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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

Saturday, August 1, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 01, 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. Dis/cuss? 9
2A 10. Some radio messages, in brief 4
3A 14. Notions 10
4A 16. So-called "Island of a Thousand Temples" 4
5A 17. Festival at the center of the classic novel "Under the Volcano" 15
6A 19. Marching band? 4
7A 20. 21-time Emmy nominee for "All My Children" 10
8A 21. Add color to, perhaps 3
9A 22. Teensy amounts 5
10A 23. Unit on the autobahn, say: Abbr. 3
11A 24. Hwy. overseer, for short 3
12A 25. Wackadoodle 3
13A 27. Wear the same clothes, in slang 4
14A 30. Wirelessly driven toy, for short 5
15A 33. Field whose prospects are looking up? 9
16A 35. Like the 2003 Peace Nobelist Shirin Ebadi 7
17A 37. Some prominent Mexico City murals 7
18A 38. Rabelais character who, as a baby, was fed by 17,913 cows, "for it was impossible to find a nurse sufficient for him in all the country" 9
19A 40. "Shoot" 5
20A 41. Basilica setting for Bernini's Throne of Saint Peter 4
21A 42. Even so 3
22A 43. C-section sections 3
23A 44. Menopause treatment option, in brief 3
24A 46. Full of hot gossip 5
25A 48. Base unit 3
26A 51. Incredible, in modern parlance 10
27A 54. Erin's onetime love interest on "The Office" 4
28A 55. Attire for a ceremony at Westminster Abbey 15
29A 57. Bearing 4
30A 58. Fulfilled a business obligation 10
31A 59. "What ___?" 4
32A 60. Upset tummy, medically speaking 9

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Dis/cuss?"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "10. Some radio messages, in brief"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Notions"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. So-called "Island of a Thousand Temples""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an island in indonesia to the east of java; striking volcanic scenery; culture is known for elaborate dances and rituals and for handicrafts
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BALI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Festival at the center of the classic novel "Under the Volcano""

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "19. Marching band?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
  • Similar words include: ant, pismire, emmet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "20. 21-time Emmy nominee for "All My Children""

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. Add color to, perhaps"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Teensy amounts"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slight but appreciable amount
  • Similar words include: soupcon, mite, jot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MITES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. Unit on the autobahn, say: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the ratio of the distance traveled (in kilometers) to the time spent traveling (in hours)
  • Similar words include: km/h, kilometers per hour, kilometres per hour
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KPH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Hwy. overseer, for short"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a very small circular shape
  • Similar words include: Zen, dose, window pane
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Wackadoodle"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that usually large hard-shelled seed
  • Similar words include: junkie, testis, crank
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Wear the same clothes, in slang"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either of two offspring born at the same time from the same pregnancy
  • Similar words include: pair, matching, Gemini
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. Wirelessly driven toy, for short"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. Field whose prospects are looking up?"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole
  • Similar words include: uranology
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASTRONOMY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. Like the 2003 Peace Nobelist Shirin Ebadi"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of iran
  • Similar words include: Iranian language, Irani, Persian
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRANIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "37. Some prominent Mexico City murals"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that socialist mexican painter of murals (1886-1957)
  • Similar words include: Rivera, Diego Rivera
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIVERAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. Rabelais character who, as a baby, was fed by 17,913 cows, "for it was impossible to find a nurse sufficient for him in all the country""

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a voracious giant in francois rabelais' book of the same name
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GARGANTUA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. "Shoot""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Basilica setting for Bernini's Throne of Saint Peter"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar
  • Similar words include: apsis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. Even so"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. C-section sections"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in northwestern united states on the pacific
  • Similar words include: Beaver State, surgery, OR
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Menopause treatment option, in brief"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hormones (estrogen and progestin) are given to postmenopausal women; believed to protect them from heart disease and osteoporosis
  • Similar words include: hormone replacement therapy, hormone-replacement therapy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HRT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Full of hot gossip"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (informal british) sexually attractive
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DISHY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Base unit"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sheath worn to protect a finger
  • Similar words include: fingerstall, camp bed, crib
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Incredible, in modern parlance"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "54. Erin's onetime love interest on "The Office""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Attire for a ceremony at Westminster Abbey"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "57. Bearing"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that dignified manner or conduct
  • Similar words include: bearing, presence, comportment
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. Fulfilled a business obligation"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "59. "What ___?""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Upset tummy, medically speaking"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disorder of digestive function characterized by discomfort or heartburn or nausea
  • Similar words include: indigestion, stomach upset, upset stomach
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DYSPEPSIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Frank Costanza or Morty Seinfeld, e.g. 5
2D 2. Precipitous? 5
3D 3. Source of some classic rock bands 5
4D 4. Brewski 4
5D 5. Part of a giggle 3
6D 6. Cheese named after a Prussian town near the Baltic coast 6
7D 7. Result of bad service, maybe 5
8D 8. Dials down 7
9D 9. Ancient text whose Sanskrit title means "Principles of Love" 9
10D 10. Opposite of verbosity 10
11D 11. A little of this and that 9
12D 12. Group of like-minded individuals 4
13D 13. Enthusiastic approval abroad 4
14D 15. Amar'e Stoudemire, for his first eight seasons in the N.B.A. 3
15D 18. Bugling game 3
16D 22. Durin's burial place in "The Lord of the Rings" 5
17D 24. Red light district? 10
18D 26. Angular opening? 3
19D 28. Divinely appointed successor of Muhammad, in Shia Islam 4
20D 29. The Big Board of Wall St. 4
21D 30. Capital on the mouth of the Daugava River 4
22D 31. Losing roll 4
23D 32. Alternatives to some rentals 9
24D 33. Showed up earlier than 9
25D 34. Egg maker 5
26D 36. "Your choice" 3
27D 39. Sewerage, for example 7
28D 43. Sassy response to a put-down 6
29D 45. Pearl Jam's debut album, which went 13x platinum 3
30D 47. Dinners in sties 5
31D 48. Los ___ (Mexican tourist destination) 5
32D 49. Manuscript marks 5
33D 50. Unit equal to one weber per square meter 5
34D 51. Fictional maker of Rocket-Powered Roller Skates and Dehydrated Boulders 4
35D 52. Participate in drudgery 4
36D 53. "Kapow!" 3
37D 54. Snack in a sack in a backpack 4
38D 56. Deli selection 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Frank Costanza or Morty Seinfeld, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Precipitous?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of weather) wet by periods of rain
  • Similar words include: showery
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAINY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Source of some classic rock bands"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an impure form of quartz consisting of banded chalcedony; used as a gemstone and for making mortars and pestles
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Brewski"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the froth produced by soaps or detergents
  • Similar words include: spume, froth, lather
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Part of a giggle"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Cheese named after a Prussian town near the Baltic coast"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Result of bad service, maybe"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Dials down"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that decrease in size, extent, or range
  • Similar words include: diminish, subside, decrease
  • Opposite of: increase
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LESSENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Ancient text whose Sanskrit title means "Principles of Love""

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (hinduism) an ancient sanskrit text giving rules for sensuous and sensual pleasure and love and marriage in accordance with hindu law
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAMASUTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Opposite of verbosity"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an abrupt discourteous manner
  • Similar words include: steepness, precipitateness, precipitancy
  • Opposite of: gradualness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABRUPTNESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. A little of this and that"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a theory or argument made up of miscellaneous or incongruous ideas
  • Similar words include: patchwork quilt, hodgepodge, jumble
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PATCHWORK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Group of like-minded individuals"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of countries in special alliance
  • Similar words include: axis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Enthusiastic approval abroad"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Amar'e Stoudemire, for his first eight seasons in the N.B.A."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "18. Bugling game"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called `elk' in europe and `moose' in north america
  • Similar words include: moose, Alces alces, red deer
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Durin's burial place in "The Lord of the Rings""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Red light district?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Angular opening?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Divinely appointed successor of Muhammad, in Shia Islam"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. The Big Board of Wall St."

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a stock exchange in new york
  • Similar words include: big board, N. Y. Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NYSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Capital on the mouth of the Daugava River"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a port city on the gulf of riga that is the capital and largest city of latvia; formerly a member of the hanseatic league
  • Similar words include: capital of Latvia
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Losing roll"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that obscene terms for feces
  • Similar words include: shit, bullshit, defecate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Alternatives to some rentals"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Showed up earlier than"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be earlier in time; go back further
  • Similar words include: precede, forego, predate
  • Opposite of: postdate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTEDATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "34. Egg maker"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the organ that bears the ovules of a flower
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVARY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. "Your choice""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one or some or every or all without specification
  • Similar words include: whatever, whatsoever
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. Sewerage, for example"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
  • Similar words include: usefulness, public utility company, service program
  • Opposite of: inutility, uselessness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTILITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Sassy response to a put-down"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Pearl Jam's debut album, which went 13x platinum"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

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: x, ten-spot, 10
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "47. Dinners in sties"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wet feed (especially for pigs) consisting of mostly kitchen waste mixed with water or skimmed or sour milk
  • Similar words include: spill, splatter, swill
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLOPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "48. Los ___ (Mexican tourist destination)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Manuscript marks"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Unit equal to one weber per square meter"

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!

34D: "51. Fictional maker of Rocket-Powered Roller Skates and Dehydrated Boulders"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "52. Participate in drudgery"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be agitated
  • Similar words include: dig, fag, grind
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "53. "Kapow!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ancient city in southeastern iran; destroyed by an earthquake in 2003
  • Similar words include: eruption, bang, blast
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "54. Snack in a sack in a backpack"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "56. Deli selection"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seed of the cereal grass
  • Similar words include: Secale cereale, rye whisky, rye whiskey
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RYE

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

32 Across Clues
38 Down Clues
70 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.

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Last updated: August 01, 2026 at 06:12 AM