Search Clues

Showing posts sorted by date for query consumption. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query consumption. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 20, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Las ___, Canary Islands 6
2A 7. Device with an addictive aerosol, for short 4
3A 11. Plant, as seeds 3
4A 14. Laid back 6
5A 15. "Hello ___" (smartphone tagline) 4
6A 16. "That's terrible!" 3
7A 17. Campfire cookout, informally 11
8A 19. Crafty 3
9A 20. Jake ___, 1980 Oscar-winning role for Robert De Niro 7
10A 21. [Hey, I can hear you, you know] 4
11A 22. Criticize very harshly 4
12A 25. Old-time winter excursion 10
13A 27. Loosey-goosey 3
14A 28. Not yet posted, in brief 3
15A 29. Bit in a nutrition bar 3
16A 30. Flattering lines? 3
17A 31. Indian yogurt dish 5
18A 34. Susceptible to bribery 5
19A 38. "Seriously, though ..." or a hint to 17-, 25-, 48- and 58-Across 15
20A 41. Unit of magnetic flux density 5
21A 42. One who says "Hell if I know!"? 5
22A 43. Subtle greeting 3
23A 44. Letter-shaped part of a blueprint 3
24A 46. Part of every day, in Italy 3
25A 47. Improvised instrument in folk music 3
26A 48. Pugilist's pain point, perhaps 10
27A 53. Serious aversion 4
28A 54. Make 4
29A 55. Farm storage building 7
30A 57. Short-term job 3
31A 58. Seattle landmark from which Mount Rainier can be seen 11
32A 62. Exploit 3
33A 63. What a dawdler may need to pick up, with "the" 4
34A 64. Further out there 6
35A 65. Flanders of "The Simpsons" 3
36A 66. Dust-ups 4
37A 67. Loud speaker, maybe 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Las ___, Canary Islands"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Device with an addictive aerosol, for short"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Plant, as seeds"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Laid back"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. "Hello ___" (smartphone tagline)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. "That's terrible!""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Campfire cookout, informally"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Crafty"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by skill in deception
  • Similar words include: tricky, crafty, foxy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Jake ___, 1980 Oscar-winning role for Robert De Niro"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. [Hey, I can hear you, you know]"

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!

11A: "22. Criticize very harshly"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that strip the skin off
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Old-time winter excursion"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Loosey-goosey"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lacking in rigor or strictness
  • Similar words include: slack, loose
  • Opposite of: tense
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Not yet posted, in brief"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Bit in a nutrition bar"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that annual grass of europe and north africa; grains used as food and fodder (referred to primarily in the plural: `oats')
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Flattering lines?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Indian yogurt dish"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an indian side dish of yogurt and chopped cucumbers and spices
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAITA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Susceptible to bribery"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that capable of being corrupted
  • Similar words include: purchasable, corruptible, dishonest
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VENAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. "Seriously, though ..." or a hint to 17-, 25-, 48- and 58-Across"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Unit of magnetic flux density"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. One who says "Hell if I know!"?"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (judeo-christian and islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of god; tempter of mankind; master of hell
  • Similar words include: the Tempter, Lucifer, Devil
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SATAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Subtle greeting"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sign of assent or salutation or command
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Letter-shaped part of a blueprint"

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!

24A: "46. Part of every day, in Italy"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
  • Similar words include: os, bone, OS
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Improvised instrument in folk music"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large bottle with a narrow mouth
  • Similar words include: put behind bars, incarcerate, gaol
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Pugilist's pain point, perhaps"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Serious aversion"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
  • Similar words include: detest, hatred
  • Opposite of: love
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Make"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
  • Similar words include: gain, make, realize
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EARN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Farm storage building"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed
  • Similar words include: garner
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRANARY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Short-term job"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that long and light rowing boat; especially for racing
  • Similar words include: spear, fizgig, lance
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. Seattle landmark from which Mount Rainier can be seen"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Exploit"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of using
  • Similar words include: function, economic consumption, usage
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. What a dawdler may need to pick up, with "the""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
  • Similar words include: step, yard, gait
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Further out there"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that ludicrous, foolish
  • Similar words include: buffoonish, clownish, goofy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZANIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Flanders of "The Simpsons""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Dust-ups"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rapid active commotion
  • Similar words include: fuss, ado, bustle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "67. Loud speaker, maybe"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who delivers a speech or oration
  • Similar words include: speechifier, speechmaker, rhetorician
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORATOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. What's shaken in the order to "Shake!" 3
2D 2. Filled up on 3
3D 3. Gymnast Suni 3
4D 4. Virile 5
5D 5. It's west of the Bering Strait 4
6D 6. Appears to be going down the drain 8
7D 7. Overact 5
8D 8. Mammal with a long ringed tail 5
9D 9. "We're on!" 6
10D 10. Tricked 3
11D 11. Dish with vinegared rice 5
12D 12. Eyed lustfully 5
13D 13. Question exclaimed after misfortune 5
14D 18. One way to spell relief, per ads 7
15D 21. Crafts, in Córdoba 5
16D 22. Part of a homecoming parade 5
17D 23. Big scoop 5
18D 24. Leaps for Michelle Kwan 5
19D 26. Fine cigar 6
20D 28. Hardships 6
21D 32. Madre's hermana 3
22D 33. French author ___ de Saint-Exupéry 7
23D 35. Stealthy spy with a blowgun 5
24D 36. It may follow deuce 5
25D 37. Overlook 5
26D 39. Designer Calvin 5
27D 40. Hummus bean 8
28D 45. Piece of goalie gear 6
29D 48. Started 5
30D 49. Not leave a bet as is 5
31D 50. Gave a push 5
32D 51. "Fire-breather" in the night sky 5
33D 52. Relays and rallies 5
34D 53. Shenzi in "The Lion King," e.g. 5
35D 56. Bottom 4
36D 58. Luxury resort amenity 3
37D 59. Relatively short Morse code bit 3
38D 60. Sign of summer 3
39D 61. Blunder 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. What's shaken in the order to "Shake!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clawed foot of an animal especially a quadruped
  • Similar words include: hand, mitt, manus
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Filled up on"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
  • Similar words include: eat, eat up, rust
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Gymnast Suni"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in america (born in 1957)
  • Similar words include: leeward, Shelton Jackson Lee, Robert E. Lee
  • Opposite of: windward
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Virile"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that possessing qualities befitting a man
  • Similar words include: male, manlike, virile
  • Opposite of: unmanfully, unmanly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. It's west of the Bering Strait"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Appears to be going down the drain"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Overact"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMOTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Mammal with a long ringed tail"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that omnivorous mammal of central america and south america
  • Similar words include: Nasua narica, coati-mundi, coati-mondi
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COATI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. "We're on!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Tricked"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
  • Similar words include: generate, mother, start out
  • Opposite of: take away, leave
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Dish with vinegared rice"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rice (with raw fish) wrapped in seaweed
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUSHI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Eyed lustfully"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that look at with amorous intentions
  • Similar words include: ogle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OGLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Question exclaimed after misfortune"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. One way to spell relief, per ads"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Crafts, in Córdoba"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Part of a homecoming parade"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
  • Similar words include: blow, swim, ice-cream float
  • Opposite of: sink
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLOAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Big scoop"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a spoon-shaped vessel with a long handle; frequently used to transfer liquids from one container to another
  • Similar words include: lade, laden
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Leaps for Michelle Kwan"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Fine cigar"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of cuba; located in western cuba; one of the oldest cities in the americas
  • Similar words include: Cuban capital, capital of Cuba
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAVANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. Hardships"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of testing something
  • Similar words include: trial, trial run, run
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Madre's hermana"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that brief episode in which the brain gets insufficient blood supply; symptoms depend on the site of the blockage
  • Similar words include: transient ischemic attack
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. French author ___ de Saint-Exupéry"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Stealthy spy with a blowgun"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the ninja who were trained in martial arts and hired for espionage or sabotage or assassinations; a person skilled in ninjutsu
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINJA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. It may follow deuce"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Overlook"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
  • Similar words include: shelf
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEDGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Designer Calvin"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that german mathematician who created the klein bottle (1849-1925)
  • Similar words include: Calvin Klein, Melanie Klein, Felix Klein
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KLEIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Hummus bean"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seed of the chickpea plant
  • Similar words include: chickpea
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GARBANZO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Piece of goalie gear"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. Started"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
  • Similar words include: lead off, start out, get down
  • Opposite of: end
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEGUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Not leave a bet as is"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the amount a salary is increased
  • Similar words include: enhance, ascent, salary increase
  • Opposite of: level, demote
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAISE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Gave a push"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that force or impel in an indicated direction
  • Similar words include: inspire, cheer, urge
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: URGED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. "Fire-breather" in the night sky"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that athenian lawmaker whose code of laws prescribed death for almost every offense (circa 7th century bc)
  • Similar words include: genus Draco, Dragon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRACO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Relays and rallies"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any competition
  • Similar words include: raceway, run, hotfoot
  • Opposite of: linger
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Shenzi in "The Lion King," e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that doglike nocturnal mammal of africa and southern asia that feeds chiefly on carrion
  • Similar words include: hyaena
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYENA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "56. Bottom"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "58. Luxury resort amenity"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
  • Similar words include: health spa, watering hole, watering place
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "59. Relatively short Morse code bit"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the shorter of the two telegraphic signals used in morse code
  • Similar words include: dot
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "60. Sign of summer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in leo
  • Similar words include: Leo the Lion, Lion
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "61. Blunder"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to make a mistake or be incorrect
  • Similar words include: stray, mistake, drift
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERR

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
39 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: October 20, 2026 at 08:43 AM

Saturday, April 18, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 18, 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. "The Jeffersons" or "The Simpsons," notably 7
2A 8. Team with the mascot Big Al, familiarly 4
3A 12. In time 13
4A 14. Dish purportedly invented in Los Angeles's Little Tokyo neighborhood 14
5A 15. New York's ___ Valley 6
6A 16. Thawing 7
7A 17. Treat 6
8A 18. New outfit or accessory for a character, in video game-speak 3
9A 19. Things that shouldn't be hidden 4
10A 20. Non-eco-friendly refrigerant 5
11A 21. Term in the bedroom, maybe 8
12A 23. Unite 3
13A 24. Two-pronged 4
14A 26. Metros in the 1990s 4
15A 27. "Wait just a sec" 9
16A 29. Cowboy's friend, informally 4
17A 30. Name that spiked in popularity following a 2013 Disney movie 4
18A 31. Finalized 3
19A 34. "You've got nothing to worry about" 8
20A 36. All-time scoring leader for the Miami Heat, familiarly 5
21A 38. Routine surfaces 4
22A 39. Browns, on a scoreboard 3
23A 40. Mathematics writer Gardner 6
24A 41. Words of endorsement 7
25A 43. Arrived 6
26A 44. Make-believe sorrow 14
27A 46. Cause of amusement to a vet, maybe 13
28A 47. Daredevil's calculation 4
29A 48. Some fairy tale characters 7

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "The Jeffersons" or "The Simpsons," notably"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "8. Team with the mascot Big Al, familiarly"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "12. In time"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Dish purportedly invented in Los Angeles's Little Tokyo neighborhood"

14 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. New York's ___ Valley"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a new york river; flows southward into new york bay; explored by henry hudson early in the 17th century
  • Similar words include: Hudson River, W. H. Hudson, William Henry Hudson
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUDSON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Thawing"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the easing of tensions or strained relations (especially between nations)
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DETENTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Treat"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a licensed medical practitioner
  • Similar words include: restore, doc, doctor up
  • Opposite of: break
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOCTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. New outfit or accessory for a character, in video game-speak"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a british teenager or young adult in the 1960s; noted for their clothes consciousness and opposition to the rockers
  • Similar words include: modernistic, modern
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Things that shouldn't be hidden"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fixed charge for a privilege or for professional services
  • Similar words include: tip, bung, fee
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Non-eco-friendly refrigerant"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any one or more chlorofluorocarbons (or related compounds) that are used as an aerosol propellant, organic solvent, or refrigerant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FREON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "21. Term in the bedroom, maybe"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Unite"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fourth day of the week; the third working day
  • Similar words include: espouse, Wednesday, splice
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. Two-pronged"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that consisting of or involving two parts or components usually in pairs
  • Similar words include: two-fold, threefold, twofold
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Metros in the 1990s"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "27. "Wait just a sec""

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. Cowboy's friend, informally"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "30. Name that spiked in popularity following a 2013 Disney movie"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "31. Finalized"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. "You've got nothing to worry about""

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "36. All-time scoring leader for the Miami Heat, familiarly"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "38. Routine surfaces"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
  • Similar words include: matte, Master of Arts in Teaching, tangle
  • Opposite of: disentangle, unsnarl
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. Browns, on a scoreboard"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "40. Mathematics writer Gardner"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french bishop who is a patron saint of france (died in 397)
  • Similar words include: Mary Martin, Dean Martin, Steve Martin
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARTIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "41. Words of endorsement"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "43. Arrived"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "44. Make-believe sorrow"

14 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "46. Cause of amusement to a vet, maybe"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "47. Daredevil's calculation"

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!

29A: "48. Some fairy tale characters"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a young unmarried woman
  • Similar words include: damozel, damsel, damosel
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAMSELS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Did business with, in a way 6
2D 2. Blowgun projectile 10
3D 3. Words before "a penny" or "a treat" 5
4D 4. Fifth-most abundant element in the universe 4
5D 5. Lieutenant in "Catch-22" 3
6D 6. Into 6
7D 7. Breakfast dish that might go over well? 9
8D 8. How people get into a swimming pool, typically 8
9D 9. Yom Kippur observers 7
10D 10. Like the cheese in fondue 6
11D 11. Backdrop for many van Gogh paintings 5
12D 12. Blitzed 6
13D 13. ___ pull-downs (exercise) 3
14D 14. Item in a list on the fridge, maybe 5
15D 17. Texas air hub, for short 3
16D 18. Silky-haired toy 7
17D 21. Start to give 3
18D 22. "Hey, no backing out now!" 10
19D 25. Still waffling 9
20D 27. Relatives of ottomans 8
21D 28. Texter's affectionate sign-off 3
22D 29. It's not fit for human consumption 7
23D 31. Cutting stuff 6
24D 32. Cuts a line? 5
25D 33. It takes two hands to show 3
26D 34. Musketeer's tool 6
27D 35. Nissan model 6
28D 37. Brings about, as havoc 6
29D 38. Less than milli-, more than nano- 5
30D 40. Paint option 5
31D 42. Metric for a venture capitalist, in brief 3
32D 43. Play (with) 4
33D 45. Calc. calculation 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Did business with, in a way"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Blowgun projectile"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Words before "a penny" or "a treat""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Fifth-most abundant element in the universe"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
  • Similar words include: atomic number 10, Ne
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Lieutenant in "Catch-22""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that canadian hockey player (born 1948)
  • Similar words include: Robert Orr, Bobby Orr
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Into"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Breakfast dish that might go over well?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. How people get into a swimming pool, typically"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that without shoes
  • Similar words include: shoeless, barefooted
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAREFOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Yom Kippur observers"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Like the cheese in fondue"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
  • Similar words include: melt down, mellow, dissolve
  • Opposite of: unmelted
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MELTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Backdrop for many van Gogh paintings"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that money given by a buyer to a seller to bind a contract
  • Similar words include: earnest money
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Blitzed"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that behave saucily or impudently towards
  • Similar words include: sauce
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAUCED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. ___ pull-downs (exercise)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a broad flat muscle on either side of the back
  • Similar words include: latissimus dorsi
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Item in a list on the fridge, maybe"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee
  • Similar words include: job, task
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "17. Texas air hub, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "18. Silky-haired toy"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of malta
  • Similar words include: Malti, Maltese language, Maltese dog
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MALTESE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "21. Start to give"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shape that sags
  • Similar words include: swag, droop, flag
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "22. "Hey, no backing out now!""

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "25. Still waffling"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought
  • Similar words include: open, unresolved, on the fence
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNDECIDED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Relatives of ottomans"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that thick cushion used as a seat
  • Similar words include: pouffe, pouf, hassock
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HASSOCKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "28. Texter's affectionate sign-off"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "29. It's not fit for human consumption"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food prepared for animal pets
  • Similar words include: pet food, pet-food
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PETFOOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "31. Cutting stuff"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that witty language used to convey insults or scorn; ; ; --jonathan swift
  • Similar words include: caustic remark, sarcasm, irony
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SATIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "32. Cuts a line?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "33. It takes two hands to show"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
  • Similar words include: ten-spot, x, decade
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "34. Musketeer's tool"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rod used to ram the charge into a muzzle-loading firearm
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAMROD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "35. Nissan model"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "37. Brings about, as havoc"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
  • Similar words include: play, make for, wreak
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WREAKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "38. Less than milli-, more than nano-"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that extremely small in scale or scope or capability
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MICRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "40. Paint option"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mixture of sulfides that forms when sulfide metal ores are smelted
  • Similar words include: matted, matt-up, mat
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "42. Metric for a venture capitalist, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (corporate finance) the amount, expressed as a percentage, that is earned on a company's total capital calculated by dividing the total capital into earnings before interest, taxes, or dividends are paid
  • Similar words include: return on invested capital, return on investment
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "43. Play (with)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of confusion and disorderliness
  • Similar words include: mass, kettle of fish, muss
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "45. Calc. calculation"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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

29 Across Clues
33 Down Clues
62 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: April 18, 2026 at 05:22 AM