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
- Across Clues Table (37 clues)
- Across Clues - Detailed Hints
- Down Clues Table (37 clues)
- Down Clues - Detailed Hints
- Expert Solving Strategies
- Today's Puzzle Statistics
Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate
Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!
Across Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | 1. In vogue | 4 |
| 2A | 5. Seal hunter | 4 |
| 3A | 9. Some rudiments to be learned | 4 |
| 4A | 13. Flex time? | 4 |
| 5A | 14. Stern | 4 |
| 6A | 15. Container for peaches | 5 |
| 7A | 17. *Honeybunch | 5 |
| 8A | 19. Group of spellers? | 5 |
| 9A | 20. Title in "Beowulf" | 5 |
| 10A | 21. Back-to-basics regimen | 9 |
| 11A | 23. Grp. of peacekeepers | 4 |
| 12A | 25. *Afternoon socials | 4 |
| 13A | 26. Caddies, in golf slang | 7 |
| 14A | 29. Part of a blind | 4 |
| 15A | 30. Partner of ends | 4 |
| 16A | 31. Some messages from a road trip, in brief | 4 |
| 17A | 33. Scare off | 5 |
| 18A | 37. Many a golden parachute recipient, in brief | 3 |
| 19A | 38. Renounced ... or a phonetic hint to reading the answers to the starred clues | 7 |
| 20A | 40. Sanskrit name meaning "extraordinary" | 3 |
| 21A | 41. Capital close to the confluence of the Red and Black rivers | 5 |
| 22A | 43. Gaels of the N.C.A.A. | 4 |
| 23A | 44. Battling | 4 |
| 24A | 45. Piece of cake | 4 |
| 25A | 47. Food processor | 7 |
| 26A | 49. *Worms or flies, often | 4 |
| 27A | 53. Do some laps | 4 |
| 28A | 54. Right now | 9 |
| 29A | 56. ___ Hamilton, author of the classic "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" | 5 |
| 30A | 59. Sass | 5 |
| 31A | 60. *___ Beach, Calif. | 5 |
| 32A | 62. Hit 1977 musical that included Franklin D. Roosevelt as a character | 5 |
| 33A | 63. Juniors, e.g. | 4 |
| 34A | 64. Trails | 4 |
| 35A | 65. "Yikes!" | 4 |
| 36A | 66. Rowers' workout machines, informally | 4 |
| 37A | 67. Straddling | 4 |
Across Clues - Strategic Hints
1A: "1. In vogue"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that elegance by virtue of being fashionable
- Similar words include: stylishness, modishness, chichi
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHIC
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2A: "5. Seal hunter"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas
- Similar words include: killer whale, grampus, killer
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORCA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3A: "9. Some rudiments to be learned"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
- Similar words include: alphabet, first rudiment, ABC's
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABCS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4A: "13. Flex time?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility that is achieved through the three paths of actions and knowledge and devotion
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YOGA
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5A: "14. Stern"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the back of a military formation or procession
- Similar words include: bum, nates, back
- Opposite of: front, level
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REAR
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6A: "15. Container for peaches"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a rugged box (usually made of wood); used for shipping
- Similar words include: crateful
- Opposite of: uncrate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRATE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7A: "17. *Honeybunch"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a white crystalline carbohydrate used as a sweetener and preservative
- Similar words include: dough, bread, cabbage
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUGAR
Remember this word for future puzzles!
8A: "19. Group of spellers?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an assembly of witches; usually 13 witches
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COVEN
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9A: "20. Title in "Beowulf""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a feudal lord or baron
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THANE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10A: "21. Back-to-basics regimen"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PALEODIET
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11A: "23. Grp. of peacekeepers"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an international organization created in 1949 by the north atlantic treaty for purposes of collective security
- Similar words include: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NATO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12A: "25. *Afternoon socials"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
- Similar words include: tea, afternoon tea, teatime
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13A: "26. Caddies, in golf slang"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that small hairless caterpillar having legs on only its front and rear segments; mostly larvae of moths of the family geometridae
- Similar words include: inchworm, measuring worm, looper
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOPERS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14A: "29. Part of a blind"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a thin strip (wood or metal)
- Similar words include: spline
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15A: "30. Partner of ends"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
- Similar words include: betting odds
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODDS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16A: "31. Some messages from a road trip, in brief"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
- Similar words include: Basque Homeland and Freedom, Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Euskadi ta Askatasuna
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETAS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17A: "33. Scare off"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that try to prevent; show opposition to
- Similar words include: discourage, dissuade
- Opposite of: persuade
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DETER
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18A: "37. Many a golden parachute recipient, in brief"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the corporate executive responsible for the operations of the firm; reports to a board of directors; may appoint other managers (including a president)
- Similar words include: chief operating officer, chief executive officer
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CEO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19A: "38. Renounced ... or a phonetic hint to reading the answers to the starred clues"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that do without or cease to hold or adhere to
- Similar words include: foreswear, antecede, precede
- Opposite of: claim, postdate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORGONE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20A: "40. Sanskrit name meaning "extraordinary""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APU
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21A: "41. Capital close to the confluence of the Red and Black rivers"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the capital city of vietnam; located in north vietnam
- Similar words include: capital of Vietnam
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HANOI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22A: "43. Gaels of the N.C.A.A."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IONA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23A: "44. Battling"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATIT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24A: "45. Piece of cake"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the act of catching an object with the hands
- Similar words include: bust, snatch, pushover
- Opposite of: inelasticity
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNAP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25A: "47. Food processor"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion
- Similar words include: abdomen, tolerate, suffer
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOMACH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26A: "49. *Worms or flies, often"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that anything that serves as an enticement
- Similar words include: lure, tantalize, rally
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAIT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27A: "53. Do some laps"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the act of swimming; :
- Similar words include: float, swimming, drown
- Opposite of: sink
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWIM
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28A: "54. Right now"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASWESPEAK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29A: "56. ___ Hamilton, author of the classic "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDITH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30A: "59. Sass"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
- Similar words include: verbalize, sassing, verbalise
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOUTH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31A: "60. *___ Beach, Calif."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PISMO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
32A: "62. Hit 1977 musical that included Franklin D. Roosevelt as a character"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANNIE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
33A: "63. Juniors, e.g."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a male human offspring
- Similar words include: Logos, boy, Word
- Opposite of: daughter, girl
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
34A: "64. Trails"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the act of slowing down or falling behind
- Similar words include: put behind bars, dawdle, meantime
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAGS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
35A: "65. "Yikes!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGAD
Remember this word for future puzzles!
36A: "66. Rowers' workout machines, informally"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a cgs unit of work or energy; the work done by a force of one dyne acting over a distance of one centimeter
- Similar words include: erg
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERGS
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37A: "67. Straddling"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that on, to, or at the top
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATOP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
Down Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | 1. Anatomical pouch | 4 |
| 2D | 2. "Star Wars" planet where Luke Skywalker rides a tauntaun | 4 |
| 3D | 3. Dinosaur named for a lizard tooth | 9 |
| 4D | 4. Quick timeouts? | 7 |
| 5D | 5. AAA or B.B.B. | 3 |
| 6D | 6. Bring in | 4 |
| 7D | 7. 200 milligrams | 5 |
| 8D | 8. Sketchy activities? | 10 |
| 9D | 9. Kudo | 8 |
| 10D | 10. Guys' night out | 7 |
| 11D | 11. Trivial objection | 5 |
| 12D | 12. Symbol of strength and solidity | 5 |
| 13D | 16. Tonsillectomy docs | 4 |
| 14D | 18. French crown? | 4 |
| 15D | 22. Wing | 3 |
| 16D | 24. Hydrox lookalike | 4 |
| 17D | 26. Lomond, for one | 4 |
| 18D | 27. Old theaters | 4 |
| 19D | 28. Show that ends in disarray? | 10 |
| 20D | 32. Long time follower? | 3 |
| 21D | 34. Dojo furnishing | 9 |
| 22D | 35. It's a long story | 4 |
| 23D | 36. One of the six sluggers on baseball's Murderer's Row | 4 |
| 24D | 38. Spent | 8 |
| 25D | 39. "Curly W" team | 4 |
| 26D | 42. Caucasus region | 7 |
| 27D | 44. Padmé ___ (mother of Luke and Leia Skywalker) | 7 |
| 28D | 46. Horned viper | 3 |
| 29D | 48. Is underwater | 4 |
| 30D | 49. S.E.C. football powerhouse, informally | 4 |
| 31D | 50. United | 5 |
| 32D | 51. Tried to hit a baseball | 5 |
| 33D | 52. Taste | 5 |
| 34D | 55. Double-decker checker | 4 |
| 35D | 57. Benin neighbor | 4 |
| 36D | 58. Door fastener | 4 |
| 37D | 61. Jerk | 3 |
Down Clues - Strategic Hints
1D: "1. Anatomical pouch"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a closed sac that develops abnormally in some body structure
- Similar words include: vesicle
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CYST
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2D: "2. "Star Wars" planet where Luke Skywalker rides a tauntaun"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (norse mythology) a blind god; misled by loki, he kills his brother balder by throwing a shaft of mistletoe
- Similar words include: Hodur, Hoder, Hothr
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOTH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3D: "3. Dinosaur named for a lizard tooth"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that massive herbivorous bipedal dinosaur with a long heavy tail; common in europe and northern africa; early cretaceous period
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IGUANODON
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4D: "4. Quick timeouts?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that sleeping for a short period of time (usually not in bed)
- Similar words include: catnap, catch a wink, nap
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATNAPS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5D: "5. AAA or B.B.B."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6D: "6. Bring in"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that gather, as of natural products
- Similar words include: draw, glean, harvest
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REAP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7D: "7. 200 milligrams"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a unit of weight for precious stones = 200 mg
- Similar words include: kt, karat
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
8D: "8. Sketchy activities?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARTLESSONS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
9D: "9. Kudo"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
- Similar words include: honor, award, honour
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACCOLADE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10D: "10. Guys' night out"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRODATE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11D: "11. Trivial objection"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections
- Similar words include: chicane, quiddity, quibble
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAVIL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12D: "12. Symbol of strength and solidity"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
- Similar words include: sword, nerve, blade
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEEL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13D: "16. Tonsillectomy docs"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENTS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14D: "18. French crown?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TETE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15D: "22. Wing"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an extension at the end and at right angles to the main building
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16D: "24. Hydrox lookalike"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that chocolate cookie with white cream filling
- Similar words include: oreo cookie
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17D: "26. Lomond, for one"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a long narrow inlet of the sea in scotland (especially when it is nearly landlocked)
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOCH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18D: "27. Old theaters"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODEA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19D: "28. Show that ends in disarray?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a performer who provides erotic entertainment by undressing to music
- Similar words include: striptease artist, stripteaser, exotic dancer
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRIPTEASE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20D: "32. Long time follower?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that gone by; or in the past
- Similar words include: agone
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21D: "34. Dojo furnishing"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TATAMIMAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22D: "35. It's a long story"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
- Similar words include: epic poem, epos, larger-than-life
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPIC
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23D: "36. One of the six sluggers on baseball's Murderer's Row"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that united states professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
- Similar words include: Book of Ruth, commiseration, George Herman Ruth
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUTH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24D: "38. Spent"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that come or bring to a finish or an end
- Similar words include: terminate, cease, end up
- Opposite of: unfinished, begin
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FINISHED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25D: "39. "Curly W" team"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NATS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26D: "42. Caucasus region"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSSETIA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27D: "44. Padmé ___ (mother of Luke and Leia Skywalker)"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMIDALA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28D: "46. Horned viper"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that of southern europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
- Similar words include: Naja haje, Vipera aspis, Egyptian cobra
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29D: "48. Is underwater"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that be obliged to pay or repay
- Similar words include: owe
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30D: "49. S.E.C. football powerhouse, informally"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAMA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31D: "50. United"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASONE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
32D: "51. Tried to hit a baseball"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
- Similar words include: sway, drop, swing
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWUNG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
33D: "52. Taste"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAPOR
Remember this word for future puzzles!
34D: "55. Double-decker checker"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
- Similar words include: Riley B King, queen, B. B. King
- Opposite of: female monarch, queen
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KING
Remember this word for future puzzles!
35D: "57. Benin neighbor"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a republic on the western coast of africa on the gulf of guinea; formerly under french control
- Similar words include: Togolese Republic
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOGO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
36D: "58. Door fastener"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a fastener for a door or lid; a hinged metal plate is fitted over a staple and is locked with a pin or padlock
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HASP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
37D: "61. Jerk"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
- Similar words include: shtup, bum, Eastern Samoa
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
Expert Solving Strategies
Start Smart
Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.
Decode the Clues
Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.
Use Cross-References
Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.
Build Vocabulary
Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.
Today's Puzzle Stats
37 Across Clues
37 Down Clues
74 Total Clues
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