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Monday, September 14, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 14, 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. Cherokee or Wrangler 4
2A 5. Omelet ingredients 4
3A 9. Big noisy fight 5
4A 14. Cornfield measure 4
5A 15. Little flying pest 4
6A 16. Dale who sang "Happy Trails" with Roy Rogers 5
7A 17. Crew building 9
8A 19. Assigns stars to, as on Yelp 5
9A 20. "Spare" things at a barbecue 4
10A 21. Stately tree 3
11A 23. Before, in poetry 3
12A 24. Atlantic City attraction 6
13A 27. "Is it bigger than a ___?" 8
14A 29. 911 respondent, in brief 3
15A 30. Latina toon explorer 4
16A 32. Beatles song with the lyric "She promises the earth to me" 4
17A 33. Pinocchio's are easily exposed 4
18A 35. "Absolutely, amigo!" 4
19A 37. The White Stripes and the Black Keys, for two 4
20A 39. Close boxing match outcome 13
21A 42. Picket line crosser 4
22A 43. Silverstein who wrote and illustrated "The Giving Tree" 4
23A 44. Contacted on Instagram, informally 4
24A 46. Bills typically found in a tip jar 4
25A 48. Mallorca or Menorca, por ejemplo 4
26A 50. Place for a piercing or a plug 3
27A 51. All-out boxing match 8
28A 54. Sarcastic 6
29A 56. "Hamilton" composer ___-Manuel Miranda 3
30A 57. Singer/actress Rita ___ 3
31A 58. It's "smashed" in a particle accelerator 4
32A 59. Playful aquatic mammal 5
33A 61. Flip out ... or a hint to the beginnings of 17-, 27-, 39- and 51-Across 9
34A 66. Word said while pointing 5
35A 67. "Never Have I ___" (sleepover game) 4
36A 68. Coldest possible temperature on the Kelvin scale 4
37A 69. Informal hoops game 5
38A 70. Winter road application 4
39A 71. Rams' mates 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Cherokee or Wrangler"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a car suitable for traveling over rough terrain
  • Similar words include: landrover
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Omelet ingredients"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
  • Similar words include: ball, orchis, ballock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Big noisy fight"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a noisy riotous fight
  • Similar words include: scrimmage, battle royal
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MELEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Cornfield measure"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Little flying pest"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various small biting flies: midges; biting midges; black flies; sand flies
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GNAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Dale who sang "Happy Trails" with Roy Rogers"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states anatomist who identified four pituitary hormones and discovered vitamin e (1882-1971)
  • Similar words include: Arthur Evans, Herbert McLean Evans, Sir Arthur John Evans
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Crew building"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shed at the edge of a river or lake; used to store boats
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOATHOUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Assigns stars to, as on Yelp"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a local tax on property (usually used in the plural)
  • Similar words include: denounce, snitch, grade
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. "Spare" things at a barbecue"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that support resembling the rib of an animal
  • Similar words include: roast, jest at, ridicule
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Stately tree"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various trees of the genus ulmus: important timber or shade trees
  • Similar words include: elmwood, elm tree
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Before, in poetry"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Atlantic City attraction"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public building for gambling and entertainment
  • Similar words include: gambling casino, cassino
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CASINO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. "Is it bigger than a ___?""

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a container used to keep bread or cake in
  • Similar words include: bread-bin
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BREADBOX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. 911 respondent, in brief"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Latina toon explorer"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Beatles song with the lyric "She promises the earth to me""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a young woman
  • Similar words include: fille, female child, miss
  • Opposite of: boy, male child
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIRL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Pinocchio's are easily exposed"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
  • Similar words include: Trygve Lie, lie down, lie
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. "Absolutely, amigo!""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. The White Stripes and the Black Keys, for two"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that two items of the same kind
  • Similar words include: duad, brace, couplet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Close boxing match outcome"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. Picket line crosser"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike
  • Similar words include: blackleg, rat, fink
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Silverstein who wrote and illustrated "The Giving Tree""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Contacted on Instagram, informally"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Bills typically found in a tip jar"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: one, I, unity
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Mallorca or Menorca, por ejemplo"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Place for a piercing or a plug"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. All-out boxing match"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fight with bare fists
  • Similar words include: fisticuffs, fistfight
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLUGFEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Sarcastic"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. "Hamilton" composer ___-Manuel Miranda"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states sculptor and architect whose public works include the memorial to veterans of the vietnam war in washington (born in 1959)
  • Similar words include: Maya Lin
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Singer/actress Rita ___"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
  • Similar words include: os, osmium, bone
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. It's "smashed" in a particle accelerator"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
  • Similar words include: corpuscle, speck, mote
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. Playful aquatic mammal"

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!

33A: "61. Flip out ... or a hint to the beginnings of 17-, 27-, 39- and 51-Across"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. Word said while pointing"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a location other than here; that place
  • Similar words include: at that place, on that point, thither
  • Opposite of: here
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. "Never Have I ___" (sleepover game)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at any time
  • Similar words include: always, ever so, of all time
  • Opposite of: never
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "68. Coldest possible temperature on the Kelvin scale"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity of no importance
  • Similar words include: cipher, zilch, zip
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZERO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "69. Informal hoops game"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
  • Similar words include: sawhorse, knight, sawbuck
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HORSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "70. Winter road application"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
  • Similar words include: salinity, Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, table salt
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "71. Rams' mates"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a people living in southern benin and togo and southeastern ghana
  • Similar words include: Ewe, ewe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EWES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Quick boxing punch 3
2D 2. Prefix with friendly or warrior 3
3D 3. Slice of history 3
4D 4. ___ dish (lab item) 5
5D 5. Self-esteem builder 8
6D 6. African antelopes 4
7D 7. Something an electric car doesn't use 3
8D 8. Have the reins 5
9D 9. Disney's Ariel and her sisters 8
10D 10. Youngest of the Gabor sisters 3
11D 11. One slow to develop 11
12D 12. Beginning of el aƱo 5
13D 13. English county NE of London 5
14D 18. Female red deer 4
15D 22. "Break a ___!" 3
16D 24. "The Simpsons" collectible 3
17D 25. Out of place 5
18D 26. Pedometer 11
19D 27. Single, double or triple 7
20D 28. Ancient Celtic priest 5
21D 31. Clears (of) 4
22D 34. Word hidden, aptly, in "teen's language" 5
23D 36. Completes, as a cake 4
24D 38. Move stealthily 5
25D 40. Lead-in to "except after C" 8
26D 41. "Let me go first" 8
27D 45. Like some humor and wine 3
28D 47. To be, in Barcelona 3
29D 49. Soon, in poems 4
30D 51. Animal that sleeps upside down 5
31D 52. Certain art print, informally 5
32D 53. Wise sorts 5
33D 55. Astound 5
34D 58. Brother of Cain 4
35D 60. TV medical drama settings, in brief 3
36D 62. Things traveling through fallopian tubes 3
37D 63. Previously unseen 3
38D 64. "Rules ___ rules" 3
39D 65. Abba title sung after the line "The love you gave me, nothing else can save me" 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Quick boxing punch"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
  • Similar words include: poking, dig, poke
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Prefix with friendly or warrior"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Slice of history"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: geological era, earned run average, epoch
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. ___ dish (lab item)"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Self-esteem builder"

8 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. African antelopes"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large african antelope having a head with horns like an ox and a long tufted tail
  • Similar words include: gnu, wildebeest
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GNUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Something an electric car doesn't use"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity; relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature; the ability to diffuse readily; and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container
  • Similar words include: natural gas, shoot a line, bluster
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Have the reins"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an indication of potential opportunity
  • Similar words include: bullock, direct, guide
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Disney's Ariel and her sisters"

8 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that half woman and half fish; lives in the sea
  • Similar words include: mermaid
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MERMAIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Youngest of the Gabor sisters"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. One slow to develop"

11 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Beginning of el aƱo"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. English county NE of London"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a county in southeastern england on the north sea and the thames estuary
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESSEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Female red deer"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of several mostly spotted fishes that resemble groupers
  • Similar words include: hinder, back
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. "Break a ___!""

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
  • Similar words include: stage, pegleg, peg
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. "The Simpsons" collectible"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Out of place"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not functioning properly
  • Similar words include: awry, imperfectly, wrong
  • Opposite of: perfectly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Pedometer"

11 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Single, double or triple"

7 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. Ancient Celtic priest"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pre-christian priest among the celts of ancient gaul and britain and ireland
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRUID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Clears (of)"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that relieve from
  • Similar words include: free, disembarrass, rid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Word hidden, aptly, in "teen's language""

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions; often vituperative or vulgar
  • Similar words include: argot, slang expression, patois
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLANG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Completes, as a cake"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
  • Similar words include: deoxyephedrine, meth, crank
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Move stealthily"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is regarded as underhanded and furtive and contemptible
  • Similar words include: surreptitious, stalker, sneaky
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNEAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Lead-in to "except after C""

8 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. "Let me go first""

8 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Like some humor and wine"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "47. To be, in Barcelona"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "49. Soon, in poems"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at another time
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "51. Animal that sleeps upside down"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disinclination to work or exert yourself
  • Similar words include: tree sloth, acedia, slothfulness
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLOTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "52. Certain art print, informally"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. Wise sorts"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
  • Similar words include: sag, sag down, swag
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "55. Astound"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. Brother of Cain"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that norwegian mathematician (1802-1829)
  • Similar words include: Niels Henrik Abel, Niels Abel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "60. TV medical drama settings, in brief"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
  • Similar words include: Er, erbium, emergency room
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "62. Things traveling through fallopian tubes"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the female reproductive cell; the female gamete
  • Similar words include: egg cell, ovum
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "63. Previously unseen"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
  • Similar words include: fresh, young, unexampled
  • Opposite of: worn, old
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "64. "Rules ___ rules""

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
  • Similar words include: ar, constitute, be
  • Opposite of: differ
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "65. Abba title sung after the line "The love you gave me, nothing else can save me""

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an internationally recognized distress signal in radio code
  • Similar words include: soh, sol, so
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOS

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: September 14, 2026 at 09:06 AM

Friday, September 11, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 11, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: 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. Impediments to collaboration 4
2A 5. It's the thing 4
3A 9. Motion on a screen 5
4A 14. Anchor's spot 4
5A 15. "I've had enough of this!" 10
6A 17. People who worshiped the rain god Illapa 4
7A 18. Unexpected twists 10
8A 19. Singer/actress Carrere 3
9A 20. U.S. senators Warnock and Duckworth, for two 4
10A 21. How often blue moons occur 6
11A 22. Track-and-field challenges 7
12A 24. Nods at a lot? 4
13A 25. Barrel (along) 5
14A 26. Big name in 23-Down 4
15A 27. Lentils prepared with ghee, perhaps 3
16A 30. Jazz Age Disney princess 5
17A 31. Drives for money? 9
18A 33. Actor Elba 5
19A 34. A long time follower? 3
20A 35. Expert in worldwide fulfillment and distribution operations? 5
21A 36. "I'll wait for your update" 9
22A 38. Attire for a high-pressure job? 5
23A 39. Put down 3
24A 40. Pad 4
25A 41. Ramadan, e.g. 5
26A 42. Particles in a particle accelerator 4
27A 43. Comforts 7
28A 45. Fairly low-risk investment 6
29A 48. Chip source, informally 4
30A 49. Guard at the gates of Mordor 3
31A 50. Tool for adding sparkle to lackluster prose? 10
32A 52. Tiger ___ (spiky houseplant) 4
33A 53. Steered too close to the shoreline, say 10
34A 54. How one might feel at a support group meeting 4
35A 55. "Ergo ..." 5
36A 56. Wraps 4
37A 57. [Look at me!] 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Impediments to collaboration"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
  • Similar words include: self-importance, ego, self
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. It's the thing"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
  • Similar words include: particular, detail, token
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Motion on a screen"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sweeping stroke or blow
  • Similar words include: filch, purloin, pilfer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWIPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Anchor's spot"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DESK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. "I've had enough of this!""

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. People who worshiped the rain god Illapa"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ruler of the incas (or a member of his family)
  • Similar words include: Incan, Inka
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Unexpected twists"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Singer/actress Carrere"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that brief episode in which the brain gets insufficient blood supply; symptoms depend on the site of the blockage
  • Similar words include: transient ischemic attack
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. U.S. senators Warnock and Duckworth, for two"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a doctorate usually based on at least 3 years graduate study and a dissertation; the highest degree awarded graduate study
  • Similar words include: PhD, Ph.D.
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. How often blue moons occur"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: seldom
  • Opposite of: often
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RARELY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Track-and-field challenges"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a footrace in which contestants must negotiate a series of hurdles
  • Similar words include: hurdle, vault, hurdle race
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HURDLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Nods at a lot?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
  • Similar words include: offer, tender, call
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Barrel (along)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that distance travelled per unit time
  • Similar words include: hasten, quicken, hotfoot
  • Opposite of: linger, decelerate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Big name in 23-Down"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (new testament) disciple of jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first gospel
  • Similar words include: St. Matthew, St. Matthew the Apostle, Matthew
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEVI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "27. Lentils prepared with ghee, perhaps"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metric unit of volume or capacity equal to 10 liters
  • Similar words include: dkl, dekaliter, dekalitre
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Jazz Age Disney princess"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Drives for money?"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Actor Elba"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. A long time follower?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gone by; or in the past
  • Similar words include: agone
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Expert in worldwide fulfillment and distribution operations?"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at christmas
  • Similar words include: Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kriss Kringle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SANTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "36. "I'll wait for your update""

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "38. Attire for a high-pressure job?"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "39. Put down"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
  • Similar words include: ballad, dwell, secular
  • Opposite of: arise, stand
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "40. Pad"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an excavation for ore or precious stones or for archaeology
  • Similar words include: barb, toil, apprehend
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "41. Ramadan, e.g."

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
  • Similar words include: calendar month
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MONTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "42. Particles in a particle accelerator"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particle that is electrically charged (positive or negative); an atom or molecule or group that has lost or gained one or more electrons
  • Similar words include: ion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "43. Comforts"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give moral or emotional strength to
  • Similar words include: soothe, solace, comfort
  • Opposite of: irritate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOOTHES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "45. Fairly low-risk investment"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "48. Chip source, informally"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edible tuber native to south america; a staple food of ireland
  • Similar words include: murphy, tater, potato
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "49. Guard at the gates of Mordor"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "50. Tool for adding sparkle to lackluster prose?"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "52. Tiger ___ (spiky houseplant)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "53. Steered too close to the shoreline, say"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "54. How one might feel at a support group meeting"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "55. "Ergo ...""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "56. Wraps"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
  • Similar words include: final stage, remainder, closing
  • Opposite of: begin, beginning
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "57. [Look at me!]"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. ___ Ann (classic Lily Tomlin character) 5
2D 2. "That's brilliant!" 10
3D 3. Hollywood post-broadcast fete 10
4D 4. Export from Jamaica 3
5D 5. Had a hankering 6
6D 6. Sounds of fall? 5
7D 7. Sound wave amplifiers 4
8D 8. Network debut of 1981 3
9D 9. Assessment of something enjoyed ironically 12
10D 10. Sports 5
11D 11. Part of a key chain 4
12D 12. Prop in "The Matrix" 4
13D 13. "Keep Commerce Human" website 4
14D 16. Infer (from) 6
15D 20. "I'll be sad if you leave" 12
16D 23. Fabric related to chambray 5
17D 24. Down under 5
18D 26. Bricks used in some castles 5
19D 27. Timbits from Tim Hortons, e.g. 10
20D 28. Flawed protagonists 10
21D 29. Trial that an attorney may not remember fondly? 4
22D 30. Cash register part 4
23D 31. Blue ___ (coral reef swimmers like Pixar's Dory) 5
24D 32. Lacks 5
25D 37. More compassionate 6
26D 41. Candy bar in the jingle that begins "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't" 6
27D 42. Ptolemy III? 5
28D 43. Welcome advice from a financial planner 5
29D 44. Lavender or lilac 5
30D 45. City where Shah Jahan built a monument to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal 4
31D 46. Film composer Silvestri 4
32D 47. Pickle 4
33D 48. Like silk or yarn 4
34D 51. Pseudonym cited repeatedly in the 2022 Dobbs decision 3
35D 52. "The pretty worm of Nilus," per Shakespeare's Cleopatra 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. ___ Ann (classic Lily Tomlin character)"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "That's brilliant!""

10 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Hollywood post-broadcast fete"

10 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Export from Jamaica"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Had a hankering"

6 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that scrape or rub as if to relieve itching
  • Similar words include: scratch, spoil, itch
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITCHED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Sounds of fall?"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects)
  • Similar words include: thumping, crump, clunk
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THUDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Sound wave amplifiers"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Network debut of 1981"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Assessment of something enjoyed ironically"

12 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Sports"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that impairment resulting from long use
  • Similar words include: fall apart, don, have on
  • Opposite of: refresh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Part of a key chain"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small island
  • Similar words include: islet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Prop in "The Matrix""

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that resembles a tablet of medicine in shape or size
  • Similar words include: tab, anovulatory drug, lozenge
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "Keep Commerce Human" website"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "16. Infer (from)"

6 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reason by deduction; establish by deduction
  • Similar words include: deduct, come, descend
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DERIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. "I'll be sad if you leave""

12 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Fabric related to chambray"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (usually plural) close-fitting trousers of heavy denim for manual work or casual wear
  • Similar words include: dungaree, blue jean, jean
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DENIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Down under"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in or to a place that is lower
  • Similar words include: at a lower place, infra, downstairs
  • Opposite of: above, upstairs
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BELOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Bricks used in some castles"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Timbits from Tim Hortons, e.g."

10 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. Flawed protagonists"

10 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a protagonist who lacks the characteristics that would make him a hero (or her a heroine)
  • Similar words include: antihero
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTIHEROES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "29. Trial that an attorney may not remember fondly?"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "30. Cash register part"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that unstratified soil deposited by a glacier; consists of sand and clay and gravel and boulders mixed together
  • Similar words include: trough, boulder clay, public treasury
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "31. Blue ___ (coral reef swimmers like Pixar's Dory)"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tart spicy quality
  • Similar words include: savor, Tang dynasty, flavour
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TANGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "32. Lacks"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. More compassionate"

6 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

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, tolerant, genial
  • Opposite of: unkind
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KINDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Candy bar in the jingle that begins "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't""

6 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands
  • Similar words include: agglomerate, pitcher's mound, pitcher
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOUNDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Ptolemy III?"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
  • Similar words include: iota, scintilla, shred
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOTAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Welcome advice from a financial planner"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pass time in a specific way
  • Similar words include: pass, drop, expend
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPEND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Lavender or lilac"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinctive odor that is pleasant
  • Similar words include: fragrance, odorize, aroma
  • Opposite of: deodourise, deodorize
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. City where Shah Jahan built a monument to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in northern india; former capital of the mogul empire; site of the taj mahal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "46. Film composer Silvestri"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "47. Pickle"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that hinders as if with bonds
  • Similar words include: attach, obligate, tie up
  • Opposite of: untie, unbind
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "48. Like silk or yarn"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
  • Similar words include: whirl, gyrate, twirl
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Pseudonym cited repeatedly in the 2022 Dobbs decision"

3 letters šŸ’­ 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!

35D: "52. "The pretty worm of Nilus," per Shakespeare's Cleopatra"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of southern europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
  • Similar words include: Naja haje, Egyptian cobra, Vipera aspis
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASP

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Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
72 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 11, 2026 at 08:10 AM