melted butter and garlic
- Similar words include: snail
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESCARGOT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21D: "32. "Oh, golly!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEARIEME
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22D: "37. Browns"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GETSTAN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23D: "39. ___ egg (chocolate treat with a toy)"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
- Similar words include: kind, genial, tolerant
- Opposite of: unkind
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KINDER
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24D: "41. Ski race that debuted at the Olympics in 1988"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUPERG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25D: "42. Gentle hills"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a small natural hill
- Similar words include: hammock, hillock, knoll
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNOLLS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26D: "43. Mr. Miyagi, to the Karate Kid"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENSEI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27D: "44. Faux"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an artificial or inferior substitute or imitation
- Similar words include: substitute
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERSATZ
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28D: "45. Pest with a repetitive name"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that bloodsucking african fly; transmits sleeping sickness etc.
- Similar words include: tsetse fly, glossina, tzetze
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSETSE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29D: "47. Cavort"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the act of searching someone for concealed weapons or illegal drugs
- Similar words include: lark, gambol, disport
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRISK
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
31 Across Clues
29 Down Clues
60 Total Clues
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