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

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 26, 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. Number not representable by Roman numerals 4
2A 5. What's the point of bullfighting? 4
3A 9. Bryce Canyon's state 4
4A 13. What Thomas Carlyle called "the dismal science," for short 4
5A 14. Cookies featured in Weird Al's "The White Stuff" 5
6A 16. Condiment in potato salad, informally 4
7A 17. *Aids for biting 10
8A 19. Task for a line cook, informally 4
9A 20. Thus far 6
10A 21. ___ for thought 4
11A 23. Crevice 3
12A 24. Ice cream drink 4
13A 26. *Attribute for spotting what others miss 7
14A 28. What a scare might make you do 4
15A 31. Word after hand or band 3
16A 33. "That's a good tip for the future" 5
17A 34. Actress de Armas of "Knives Out" 3
18A 35. Swanky shindig 4
19A 36. Copenhagener, e.g. 4
20A 37. What the answers to the starred clues are, collectively? 15
21A 42. $50/hour, e.g. 4
22A 43. Cuisine from Bangkok 4
23A 44. It's blowing in the wind 3
24A 45. Artist with the albums "19," "21," "25" and "30" 5
25A 47. "My dear ___ ..." 3
26A 48. Online files for instruction manuals, often 4
27A 49. *Cheeky sort 7
28A 52. Rip-___ (awful deals) 4
29A 54. Pre-entree order, informally 3
30A 55. Daily delivery 4
31A 57. Declares as fact 6
32A 61. Picked out of a lineup, informally 4
33A 63. *One given to insolence 10
34A 65. Tickle Me Elmo toymaker 4
35A 66. HR-V and CR-V automaker 5
36A 67. Senior dance party 4
37A 68. Meyers of "Late Night" 4
38A 69. Within a stone's throw of 4
39A 70. Patches up, say 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Number not representable by Roman numerals"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity of no importance
  • Similar words include: zero in, nothing, zilch
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZERO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. What's the point of bullfighting?"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
  • Similar words include: French horn, trumpet, trump
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HORN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Bryce Canyon's state"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in the western united states; settled in 1847 by mormons led by brigham young
  • Similar words include: Mormon State, UT, Beehive State
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. What Thomas Carlyle called "the dismal science," for short"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Cookies featured in Weird Al's "The White Stuff""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Condiment in potato salad, informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that egg yolks and oil and vinegar
  • Similar words include: mayonnaise
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAYO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. *Aids for biting"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Task for a line cook, informally"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home)
  • Similar words include: homework, preparation
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PREP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Thus far"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. ___ for thought"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
  • Similar words include: intellectual nourishment, food for thought, nutrient
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Crevice"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
  • Similar words include: opening, disruption, crack
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Ice cream drink"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a milkshake made with malt powder
  • Similar words include: malt liquor, malted, malted milk
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. *Attribute for spotting what others miss"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. What a scare might make you do"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sudden and decisive increase
  • Similar words include: derail, skip over, pass over
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JUMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Word after hand or band"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
  • Similar words include: run across, byword, regard
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. "That's a good tip for the future""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make mention of
  • Similar words include: renowned, notice, celebrated
  • Opposite of: ignore
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Actress de Armas of "Knives Out""

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!

18A: "35. Swanky shindig"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a gay festivity
  • Similar words include: gala affair, jamboree, blowout
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Copenhagener, e.g."

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of denmark
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. What the answers to the starred clues are, collectively?"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. $50/hour, e.g."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
  • Similar words include: order, charge per unit, grade
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Cuisine from Bangkok"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. It's blowing in the wind"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
  • Similar words include: line, aviation, breeze
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Artist with the albums "19," "21," "25" and "30""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. "My dear ___ ...""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that term of address for a man
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Online files for instruction manuals, often"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. *Cheeky sort"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Rip-___ (awful deals)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that kill intentionally and with premeditation
  • Similar words include: dispatch, slay, murder
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OFFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Pre-entree order, informally"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Daily delivery"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
  • Similar words include: ring armor, chain armor, send
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Declares as fact"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "61. Picked out of a lineup, informally"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. *One given to insolence"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "65. Tickle Me Elmo toymaker"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. HR-V and CR-V automaker"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "67. Senior dance party"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year
  • Similar words include: promenade
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. Meyers of "Late Night""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) third son of adam and eve; given by god in place of the murdered abel
  • Similar words include: Set
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SETH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "69. Within a stone's throw of"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move towards
  • Similar words include: skinny, draw near, penny-pinching
  • Opposite of: far
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "70. Patches up, say"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Gusto 4
2D 2. Repetitive sound effect 4
3D 3. Highway, e.g. 4
4D 4. Way to the highway 6
5D 5. Spot to keep a passport while traveling 9
6D 6. Valuable deposit 3
7D 7. "Finding Nemo" setting 4
8D 8. Simply unacceptable 5
9D 9. M.L.B. official 3
10D 10. Customized bit of marketing 10
11D 11. "Yes, captain!" 6
12D 12. Moved like a kangaroo 6
13D 15. "If the ___ fits, wear it!" 4
14D 18. School bake sale org. 3
15D 22. Mountain visible from Anchorage 6
16D 25. Lecture 4
17D 27. "___ of your business!" 4
18D 28. Punch in the ring 3
19D 29. Game with the goal of running out of cards 3
20D 30. Huge props 10
21D 32. Desires 5
22D 35. Cheerleader's shout 6
23D 36. A little sun? 9
24D 38. Connecticut Ivy 4
25D 39. Home of Xenia, the U.S.'s largest city whose name starts with "X" 4
26D 40. Many an embedded animation 3
27D 41. Settings for "The Pitt" and "Code Black," for short 3
28D 45. Lies ahead 6
29D 46. Technique whereby a shirt is lowered into a pigmented bath 6
30D 48. Military mind games, for short 6
31D 50. Merit badge holder 4
32D 51. Schuster's partner in publishing 5
33D 53. Closest peeps 3
34D 56. Assignment at a bowling alley 4
35D 58. "You bet!" 4
36D 59. Place in an overhead bin 4
37D 60. Electrical resistance units 4
38D 62. [Facepalm] 3
39D 64. Nutritional intake amt. 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Gusto"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
  • Similar words include: tanginess, spice up, piquantness
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Repetitive sound effect"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Highway, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
  • Similar words include: route
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Way to the highway"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Spot to keep a passport while traveling"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Valuable deposit"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. "Finding Nemo" setting"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
  • Similar words include: Witwatersrand, Rand
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REEF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Simply unacceptable"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. M.L.B. official"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an official at a baseball game
  • Similar words include: umpire
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Customized bit of marketing"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. "Yes, captain!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Moved like a kangaroo"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that jump lightly
  • Similar words include: hop-skip, hop, skip
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOPPED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "15. "If the ___ fits, wear it!""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material
  • Similar words include: skid, horseshoe, brake shoe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. School bake sale org."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Mountain visible from Anchorage"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mountain in south central alaska; the highest peak in north america (20,300 feet high)
  • Similar words include: Mount McKinley, McKinley, Mt. McKinley
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DENALI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Lecture"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an exchange of ideas via conversation
  • Similar words include: spill the beans, verbalise, talking
  • Opposite of: keep quiet
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. "___ of your business!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a canonical hour that is the ninth hour of the day counting from sunrise
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Punch in the ring"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Game with the goal of running out of cards"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Huge props"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Desires"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Cheerleader's shout"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. A little sun?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Connecticut Ivy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a university in connecticut
  • Similar words include: Yale University, Elihu Yale
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. Home of Xenia, the U.S.'s largest city whose name starts with "X""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a midwestern state in north central united states in the great lakes region
  • Similar words include: Ohio River, OH, Buckeye State
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OHIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Many an embedded animation"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Settings for "The Pitt" and "Code Black," for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
  • Similar words include: erbium, Er, atomic number 68
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Lies ahead"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that look forward to the probable occurrence of
  • Similar words include: await, wait, expect
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWAITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. Technique whereby a shirt is lowered into a pigmented bath"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Military mind games, for short"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that military actions designed to influence the perceptions and attitudes of individuals, groups, and foreign governments
  • Similar words include: psychological operation, psyop
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PSYOPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Merit badge holder"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
  • Similar words include: cincture, waistcloth, waistband
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Schuster's partner in publishing"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the twelve apostles (first century)
  • Similar words include: Herbert A. Simon, St. Simon, Paul Simon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIMON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "53. Closest peeps"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "56. Assignment at a bowling alley"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrow way or road
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "58. "You bet!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
  • Similar words include: surely, for certain, certainly
  • Opposite of: unsure, uncertain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SURE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "59. Place in an overhead bin"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fill by packing tightly
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "60. Electrical resistance units"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of electrical resistance equal to the resistance between two points on a conductor when a potential difference of one volt between them produces a current of one ampere
  • Similar words include: ohm, Ohm, Georg Simon Ohm
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OHMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "62. [Facepalm]"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the syllable naming the first (tonic) note of any major scale in solmization
  • Similar words include: do, ut
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "64. Nutritional intake amt."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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

39 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: May 26, 2026 at 06:59 AM

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Sunday's NYT Down Dec 21 - Full Vertical Grid Solutions

NYT Down Clues Answers December 21, 2025 - All 71 Vertical Solutions & Expert Hints

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 71 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: April 11 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | November 09 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | NYT Down Crossword October 15 2025 |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for December 21, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Sunday, December 21, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 21, 2025
Day of Week Sunday
Total Down Clues 71 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Easy

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 71 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. Make furious
2 Down 2. "The Family Circus" cartoonist Bil ___
3 Down 3. Tennis line judge's ruling
4 Down 4. Duke Ellington classic with the lyric "That was my heart serenading you"
5 Down 5. West side of L.A.?
6 Down 6. "Is there still time for me to join you?"
7 Down 7. 51 to the hour
8 Down 8. Stage direction
9 Down 9. Phillipa of Broadway
10 Down 10. Grammy winner Erykah
11 Down 11. ___ Gorman, "The Hill We Climb" poet
12 Down 12. Copy
13 Down 13. Iced-tea-and-lemonade refreshments
14 Down 14. Spending romp
15 Down 15. Output of certain mining
16 Down 16. Counterpart of a sub
17 Down 17. Fast start?
18 Down 18. Father, familiarly
19 Down 19. Mentally overpower, with "out"
20 Down 28. Like most moccasins
21 Down 29. Great Dane of cartoons, informally
22 Down 33. More livid
23 Down 37. Keister, in Leicester
24 Down 39. 2015 chart-topping hit for the Weeknd
25 Down 40. Symbolic for its time
26 Down 41. Shoe company with an iconic checkerboard design
27 Down 42. Descendant
28 Down 43. Apple: Fr.
29 Down 44. Is without
30 Down 47. Rabid in appearance
31 Down 50. Woman's nickname that sounds like two letters
32 Down 51. Rice-A-___
33 Down 52. "Borderlands" director ___ Roth
34 Down 53. Hiding place
35 Down 55. Gene pools?
36 Down 57. Org. with its own alphabet
37 Down 61. Abbr. not found on most smartphones
38 Down 63. "Aren't ___ lucky one?!"
39 Down 66. It has a lot of secretaries
40 Down 67. Shirt collar stiffener
41 Down 69. Where to find six "presents" in this puzzle?
42 Down 71. Knock 'em dead
43 Down 72. Coolidge who sang the theme for "Octopussy"
44 Down 73. Just getting started with
45 Down 74. Green shade
46 Down 75. What Joe Montana was in the '80s
47 Down 76. A TD scores six of these
48 Down 77. "Fancy, that!"
49 Down 78. Prickly denizen of coral reefs
50 Down 80. Famed lawyer in the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial
51 Down 81. Most minimal
52 Down 84. Some Korean exports
53 Down 86. Calmed deceptively
54 Down 88. Baseball slugger's stat
55 Down 90. Bird used to deliver messages on "Game of Thrones"
56 Down 92. Blueprints
57 Down 97. Author Zora Neale ___
58 Down 98. Noodled on, with "over"
59 Down 100. Girlfriend in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
60 Down 101. Informant
61 Down 103. "Ta-ta!"
62 Down 104. Tricky pool shot
63 Down 106. Someone enjoying a walk in the park
64 Down 108. Mentally with it
65 Down 109. ___ four
66 Down 110. Fits one inside the other
67 Down 112. Porcine : pigs :: cervine : ___
68 Down 113. Essential
69 Down 117. It might be good for a change
70 Down 119. One who knows the drill?: Abbr.
71 Down 120. Teslas, e.g., for short

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues

Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:

Complete Down Solutions:


1 Down: "1. Make furious"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: S___M
  • Similar words: steamer, steam clean
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: water at boiling temperature diffused in the atmosphere
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer STEAM


2 Down: "2. "The Family Circus" cartoonist Bil ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: K___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KEANE


3 Down: "3. Tennis line judge's ruling"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: I___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ITSIN


4 Down: "4. Duke Ellington classic with the lyric "That was my heart serenading you""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 14 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P____________S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PRELUDETOAKISS


5 Down: "5. West side of L.A.?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LOS


6 Down: "6. "Is there still time for me to join you?""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A_____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AMILATE


7 Down: "7. 51 to the hour"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: N______T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NINEPAST


8 Down: "8. Stage direction"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: E___R
  • Similar words: embark, participate
  • Opposite of: exit
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: to come or go into
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ENTER


9 Down: "9. Phillipa of Broadway"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SOO


10 Down: "10. Grammy winner Erykah"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: B__U
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BADU


11 Down: "11. ___ Gorman, "The Hill We Climb" poet"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: A____A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AMANDA


12 Down: "12. Copy"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: M____R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MIRROR


13 Down: "13. Iced-tea-and-lemonade refreshments"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 13 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A___________S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARNOLDPALMERS


14 Down: "14. Spending romp"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S___E
  • Similar words: fling
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a brief indulgence of your impulses
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SPREE


15 Down: "15. Output of certain mining"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: O__S
  • Similar words: ore
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ORES


16 Down: "16. Counterpart of a sub"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'M'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DOM


17 Down: "17. Fast start?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 12 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: A__________Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ASHWEDNESDAY


18 Down: "18. Father, familiarly"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: O____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OLDMAN


19 Down: "19. Mentally overpower, with "out""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: P___H
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PSYCH


20 Down: "28. Like most moccasins"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: S____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLIPON


21 Down: "29. Great Dane of cartoons, informally"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'B'
  • Word pattern: S___B
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCOOB


22 Down: "33. More livid"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: I____R
  • Similar words: irate, ireful
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: feeling or showing extreme anger
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IRATER


23 Down: "37. Keister, in Leicester"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A__E
  • Similar words: rear, tush
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARSE


24 Down: "39. 2015 chart-topping hit for the Weeknd"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 14 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C____________E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CANTFEELMYFACE


25 Down: "40. Symbolic for its time"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: O_____A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OFANERA


26 Down: "41. Shoe company with an iconic checkerboard design"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: V__S
  • Similar words: van, new wave
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer VANS


27 Down: "42. Descendant"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: S___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a descendent or heir
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCION


28 Down: "43. Apple: Fr."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer POMME


29 Down: "44. Is without"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: H___T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HASNT


30 Down: "47. Rabid in appearance"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'G'
  • Word pattern: F______G
  • Similar words: form bubbles, fizz
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: become bubbly or frothy or foaming
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FROTHING


31 Down: "50. Woman's nickname that sounds like two letters"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: E__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EVIE


32 Down: "51. Rice-A-___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: R__I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RONI


33 Down: "52. "Borderlands" director ___ Roth"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'I'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ELI


34 Down: "53. Hiding place"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'N'
  • Similar words: hideaway, hideout
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the habitation of wild animals
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DEN


35 Down: "55. Gene pools?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: D______S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DNABANKS


36 Down: "57. Org. with its own alphabet"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: N__O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NATO


37 Down: "61. Abbr. not found on most smartphones"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: O__R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OPER


38 Down: "63. "Aren't ___ lucky one?!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: I__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ITHE


39 Down: "66. It has a lot of secretaries"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: C_____T
  • Similar words: locker, console
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CABINET


40 Down: "67. Shirt collar stiffener"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S__Y
  • Similar words: stick, remain
  • Opposite of: depart
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: continuing or remaining in a place or state
  • This is Down clue number 40

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer STAY


41 Down: "69. Where to find six "presents" in this puzzle?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 12 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: U__________E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 41

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer UNDERTHETREE


42 Down: "71. Knock 'em dead"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S__Y
  • Similar words: dispatch, hit
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: kill intentionally and with premeditation
  • This is Down clue number 42

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLAY


43 Down: "72. Coolidge who sang the theme for "Octopussy""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: R__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 43

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RITA


44 Down: "73. Just getting started with"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: N___T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 44

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NEWAT


45 Down: "74. Green shade"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O___E
  • Similar words: Olea europaea
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 45

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OLIVE


46 Down: "75. What Joe Montana was in the '80s"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: N___R
  • Similar words: ennead, IX
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
  • This is Down clue number 46

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NINER


47 Down: "76. A TD scores six of these"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: platinum, Pt
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 47

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PTS


48 Down: "77. "Fancy, that!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'H'
  • Similar words: aah
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
  • This is Down clue number 48

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OOH


49 Down: "78. Prickly denizen of coral reefs"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 13 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: P___________H
  • Similar words: porcupine fish, Diodon hystrix
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 49

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PORCUPINEFISH


50 Down: "80. Famed lawyer in the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 14 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: C____________W
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 50

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CLARENCEDARROW


51 Down: "81. Most minimal"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: B____T
  • Similar words: simple, scanty
  • Opposite of: sheathed
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: completely unclothed
  • This is Down clue number 51

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BAREST


52 Down: "84. Some Korean exports"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: K__S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 52

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KIAS


53 Down: "86. Calmed deceptively"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: L____D
  • Similar words: calm, tranquilize
  • Opposite of: agitate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: calm by deception
  • This is Down clue number 53

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LULLED


54 Down: "88. Baseball slugger's stat"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: R__S
  • Similar words: rbi, run batted in
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a run that is the result of the batter's performance
  • This is Down clue number 54

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RBIS


55 Down: "90. Bird used to deliver messages on "Game of Thrones""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: R___N
  • Similar words: Corvus corax, predate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 55

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RAVEN


56 Down: "92. Blueprints"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: S______A
  • Similar words: scheme, schema
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 56

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCHEMATA


57 Down: "97. Author Zora Neale ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: H_____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 57

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HURSTON


58 Down: "98. Noodled on, with "over""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: M____D
  • Similar words: reflect, think over
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: reflect deeply on a subject
  • This is Down clue number 58

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MULLED


59 Down: "100. Girlfriend in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 59

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLOANE


60 Down: "101. Informant"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S____E
  • Similar words: author, rootage
  • Opposite of: sink
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the place where something begins
  • This is Down clue number 60

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SOURCE


61 Down: "103. "Ta-ta!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: S___A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 61

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SEEYA


62 Down: "104. Tricky pool shot"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: M___E
  • Similar words: masse shot
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 62

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MASSE


63 Down: "106. Someone enjoying a walk in the park"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: H___R
  • Similar words: tramper, tramp
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 63

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HIKER


64 Down: "108. Mentally with it"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: S___P
  • Similar words: shrill, precipitous
  • Opposite of: dull
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 64

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SHARP


65 Down: "109. ___ four"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: P___T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 65

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PETIT


66 Down: "110. Fits one inside the other"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: N___S
  • Similar words: nestle, cuddle
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 66

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NESTS


67 Down: "112. Porcine : pigs :: cervine : ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: D__R
  • Similar words: cervid
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 67

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DEER


68 Down: "113. Essential"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: N__D
  • Similar words: necessitate, call for
  • Opposite of: obviate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a condition requiring relief
  • This is Down clue number 68

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NEED


69 Down: "117. It might be good for a change"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
  • Similar words: dyestuff
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 69

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DYE


70 Down: "119. One who knows the drill?: Abbr."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 70

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SGT


71 Down: "120. Teslas, e.g., for short"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: electron volt, eV
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 71

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EVS

Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues

Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Down Clues?

  • Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
  • Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
  • Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
  • Down answers often help solve Across clues

Down Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically

Time-Saving Down Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Down first Get a mental map of the vertical flow
Fill short Down words 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors
Use crossing letters Across letters help confirm Down answers
Look for themes Related Down answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues

What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?

Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.

Should I solve Down or Across clues first?

Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 71 Down clues.

Are Down clues easier than Across clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.

How do Down clues interact with Across clues?

Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 21, 2025 at 05:15 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, December 21 2025 down clues