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Monday, October 19, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 19, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Center of the solar system, with "the" 3
2A 4. "A Fish Called ___" 5
3A 9. Tiny terror 3
4A 12. "Where the Wild Things ___" 3
5A 13. Cafe overhang 6
6A 15. Hotel booking 4
7A 17. Supermarket franchise inits. 3
8A 18. Giving excessive praise and flattery 11
9A 20. Second-in-command 6
10A 22. Will of "Arrested Development" 6
11A 23. Gives the nod 3
12A 24. Dutch beer brand 6
13A 27. Bundle of hay 4
14A 29. Branch plant? 4
15A 30. "The Raven" writer, in footnotes 5
16A 34. Used goods disclaimer 4
17A 35. Urban casual fashion 10
18A 37. Sombrero or fedora 3
19A 38. Lout 3
20A 39. U.K. thank-yous 3
21A 40. Alias letters 3
22A 41. "You are correct" 10
23A 44. Perfect tennis serves 4
24A 45. Muscle-bone connector 5
25A 46. Some jeans that aren't Wranglers or Levi's 4
26A 47. Philosopher Descartes 4
27A 48. Made some waves? 6
28A 50. See 61-Across 3
29A 51. "Is it OK for me to leave?" 6
30A 54. Home country of Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling 6
31A 57. Punches the air ... or a hint to what 1-Across creates in this puzzle 11
32A 61. With 50-Across, many a feel-good flick 3
33A 62. Giveaway, in poker 4
34A 63. Like a meditation retreat 6
35A 64. Letter between phi and psi 3
36A 65. Month with Mother's Day 3
37A 66. Law school class 5
38A 67. "You ___ to be there!" 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Center of the solar system, with "the""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
  • Similar words include: Lord's Day, Dominicus, sunlight
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. "A Fish Called ___""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Tiny terror"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "12. "Where the Wild Things ___""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "13. Cafe overhang"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a canopy made of canvas to shelter people or things from rain or sun
  • Similar words include: sunshade, sunblind
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWNING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "15. Hotel booking"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
  • Similar words include: board, way, elbow room
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Supermarket franchise inits."

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the most common of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; the chief antibody in the membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts
  • Similar words include: immunoglobulin A
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Giving excessive praise and flattery"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Second-in-command"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies
  • Similar words include: lieutenant, deputy sheriff, surrogate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEPUTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Will of "Arrested Development""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Gives the nod"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in south central united states
  • Similar words include: OK, okay, Oklahoma
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Dutch beer brand"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Bundle of hay"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large bundle bound for storage or transport
  • Similar words include: Basle, Basel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Branch plant?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
  • Similar words include: Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, shoetree, tree diagram
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. "The Raven" writer, in footnotes"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Used goods disclaimer"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Urban casual fashion"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Sombrero or fedora"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
  • Similar words include: chapeau, lid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Lout"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward stupid person
  • Similar words include: lout, lummox, stumblebum
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. U.K. thank-yous"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hard grey lustrous metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion; occurs in niobite and fergusonite and tantalite
  • Similar words include: tantalum, atomic number 73, Ta
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Alias letters"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. "You are correct""

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Perfect tennis serves"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: pass with flying colors, angiotensin-converting enzyme, sensation
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Muscle-bone connector"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cord or band of inelastic tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment
  • Similar words include: heftiness, brawniness, brawn
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SINEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Some jeans that aren't Wranglers or Levi's"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sediment from fermentation of an alcoholic beverage
  • Similar words include: Robert Edward Lee, Bruce Lee, Richard Henry Lee
  • Opposite of: windward
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Philosopher Descartes"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "48. Made some waves?"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give a permanent wave to
  • Similar words include: perm
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PERMED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. See 61-Across"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. "Is it OK for me to leave?""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "54. Home country of Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a nation in northern north america; the french were the first europeans to settle in mainland canada
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Punches the air ... or a hint to what 1-Across creates in this puzzle"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that go through boxing motions without an opponent
  • Similar words include: shadowbox
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHADOWBOXES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "61. With 50-Across, many a feel-good flick"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (computer science) memory whose contents can be accessed and read but cannot be changed
  • Similar words include: read-only storage, fixed storage, read-only memory
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. Giveaway, in poker"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)
  • Similar words include: order, recite, separate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "63. Like a meditation retreat"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not agitated; without losing self-possession
  • Similar words include: calm, tranquil, unagitated
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. Letter between phi and psi"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the circulating life energy that in chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things; in traditional chinese medicine the balance of negative and positive forms in the body is believed to be essential for good health
  • Similar words include: ki, ch'i, qi
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "65. Month with Mother's Day"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following april and preceding june
  • Similar words include: whitethorn, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus oxycantha
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "66. Law school class"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (law) any wrongdoing for which an action for damages may be brought
  • Similar words include: tort, civil wrong
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TORTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "67. "You ___ to be there!""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
  • Similar words include: hold, throw, have got
  • Opposite of: lack, abstain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Uttered 4
2D 2. Strong desire 4
3D 3. Tricolored ice cream flavor 10
4D 4. Floats in the breeze 5
5D 5. Not home 4
6D 6. 180° from SSE 3
7D 7. Cacophony 3
8D 8. Darth Vader's childhood nickname 3
9D 9. Rule with no exceptions 7
10D 10. Change places 4
11D 11. What everyone becomes at the touch of love, per Plato's "Symposium" 4
12D 14. Little annoyance you might swat at 4
13D 16. "Rocky III" actor with a mohawk 3
14D 19. Waves to, e.g. 6
15D 21. Luau strings, informally 4
16D 24. Work likely to be shown at an independent cinema 7
17D 25. Debussy's "La ___" 3
18D 26. Was fuming mad 7
19D 27. Thai currency units 5
20D 28. Sapporo rival 5
21D 29. Pre-1917 Russian autocrat 4
22D 31. Antiwar protest 10
23D 32. Like some wine casks 5
24D 33. Clear, as a chalkboard 5
25D 36. Uber ___ 4
26D 38. New York city, county or river 6
27D 42. Without enthusiasm 7
28D 43. "Golly!" 3
29D 44. Elvis Presley's middle name 4
30D 49. Uses oars 4
31D 50. Assignments for lawyers and judges 5
32D 51. Winter hrs. in Wichita 3
33D 52. Attention-getting sound 4
34D 53. Simba's mate in "The Lion King" 4
35D 54. Penny 4
36D 55. Capital of Qatar 4
37D 56. In amongst 4
38D 58. Wager 3
39D 59. Gold, in Granada 3
40D 60. Gen ___ (Zoomer's parent) 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Uttered"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express in words
  • Similar words include: order, enunciate, allege
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Strong desire"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an instinctive motive
  • Similar words include: urge on, press, impulse
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: URGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Tricolored ice cream flavor"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of naples
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEAPOLITAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Floats in the breeze"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long flag; often tapering
  • Similar words include: pennon, pennant, streamer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAFTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Not home"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not present; having left
  • Similar words include: forth, by, outside
  • Opposite of: home
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. 180° from SSE"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the compass point that is midway between north and northwest
  • Similar words include: north northwest, nor'-nor'-west
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NNW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Cacophony"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud harsh or strident noise
  • Similar words include: rumpus, cacophony, commotion
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Darth Vader's childhood nickname"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that black tropical american cuckoo
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Rule with no exceptions"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Change places"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of deciding to do something
  • Similar words include: prompt, displace, impress
  • Opposite of: stay, rest
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. What everyone becomes at the touch of love, per Plato's "Symposium""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "14. Little annoyance you might swat at"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "16. "Rocky III" actor with a mohawk"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "19. Waves to, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express greetings upon meeting someone
  • Similar words include: recognise, recognize, greet
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GREETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Luau strings, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small guitar having four strings
  • Similar words include: uke, ukulele
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UKES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Work likely to be shown at an independent cinema"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Debussy's "La ___""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that denoting a quantity consisting of 1,000 items or units
  • Similar words include: m, one thousand, thousand
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Was fuming mad"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be noisy with activity
  • Similar words include: hum, roll, boil
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEETHED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Thai currency units"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in thailand
  • Similar words include: tical, baht
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAHTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. Sapporo rival"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "29. Pre-1917 Russian autocrat"

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: czar, tzar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Antiwar protest"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Like some wine casks"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAKEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Clear, as a chalkboard"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Uber ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for a meal
  • Similar words include: grub, consume, eat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. New York city, county or river"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Without enthusiasm"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in an unenthusiastically lukewarm manner
  • Similar words include: lukewarmly
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEPIDLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. "Golly!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of force equal to the force exerted by gravity; used to indicate the force to which a body is subjected when it is accelerated
  • Similar words include: g-force, g
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Elvis Presley's middle name"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Uses oars"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
  • Similar words include: wrangle, row, quarrel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Assignments for lawyers and judges"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an occurrence of something
  • Similar words include: typesetter's case, case, instance
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Winter hrs. in Wichita"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that standard time in the 6th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 90th meridian; used in the central united states
  • Similar words include: Central Standard Time, Central Time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Attention-getting sound"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the utterance of a sound similar to clearing the throat; intended to get attention, express hesitancy, fill a pause, hide embarrassment, warn a friend, etc.
  • Similar words include: hem
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AHEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Simba's mate in "The Lion King""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Penny"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fractional monetary unit of several countries
  • Similar words include: penny, centime
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Capital of Qatar"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and chief port of qatar
  • Similar words include: Bida, El Beda, capital of Qatar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. In amongst"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "58. Wager"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the money risked on a gamble
  • Similar words include: reckon, look, play
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. Gold, in Granada"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "60. Gen ___ (Zoomer's parent)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that being one more than nine
  • Similar words include: x, 10, ten
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: XER

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

38 Across Clues
40 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: October 19, 2026 at 09:07 AM

Monday, August 24, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 24, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: 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. Apex 4
2A 5. Curry ingredient 5
3A 10. Hay unit 4
4A 14. Robert Frost creation 4
5A 15. Grilled, at a taqueria 5
6A 16. Mined metals 4
7A 17. Criminals' sphere 10
8A 19. Have a hankering for 4
9A 20. Floral Van Gogh subject 4
10A 21. Latin gods 3
11A 22. Enemy 3
12A 23. End of the Greek alphabet 5
13A 25. Tsunami 9
14A 28. Common motive in a murder case 7
15A 30. Follower of latch or catch 4
16A 31. Nashville honor, briefly 3
17A 32. Oft-torn knee part, in brief 3
18A 34. Confederate soldier, informally 3
19A 35. Any foreseeable difficulty ... with a hint to 17-, 25-, 50- and 60-Across 15
20A 42. Clerical vestment 3
21A 43. Writer Edgar Allan ___ 3
22A 44. She, in Portuguese 3
23A 45. Zing ___ (brand of Bloody Mary mix) 4
24A 47. Zoomed past 7
25A 50. Stop in the afterlife 9
26A 54. Fill in for 5
27A 55. Fury 3
28A 56. Source of fleece 3
29A 57. Jazz great Fitzgerald 4
30A 58. White part of an orange 4
31A 60. Natural wonder in Venezuela 10
32A 64. Sound in a cavernous empty room 4
33A 65. Arctic creatures with flippers 5
34A 66. International retailer with a three-syllable name 4
35A 67. Dance whose name is also a hairstyle 4
36A 68. Golfer Els 5
37A 69. Letters on an invitation 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Apex"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
  • Similar words include: summit, height, top
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Curry ingredient"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that dwarf mediterranean annual long cultivated for its aromatic seeds
  • Similar words include: cumin seed, Cuminum cyminum
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUMIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Hay unit"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large bundle bound for storage or transport
  • Similar words include: Basle, Basel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Robert Frost creation"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
  • Similar words include: verse form
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Grilled, at a taqueria"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Mined metals"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Similar words include: ore
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Criminals' sphere"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the criminal class
  • Similar words include: infernal region, Hades, netherworld
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNDERWORLD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Have a hankering for"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of extreme poverty
  • Similar words include: desire, deficiency, require
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Floral Van Gogh subject"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

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: fleur-de-lis, sword lily, iris diaphragm
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Latin gods"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Enemy"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
  • Similar words include: enemy, foeman, opposition
  • Opposite of: friend
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. End of the Greek alphabet"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the ending of a series or sequence; --revelation
  • Similar words include: Z
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMEGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Tsunami"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Common motive in a murder case"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that action taken in return for an injury or offense
  • Similar words include: avenge, retaliate, retaliation
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REVENGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Follower of latch or catch"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Nashville honor, briefly"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Oft-torn knee part, in brief"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Confederate soldier, informally"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that `johnny' was applied as a nickname for confederate soldiers by the federal soldiers in the american civil war; `greyback' derived from their grey confederate uniforms
  • Similar words include: Johnny Reb, Rebel, Johnny
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. Any foreseeable difficulty ... with a hint to 17-, 25-, 50- and 60-Across"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Clerical vestment"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a white linen liturgical vestment with sleeves; worn by priests
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Writer Edgar Allan ___"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states writer and poet (1809-1849)
  • Similar words include: Edgar Allan Poe
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. She, in Portuguese"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an extreme leftist terrorist group formed in greece in 1971 to oppose the military junta that ruled greece from 1967 to 1974; a revolutionary group opposed to capitalism and imperialism and the united states
  • Similar words include: Revolutionary People's Struggle
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Zing ___ (brand of Bloody Mary mix)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Zoomed past"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Stop in the afterlife"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a temporary condition of torment or suffering
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PURGATORY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. Fill in for"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "55. Fury"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
  • Similar words include: ira, anger, wrath
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "56. Source of fleece"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a people living in southern benin and togo and southeastern ghana
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "57. Jazz great Fitzgerald"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. White part of an orange"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants
  • Similar words include: core, marrow, substance
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PITH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. Natural wonder in Venezuela"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. Sound in a cavernous empty room"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
  • Similar words include: reverberation, replication, resound
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Arctic creatures with flippers"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
  • Similar words include: seal off, stamp, sealing wax
  • Opposite of: unseal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. International retailer with a three-syllable name"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Dance whose name is also a hairstyle"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong coarse tobacco that has been shredded
  • Similar words include: nooky, fucking, piece of tail
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "68. Golfer Els"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "69. Letters on an invitation"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Storekeeper on "The Simpsons" 3
2D 2. Trick 3
3D 3. Like the period known as the Middle Ages 8
4D 4. Leave the cocoon 6
5D 5. Sparrows : cheeps :: crows : ___ 4
6D 6. Grp. that entertains troops 3
7D 7. Tuesday, in Lyon 5
8D 8. Sat at a red light 5
9D 9. Gymnast Comaneci 5
10D 10. Cousin of a curtsy 3
11D 11. Yasir of the P.L.O. 6
12D 12. Chinese computer giant 6
13D 13. Lauder of cosmetics 5
14D 18. "Knives Out" director Johnson 4
15D 23. Philharmonic grp. 4
16D 24. Many a viral post 4
17D 25. Word after Georgia, Virginia or low 4
18D 26. Big name in movie theaters 4
19D 27. Caitlin Clark's league 4
20D 29. Apparel 4
21D 33. Place for gloss 3
22D 34. Actress Perlman of "Cheers" 4
23D 36. "Auld ___ Syne" 4
24D 37. "Three Sisters" sister 4
25D 38. Like many horror flicks 4
26D 39. Presentations with an 18-minute limit 8
27D 40. Actor Idris 4
28D 41. Tampa Bay players 4
29D 45. Financial center of Switzerland 6
30D 46. Franklin who sang "Chain of Fools" 6
31D 48. Baby bovine 4
32D 49. Filled pastry 6
33D 50. Plumbing conduits 5
34D 51. Needle mischievously 5
35D 52. Renter's counterpart 5
36D 53. Daughter of King Lear 5
37D 57. Coder's counterpart to "if" 4
38D 59. Non-sharer 3
39D 61. One of football's Mannings 3
40D 62. "The Magicians" novelist Grossman 3
41D 63. Maple syrup base 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Storekeeper on "The Simpsons""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Trick"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an argument opposed to a proposal
  • Similar words include: defraud, swindle, sting
  • Opposite of: pro
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Like the period known as the Middle Ages"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that relating to or belonging to the middle ages
  • Similar words include: mediaeval, chivalric, knightly
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEDIEVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Leave the cocoon"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come out into view, as from concealment
  • Similar words include: go forth, egress, issue
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMERGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Sparrows : cheeps :: crows : ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by corvine birds
  • Similar words include: caw
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Grp. that entertains troops"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Tuesday, in Lyon"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Sat at a red light"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that run disconnected or idle
  • Similar words include: stagnate, slug, laze
  • Opposite of: run, work
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Gymnast Comaneci"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Cousin of a curtsy"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
  • Similar words include: curtain call, bow down, obeisance
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Yasir of the P.L.O."

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that palestinian statesman who was chairman of the palestine liberation organization (1929-2004)
  • Similar words include: Yasser Arafat
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARAFAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Chinese computer giant"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Lauder of cosmetics"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. "Knives Out" director Johnson"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Philharmonic grp."

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Many a viral post"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

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!

17D: "25. Word after Georgia, Virginia or low"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a school teaching mechanical and industrial arts and the applied sciences
  • Similar words include: technical school
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TECH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Big name in movie theaters"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Caitlin Clark's league"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Apparel"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
  • Similar words include: tog, habilitate, clothe
  • Opposite of: undress
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GARB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Place for gloss"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
  • Similar words include: sassing, brim, backtalk
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Actress Perlman of "Cheers""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fertility goddess in ancient greek mythology; wife of cronus and mother of zeus; identified with roman ops and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Similar words include: Rhea americana, Pterocnemia pennata, nandu
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. "Auld ___ Syne""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. "Three Sisters" sister"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Like many horror flicks"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that covered with blood
  • Similar words include: sanguineous, butcherly, bloodstained
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GORY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Presentations with an 18-minute limit"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Actor Idris"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Tampa Bay players"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a column of light (as from a beacon)
  • Similar words include: ray, radiate, re
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Financial center of Switzerland"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the largest city in switzerland; located in the northern part of the country
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZURICH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Franklin who sang "Chain of Fools""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "48. Baby bovine"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that young of domestic cattle
  • Similar words include: sura, calfskin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CALF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Filled pastry"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that oblong cream puff
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECLAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Plumbing conduits"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
  • Similar words include: shoot, pip, mop up
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIPES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Needle mischievously"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity)
  • Similar words include: tantalize, flirt, loosen
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "52. Renter's counterpart"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
  • Similar words include: possessor, proprietor
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWNER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "53. Daughter of King Lear"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. Coder's counterpart to "if""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Non-sharer"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person regarded as greedy and pig-like
  • Similar words include: Sus scrofa, hogget, squealer
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "61. One of football's Mannings"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "62. "The Magicians" novelist Grossman"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in bulgaria
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "63. Maple syrup base"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant
  • Similar words include: play out, muggins, tire
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: August 24, 2026 at 04:11 AM