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Monday, July 6, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 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: 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. Long, detailed tales 5
2A 6. Binds together 4
3A 10. Russia's Peter the Great, e.g. 4
4A 14. Hertz competitor 5
5A 15. Muppet with a noted feud with a pet rock 4
6A 16. Jane Austen title character 4
7A 17. Event that might include juggling, singing and magic tricks 10
8A 19. ___ wave (summer phenomenon) 4
9A 20. Northern neighbor of Namibia 6
10A 21. Eat, as cattle might 5
11A 22. Serpent seen on a sarcophagus 3
12A 24. Looks of total confusion 11
13A 27. Calm, as a lake 6
14A 29. Bard of ___, nickname for Shakespeare 4
15A 30. Intellectual thoroughness 5
16A 31. Olden days 4
17A 33. Texter's "If you ask me ..." 3
18A 36. Three-part fire safety technique 15
19A 40. Opposite of NNW 3
20A 41. Give the boot 4
21A 42. When farmers typically wake up 5
22A 43. Flatbread with a palindromic name 4
23A 45. Steve ___, 2003 N.F.L. M.V.P.-winning quarterback 6
24A 46. 2009 comedy about a bachelor party and its aftermath 11
25A 51. Golf ball holder 3
26A 52. Colorful glows 5
27A 53. Grapefruit relative 6
28A 55. Some urban pollution 4
29A 56. Sections of a choir .... as hinted at by this puzzle's circled letters 10
30A 60. It comes and goes each day 4
31A 61. "Frozen" princess 4
32A 62. Hall-of-Fame hoopster Thomas 5
33A 63. Where Eve reached for the forbidden fruit 4
34A 64. Grammy-winning singer Lisa 4
35A 65. Like the crying face emoji 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Long, detailed tales"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family; originally (12th to 14th centuries) a story of the families that settled iceland and their descendants but now any prose narrative that resembles such an account
  • Similar words include: saga
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAGAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Binds together"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Russia's Peter the Great, e.g."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male monarch or emperor (especially of russia prior to 1917)
  • Similar words include: tzar, czar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Hertz competitor"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a siege and massacre at a mission in san antonio in 1836; mexican forces under santa anna besieged and massacred american rebels who were fighting to make texas independent of mexico
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALAMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Muppet with a noted feud with a pet rock"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Jane Austen title character"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Event that might include juggling, singing and magic tricks"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. ___ wave (summer phenomenon)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
  • Similar words include: oestrus, heating system, estrus
  • Opposite of: anestrus, coldness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Northern neighbor of Namibia"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in southwestern africa on the atlantic ocean; achieved independence from portugal in 1975 and was the scene of civil war until 1990
  • Similar words include: Republic of Angola
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANGOLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Eat, as cattle might"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a superficial abrasion
  • Similar words include: browse, crease, rake
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Serpent seen on a sarcophagus"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Looks of total confusion"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Calm, as a lake"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
  • Similar words include: tranquil, smooth, good-tempered
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLACID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Bard of ___, nickname for Shakespeare"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a river in southwestern england rising in gloucestershire and flowing through bristol to empty into the estuary of the severn
  • Similar words include: Upper Avon, River Avon, Upper Avon River
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Intellectual thoroughness"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something hard to endure
  • Similar words include: hardness, grimness, rigorousness
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIGOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Olden days"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that time long past
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Texter's "If you ask me ...""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Three-part fire safety technique"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Opposite of NNW"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the compass point midway between south and southeast
  • Similar words include: south southeast, sou'-sou'-east
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Give the boot"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove from a position or office
  • Similar words include: expel, boot out, kick out
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. When farmers typically wake up"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
  • Similar words include: other, former, too soon
  • Opposite of: late, middle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EARLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Flatbread with a palindromic name"

4 letters Category: Common Word

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!

23A: "45. Steve ___, 2003 N.F.L. M.V.P.-winning quarterback"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. 2009 comedy about a bachelor party and its aftermath"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Golf ball holder"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the starting place for each hole on a golf course
  • Similar words include: teeing ground, golf tee, tee up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "52. Colorful glows"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure
  • Similar words include: nimbus, aura, aureole
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AURAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Grapefruit relative"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that southeastern asian tree producing large fruits resembling grapefruits
  • Similar words include: pomelo tree, pummelo, Citrus decumana
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POMELO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Some urban pollution"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
  • Similar words include: smogginess
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Sections of a choir .... as hinted at by this puzzle's circled letters"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. It comes and goes each day"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
  • Similar words include: surge, lunar time period
  • Opposite of: ebb
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. "Frozen" princess"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a former copper coin of pakistan and india
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Hall-of-Fame hoopster Thomas"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Where Eve reached for the forbidden fruit"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
  • Similar words include: paradise, nirvana, promised land
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Grammy-winning singer Lisa"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states physiologist (born in germany) who did research on parthenogenesis (1859-1924)
  • Similar words include: Jacques Loeb
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOEB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Like the crying face emoji"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that with eyes full of tears
  • Similar words include: teary-eyed, watery-eyed
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEARY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Used a chair 3
2D 2. In the manner of 3
3D 3. Archipelago that helped shape Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" 9
4D 4. Prayer ender 4
5D 5. Nuthatch or nightingale 8
6D 6. Cybertruck maker 5
7D 7. ___ Omar, first Somali American in Congress 5
8D 8. Angsty subculture 3
9D 9. Piglet's mother 3
10D 10. Capital city between Baghdad, Iraq, and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 10
11D 11. Negative attack on a political opponent 5
12D 12. Knock the socks off 5
13D 13. Parking garage listing 5
14D 18. Relayed, as a story 4
15D 21. 1960s Pontiac muscle car 3
16D 22. Auto loan figs. 4
17D 23. Cuts open, as an envelope 5
18D 25. 24-___ gold 5
19D 26. "Frozen" reindeer 4
20D 28. European capital that's home to the Little Mermaid statue 10
21D 31. Offspring 5
22D 32. Word after black or special 3
23D 34. Temporary suspensions 9
24D 35. Basic skateboarding jump 5
25D 37. Singer Chappell with the double-platinum album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" 4
26D 38. Dilapidated 8
27D 39. Instrument played by a Muse 4
28D 44. Some small batteries 3
29D 45. Modern lead-in to coin or stock 4
30D 46. One of the five senses 5
31D 47. Like sticky summer weather 5
32D 48. Wash away 5
33D 49. Express one's thoughts 5
34D 50. Words of interest to a language learner, informally 5
35D 54. Operate on using a beam 4
36D 56. Actor Kilmer 3
37D 57. The Yoko of "Dear Yoko" 3
38D 58. Paver's goop 3
39D 59. Like a shrinking violet 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Used a chair"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the sabbath by jews and some christians
  • Similar words include: sit, sit down, sit around
  • Opposite of: arise, stand
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. In the manner of"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Archipelago that helped shape Darwin's "On the Origin of Species""

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of islands in the pacific off south america; owned by ecuador; known for unusual animal life
  • Similar words include: Galapagos Islands
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GALAPAGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Prayer ender"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a primeval egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at thebes
  • Similar words include: Amun, Amon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Nuthatch or nightingale"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any bird having a musical call
  • Similar words include: songster
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONGBIRD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Cybertruck maker"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of magnetic flux density equal to one weber per square meter
  • Similar words include: Nikola Tesla
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TESLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. ___ Omar, first Somali American in Congress"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Angsty subculture"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Piglet's mother"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adult female hog
  • Similar words include: sow in, inseminate, seed
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Capital city between Baghdad, Iraq, and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Negative attack on a political opponent"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slanderous defamation
  • Similar words include: blot, denigrate, besmirch
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Knock the socks off"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Parking garage listing"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Relayed, as a story"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express in words
  • Similar words include: secernate, recite, say
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOLD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. 1960s Pontiac muscle car"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Auto loan figs."

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following march and preceding may
  • Similar words include: April, Apr
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Cuts open, as an envelope"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrow opening
  • Similar words include: prick, twat, scratch
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. 24-___ gold"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy; 18-karat gold is 75% gold; 24-karat gold is pure gold
  • Similar words include: carat, kt
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KARAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. "Frozen" reindeer"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. European capital that's home to the Little Mermaid statue"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of denmark; located on the island of zealand
  • Similar words include: Kobenhavn, Danish capital
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COPENHAGEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Offspring"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any immature animal
  • Similar words include: Whitney Young, untested, Pres Young
  • Opposite of: aged, old
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YOUNG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Word after black or special"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (roman mythology) goddess of abundance and fertility; wife of saturn; counterpart of greek rhea and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Temporary suspensions"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged
  • Similar words include: moratorium
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORATORIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Basic skateboarding jump"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Singer Chappell with the double-platinum album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a soft sheepskin leather that is colored and finished to resemble morocco; used in bookbinding
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Dilapidated"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that worn and broken down by hard use
  • Similar words include: creaky, sapless, weakly
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DECREPIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. Instrument played by a Muse"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a harp used by ancient greeks for accompaniment
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Some small batteries"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an associate degree in applied science
  • Similar words include: Associate in Arts, AA, Associate in Applied Science
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Modern lead-in to coin or stock"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cultural unit (an idea or value or pattern of behavior) that is passed from one person to another by non-genetic means (as by imitation)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. One of the five senses"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
  • Similar words include: savour, sample, try out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TASTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Like sticky summer weather"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that containing or characterized by a great deal of water vapor
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUMID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Wash away"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become ground down or deteriorate
  • Similar words include: wear away, eat away, gnaw
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "49. Express one's thoughts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
  • Similar words include: speak out, suppose, guess
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Words of interest to a language learner, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Operate on using a beam"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. Actor Kilmer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. The Yoko of "Dear Yoko""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

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!

38D: "58. Paver's goop"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
  • Similar words include: mariner, seafarer, gob
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. Like a shrinking violet"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
74 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: July 06, 2026 at 07:59 AM

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers June 09, 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. "Put a sock ___!" 4
2A 5. Bottomless pit 5
3A 10. Home of the W.N.B.A.'s Fever, informally 4
4A 14. Viral phenomenon 4
5A 15. Curse word cover-up 5
6A 16. Singer Del Rey 4
7A 17. Very impressed 4
8A 18. Echolocation technology 5
9A 19. One who can't handle the truth? 4
10A 20. Sport in an octagon, for short 3
11A 21. Chafes excessively 7
12A 23. Acid 3
13A 24. "The door's open!" 5
14A 26. Elasticized part of sweatpants 5
15A 28. Nearly unique 15
16A 33. Assists, in basketball slang 5
17A 34. Headed for the hills 3
18A 35. Romaine course 5
19A 36. Influential individual 4
20A 37. Collection of photographs or songs 5
21A 39. Broadway award 4
22A 40. Lump in one's throat 6
23A 42. Modifies 6
24A 44. Org. with Orioles, Blue Jays and Cardinals 3
25A 46. City with Carnival samba parades, informally 3
26A 47. Compromise that, ideally, leaves both parties satisfied 11
27A 52. Take to the skies 4
28A 54. English soccer star ___ James 5
29A 55. Sonic boom generator? 4
30A 58. Prediction of a negative outcome that is true of 21-, 28- and 47-Across 15
31A 61. "We feel the same way" 5
32A 62. Airport raced through in "Home Alone," in brief 3
33A 63. Info collected by a spy 5
34A 64. Sound of a cartoon hit 5
35A 65. Deep sorrow 3
36A 66. Cruising the Caribbean, say 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "Put a sock ___!""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Bottomless pit"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
  • Similar words include: abysm
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABYSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Home of the W.N.B.A.'s Fever, informally"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Viral phenomenon"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cultural unit (an idea or value or pattern of behavior) that is passed from one person to another by non-genetic means (as by imitation)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Curse word cover-up"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short high tone produced as a signal or warning
  • Similar words include: beep
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Singer Del Rey"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Very impressed"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that inspire awe in
  • Similar words include: awe, awestricken, awestruck
  • Opposite of: unawed
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Echolocation technology"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measuring instrument that sends out an acoustic pulse in water and measures distances in terms of the time for the echo of the pulse to return
  • Similar words include: asdic, echo sounder
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. One who can't handle the truth?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who has lied or who lies repeatedly
  • Similar words include: prevaricator
  • Opposite of: square shooter
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Sport in an octagon, for short"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "21. Chafes excessively"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Acid"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a powerful hallucinogenic drug manufactured from lysergic acid
  • Similar words include: lysergic acid diethylamide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LSD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. "The door's open!""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to come or go into
  • Similar words include: go in, recruit, go into
  • Opposite of: drop out, exit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Elasticized part of sweatpants"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
  • Similar words include: waistline, shank
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Nearly unique"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Assists, in basketball slang"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a united states coin worth one tenth of a dollar
  • Similar words include: dime bag, slur, dim
  • Opposite of: focus
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Headed for the hills"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
  • Similar words include: bunk, ladder, pass
  • Opposite of: malfunction, idle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Romaine course"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food mixtures either arranged on a plate or tossed and served with a moist dressing; usually consisting of or including greens
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Influential individual"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (computer science) a graphic symbol (usually a simple picture) that denotes a program or a command or a data file or a concept in a graphical user interface
  • Similar words include: ikon, image, picture
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. Collection of photographs or songs"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one or more recordings issued together; originally released on 12-inch phonograph records (usually with attractive record covers) and later on cassette audiotape and compact disc
  • Similar words include: record album
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALBUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Broadway award"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Lump in one's throat"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either of two masses of lymphatic tissue one on each side of the oral pharynx
  • Similar words include: palatine tonsil, tonsilla, faucial tonsil
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TONSIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Modifies"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
  • Similar words include: indemnity, reparation, ameliorate
  • Opposite of: worsen
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMENDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Org. with Orioles, Blue Jays and Cardinals"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. City with Carnival samba parades, informally"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the former capital and 2nd largest city of brazil; chief brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
  • Similar words include: Rio de Janeiro
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Compromise that, ideally, leaves both parties satisfied"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Take to the skies"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of rising upward into the air
  • Similar words include: soar up, soar upwards, hang glide
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. English soccer star ___ James"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Sonic boom generator?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. Prediction of a negative outcome that is true of 21-, 28- and 47-Across"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. "We feel the same way""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Airport raced through in "Home Alone," in brief"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Info collected by a spy"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Sound of a cartoon hit"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Deep sorrow"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that misery resulting from affliction
  • Similar words include: suffering, woefulness
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Cruising the Caribbean, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Spiritual leader at a mosque 4
2D 2. State that's home to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum 9
3D 3. "Sheesh, gimme a break!" 9
4D 4. ___ talk 3
5D 5. Really ridiculous 6
6D 6. Carnivorous cinematic alien 4
7D 7. Deep desires 4
8D 8. Cook in a very hot cast-iron pan, say 4
9D 9. Be a bed hog, maybe 6
10D 10. Under the weather 3
11D 11. Where employees work on tips and receive tips 9
12D 12. Half of a biological helix 9
13D 13. Spot for a swing set 4
14D 21. Dee who directed 2017's "Mudbound" 4
15D 22. Methods 4
16D 25. Decade after the aughts 5
17D 27. Steaming mad 5
18D 28. Make some alterations 4
19D 29. Not online, for short 3
20D 30. Snatch up 3
21D 31. Wildebeest 3
22D 32. Ice cream brand with an apostrophe in its name 4
23D 37. Football standout 6
24D 38. Word with name or voyage 6
25D 41. Little pest 3
26D 43. "Little old me?" 3
27D 45. "Toodle-oo!" 6
28D 46. Fall back 6
29D 47. Western half of Hispaniola 5
30D 48. Activity that may prompt burning questions? 5
31D 49. Parisian subway 5
32D 50. Squad captained by Lindsey Horan to win Olympic gold in '24, for short 5
33D 51. Gets together with 5
34D 52. Bit of concert memorabilia, once 4
35D 53. Very, very much 4
36D 56. Utter delight 4
37D 57. Penne ___ vodka 4
38D 59. Stir-frying vessel 3
39D 60. Part of una semana 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Spiritual leader at a mosque"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (islam) the man who leads prayers in a mosque; for shiites an imam is a recognized authority on islamic theology and law and a spiritual guide
  • Similar words include: imaum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. State that's home to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. "Sheesh, gimme a break!""

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. ___ talk"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing edwardian style clothes
  • Similar words include: Teddy boy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Really ridiculous"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a situation in which life seems irrational and meaningless; --albert camus
  • Similar words include: laughable, derisory, ludicrous
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABSURD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Carnivorous cinematic alien"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an indistinct shapeless form
  • Similar words include: blot, spot, fleck
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Deep desires"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a yearning for something or to do something
  • Similar words include: yen, languish, pine
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Cook in a very hot cast-iron pan, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make very hot and dry
  • Similar words include: singe, scorch, withered
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Be a bed hog, maybe"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities
  • Similar words include: conurbation, sprawling, urban sprawl
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPRAWL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Under the weather"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
  • Similar words include: sick, ominous, badly
  • Opposite of: well
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Where employees work on tips and receive tips"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Half of a biological helix"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Spot for a swing set"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
  • Similar words include: K, railyard, curtilage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Dee who directed 2017's "Mudbound""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Methods"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
  • Similar words include: shipway, means, agency
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Decade after the aughts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time of life between the ages of 12 and 20
  • Similar words include: adolescent, stripling, teenager
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Steaming mad"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feeling or showing extreme anger
  • Similar words include: ireful
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Make some alterations"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Not online, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Snatch up"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tag the base runner to get him out
  • Similar words include: collar, apprehend, pick up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Wildebeest"

3 letters 💭 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: wildebeest
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GNU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Ice cream brand with an apostrophe in its name"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Football standout"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Word with name or voyage"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
  • Similar words include: maiden over, inaugural, initiative
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAIDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "41. Little pest"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
  • Similar words include: hob, scamp, gremlin
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. "Little old me?""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. "Toodle-oo!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. Fall back"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pull back or move away or backward
  • Similar words include: pull back, drop off, draw back
  • Opposite of: gain, advance
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RECEDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Western half of Hispaniola"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in the west indies on the western part of the island of hispaniola; achieved independence from france in 1804; the poorest and most illiterate nation in the western hemisphere
  • Similar words include: Hayti, Hispaniola, Republic of Haiti
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAITI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Activity that may prompt burning questions?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that malicious burning to destroy property
  • Similar words include: incendiarism, fire-raising
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARSON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Parisian subway"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an electric railway operating below the surface of the ground (usually in a city)
  • Similar words include: underground, subway, subway system
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: METRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Squad captained by Lindsey Horan to win Olympic gold in '24, for short"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "51. Gets together with"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held
  • Similar words include: forgather, run into, adjoin
  • Opposite of: diverge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "52. Bit of concert memorabilia, once"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short piece remaining on a trunk or stem where a branch is lost
  • Similar words include: butt, nub, counterfoil
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "53. Very, very much"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. Utter delight"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that great merriment
  • Similar words include: hilarity, gloating, gleefulness
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. Penne ___ vodka"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Stir-frying vessel"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pan with a convex bottom; used for frying in chinese cooking
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WOK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "60. Part of una semana"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an intelligence agency of the united states in the department of defense; is responsible for providing intelligence in support of military planning and operations and weapons acquisition
  • Similar words include: Defense Intelligence Agency
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIA

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

36 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
75 Total Clues

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Last updated: June 09, 2026 at 07:02 AM