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Tuesday, October 6, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 06, 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: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. What a leaky faucet has 4
2A 5. Hands, informally ... or coverings for hands 5
3A 10. "Not another peep out of you!" 4
4A 14. Classical Persian poet 4
5A 15. Nebraska home of Creighton University 5
6A 16. Between cruise ports, say 4
7A 17. Intl. oil group 4
8A 18. Like streakers 5
9A 19. Deep blue 4
10A 20. Pale and sickly 5
11A 22. Have an "aha" moment about 3
12A 23. Urged (on) 5
13A 24. One of six, supposedly, for a seer 5
14A 25. "___ Were a Rich Man" 3
15A 26. Rear of a boat 5
16A 27. Lifeless 9
17A 30. Who said "Revolutions are the locomotives of history" 4
18A 33. Video game section 5
19A 34. Pen points 4
20A 38. Number on a dating profile 3
21A 39. Gallops into the sunset, say 7
22A 41. "I've seen better" 3
23A 42. Attend without a date 6
24A 44. Sound in polka music 6
25A 46. Strategic disk game played on a vertical board 11
26A 50. Music genre for James Brown 4
27A 51. Device once used with a Blockbuster rental 3
28A 52. Mission-driven grps., often 4
29A 54. "___ you listening?" 3
30A 55. Who said "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" 5
31A 57. May honoree 3
32A 59. Animal with a "mask" 7
33A 62. A step above amateur 7
34A 65. Peeved 7
35A 66. Like italic type 7
36A 67. With 68-Across, posable plaything ... or a verbal hint to each half of 4-, 7- and 10-Down and 46-Across 6
37A 68. See 67-Across 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. What a leaky faucet has"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that flowing in drops; the formation and falling of drops of liquid
  • Similar words include: drip mold, dripping, dribble
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Hands, informally ... or coverings for hands"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
  • Similar words include: baseball mitt, manus, glove
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MITTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. "Not another peep out of you!""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (poetic) tranquil silence
  • Similar words include: stillness, silence, shut up
  • Opposite of: louden
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUSH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Classical Persian poet"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Nebraska home of Creighton University"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in the missouri river valley in northeastern nebraska
  • Similar words include: Maha
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMAHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Between cruise ports, say"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in the direction of the sea
  • Similar words include: seawards, seaward
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Intl. oil group"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the production and sale of petroleum
  • Similar words include: Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Like streakers"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that completely unclothed
  • Similar words include: au naturel, bare, defenseless
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Deep blue"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
  • Similar words include: US Navy, naval forces, United States Navy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAVY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Pale and sickly"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having or as if having especially high-pitched spots
  • Similar words include: spiky
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEAKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Have an "aha" moment about"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
  • Similar words include: beget, stimulate, puzzle
  • Opposite of: leave, take away
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Urged (on)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that throw eggs at
  • Similar words include: egg
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGGED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. One of six, supposedly, for a seer"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general conscious awareness
  • Similar words include: mother wit, signified, horse sense
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "25. "___ Were a Rich Man""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "26. Rear of a boat"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rear part of a ship
  • Similar words include: behind, keister, grim
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STERN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "27. Lifeless"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that belonging to the class of nouns denoting nonliving things
  • Similar words include: nonliving, non-living, pulseless
  • Opposite of: animate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INANIMATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "30. Who said "Revolutions are the locomotives of history""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states comedian; one of four brothers who made motion pictures together (1901-1979)
  • Similar words include: Julius Marx, Chico, Arthur Marx
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Video game section"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
  • Similar words include: plane, tier, level off
  • Opposite of: raise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Pen points"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the writing point of a pen
  • Similar words include: beak, pen nib, pecker
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Number on a dating profile"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how long something has existed
  • Similar words include: maturate, geezerhood, years
  • Opposite of: rejuvenate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Gallops into the sunset, say"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. "I've seen better""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Attend without a date"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Sound in polka music"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Strategic disk game played on a vertical board"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Music genre for James Brown"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of nervous depression
  • Similar words include: cringe, recoil, Casimir Funk
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FUNK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Device once used with a Blockbuster rental"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Mission-driven grps., often"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization that is not part of the local or state or federal government
  • Similar words include: NGO, nongovernmental organization
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. "___ you listening?""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Who said "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a teacher and prophet born in bethlehem and active in nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for christianity (circa 4 bc - ad 29)
  • Similar words include: Savior, Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JESUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. May honoree"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for a mother
  • Similar words include: mommy, mama, mummy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. Animal with a "mask""

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fur of the north american racoon
  • Similar words include: racoon
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACCOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. A step above amateur"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an athlete who plays for pay on a part-time basis
  • Similar words include: semiprofessional
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEMIPRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "65. Peeved"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. Like italic type"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lie obliquely
  • Similar words include: biased, coloured, colored
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLANTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "67. With 68-Across, posable plaything ... or a verbal hint to each half of 4-, 7- and 10-Down and 46-Across"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something done (usually as opposed to something said)
  • Similar words include: carry through, activity, accomplish
  • Opposite of: inactivity, inactiveness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. See 67-Across"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
  • Similar words include: project, compute, work out
  • Opposite of: ground
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIGURE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Is released, as an album 5
2D 2. Currency in Mumbai 5
3D 3. Clarifying phrase 5
4D 4. Interception returned for a touchdown 7
5D 5. Start of the workweek: Abbr. 3
6D 6. Saw in one's mind's eye 8
7D 7. Break for a few minutes 8
8D 8. Newspaper in New York, L.A. or Seattle, colloquially 8
9D 9. Bummed out 3
10D 10. Surf with one's toes off the front of the board 7
11D 11. What an electric meter measures 5
12D 12. Cut completely 5
13D 13. Joseph called "Father of the Symphony" 5
14D 21. Coin dated with the year of its country's imperial era 3
15D 23. Latin "is" 3
16D 28. Put in a row 5
17D 29. Unapproachable 5
18D 30. Newsstand purchase, informally 3
19D 31. In the past 3
20D 32. Feline adoption option 9
21D 35. Spur-of-the-moment 9
22D 36. Arthur of "The Golden Girls" 3
23D 37. "Zip it!" 3
24D 39. Place in a hierarchy 4
25D 40. Midnight's opposite 4
26D 43. Suffix in the names of many U.S. cities 3
27D 45. Starbucks keepsake, perhaps 3
28D 47. Hurdles or high jump, e.g. 5
29D 48. Loops in, digitally 3
30D 49. Secure tightly 5
31D 50. Swiss currency 5
32D 53. How you may feel after a workout vis-à-vis before 5
33D 54. Operatic solo 4
34D 55. Become a member of 4
35D 56. Subject of introspection 4
36D 58. Preset camera option 4
37D 60. ___ effect (purported influence of police shows on juries' expectations for forensics) 3
38D 61. Yoko who participated in a bed-in 3
39D 63. ___ tai 3
40D 64. Bank with a lion in its logo 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Is released, as an album"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shape that is spherical and small
  • Similar words include: swing, degenerate, sink
  • Opposite of: sharpen, attend to
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DROPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Currency in Mumbai"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in sri lanka; equal to 100 cents
  • Similar words include: Indian rupee, Nepalese rupee, Pakistani rupee
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Clarifying phrase"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Interception returned for a touchdown"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Start of the workweek: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the second day of the week; the first working day
  • Similar words include: Monday
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Saw in one's mind's eye"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
  • Similar words include: envisage, opine, suppose
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMAGINED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Break for a few minutes"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Newspaper in New York, L.A. or Seattle, colloquially"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Bummed out"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness; ; - christina rossetti
  • Similar words include: pitiful, deplorable, lamentable
  • Opposite of: glad
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Surf with one's toes off the front of the board"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. What an electric meter measures"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of using
  • Similar words include: utilisation, custom, utilization
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Cut completely"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that set or keep apart
  • Similar words include: discerp, lop, break up
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Joseph called "Father of the Symphony""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prolific austrian composer who influenced the classical form of the symphony (1732-1809)
  • Similar words include: Franz Joseph Haydn, Joseph Haydn
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAYDN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Coin dated with the year of its country's imperial era"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a yearning for something or to do something
  • Similar words include: pine, hankering, yearn
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Latin "is""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
  • Similar words include: Eastern Standard Time, Eastern Time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "28. Put in a row"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight
  • Similar words include: adjust, coordinate, ordinate
  • Opposite of: skew
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIGN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "29. Unapproachable"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remote in manner
  • Similar words include: upstage, distant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOOF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "30. Newsstand purchase, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
  • Similar words include: magazine
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. In the past"

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!

20D: "32. Feline adoption option"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "35. Spur-of-the-moment"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an extemporaneous speech or remark
  • Similar words include: off-the-cuff, extemporary, ad lib
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPROMPTU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "36. Arthur of "The Golden Girls""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. "Zip it!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Place in a hierarchy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
  • Similar words include: social station, glaring, social rank
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Midnight's opposite"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the middle of the day
  • Similar words include: twelve noon, high noon, noontide
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. Suffix in the names of many U.S. cities"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a united states unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds
  • Similar words include: long ton, net ton, short ton
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Starbucks keepsake, perhaps"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quantity that can be held in a mug
  • Similar words include: smiler, fool, patsy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "47. Hurdles or high jump, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that happens at a given place and time
  • Similar words include: consequence, result, outcome
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. Loops in, digitally"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metric unit of volume equal to one thousandth of a liter
  • Similar words include: millilitre, cubic centimeter, milliliter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Secure tightly"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (medicine) a bandage consisting of a pad and belt; worn to hold a hernia in place by pressure
  • Similar words include: bind, tie up, tie down
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRUSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Swiss currency"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 centimes
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRANC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. How you may feel after a workout vis-à-vis before"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that causing misery or pain or distress
  • Similar words include: painful, mad, sensitive
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SORER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "54. Operatic solo"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an elaborate song for solo voice
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "55. Become a member of"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
  • Similar words include: link, junction, articulation
  • Opposite of: disjoin
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JOIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "56. Subject of introspection"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that your consciousness of your own identity
  • Similar words include: ego
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SELF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "58. Preset camera option"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how something is done or how it happens
  • Similar words include: modal value, manner, musical mode
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "60. ___ effect (purported influence of police shows on juries' expectations for forensics)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "61. Yoko who participated in a bed-in"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states musician (born in japan) who married john lennon and collaborated with him on recordings (born in 1933)
  • Similar words include: Yoko Ono
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "63. ___ tai"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "64. Bank with a lion in its logo"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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

37 Across Clues
40 Down Clues
77 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: October 06, 2026 at 10:34 AM

Sunday, September 6, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 06, 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. Spanish nibbles 5
2A 6. Do great 7
3A 13. "Silly me!" 7
4A 20. Letter in the Hebrew spelling of "Adonai" 5
5A 21. Closest area to a movie theater projector, maybe 7
6A 22. Noteworthy 7
7A 23. The Flash dancing with two wolves 21
8A 26. Loudmouth's lack, perhaps 4
9A 27. Director Lee 3
10A 28. Taylor-Joy of "Dune: Part Three" 4
11A 29. Word after B or bucket 4
12A 30. "Rock of Ages" or "Stand by Me" 4
13A 32. Advantage 4
14A 36. White of the eye 6
15A 39. A lighthouse illuminates the Gucci logo 20
16A 45. "Yeah, I know them" 5
17A 46. Burrowing rodent 7
18A 47. "So-o-o, as I was saying ..." 6
19A 49. "Mr. Blue Sky" band, for short 3
20A 50. Banger of a song 3
21A 51. "Fortnight" singer, to fans 3
22A 52. Directed 4
23A 54. "That is ... I mean ..." 3
24A 55. "Fifty Shades of Grey" author 7
25A 58. Dog hybrid with thick, low-shedding fur 7
26A 60. Mr. Knightley's love interest, in classic literature 4
27A 61. Embed with a hammer 6
28A 62. Cigar smoking Lion at a desk with money 14
29A 65. Operatic pop group formed by Simon Cowell 6
30A 67. Sort of person who brings people together 6
31A 68. Bad Boys with a giant X through them 14
32A 74. Arab chiefs 6
33A 78. Fruit whose name has three syllables in four letters 4
34A 79. Panameñas y puertorriqueñas 7
35A 80. "A.S.A.P.!" 7
36A 81. Someone who exercises out of habit? 3
37A 82. Bird store supply 4
38A 84. "Starter" starter 3
39A 85. Word combined with "-fetti" in a portmanteau 3
40A 86. Onetime British Olympian/politician Sebastian 3
41A 87. Counterparts of troughs 6
42A 89. ___ Finch, lawyer in "To Kill a Mockingbird" 7
43A 91. [waving the white flag] 5
44A 93. Batman gets inoculated 20
45A 97. ChatGPT's company 6
46A 98. They never start with 9: Abbr. 4
47A 99. Word after news or line 4
48A 100. Famous last words 4
49A 103. Partner of rave 4
50A 105. Quite the head-turner? 3
51A 107. Live broadcast 4
52A 110. 12 Angry Men in dark suits 21
53A 117. Pushing off 7
54A 118. Rectangular baking container 7
55A 119. Give it a twirl! 5
56A 120. Follows the first rule of improv 7
57A 121. All together 7
58A 122. Obdurate 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Spanish nibbles"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry and pipturus albidus
  • Similar words include: tappa bark, tapa, tappa
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAPAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Do great"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "13. "Silly me!""

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "20. Letter in the Hebrew spelling of "Adonai""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 1st letter of the hebrew alphabet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALEPH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "21. Closest area to a movie theater projector, maybe"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "22. Noteworthy"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "23. The Flash dancing with two wolves"

21 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLASHDANCESWITHWOLVES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "26. Loudmouth's lack, perhaps"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
  • Similar words include: tactfulness
  • Opposite of: tactlessness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "27. Director Lee"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a civilian reserve component of the united states air force that provides prompt mobilization during war and assistance during national emergencies
  • Similar words include: Air National Guard
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "28. Taylor-Joy of "Dune: Part Three""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "29. Word after B or bucket"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
  • Similar words include: lean, inclination, heel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "30. "Rock of Ages" or "Stand by Me""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a song of praise (to god or to a saint or to a nation)
  • Similar words include: anthem
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYMN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "32. Advantage"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the boundary of a surface
  • Similar words include: bound, butt, border
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "36. White of the eye"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the whitish fibrous membrane (albuginea) that with the cornea forms the outer covering and protection of the eyeball
  • Similar words include: sclerotic coat
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCLERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "39. A lighthouse illuminates the Gucci logo"

20 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THELIGHTHOUSEOFGUCCI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "45. "Yeah, I know them""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "46. Burrowing rodent"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "47. "So-o-o, as I was saying ...""

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "49. "Mr. Blue Sky" band, for short"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "50. Banger of a song"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the law enforcement agency of the justice department that operates a nationwide system of prisons and detention facilities to incarcerate inmates sentenced to imprisonment for federal crimes
  • Similar words include: bonk, whop, Federal Bureau of Prisons
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "51. "Fortnight" singer, to fans"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a branch of the tai languages
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "52. Directed"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chadic language spoken in northern nigeria
  • Similar words include: wish, entreat, offer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "54. "That is ... I mean ...""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "55. "Fifty Shades of Grey" author"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "58. Dog hybrid with thick, low-shedding fur"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "60. Mr. Knightley's love interest, in classic literature"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "61. Embed with a hammer"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "62. Cigar smoking Lion at a desk with money"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THELIONKINGPIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "65. Operatic pop group formed by Simon Cowell"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "67. Sort of person who brings people together"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "68. Bad Boys with a giant X through them"

14 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BADBOYSDONTCRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "74. Arab chiefs"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the leader of an arab village or family
  • Similar words include: sheikh, dude, Arab chief
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHEIKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "78. Fruit whose name has three syllables in four letters"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "79. Panameñas y puertorriqueñas"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "80. "A.S.A.P.!""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "81. Someone who exercises out of habit?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woman religious
  • Similar words include: conical buoy, nun buoy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "82. Bird store supply"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small hard fruit
  • Similar words include: germ, semen, source
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "84. "Starter" starter"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that negation of a word or group of words
  • Similar words include: not
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "85. Word combined with "-fetti" in a portmanteau"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that activities that are enjoyable or amusing
  • Similar words include: sport, merriment, play
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "86. Onetime British Olympian/politician Sebastian"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "87. Counterparts of troughs"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
  • Similar words include: tip, crown, crest
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRESTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "89. ___ Finch, lawyer in "To Kill a Mockingbird""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: genus Atticus
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATTICUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "91. [waving the white flag]"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "93. Batman gets inoculated"

20 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASHOTINTHEDARKKNIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "97. ChatGPT's company"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "98. They never start with 9: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "99. Word after news or line"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

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: point, particular, detail
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "100. Famous last words"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "103. Partner of rave"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
  • Similar words include: mouth off, rave, blah
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "105. Quite the head-turner?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
  • Similar words include: bird of night, bird of Minerva, hooter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "107. Live broadcast"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food for domestic livestock
  • Similar words include: prey, feast, tip
  • Opposite of: starve
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "110. 12 Angry Men in dark suits"

21 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWELVEANGRYMENINBLACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "117. Pushing off"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
  • Similar words include: charge, send out, institutionalize
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENDING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "118. Rectangular baking container"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "119. Give it a twirl!"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thin tapered rod used by a conductor to lead an orchestra or choir
  • Similar words include: truncheon, billy club, wand
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BATON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "120. Follows the first rule of improv"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "121. All together"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "122. Obdurate"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that abounding in rocks or stones
  • Similar words include: obdurate, granitic, rocklike
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STONY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Chief justice who remarked "I don't remember that I ever was president" 4
2D 2. Mozart's "Rondo ___ Turca" 4
3D 3. Sext symbol? 10
4D 4. Newsroom writing standard, in brief 7
5D 5. "Just listen ..." 3
6D 6. Group of families 4
7D 7. Cooking surface 8
8D 8. Sch. with the second-most N.F.L. draft picks of all time, after Notre Dame 3
9D 9. Sault ___ Marie, Mich. 3
10D 10. 9-5, say: Abbr. 3
11D 11. State that's the setting for "American Gothic" 4
12D 12. Pullover/cardigan combo 7
13D 13. Down the middle, say 6
14D 14. "Gaping" feature 3
15D 15. Latin 101 verb 3
16D 16. Reasoning that doesn't hold up 7
17D 17. Texter's "Duh!" 4
18D 18. Cheers for the Spanish national team? 4
19D 19. For fear that 4
20D 24. Minced oath 4
21D 25. Toymaker behind Tickle Me Elmo 4
22D 31. Lincoln Laboratory operator, in brief 3
23D 33. Co. with red-and-yellow trucks 3
24D 34. One of Ralph Waldo Emerson's six "Representative Men" 6
25D 35. Offerer of a 33-country train pass 6
26D 37. "Good heavens!" 4
27D 38. Arcane letter 4
28D 39. Many a middle schooler 5
29D 40. Slangy "very" 5
30D 41. Kaiser Permanente and others, in brief 4
31D 42. Initiate small talk, say 5
32D 43. ___ change 5
33D 44. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony 5
34D 48. Desert country popular for whale watching 4
35D 50. Like some novelty straws 5
36D 52. Lovely, as a lass 5
37D 53. D.J. and record producer Steve ___ 4
38D 56. Clearing account? 5
39D 57. ___ Minderbinder from "Catch-22" 4
40D 58. Minced oath 5
41D 59. Comes down hard 5
42D 60. Long-feathered flier 5
43D 62. Jason Seaver or Ward Cleaver, notably 5
44D 63. These are fighting words 5
45D 64. Classic drink brand sold in tall bottles 4
46D 66. Castaway's setting 4
47D 68. En ___ (legal phrase) 4
48D 69. Lexus rival 5
49D 70. People with no word for "please" in their native language 5
50D 71. Last in the batting order 5
51D 72. Govt. instruments 6
52D 73. Coyotes, foxes et al. 6
53D 75. Vegan brand with the logo of a cow wearing a fake mustache 10
54D 76. ___ ball (rubbery toy) 5
55D 77. "Awesome" 5
56D 80. When many parks close 4
57D 82. Sign of the cross? 4
58D 83. 90° del norte 4
59D 85. Fandom identities often with fluffy tails and ears 8
60D 88. Part of a three-word phrase expressing regret 7
61D 89. Quivering with excitement 7
62D 90. John 3
63D 91. Percentage at a bank: Abbr. 3
64D 92. Be perfectly supine, say 7
65D 94. Like Cinderella, initially 6
66D 95. Aloo gobi go-with 4
67D 96. Burn unit? 4
68D 100. Vintage goods e-tailer 4
69D 101. Overly sentimental, to Brits 4
70D 102. Hamiltons 4
71D 104. Ending with Jumbo or beta 4
72D 106. Fortified stuff, maybe 4
73D 108. Milton Friedman's field, familiarly 4
74D 109. Big Apple fashion house 4
75D 111. Info on auto documents, for short 3
76D 112. Wrap up 3
77D 113. It has a thick skin 3
78D 114. Deg. for some writers 3
79D 115. Mini-albums, for short 3
80D 116. Cheap shot? 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Chief justice who remarked "I don't remember that I ever was president""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states sculptor (1860-1936)
  • Similar words include: William Howard Taft, President Taft, Lorado Taft
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Mozart's "Rondo ___ Turca""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Sext symbol?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Newsroom writing standard, in brief"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "Just listen ...""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Group of families"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that group of people related by blood or marriage
  • Similar words include: kindred, kin group, tribe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Cooking surface"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Sch. with the second-most N.F.L. draft picks of all time, after Notre Dame"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Sault ___ Marie, Mich."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. 9-5, say: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
  • Similar words include: 60 minutes, hour, hr
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. State that's the setting for "American Gothic""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Pullover/cardigan combo"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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13D: "13. Down the middle, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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14D: "14. "Gaping" feature"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for the mouth
  • Similar words include: trap, hole, cakehole
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAW

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15D: "15. Latin 101 verb"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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16D: "16. Reasoning that doesn't hold up"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning
  • Similar words include: false belief
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FALLACY

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17D: "17. Texter's "Duh!""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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18D: "18. Cheers for the Spanish national team?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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19D: "19. For fear that"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that being ten more than forty
  • Similar words include: l, 50, fifty
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEST

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20D: "24. Minced oath"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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21D: "25. Toymaker behind Tickle Me Elmo"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Lincoln Laboratory operator, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an engineering university in cambridge
  • Similar words include: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Co. with red-and-yellow trucks"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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24D: "34. One of Ralph Waldo Emerson's six "Representative Men""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that german poet and novelist and dramatist who lived in weimar (1749-1832)
  • Similar words include: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOETHE

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25D: "35. Offerer of a 33-country train pass"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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26D: "37. "Good heavens!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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27D: "38. Arcane letter"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any character from an ancient germanic alphabet used in scandinavia from the 3rd century to the middle ages
  • Similar words include: runic letter
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "39. Many a middle schooler"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "40. Slangy "very""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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30D: "41. Kaiser Permanente and others, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that group insurance that entitles members to services of participating hospitals and clinics and physicians
  • Similar words include: health maintenance organization, HMO
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HMOS

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31D: "42. Initiate small talk, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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32D: "43. ___ change"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
  • Similar words include: fool, patsy, gull
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHUMP

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33D: "44. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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34D: "48. Desert country popular for whale watching"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strategically located monarchy on the southern and eastern coasts of the arabian peninsula; the economy is dominated by oil
  • Similar words include: Muscat and Oman, Sultanate of Oman
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMAN

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35D: "50. Like some novelty straws"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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36D: "52. Lovely, as a lass"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that very pleasing to the eye
  • Similar words include: bonnie, comely, sightly
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BONNY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "53. D.J. and record producer Steve ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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38D: "56. Clearing account?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
  • Similar words include: exculpation, excuse, self-justification
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIBI

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39D: "57. ___ Minderbinder from "Catch-22""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small drought-resistant sorghums having large yellow or whitish grains
  • Similar words include: milo maize
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MILO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "58. Minced oath"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a new branch
  • Similar words include: burgeon forth, charge, scoot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "59. Comes down hard"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to run
  • Similar words include: pelt, stream, pour out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POURS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "60. Long-feathered flier"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various usually white herons having long plumes during breeding season
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGRET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "62. Jason Seaver or Ward Cleaver, notably"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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44D: "63. These are fighting words"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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45D: "64. Classic drink brand sold in tall bottles"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46D: "66. Castaway's setting"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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47D: "68. En ___ (legal phrase)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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48D: "69. Lexus rival"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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49D: "70. People with no word for "please" in their native language"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of denmark
  • Similar words include: Dane
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DANES

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50D: "71. Last in the batting order"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that position nine in a countable series of things
  • Similar words include: one-ninth, 9th
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51D: "72. Govt. instruments"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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52D: "73. Coyotes, foxes et al."

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various fissiped mammals with nonretractile claws and typically long muzzles
  • Similar words include: canid, canine
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53D: "75. Vegan brand with the logo of a cow wearing a fake mustache"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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54D: "76. ___ ball (rubbery toy)"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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55D: "77. "Awesome""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)
  • Similar words include: gratifying, scented, odoriferous
  • Opposite of: dry, sour
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWEET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56D: "80. When many parks close"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time of day immediately following sunset
  • Similar words include: gloaming, twilight, gloam
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUSK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57D: "82. Sign of the cross?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the event of something ending
  • Similar words include: break off, turn back, halt
  • Opposite of: start, continuant consonant
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58D: "83. 90° del norte"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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59D: "85. Fandom identities often with fluffy tails and ears"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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60D: "88. Part of a three-word phrase expressing regret"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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61D: "89. Quivering with excitement"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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62D: "90. John"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.
  • Similar words include: fanny, force out, commode
  • Opposite of: hire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63D: "91. Percentage at a bank: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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64D: "92. Be perfectly supine, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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65D: "94. Like Cinderella, initially"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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66D: "95. Aloo gobi go-with"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that leavened bread baked in a clay oven in india; usually shaped like a teardrop
  • Similar words include: nan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67D: "96. Burn unit?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a furnace for firing or burning or drying such things as porcelain or bricks
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KILN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68D: "100. Vintage goods e-tailer"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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69D: "101. Overly sentimental, to Brits"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that affectedly dainty or refined
  • Similar words include: dainty, niminy-piminy, prim
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

70D: "102. Hamiltons"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
  • Similar words include: X, decade, tenner
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71D: "104. Ending with Jumbo or beta"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

72D: "106. Fortified stuff, maybe"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fermented juice (of grapes especially)
  • Similar words include: wine-coloured, wine-colored, vino
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

73D: "108. Milton Friedman's field, familiarly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

74D: "109. Big Apple fashion house"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

75D: "111. Info on auto documents, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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76D: "112. Wrap up"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

77D: "113. It has a thick skin"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that edible tuber of any of several yams
  • Similar words include: yam plant
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

78D: "114. Deg. for some writers"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a master's degree in fine arts
  • Similar words include: Master of Fine Arts
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MFA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

79D: "115. Mini-albums, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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80D: "116. Cheap shot?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a computer that is running software that allows users to leave messages and access information of general interest
  • Similar words include: bulletin board, bulletin board system, BB shot
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BBS

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

58 Across Clues
80 Down Clues
138 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 06, 2026 at 08:00 AM