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Monday, August 31, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 31, 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. Part of a dance 4
2A 5. Sch. with the Daily Bruin newspaper 4
3A 9. Slightly intoxicated 5
4A 14. Fancy 4
5A 15. Worms and such on hooks 4
6A 16. Be of the same mind 5
7A 17. Redding with two posthumous Grammys 4
8A 18. "Sesame Street" character who was once sung to sleep by Andrea Bocelli 4
9A 19. Ransacks 5
10A 20. One who regularly drops things 13
11A 23. The : English :: ___ : French 3
12A 24. Letter after sigma 3
13A 25. One dining on Friskies 3
14A 28. Role for Selena Gomez on "Only Murders in the Building" 5
15A 31. Umbrella-shaped sea creature 9
16A 34. Director DuVernay 3
17A 35. Pathetic 3
18A 36. Examine at length 6
19A 37. Took shots first, then paid for them later 7
20A 40. Clothing sizes for shorter women 7
21A 41. Ski in zigzags 6
22A 42. "Far out!" 3
23A 43. Tetra- minus one 3
24A 44. Newlyweds' getaway 9
25A 46. Owl sounds 5
26A 48. Actress de Armas 3
27A 49. 401(k) relative 3
28A 50. "Need an ark? I Noah guy," e.g. 3
29A 51. "Tell everyone!" ... or what to do with the starts of 20-, 31- and 44-Across? 13
30A 58. Inuit for "house" 5
31A 60. Italian hello 4
32A 61. Et ___ (and others: Lat.) 4
33A 62. Tennis locale 5
34A 63. Pre-Easter observance 4
35A 64. R-rated, maybe 4
36A 65. A cube has 12 of them 5
37A 66. Petrol brand 4
38A 67. Easter egg decorating supplies 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Part of a dance"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
  • Similar words include: mistreat, stride, ill-treat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Sch. with the Daily Bruin newspaper"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Slightly intoxicated"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slightly intoxicated
  • Similar words include: tiddly, potty
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIPSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Fancy"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that elegant and sumptuous
  • Similar words include: de luxe, deluxe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUXE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Worms and such on hooks"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that anything that serves as an enticement
  • Similar words include: rag, tantalize, twit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Be of the same mind"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be in accord; be in agreement
  • Similar words include: match, consort, tally
  • Opposite of: disagree
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Redding with two posthumous Grammys"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states inventor who manufactured the first elevator with a safety device (1811-1861)
  • Similar words include: genus Otis, Elisha Graves Otis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. "Sesame Street" character who was once sung to sleep by Andrea Bocelli"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Ransacks"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goods or money obtained illegally
  • Similar words include: cabbage, moolah, strip
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. One who regularly drops things"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who drops things (especially one who cannot catch a ball)
  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUTTERFINGERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. The : English :: ___ : French"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
  • Similar words include: LE, lupus erythematosus
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Letter after sigma"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 19th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. One dining on Friskies"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
  • Similar words include: kat, sick, khat
  • Opposite of: keep down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Role for Selena Gomez on "Only Murders in the Building""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Umbrella-shaped sea creature"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large siphonophore having a bladderlike float and stinging tentacles
  • Similar words include: Portuguese man-of-war, man-of-war
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JELLYFISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Director DuVernay"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Pathetic"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Examine at length"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that examine or consider with attention and in detail
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PERUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Took shots first, then paid for them later"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Clothing sizes for shorter women"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a garment size for short or slender women
  • Similar words include: petite
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PETITES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Ski in zigzags"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a downhill race over a winding course defined by upright poles
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLALOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. "Far out!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of absorbed ionizing radiation equal to 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material
  • Similar words include: radian
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Tetra- minus one"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Newlyweds' getaway"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a holiday taken by a newly married couple
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HONEYMOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Owl sounds"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
  • Similar words include: tinker's dam, Bronx cheer, raspberry
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Actress de Armas"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mother of the ancient irish gods; sometimes identified with danu
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. 401(k) relative"

3 letters Category: Common Word

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: wrath, individual retirement account, Irish Republican Army
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. "Need an ark? I Noah guy," e.g."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a humorous play on words
  • Similar words include: wordplay, punning, paronomasia
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. "Tell everyone!" ... or what to do with the starts of 20-, 31- and 44-Across?"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. Inuit for "house""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an eskimo hut; usually built of blocks (of sod or snow) in the shape of a dome
  • Similar words include: iglu
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IGLOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. Italian hello"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acknowledgment that can be used to say hello or goodbye (aloha is hawaiian and ciao is italian)
  • Similar words include: aloha
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "61. Et ___ (and others: Lat.)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. Tennis locale"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
  • Similar words include: tribunal, courtroom, motor lodge
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COURT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "63. Pre-Easter observance"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period of 40 weekdays from ash wednesday to holy saturday
  • Similar words include: lend, bestow, add
  • Opposite of: borrow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. R-rated, maybe"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that full of zest or vigor
  • Similar words include: robust, naughty, gamey
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "65. A cube has 12 of them"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the boundary of a surface
  • Similar words include: inch, butt, edge
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "66. Petrol brand"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "67. Easter egg decorating supplies"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a usually soluble substance for staining or coloring e.g. fabrics or hair
  • Similar words include: dyestuff, dye
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Mess maker 4
2D 2. Attire for the Sugar Plum Fairy 4
3D 3. Off-ramp 4
4D 4. Pulverizing tool 6
5D 5. Alternatives to Lyfts 5
6D 6. Baby whale 4
7D 7. In finite supply 7
8D 8. Lacking a musical key 6
9D 9. A ___ as old as time 4
10D 10. Composer Stravinsky 4
11D 11. Ham on an antipasto platter 10
12D 12. Solidify 3
13D 13. "You called?" 3
14D 21. Sinuous swimmer 3
15D 22. Swallowed hard 6
16D 26. Aver 6
17D 27. Graduate student's project 6
18D 28. ___ P. Johnson (gay rights activist) 6
19D 29. Island of Arthurian legend 6
20D 30. Fruit-resembling mollusk 10
21D 31. The "one" of a one-two 3
22D 32. So far 3
23D 33. Part of the week that workers look forward to: Abbr. 3
24D 35. Lunch item that might be made with cold cuts, in slang 6
25D 38. Ginger ___ 3
26D 39. Cup-and-ball or yo-yo 3
27D 40. Deep-dish vessel 3
28D 42. Support staff for a rock band 7
29D 45. Soothsayer 6
30D 46. Tint 3
31D 47. "To victory!" 6
32D 50. Part of an Instagram post 5
33D 52. Skin opening 4
34D 53. Goes bad 4
35D 54. Gets bronzed at the beach 4
36D 55. Brand with "anti-aging" products 4
37D 56. Bibimbap base 4
38D 57. Pages on a desk calendar 4
39D 58. "Rocks" at a bar 3
40D 59. Lead-in to forbid or forsaken 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Mess maker"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a coarse obnoxious person
  • Similar words include: pig, slovenly person, sloven
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Attire for the Sugar Plum Fairy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that south african prelate and leader of the antiapartheid struggle (born in 1931)
  • Similar words include: ballet skirt, Desmond Tutu
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUTU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Off-ramp"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an opening that permits escape or release
  • Similar words include: snuff it, croak, cash in one's chips
  • Opposite of: be born, enter
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Pulverizing tool"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that machine consisting of a heavy bar that moves vertically for pounding or crushing ores
  • Similar words include: pounder, muller, stamp
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PESTLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Alternatives to Lyfts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Baby whale"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

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!

7D: "7. In finite supply"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that public transport consisting of a fast train or bus that makes only a few scheduled stops
  • Similar words include: confine, restrain, express
  • Opposite of: unlimited, local
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIMITED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Lacking a musical key"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that characterized by avoidance of traditional western tonality
  • Similar words include: unkeyed
  • Opposite of: tonal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATONAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. A ___ as old as time"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
  • Similar words include: narrative, narration, tarradiddle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Composer Stravinsky"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Ham on an antipasto platter"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that italian salt-cured ham usually sliced paper thin
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROSCIUTTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Solidify"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: curing, adjust, gear up
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "You called?""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an affirmative
  • Opposite of: no
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Sinuous swimmer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Swallowed hard"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
  • Similar words include: swig, quaff, gulp
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GULPED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Aver"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that state categorically
  • Similar words include: verify, asseverate, maintain
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASSERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Graduate student's project"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument
  • Similar words include: dissertation
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THESIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. ___ P. Johnson (gay rights activist)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Island of Arthurian legend"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Fruit-resembling mollusk"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. The "one" of a one-two"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. So far"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that up to the present time
  • Similar words include: nonetheless, as yet, thus far
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Part of the week that workers look forward to: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
  • Similar words include: Friday
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Lunch item that might be made with cold cuts, in slang"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Ginger ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Cup-and-ball or yo-yo"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an artifact designed to be played with
  • Similar words include: miniature, fiddle, play
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Deep-dish vessel"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
  • Similar words include: pan off, tear apart, pan out
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Support staff for a rock band"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Soothsayer"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an authoritative person who divines the future
  • Similar words include: prophet, vaticinator, seer
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORACLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Tint"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
  • Similar words include: imbue, chromaticity
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. "To victory!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that forward in time or order or degree
  • Similar words include: forth, forrader, ahead
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONWARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Part of an Instagram post"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide; recorded by a camera on light-sensitive material
  • Similar words include: pic, picture, photograph
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHOTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Skin opening"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any tiny hole admitting passage of a liquid (fluid or gas)
  • Similar words include: stomate, rivet, centre
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Goes bad"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Gets bronzed at the beach"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
  • Similar words include: tangent, suntan, tan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Brand with "anti-aging" products"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Bibimbap base"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished
  • Similar words include: Elmer Leopold Rice, Sir Tim Rice, Elmer Reizenstein
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "57. Pages on a desk calendar"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time during which someone's life continues
  • Similar words include: twenty-four hour period, mean solar day, daylight
  • Opposite of: night
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "58. "Rocks" at a bar"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
  • Similar words include: crank, methamphetamine hydrochloride, chicken feed
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "59. Lead-in to forbid or forsaken"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
  • Similar words include: divinity, idol, Supreme Being
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOD

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

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: August 31, 2026 at 09:56 AM

Thursday, July 9, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 09, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. In vogue 4
2A 5. Seal hunter 4
3A 9. Some rudiments to be learned 4
4A 13. Flex time? 4
5A 14. Stern 4
6A 15. Container for peaches 5
7A 17. *Honeybunch 5
8A 19. Group of spellers? 5
9A 20. Title in "Beowulf" 5
10A 21. Back-to-basics regimen 9
11A 23. Grp. of peacekeepers 4
12A 25. *Afternoon socials 4
13A 26. Caddies, in golf slang 7
14A 29. Part of a blind 4
15A 30. Partner of ends 4
16A 31. Some messages from a road trip, in brief 4
17A 33. Scare off 5
18A 37. Many a golden parachute recipient, in brief 3
19A 38. Renounced ... or a phonetic hint to reading the answers to the starred clues 7
20A 40. Sanskrit name meaning "extraordinary" 3
21A 41. Capital close to the confluence of the Red and Black rivers 5
22A 43. Gaels of the N.C.A.A. 4
23A 44. Battling 4
24A 45. Piece of cake 4
25A 47. Food processor 7
26A 49. *Worms or flies, often 4
27A 53. Do some laps 4
28A 54. Right now 9
29A 56. ___ Hamilton, author of the classic "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" 5
30A 59. Sass 5
31A 60. *___ Beach, Calif. 5
32A 62. Hit 1977 musical that included Franklin D. Roosevelt as a character 5
33A 63. Juniors, e.g. 4
34A 64. Trails 4
35A 65. "Yikes!" 4
36A 66. Rowers' workout machines, informally 4
37A 67. Straddling 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. In vogue"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that elegance by virtue of being fashionable
  • Similar words include: stylishness, modishness, chichi
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Seal hunter"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas
  • Similar words include: killer whale, grampus, killer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Some rudiments to be learned"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
  • Similar words include: alphabet, first rudiment, ABC's
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. Flex time?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility that is achieved through the three paths of actions and knowledge and devotion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YOGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Stern"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the back of a military formation or procession
  • Similar words include: bum, nates, back
  • Opposite of: front, level
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "15. Container for peaches"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rugged box (usually made of wood); used for shipping
  • Similar words include: crateful
  • Opposite of: uncrate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. *Honeybunch"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a white crystalline carbohydrate used as a sweetener and preservative
  • Similar words include: dough, bread, cabbage
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUGAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Group of spellers?"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an assembly of witches; usually 13 witches
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COVEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Title in "Beowulf""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feudal lord or baron
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Back-to-basics regimen"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Grp. of peacekeepers"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an international organization created in 1949 by the north atlantic treaty for purposes of collective security
  • Similar words include: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NATO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. *Afternoon socials"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
  • Similar words include: tea, afternoon tea, teatime
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Caddies, in golf slang"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small hairless caterpillar having legs on only its front and rear segments; mostly larvae of moths of the family geometridae
  • Similar words include: inchworm, measuring worm, looper
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOPERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Part of a blind"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thin strip (wood or metal)
  • Similar words include: spline
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Partner of ends"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
  • Similar words include: betting odds
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Some messages from a road trip, in brief"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
  • Similar words include: Basque Homeland and Freedom, Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Euskadi ta Askatasuna
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Scare off"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that try to prevent; show opposition to
  • Similar words include: discourage, dissuade
  • Opposite of: persuade
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DETER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Many a golden parachute recipient, in brief"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the corporate executive responsible for the operations of the firm; reports to a board of directors; may appoint other managers (including a president)
  • Similar words include: chief operating officer, chief executive officer
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Renounced ... or a phonetic hint to reading the answers to the starred clues"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that do without or cease to hold or adhere to
  • Similar words include: foreswear, antecede, precede
  • Opposite of: claim, postdate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORGONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Sanskrit name meaning "extraordinary""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Capital close to the confluence of the Red and Black rivers"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital city of vietnam; located in north vietnam
  • Similar words include: capital of Vietnam
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HANOI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Gaels of the N.C.A.A."

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Battling"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Piece of cake"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of catching an object with the hands
  • Similar words include: bust, snatch, pushover
  • Opposite of: inelasticity
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Food processor"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion
  • Similar words include: abdomen, tolerate, suffer
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOMACH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. *Worms or flies, often"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that anything that serves as an enticement
  • Similar words include: lure, tantalize, rally
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Do some laps"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of swimming; :
  • Similar words include: float, swimming, drown
  • Opposite of: sink
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Right now"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. ___ Hamilton, author of the classic "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "59. Sass"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
  • Similar words include: verbalize, sassing, verbalise
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOUTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. *___ Beach, Calif."

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Hit 1977 musical that included Franklin D. Roosevelt as a character"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Juniors, e.g."

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male human offspring
  • Similar words include: Logos, boy, Word
  • Opposite of: daughter, girl
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Trails"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of slowing down or falling behind
  • Similar words include: put behind bars, dawdle, meantime
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. "Yikes!""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Rowers' workout machines, informally"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cgs unit of work or energy; the work done by a force of one dyne acting over a distance of one centimeter
  • Similar words include: erg
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "67. Straddling"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that on, to, or at the top
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Anatomical pouch 4
2D 2. "Star Wars" planet where Luke Skywalker rides a tauntaun 4
3D 3. Dinosaur named for a lizard tooth 9
4D 4. Quick timeouts? 7
5D 5. AAA or B.B.B. 3
6D 6. Bring in 4
7D 7. 200 milligrams 5
8D 8. Sketchy activities? 10
9D 9. Kudo 8
10D 10. Guys' night out 7
11D 11. Trivial objection 5
12D 12. Symbol of strength and solidity 5
13D 16. Tonsillectomy docs 4
14D 18. French crown? 4
15D 22. Wing 3
16D 24. Hydrox lookalike 4
17D 26. Lomond, for one 4
18D 27. Old theaters 4
19D 28. Show that ends in disarray? 10
20D 32. Long time follower? 3
21D 34. Dojo furnishing 9
22D 35. It's a long story 4
23D 36. One of the six sluggers on baseball's Murderer's Row 4
24D 38. Spent 8
25D 39. "Curly W" team 4
26D 42. Caucasus region 7
27D 44. Padmé ___ (mother of Luke and Leia Skywalker) 7
28D 46. Horned viper 3
29D 48. Is underwater 4
30D 49. S.E.C. football powerhouse, informally 4
31D 50. United 5
32D 51. Tried to hit a baseball 5
33D 52. Taste 5
34D 55. Double-decker checker 4
35D 57. Benin neighbor 4
36D 58. Door fastener 4
37D 61. Jerk 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Anatomical pouch"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a closed sac that develops abnormally in some body structure
  • Similar words include: vesicle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CYST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Star Wars" planet where Luke Skywalker rides a tauntaun"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (norse mythology) a blind god; misled by loki, he kills his brother balder by throwing a shaft of mistletoe
  • Similar words include: Hodur, Hoder, Hothr
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Dinosaur named for a lizard tooth"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that massive herbivorous bipedal dinosaur with a long heavy tail; common in europe and northern africa; early cretaceous period
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IGUANODON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Quick timeouts?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sleeping for a short period of time (usually not in bed)
  • Similar words include: catnap, catch a wink, nap
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATNAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. AAA or B.B.B."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Bring in"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gather, as of natural products
  • Similar words include: draw, glean, harvest
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. 200 milligrams"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of weight for precious stones = 200 mg
  • Similar words include: kt, karat
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Sketchy activities?"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Kudo"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
  • Similar words include: honor, award, honour
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACCOLADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Guys' night out"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Trivial objection"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections
  • Similar words include: chicane, quiddity, quibble
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAVIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Symbol of strength and solidity"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
  • Similar words include: sword, nerve, blade
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "16. Tonsillectomy docs"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. French crown?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Wing"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an extension at the end and at right angles to the main building
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Hydrox lookalike"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

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!

17D: "26. Lomond, for one"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrow inlet of the sea in scotland (especially when it is nearly landlocked)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Old theaters"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Show that ends in disarray?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a performer who provides erotic entertainment by undressing to music
  • Similar words include: striptease artist, stripteaser, exotic dancer
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRIPTEASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Long time follower?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

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!

21D: "34. Dojo furnishing"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. It's a long story"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
  • Similar words include: epic poem, epos, larger-than-life
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. One of the six sluggers on baseball's Murderer's Row"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
  • Similar words include: Book of Ruth, commiseration, George Herman Ruth
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Spent"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come or bring to a finish or an end
  • Similar words include: terminate, cease, end up
  • Opposite of: unfinished, begin
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FINISHED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. "Curly W" team"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. Caucasus region"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "44. Padmé ___ (mother of Luke and Leia Skywalker)"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. Horned viper"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. Is underwater"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be obliged to pay or repay
  • Similar words include: owe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. S.E.C. football powerhouse, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. United"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Tried to hit a baseball"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
  • Similar words include: sway, drop, swing
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWUNG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Taste"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "55. Double-decker checker"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
  • Similar words include: Riley B King, queen, B. B. King
  • Opposite of: female monarch, queen
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "57. Benin neighbor"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic on the western coast of africa on the gulf of guinea; formerly under french control
  • Similar words include: Togolese Republic
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "58. Door fastener"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fastener for a door or lid; a hinged metal plate is fitted over a staple and is locked with a pin or padlock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HASP

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37D: "61. Jerk"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: shtup, bum, Eastern Samoa
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASS

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Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
37 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

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Last updated: July 09, 2026 at 06:58 AM