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

Monday, October 5, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 05, 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: Challenging

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. Write on stone, maybe 4
2A 5. Request at the bottom of an invitation 4
3A 9. Follower of Jah, informally 5
4A 14. "Me neither" 4
5A 15. Great Plains tribe 4
6A 16. Set of moral principles 5
7A 17. Famous ___ cookies 4
8A 18. Downfall in pinball 4
9A 19. Course for future therapists, for short 5
10A 20. Spot to work out knotted muscles 12
11A 23. U.F.O. occupants, in brief 3
12A 24. Yank 3
13A 25. Reach quickly, as a conclusion 6
14A 29. Internet meme feline 6
15A 31. "___ your mouth!" 4
16A 33. Stadium cheer 3
17A 34. Holiday at the end of Ramadan, informally 3
18A 35. Memphis barbecue staple 9
19A 37. Military rank above cpl. 3
20A 38. Tusked animals 5
21A 39. Squiggle shape 3
22A 40. Key to Aladdin's success 9
23A 42. ___ Paulo, Brazil 3
24A 43. Before, poetically 3
25A 44. Acorn growers 4
26A 45. Dress seen at Oktoberfest 6
27A 48. Black ___ (some spiders) 6
28A 50. Mental cloud 3
29A 51. Drag performer's accessory 3
30A 52. "Ah, that's where things get difficult" ... or what can be said about 20-, 35- and 40-Across? 12
31A 56. Singer Baker 5
32A 59. When Fantine sings "I Dreamed a Dream" in "Les Misérables" 4
33A 60. Block toy with its own chain of theme parks 4
34A 61. Bathroom door sign 5
35A 62. Occasion for a teen to rent a tux 4
36A 63. Spot for a wolf pack 4
37A 64. Weapon in a scabbard 5
38A 65. Manager of an apt. bldg. 4
39A 66. Squeaks (by) 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Write on stone, maybe"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make an etching of
  • Similar words include: engrave
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Request at the bottom of an invitation"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Follower of Jah, informally"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that follower of rastafarianism
  • Similar words include: Rastafarian
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RASTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. "Me neither""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Great Plains tribe"

4 letters Category: Common Word

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!

6A: "16. Set of moral principles"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the principles of right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or a social group
  • Similar words include: value orientation, ethical code, moral principle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETHIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Famous ___ cookies"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hebrew shepherd and minor prophet
  • Similar words include: Book of Amos
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Downfall in pinball"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a combat between two mounted knights tilting against each other with blunted lances
  • Similar words include: angle, disceptation, leaning
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TILT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Course for future therapists, for short"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Spot to work out knotted muscles"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. U.F.O. occupants, in brief"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Yank"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sudden abrupt pull
  • Similar words include: tugboat, labour, tower
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Reach quickly, as a conclusion"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Internet meme feline"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. "___ your mouth!""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
  • Similar words include: shut out, keep out, closed
  • Opposite of: admit, open
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Stadium cheer"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Holiday at the end of Ramadan, informally"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Memphis barbecue staple"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that baked or roasted with a spicy sauce
  • Similar words include: sparerib, barbecued spareribs
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPARERIBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Military rank above cpl."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Tusked animals"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that old world wild swine having a narrow body and prominent tusks from which most domestic swine come; introduced in united states
  • Similar words include: boar, Sus scrofa, wild boar
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Squiggle shape"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons
  • Similar words include: atomic number 99, Es, E
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Key to Aladdin's success"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. ___ Paulo, Brazil"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Before, poetically"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "44. Acorn growers"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
  • Similar words include: oak, oak tree
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "45. Dress seen at Oktoberfest"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a full skirt with a gathered waistband
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIRNDL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "48. Black ___ (some spiders)"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
  • Similar words include: widow woman, widow
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIDOWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. Mental cloud"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
  • Similar words include: murkiness, obnubilate, obscure
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. Drag performer's accessory"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur
  • Similar words include: feather boa
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "52. "Ah, that's where things get difficult" ... or what can be said about 20-, 35- and 40-Across?"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "56. Singer Baker"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. When Fantine sings "I Dreamed a Dream" in "Les Misérables""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "60. Block toy with its own chain of theme parks"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (trademark) a child's plastic construction set for making mechanical models
  • Similar words include: Lego set
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "61. Bathroom door sign"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
  • Similar words include: womanhood, charwoman, fair sex
  • Opposite of: man
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WOMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "62. Occasion for a teen to rent a tux"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year
  • Similar words include: promenade
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "63. Spot for a wolf pack"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "64. Weapon in a scabbard"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
  • Similar words include: blade, brand, steel
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWORD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "65. Manager of an apt. bldg."

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "66. Squeaks (by)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Tooth covering 6
2D 2. Fruit, botanically, that's treated as a vegetable 6
3D 3. One way to sit while meditating 11
4D 4. Snake's warning 4
5D 5. Cheap hooch 6
6D 6. ___ Larsson, author of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" 5
7D 7. Bygone electric Chevy 4
8D 8. Org. that advocates for "cruelty-free" products 4
9D 9. Filled to the gills 7
10D 10. Completely lost 5
11D 11. Not likely to make the first move, say 3
12D 12. Unconscious mannerism 3
13D 13. German outburst 3
14D 21. Slightly 4
15D 22. Things you might see when you're not wearing glasses 5
16D 26. Escape from jail 11
17D 27. Clickables at the top of a computer screen 4
18D 28. Exclamations of surprise 3
19D 30. Commercial lead-in to card 4
20D 31. Inundates with junk mail 5
21D 32. Musical instrument in the Guinness logo 4
22D 35. Luxuriate in a bathtub 4
23D 36. "___ Window" 4
24D 37. South Asian dress 4
25D 38. Nonchalant 5
26D 40. Kitten's call 3
27D 41. Ranch worker 7
28D 42. [Oh, well] 4
29D 45. Serve a jail sentence 6
30D 46. Dance craze of the 2010s 6
31D 47. Hercules had 12 of these 6
32D 49. Playful aquatic animal 5
33D 50. Camera lens setting 5
34D 53. Emulates Big Boi and Lil' Kim 4
35D 54. Light beige 4
36D 55. Woods of "Legally Blonde" 4
37D 56. Reactions to something adorable 3
38D 57. "Immediately!" 3
39D 58. "If you ask me ...," to a texter 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Tooth covering"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hard white substance covering the crown of a tooth
  • Similar words include: tooth enamel
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENAMEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Fruit, botanically, that's treated as a vegetable"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mildly acid red or yellow pulpy fruit eaten as a vegetable
  • Similar words include: Lycopersicon esculentum, tomato plant, love apple
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOMATO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. One way to sit while meditating"

11 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Snake's warning"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
  • Similar words include: razz, fizzle, hushing
  • Opposite of: applaud
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Cheap hooch"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any alcoholic beverage of inferior quality
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROTGUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. ___ Larsson, author of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Bygone electric Chevy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is 1 watt; equivalent to the potential difference across a resistance of 1 ohm when 1 ampere of current flows through it
  • Similar words include: V
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VOLT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Org. that advocates for "cruelty-free" products"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Filled to the gills"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fill to satisfaction
  • Similar words include: sate, full, instinct
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REPLETE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Completely lost"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Not likely to make the first move, say"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quick throw
  • Similar words include: diffident, timid, unsure
  • Opposite of: confident
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Unconscious mannerism"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a local and habitual twitching especially in the face
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. German outburst"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Slightly"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Things you might see when you're not wearing glasses"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hazy or indistinct representation
  • Similar words include: slur, blur, obnubilate
  • Opposite of: focus
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLURS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Escape from jail"

11 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an escape from jail
  • Similar words include: breakout, jailbreak, gaolbreak
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRISONBREAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Clickables at the top of a computer screen"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bill in a restaurant
  • Similar words include: tabloid, chit, tablet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Exclamations of surprise"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a midwestern state in north central united states in the great lakes region
  • Similar words include: Ohio, OH, Buckeye State
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Commercial lead-in to card"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Inundates with junk mail"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a canned meat made largely from pork
  • Similar words include: Spam, spam, junk e-mail
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Musical instrument in the Guinness logo"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chordophone that has a triangular frame consisting of a sounding board and a pillar and a curved neck; the strings stretched between the neck and the soundbox are plucked with the fingers
  • Similar words include: mouth organ, mouth harp, dwell
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Luxuriate in a bathtub"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process of becoming softened and saturated as a consequence of being immersed in water (or other liquid)
  • Similar words include: surcharge, sop, dowse
  • Opposite of: undercharge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. "___ Window""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the back of a military formation or procession
  • Similar words include: tooshie, tail end, hind end
  • Opposite of: front, head
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. South Asian dress"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dress worn primarily by hindu women; consists of several yards of light material that is draped around the body
  • Similar words include: saree
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Nonchalant"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that very sophisticated especially because of surfeit; versed in the ways of the world
  • Similar words include: bored, worldly
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Kitten's call"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)
  • Similar words include: sea mew, miaou, meow
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Ranch worker"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
  • Similar words include: cowherd, puncher, cowpuncher
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COWHAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. [Oh, well]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an utterance made by exhaling audibly
  • Similar words include: suspire, suspiration
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIGH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Serve a jail sentence"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Dance craze of the 2010s"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Hercules had 12 of these"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
  • Similar words include: Labour, task, labor movement
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LABORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Playful aquatic animal"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fur of an otter
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Camera lens setting"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Emulates Big Boi and Lil' Kim"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
  • Similar words include: knap, pink, knock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Light beige"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a very light brown
  • Similar words include: beige
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECRU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Woods of "Legally Blonde""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Reactions to something adorable"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "57. "Immediately!""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the momentary present
  • Similar words include: straightaway, straight off, nowadays
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "58. "If you ask me ...," to a texter"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the united nations agency concerned with international maritime activities
  • Similar words include: International Maritime Organization
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMO

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

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Last updated: October 05, 2026 at 10:40 AM

Thursday, September 24, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 24, 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: Challenging

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. Slang for an Italian dish ... or along with QI, the highest-value two-letter word in Scrabble 2
2A 3. Make an impression 4
3A 7. Hanger-on 5
4A 12. Blunder 3
5A 14. Recital pieces 5
6A 16. "Same here," more stiffly 5
7A 17. Canapé topping 3
8A 18. Traction enhancer 5
9A 19. Ships, say 5
10A 20. Cheerios grain 3
11A 21. American architect who invented Scrabble while unemployed during the Great Depression 11
12A 23. Hold tightly 5
13A 25. Like most manuscript submissions 5
14A 26. Many a Scottish native 4
15A 28. Circuit in which Martina Navratilova holds the most singles titles, in brief 7
16A 33. Dish featured in Broadway's "Sweeney Todd" 7
17A 36. Decline 4
18A 37. Scrabble's name prior to its acquisition by James Brunot in 1948 15
19A 41. Ford or Lincoln 4
20A 42. Full of vivid detail, as memory 7
21A 43. Supposed sign of a healthy pooch 7
22A 45. Onesie fastener 4
23A 47. Actress Rene of "Thor" 5
24A 50. Watchdog's warning 5
25A 53. Bonus score for a bingo (using all seven of one's tiles) in Scrabble 11
26A 58. Actress Sandra or Ruby 3
27A 59. Dr. Seuss' environmentalist 5
28A 60. Open, as a toothpaste tube 5
29A 61. Like Brahms's Symphony No. 3 3
30A 62. Cognizant 5
31A 63. Home to Oral Roberts University 5
32A 64. Verizon competitor, informally 3
33A 65. Power measures 5
34A 66. Witnessed 4
35A 67. The two most valuable Scrabble tiles 10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Slang for an Italian dish ... or along with QI, the highest-value two-letter word in Scrabble"

2 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "3. Make an impression"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make an etching of
  • Similar words include: engrave
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "7. Hanger-on"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end
  • Similar words include: parasite, sponger, phlebotomize
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEECH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "12. Blunder"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Recital pieces"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

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: SOLOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. "Same here," more stiffly"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Canapé topping"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Traction enhancer"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metal or leather projection (as from the sole of a shoe); prevents slipping
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLEAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Ships, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
  • Similar words include: send, mail, get off
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAILS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Cheerios grain"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that annual grass of europe and north africa; grains used as food and fodder (referred to primarily in the plural: `oats')
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "21. American architect who invented Scrabble while unemployed during the Great Depression"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Hold tightly"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
  • Similar words include: hold on, clutches, compass
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRASP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Like most manuscript submissions"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that write by means of a keyboard with types
  • Similar words include: typecast, type, typewrite
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TYPED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Many a Scottish native"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a gaelic-speaking celt in ireland or scotland or the isle of man
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Circuit in which Martina Navratilova holds the most singles titles, in brief"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Dish featured in Broadway's "Sweeney Todd""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Decline"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
  • Similar words include: decline, ebbing, go down
  • Opposite of: wax
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Scrabble's name prior to its acquisition by James Brunot in 1948"

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Ford or Lincoln"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
  • Similar words include: motorcar, automobile, machine
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AUTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Full of vivid detail, as memory"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of visual imagery of almost photographic accuracy
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EIDETIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Supposed sign of a healthy pooch"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Onesie fastener"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of catching an object with the hands
  • Similar words include: break down, tear, duck soup
  • Opposite of: inelasticity
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "47. Actress Rene of "Thor""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "50. Watchdog's warning"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound of growling (as made by animals)
  • Similar words include: growling, grumble, rumble
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GROWL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "53. Bonus score for a bingo (using all seven of one's tiles) in Scrabble"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "58. Actress Sandra or Ruby"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "59. Dr. Seuss' environmentalist"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "60. Open, as a toothpaste tube"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "61. Like Brahms's Symphony No. 3"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "62. Cognizant"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (sometimes followed by `of') having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
  • Similar words include: mindful, cognisant, cognizant
  • Opposite of: unmindful, unaware
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Home to Oral Roberts University"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a major city of northeastern oklahoma on the arkansas river; once known as the oil capital of the world and still heavily involved in the oil and gas industries
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TULSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. Verizon competitor, informally"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Power measures"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english poet and theologian (1674-1748)
  • Similar words include: watt, Watt, Isaac Watts
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WATTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. Witnessed"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. The two most valuable Scrabble tiles"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Weightless state, for short 5
2D 2. Cheering wildly 5
3D 3. Ones who have trouble finishing sentences? 8
4D 4. Ring 4
5D 5. Chin feature 5
6D 6. Old and trite 5
7D 7. Wavelength symbol 6
8D 8. Genesis twin 4
9D 9. Doctor 4
10D 10. Belmont entry 4
11D 11. Sound during a cat fight 4
12D 13. Put on sale, perhaps 5
13D 15. From one tone to the next adjacent tone, in music 8
14D 22. Finds repugnant 7
15D 24. Biblical figure with a notoriously bad hair day? 6
16D 27. Gets ready to hit the ice 7
17D 29. Like some garages 6
18D 30. Crew need 3
19D 31. Hamburger connection? 3
20D 32. Some scale members 3
21D 34. Vies for a roster spot 8
22D 35. Group of seals 3
23D 37. Crow's cry 3
24D 38. Wish undone 3
25D 39. Addams Family cousin 3
26D 40. Record held by the Spruce Goose for over 70 years, at 320 feet 8
27D 44. Straight-horned antelopes 6
28D 46. Spots for addresses 5
29D 48. Kind of cavity 5
30D 49. Frère de la mère 5
31D 51. Forgot what you intended to say 9
32D 52. Didn't fill in, as a field on an application 9
33D 53. Design problem 4
34D 54. Part of the Corn Belt 4
35D 55. Row house? 4
36D 56. Patisserie pastry 4
37D 57. Stun, in a way 4

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Weightless state, for short"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Cheering wildly"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Ones who have trouble finishing sentences?"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who escapes
  • Similar words include: run, lam, miss
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESCAPEES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Ring"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fee levied for the use of roads or bridges (used for maintenance)
  • Similar words include: cost, bell, price
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOLL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Chin feature"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
  • Similar words include: cling, fissure, dissected
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLEFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Old and trite"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair; -coleridge
  • Similar words include: grey-headed, hoar, rusty
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOARY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Wavelength symbol"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 11th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAMBDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Genesis twin"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

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!

9D: "9. Doctor"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Belmont entry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a young male horse under the age of four
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COLT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Sound during a cat fight"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
  • Similar words include: bird, sibilate, whoosh
  • Opposite of: applaud
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "13. Put on sale, perhaps"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "15. From one tone to the next adjacent tone, in music"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one thing at a time
  • Similar words include: piecemeal, step-by-step, bit-by-bit
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEPWISE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "22. Finds repugnant"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards
  • Similar words include: hate, detest
  • Opposite of: love
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DETESTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "24. Biblical figure with a notoriously bad hair day?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) a judge of israel who performed herculean feats of strength against the philistines until he was betrayed to them by his mistress delilah
  • Similar words include: bruiser, bull, strapper
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAMSON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "27. Gets ready to hit the ice"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "29. Like some garages"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "30. Crew need"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an implement used to propel or steer a boat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. Hamburger connection?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Some scale members"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a widely distributed system consisting of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal particles etc, except for certain white blood cells
  • Similar words include: rhenium, atomic number 75, re
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "34. Vies for a roster spot"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Group of seals"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the vessel that contains the seeds of a plant (not the seeds themselves)
  • Similar words include: fuel pod, seedcase, cod
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Crow's cry"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by corvine birds
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Wish undone"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that european strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
  • Similar words include: herb of grace, ruefulness, sorrow
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. Addams Family cousin"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Record held by the Spruce Goose for over 70 years, at 320 feet"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that linear distance between the extremities of an airfoil
  • Similar words include: wingspread
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WINGSPAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "44. Straight-horned antelopes"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large african antelope with long straight nearly upright horns
  • Similar words include: oryx, pasang
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORYXES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. Spots for addresses"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
  • Similar words include: podium, rostrum, stump
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PODIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. Kind of cavity"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an abnormal passage leading from a suppurating cavity to the body surface
  • Similar words include: venous sinus, fistula
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SINUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Frère de la mère"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "51. Forgot what you intended to say"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. Didn't fill in, as a field on an application"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "53. Design problem"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an imperfection in an object or machine
  • Similar words include: defect, blemish, fault
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "54. Part of the Corn Belt"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in iowa and minnesota and missouri
  • Similar words include: IA, Ioway, Hawkeye State
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOWA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "55. Row house?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a social club for male undergraduates
  • Similar words include: fraternity
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. Patisserie pastry"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
  • Similar words include: cyprian, woman of the street, working girl
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. Stun, in a way"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

35 Across Clues
37 Down Clues
72 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: September 24, 2026 at 08:35 AM