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Tuesday, September 8, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 08, 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. Prized gem in Chinese culture 4
2A 5. Long (for) 4
3A 9. Wise one 4
4A 13. Lyft competitor 4
5A 14. Trims, say 5
6A 16. Bullet point on an agenda 4
7A 17. ___ Scotia 4
8A 18. Actress Judi with an Oscar and a Tony 5
9A 19. Hawaiian bird with a reduplicative name 4
10A 20. Smooths (over) 7
11A 22. Pest at a comedy club 7
12A 24. Soda bottle units 6
13A 25. Food court locale 4
14A 26. "This American Life" host Glass 3
15A 27. Suffix in the names of many languages 3
16A 28. "Please don't go!" 4
17A 30. French cosmetics company founded in 1909 6
18A 32. "For ___ a jolly good fellow ..." 3
19A 34. Crafts' partner 4
20A 36. "A Whole New ___" ("Aladdin" song) 5
21A 37. CVS rival ... or a phonetic hint to the answers on this puzzle's perimeter 9
22A 40. "What a shame!" 5
23A 43. Chopped down 4
24A 44. Broody music genre 3
25A 47. Hardest substance in the human body 6
26A 49. Aide: Abbr. 4
27A 51. Sound from a pound 3
28A 53. Energy-carrying chemical found in all living things, in brief 3
29A 54. Santa makes one 4
30A 56. Pompadour or pigtails 6
31A 58. "Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the ___ one of all?" 7
32A 60. Site of a paper jam 7
33A 61. Milkshake flavor 4
34A 62. ___ dish (lab item) 5
35A 64. Father 4
36A 65. "___ I a Woman?" (Sojourner Truth speech) 4
37A 66. Plastic wrap brand 5
38A 67. Colleges, to Aussies 4
39A 68. Stuff growing on a tree trunk 4
40A 69. Acidic ingredient in guacamole 4
41A 70. Money maker 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Prized gem in Chinese culture"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a semiprecious gemstone that takes a high polish; is usually green but sometimes whitish; consists of jadeite or nephrite
  • Similar words include: hussy, wear, fornicatress
  • Opposite of: refresh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Long (for)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a coniferous tree
  • Similar words include: yen, languish, yearn
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Wise one"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
  • Similar words include: sage-green, salvia
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. Lyft competitor"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Trims, say"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Bullet point on an agenda"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. ___ Scotia"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a star that ejects some of its material in the form of a cloud and become more luminous in the process
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Actress Judi with an Oscar and a Tony"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Hawaiian bird with a reduplicative name"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Smooths (over)"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a text
  • Similar words include: colour, polish, semblance
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLOSSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Pest at a comedy club"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who tries to embarrass you with gibes and questions and objections
  • Similar words include: badgerer
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HECKLER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Soda bottle units"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)
  • Similar words include: cubic decimetre, cubic decimeter, litre
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LITERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Food court locale"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public area set aside as a pedestrian walk
  • Similar words include: promenade, shopping centre, center
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. "This American Life" host Glass"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a militant organization of irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive british forces from northern ireland and achieve a united independent ireland
  • Similar words include: individual retirement account, Provos, anger
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "27. Suffix in the names of many languages"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "28. "Please don't go!""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that continuing or remaining in a place or state
  • Similar words include: appease, quell, persist
  • Opposite of: depart, change
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "30. French cosmetics company founded in 1909"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "32. "For ___ a jolly good fellow ...""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a very light colorless element that is one of the six inert gasses; the most difficult gas to liquefy; occurs in economically extractable amounts in certain natural gases (as those found in texas and kansas)
  • Similar words include: helium, atomic number 2, He
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Crafts' partner"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
  • Similar words include: artistic creation, humanistic discipline, nontextual matter
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "36. "A Whole New ___" ("Aladdin" song)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that everything that exists anywhere
  • Similar words include: existence, humanity, reality
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WORLD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "37. CVS rival ... or a phonetic hint to the answers on this puzzle's perimeter"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. "What a shame!""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Chopped down"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make or shape as with an axe
  • Similar words include: hew out, hew, hand-hewn
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEWN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Broody music genre"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Hardest substance in the human body"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Aide: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Sound from a pound"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Energy-carrying chemical found in all living things, in brief"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a nucleotide derived from adenosine that occurs in muscle tissue; the major source of energy for cellular reactions
  • Similar words include: adenosine triphosphate
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Santa makes one"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Pompadour or pigtails"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the arrangement of the hair (especially a woman's hair)
  • Similar words include: coiffure, hair style, coif
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAIRDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. "Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the ___ one of all?""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
  • Similar words include: mediocre, bonny, sightly
  • Opposite of: foul, unfair
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FAIREST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Site of a paper jam"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone whose occupation is printing
  • Similar words include: printing machine, pressman
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRINTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. Milkshake flavor"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chocolate cookie with white cream filling
  • Similar words include: oreo cookie
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "62. ___ dish (lab item)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. Father"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a title of address formerly used for a man of rank and authority
  • Similar words include: generate, engender, bring forth
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "65. "___ I a Woman?" (Sojourner Truth speech)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "66. Plastic wrap brand"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various thermoplastic resins used to make things
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "67. Colleges, to Aussies"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "68. Stuff growing on a tree trunk"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "69. Acidic ingredient in guacamole"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a caustic substance produced by heating limestone
  • Similar words include: linden, lime hydrate, calcium oxide
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "70. Money maker"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
  • Similar words include: hatful, strike, great deal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Jaguar's home 6
2D 2. Totally ban 7
3D 3. Faithful follower 7
4D 4. Clear, as a board 5
5D 5. Base of a statue 8
6D 6. March 15, e.g. 4
7D 7. Diarist AnaΓ―s 3
8D 8. ___ Sketch (classic drawing toy) 5
9D 9. Kitchen fixture that might have a double or single basin 4
10D 10. Artist's workshop 7
11D 11. Army leader 7
12D 12. May birthstone 7
13D 15. Shape of conchiglie pasta 5
14D 21. Cohort above jrs. 3
15D 23. Ronald McDonald, e.g. 5
16D 25. "This one's on me!" 7
17D 29. Cry of frustration 4
18D 31. "Titanic" heroine 4
19D 33. Did the backstroke, say 4
20D 35. Works with a needle 4
21D 38. One-named "Hello" singer 5
22D 39. Induct into a hall of fame, perhaps 8
23D 40. Froth seen at the beach 7
24D 41. Most populous Canadian province 7
25D 42. 2014 nonfiction best seller subtitled "A Brief History of Humankind" 7
26D 45. "Shaken, not stirred" drink 7
27D 46. Use DoorDash or Grubhub, e.g. 7
28D 48. Some speech impediments 5
29D 50. ___ chi (Chinese martial art) 3
30D 52. Not see the ___ for the trees 6
31D 55. Amazing bargain 5
32D 57. "To recap ..." 5
33D 59. Decays 4
34D 60. British baby carriage 4
35D 63. The first "T" in TNT 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Jaguar's home"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
  • Similar words include: hobo camp
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JUNGLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Totally ban"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that do away with
  • Similar words include: get rid of
  • Opposite of: establish
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABOLISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Faithful follower"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ardent follower and admirer
  • Similar words include: buff, fan, lover
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEVOTEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Clear, as a board"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove from memory or existence
  • Similar words include: score out, wipe out, rub out
  • Opposite of: record
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Base of a statue"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a support or foundation
  • Similar words include: plinth, stand, base
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEDESTAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. March 15, e.g."

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in the roman calendar: the 15th of march or may or july or october or the 13th of any other month
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Diarist AnaΓ―s"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. ___ Sketch (classic drawing toy)"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Kitchen fixture that might have a double or single basin"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that plumbing fixture consisting of a water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe
  • Similar words include: bury, swallow hole, sump
  • Opposite of: source, float
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Artist's workshop"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a studio especially for an artist or designer
  • Similar words include: artist's workroom
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATELIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Army leader"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general officer of the highest rank
  • Similar words include: superior general, ecumenical, cosmopolitan
  • Opposite of: particular, specific
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENERAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. May birthstone"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMERALD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "15. Shape of conchiglie pasta"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
  • Similar words include: casing, scale, vanquish
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Cohort above jrs."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a soft silver-white or yellowish metallic element of the alkali metal group; turns yellow in air; occurs in celestite and strontianite
  • Similar words include: Sr, steradian, atomic number 38
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Ronald McDonald, e.g."

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rude or vulgar fool
  • Similar words include: merry andrew, goof, clown around
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLOWN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. "This one's on me!""

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "29. Cry of frustration"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "31. "Titanic" heroine"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of many shrubs of the genus rosa that bear roses
  • Similar words include: stand up, develop, prove
  • Opposite of: turn in, set
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "33. Did the backstroke, say"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that travel through water
  • Similar words include: drown, swim, float
  • Opposite of: sink
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "35. Works with a needle"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fasten by sewing; do needlework
  • Similar words include: sew, run up, stitch
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "38. One-named "Hello" singer"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "39. Induct into a hall of fame, perhaps"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that enclose in a shrine
  • Similar words include: shrine, saint
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENSHRINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "40. Froth seen at the beach"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "41. Most populous Canadian province"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest of the great lakes
  • Similar words include: Lake Ontario
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONTARIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "42. 2014 nonfiction best seller subtitled "A Brief History of Humankind""

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to or characteristic of homo sapiens
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAPIENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "45. "Shaken, not stirred" drink"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cocktail made of gin (or vodka) with dry vermouth
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARTINI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "46. Use DoorDash or Grubhub, e.g."

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "48. Some speech impediments"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a speech defect that involves pronouncing `s' like voiceless `th' and `z' like voiced `th'
  • Similar words include: list-processing language, lisp, LISP
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LISPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "50. ___ chi (Chinese martial art)"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of thailand
  • Similar words include: Thai, Siamese
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "52. Not see the ___ for the trees"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
  • Similar words include: wood, timberland, timber
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOREST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "55. Amazing bargain"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an advantageous purchase
  • Similar words include: slip, buy, bargain
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "57. "To recap ...""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "59. Decays"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor
  • Similar words include: guff, molder, hogwash
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "60. British baby carriage"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small vehicle with four wheels in which a baby or child is pushed around
  • Similar words include: stroller, baby buggy, go-cart
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "63. The first "T" in TNT"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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

41 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: September 08, 2026 at 08:13 AM

Friday, September 4, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 04, 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: Medium

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. Result of a tense build-up? 10
2A 11. Hit a point of no return? 4
3A 15. Kick off 10
4A 16. "Outta my way!" 4
5A 17. ABC's realm 10
6A 18. Body part affected by heterochromia 4
7A 19. Fed 4
8A 20. ___ Mai, Grammy-winning R&B singer 4
9A 21. Buff 5
10A 22. Drops 5
11A 24. Mars rover named in honor of a 19th-century activist 9
12A 26. Ludwig ___, post-W.W. II leader who led West Germany's economic recovery 6
13A 28. Cooking term whose name is composed of two synonyms for "criticize" 8
14A 29. Agcy. tracking popular baby names 3
15A 30. Agcy. concerned with declarations 3
16A 32. Parts of some high-speed rail systems 7
17A 33. Be exceptionally good, in modern slang 4
18A 34. Vaper's purchase 4
19A 35. What Esau got in exchange for selling his birthright to Jacob 7
20A 38. Disclaimer in a quote 3
21A 39. "Hang" 3
22A 42. Detaches from the frame, perhaps 8
23A 44. Grammatical case in 48-Across 6
24A 46. Longtime Pixar character who saiys "I might be old, but I still got a spring in my step!" 9
25A 48. See 44-Across 5
26A 49. Super, slangily 5
27A 50. Curve on a score 4
28A 52. Follower of hand or home 4
29A 53. Bit of filming 4
30A 54. Asteroids and Space Invaders 10
31A 56. In the past 4
32A 57. System by which all speech is protected? 10
33A 58. Cravings 4
34A 59. Club runners 10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Result of a tense build-up?"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "11. Hit a point of no return?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succeed at easily
  • Similar words include: pass with flying colors, sail through, sweep through
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. Kick off"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that commence officially
  • Similar words include: kick off, usher in, introduce
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INAUGURATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. "Outta my way!""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of deciding to do something
  • Similar words include: propel, motivate, locomote
  • Opposite of: stay, refrain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. ABC's realm"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Body part affected by heterochromia"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals
  • Similar words include: flag, iris diaphragm, fleur-de-lis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Fed"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. ___ Mai, Grammy-winning R&B singer"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Buff"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Drops"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
  • Similar words include: suffer, lose, drop off
  • Opposite of: keep, profit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Mars rover named in honor of a 19th-century activist"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a temporary resident
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOJOURNER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. Ludwig ___, post-W.W. II leader who led West Germany's economic recovery"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Cooking term whose name is composed of two synonyms for "criticize""

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Agcy. tracking popular baby names"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent government agency responsible for the social security system
  • Similar words include: Social Security Administration
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Agcy. concerned with declarations"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bureau of the treasury department responsible for tax collections
  • Similar words include: Internal Revenue Service
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Parts of some high-speed rail systems"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (physics) a device that attracts iron and produces a magnetic field
  • Similar words include: attracter, magnet, attraction
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAGNETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Be exceptionally good, in modern slang"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
  • Similar words include: bang, bolt, smack
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Vaper's purchase"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. What Esau got in exchange for selling his birthright to Jacob"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a stew of vegetables and (sometimes) meat
  • Similar words include: potage
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POTTAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Disclaimer in a quote"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that urge to attack someone
  • Similar words include: set
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. "Hang""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that edible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant
  • Similar words include: veggie, vegetable
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VEG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Detaches from the frame, perhaps"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed
  • Similar words include: cark, unhinge, distract
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNHINGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Grammatical case in 48-Across"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the category of nouns serving as the indirect object of a verb
  • Similar words include: dative case
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DATIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Longtime Pixar character who saiys "I might be old, but I still got a spring in my step!""

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. See 44-Across"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any dialect of the language of ancient rome
  • Similar words include: Romance
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LATIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Super, slangily"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. Curve on a score"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (music) a curved line spanning notes that are to be played legato
  • Similar words include: blur, spot, smirch
  • Opposite of: focus
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLUR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Follower of hand or home"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give certain properties to something
  • Similar words include: take in, make believe, puddle
  • Opposite of: break, unmake
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "53. Bit of filming"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
  • Similar words include: take in, lease, postulate
  • Opposite of: abstain, obviate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "54. Asteroids and Space Invaders"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "56. In the past"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch
  • Similar words include: all over, o'er, concluded
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "57. System by which all speech is protected?"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "58. Cravings"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "59. Club runners"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an executive officer of a firm or corporation
  • Similar words include: Chief Executive, president, chairman
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRESIDENTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Change sounds 7
2D 2. Captivates 7
3D 3. Actress Lyonne 7
4D 4. Neighbor of Sierra Leone 6
5D 5. In the past 3
6D 6. Use a fork for, in a way 4
7D 7. Some thesis defenses 5
8D 8. Trounce 6
9D 9. Singer dubbed the "Matriarch of the Blues" 9
10D 10. Gun before the green, say 3
11D 11. "Is it not?" 8
12D 12. Stellar visual effects 7
13D 13. Adjective that becomes its own synonym after its first letter is dropped 7
14D 14. Strands 7
15D 21. Precise and calculated 8
16D 23. First country to elect a female prime minister (1960) 8
17D 25. Tripping 6
18D 27. Sluggish 6
19D 31. One putting the pedal to the metal 9
20D 33. No-goodniks 8
21D 35. Toddler's walking aid 7
22D 36. Like someone using autoreply, perhaps 7
23D 37. Start to congeal 7
24D 39. Part of some gummies 7
25D 40. Clear 7
26D 41. Births 7
27D 43. Comfort 6
28D 45. Mesoamerican staple with a "hot" variety 6
29D 47. Mentors 5
30D 51. "Rude Boy" singer, to fans 4
31D 54. Ancient symbol of royalty 3
32D 55. Test not offered in high school, for short 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Change sounds"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metallic sound
  • Similar words include: doggerel verse, jangle, jingle-jangle
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JINGLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Captivates"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that attract; cause to be enamored
  • Similar words include: trance, enamor, charm
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENAMORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Actress Lyonne"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Neighbor of Sierra Leone"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a former british gold coin worth 21 shillings
  • Similar words include: Republic of Guinea, ginzo, dago
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUINEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. In the past"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

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!

6D: "6. Use a fork for, in a way"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
  • Similar words include: melodic line, tune up, line
  • Opposite of: untune
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Some thesis defenses"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an examination conducted by spoken communication
  • Similar words include: oral, viva voce, oral examination
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Trounce"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a forceful consequence; a strong effect
  • Similar words include: impact, wham, whop
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WALLOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Singer dubbed the "Matriarch of the Blues""

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Gun before the green, say"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rate of revolution of a motor
  • Similar words include: revolutions per minute, rev up, rpm
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. "Is it not?""

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Stellar visual effects"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the outermost region of the sun's atmosphere; visible as a white halo during a solar eclipse
  • Similar words include: corona discharge, St. Elmo's fire, electric glow
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORONAE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Adjective that becomes its own synonym after its first letter is dropped"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that morally bad or wrong
  • Similar words include: evil, vicious, malefic
  • Opposite of: good
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVILEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Strands"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved
  • Similar words include: forsake, abandon, desert
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DESERTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Precise and calculated"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to or involving or used in surgery
  • Similar words include: operative
  • Opposite of: nonsurgical, medical
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SURGICAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. First country to elect a female prime minister (1960)"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Tripping"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Sluggish"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. One putting the pedal to the metal"

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "33. No-goodniks"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
  • Similar words include: rat, lowlife, stinker
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STINKERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "35. Toddler's walking aid"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "36. Like someone using autoreply, perhaps"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Start to congeal"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make thick or thicker
  • Similar words include: inspissate
  • Opposite of: thin
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THICKEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Part of some gummies"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of a group of organic substances essential in small quantities to normal metabolism
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VITAMIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Clear"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
  • Similar words include: observable, manifest, apparent
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVIDENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Births"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a coming into being
  • Similar words include: genesis, Genesis, Book of Genesis
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENESES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "43. Comfort"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
  • Similar words include: consolation, comfort, soothe
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOLACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Mesoamerican staple with a "hot" variety"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in northern ghana
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAMALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Mentors"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hindu or buddhist religious leader and spiritual teacher
  • Similar words include: Guru, guru
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GURUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "51. "Rude Boy" singer, to fans"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "54. Ancient symbol of royalty"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "55. Test not offered in high school, for short"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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

34 Across Clues
32 Down Clues
66 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: September 04, 2026 at 08:05 AM