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Tuesday, September 22, 2026

NYT Mini Crossword Trivia Week 4 September 22, 2026 - Daily Answers

NYT Mini Crossword Trivia Week 4 September 22, 2026 - Daily Answers

20 clues today. If you're stuck on any of them, scroll down — hints first, answers hidden underneath.

Popular Puzzles: December 31 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | July 01 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | January 30 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for September 22, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date September 22, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week 4 NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

Today's layout is the usual 5x5: five columns, five rows.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This One Fast

  1. Read through all the clues before filling in a single square.
  2. Start with anything three letters or shorter.
  3. Crossing letters are your best friend for the trickier answers.
  4. Question mark clues (?) almost always mean wordplay, not a literal answer.
  5. Watch for the usual suspects: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT.

Quick Facts

  • Total squares: 25 (5 × 5)
  • Typical solve time: well under a minute for most regulars
  • Good time to play: on a coffee break
  • Difficulty: built to be approachable

Across Clues - 10 Total

These run left to right across the grid.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 63. Doughnut quantities
2 Across 14. Was overprotective, in a way
3 Across 19. 50/52-Across musician
4 Across 26. Billionaires' boats
5 Across 24. Like a scratchy voice
6 Across 37. #1 hit from 50/52-Across ("Why did those days ever have to go?")
7 Across 50. With 52-Across, double album released on September 28, 1976, that spent 13 straight weeks at #1
8 Across 64. Work ___
9 Across 40. Perched
10 Across 12. Sudden and unexpected

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Stuck on one? Hints and answers for each clue are below. A few other guides worth a look:


1 Across: "63. Doughnut quantities"

Hints:

  • Think of it this way — a large number or amount.
  • Starts with 'D', ends with 'S'.
  • Count on 6 letters here.

Answer:

Click to reveal DOZENS


2 Across: "14. Was overprotective, in a way"

Hints:

  • You're looking for 7 letters.
  • You could also think of it as "linger."
  • Starts with 'H', ends with 'D'.

Answer:

Click to reveal HOVERED


3 Across: "19. 50/52-Across musician"

Hints:

  • Count on 12 letters here.
  • Starts with 'S', ends with 'R'.
  • Blank it out and you get: S__________R

Answer:

Click to reveal STEVIEWONDER


4 Across: "26. Billionaires' boats"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'Y' and wraps up with 'S'.
  • Close enough in meaning: yacht.
  • It's a 6-letter word.

Answer:

Click to reveal YACHTS


5 Across: "24. Like a scratchy voice"

Hints:

  • Pattern-wise it looks like: R___Y
  • It's a 5-letter word.
  • Kicks off with 'R' and wraps up with 'Y'.

Answer:

Click to reveal RASPY


6 Across: "37. #1 hit from 50/52-Across ("Why did those days ever have to go?")"

Hints:

  • This one runs 5 letters long.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: I___H
  • First letter's a 'I', last letter's a 'H'.

Answer:

Click to reveal IWISH


7 Across: "50. With 52-Across, double album released on September 28, 1976, that spent 13 straight weeks at #1"

Hints:

  • Count on 7 letters here.
  • Kicks off with 'S' and wraps up with 'N'.
  • Blank it out and you get: S_____N

Answer:

Click to reveal SONGSIN


8 Across: "64. Work ___"

Hints:

  • First letter's a 'E', last letter's a 'C'.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: E___C
  • This one runs 5 letters long.

Answer:

Click to reveal ETHIC


9 Across: "40. Perched"

Hints:

  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • This one runs 3 letters long.
  • Close enough in meaning: posture.

Answer:

Click to reveal SAT


10 Across: "12. Sudden and unexpected"

Hints:

  • It's a 6-letter word.
  • You could also think of it as "sharp."
  • Starts with 'A', ends with 'T'.

Answer:

Click to reveal ABRUPT

Down Clues - 10 Total

These run top to bottom in the grid.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 44. Start liking
2 Down 29. "lol"
3 Down 43. Celebratory hoopla
4 Down 18. Like some humor and runs
5 Down 23. Argue against
6 Down 11. Road curves
7 Down 22. Broadway star Menzel
8 Down 4. Popular times for tacos
9 Down 48. "I see"
10 Down 53. Ivy League school in New Haven

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Same deal here — hints then answers. You might also like:


1 Down: "44. Start liking"

Hints:

  • It's a 6-letter word.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: T____O
  • Starts with 'T', ends with 'O'.

Answer:

Click to reveal TAKETO


2 Down: "29. "lol""

Hints:

  • If that helps, the shape is: H__A
  • First letter's a 'H', last letter's a 'A'.
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.

Answer:

Click to reveal HAHA


3 Down: "43. Celebratory hoopla"

Hints:

  • Pattern-wise it looks like: F_____E
  • This one runs 7 letters long.
  • Starts with 'F', ends with 'E'.

Answer:

Click to reveal FANFARE


4 Down: "18. Like some humor and runs"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'D' and wraps up with 'Y'.
  • 'ironic' points in the same direction.
  • Short form / acronym territory here.

Answer:

Click to reveal DRY


5 Down: "23. Argue against"

Hints:

  • This one runs 5 letters long.
  • Basically, overthrow by argument.
  • First letter's a 'R', last letter's a 'T'.

Answer:

Click to reveal REBUT


6 Down: "11. Road curves"

Hints:

  • Close enough in meaning: crook.
  • You're looking for 5 letters.
  • In plain terms: pain resulting from rapid change in pressure.

Answer:

Click to reveal BENDS


7 Down: "22. Broadway star Menzel"

Hints:

  • First letter's a 'I', last letter's a 'A'.
  • It's a 5-letter word.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: I___A

Answer:

Click to reveal IDINA


8 Down: "4. Popular times for tacos"

Hints:

  • Basically, the third day of the week; the second working day.
  • Kicks off with 'T' and wraps up with 'S'.
  • If that helps, the shape is: T______S

Answer:

Click to reveal TUESDAYS


9 Down: "48. "I see""

Hints:

  • Count on 4 letters here.
  • First letter's a 'O', last letter's a 'K'.
  • Short form / acronym territory here.

Answer:

Click to reveal OHOK


10 Down: "53. Ivy League school in New Haven"

Hints:

  • Think of it this way — a university in Connecticut.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: Y__E
  • Short form / acronym territory here.

Answer:

Click to reveal YALE

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

A few things that actually help once you've been doing these a while:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Scan before you solve: One quick read-through of all the clues before you commit to anything usually pays off.
  2. Short words first: The 2-3 letter answers are almost always the low-hanging fruit.
  3. Let crossings guide you: Harder answers get much easier once a couple of crossing letters are locked in.
  4. Puns hide behind question marks: If a clue ends in "?", expect wordplay, not a straight answer.
  5. A few words repeat a lot: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE show up more than you'd expect — keep them in mind.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • E is the most common letter in English, so it's worth guessing early.
  • Words ending in S are usually plurals.
  • Blanks ("___") in a clue mean the answer fits exactly into those spaces.
  • An abbreviation in the clue is a signal the answer's abbreviated too.

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You've clearly got the puzzle's patterns down.
30-60 seconds Advanced Solid pace — you're solving quickly.
1-2 minutes Good Right where most regular solvers land.
Over 2 minutes Learning Totally fine — speed comes with reps.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25
Average Time: 45 seconds
Difficulty: Easy

Common Questions About Trivia Week 4

When does the Trivia Week 4 Mini go live?

It usually goes live around 10 PM Eastern the night before.

How long should Trivia Week 4 take me?

Most people land somewhere between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Slower than that is completely normal too — it gets faster with practice.

Is Trivia Week 4 free to play?

It's free to play, unlike the main NYT Crossword which sits behind a paywall.

What actually makes someone good at Trivia Week 4?

Knowing the common short words, spotting wordplay quickly, and reading crossing letters well — that combination gets you most of the way there.

Does Trivia Week 4 get harder as the week goes on?

It varies day to day — Saturdays tend to be the toughest, Mondays the easiest.


About This Page: We put together hints and answers for the NYT Mini to help you learn the ropes and get faster over time. This site isn't affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: September 22, 2026 at 08:41 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, September 22 2026 mini crossword

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 22, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Makes a sullen face 5
2A 6. Beetle amulet in ancient Egypt 6
3A 12. Sudden and unexpected 6
4A 14. Was overprotective, in a way 7
5A 16. ___ algebra 6
6A 17. Still in its packaging 8
7A 19. 50/52-Across musician 12
8A 21. #1 hit from 50/52-Across ("You can feel it all over") 7
9A 24. Like a scratchy voice 5
10A 25. Best possible 5
11A 26. Billionaires' boats 6
12A 30. Resident of Africa's fourth-largest country 6
13A 32. Secrecy contracts, in brief 4
14A 33. Name that's a body part backward 3
15A 36. Obligation 4
16A 37. #1 hit from 50/52-Across ("Why did those days ever have to go?") 5
17A 39. Greek "I" 4
18A 40. Perched 3
19A 41. Fraudulent offer 4
20A 42. Not sinking 6
21A 44. Like pagodas and some cakes 6
22A 46. "Clemency" star Woodard 5
23A 47. ___ point (center) 5
24A 50. With 52-Across, double album released on September 28, 1976, that spent 13 straight weeks at #1 7
25A 52. See 50-Across 12
26A 56. Spy's identifier 8
27A 57. Bloc party? 6
28A 61. Whistlers in the kitchen 7
29A 62. ___ Kreme 6
30A 63. Doughnut quantities 6
31A 64. Work ___ 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Makes a sullen face"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disdainful grimace
  • Similar words include: pout, hornpout, eelpout
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POUTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Beetle amulet in ancient Egypt"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that scarabaeid beetle considered divine by ancient egyptians
  • Similar words include: scarabaeus, Scarabaeus sacer
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCARAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "12. Sudden and unexpected"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
  • Similar words include: sharp, disconnected, precipitous
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABRUPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Was overprotective, in a way"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
  • Similar words include: hover, loom, vibrate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOVERED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. ___ algebra"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that designating or involving an equation whose terms are of the first degree
  • Similar words include: analog, additive, elongate
  • Opposite of: digital, nonlinear
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LINEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Still in its packaging"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not yet opened or unsealed
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNOPENED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. 50/52-Across musician"

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEVIEWONDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. #1 hit from 50/52-Across ("You can feel it all over")"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "24. Like a scratchy voice"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
  • Similar words include: gravelly, rasping, rough
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RASPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "25. Best possible"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
  • Similar words include: nonsuch, saint, nonesuch
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "26. Billionaires' boats"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
  • Similar words include: racing yacht, yacht
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YACHTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "30. Resident of Africa's fourth-largest country"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of libya
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIBYAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "32. Secrecy contracts, in brief"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "33. Name that's a body part backward"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "36. Obligation"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an onerous or difficult concern
  • Similar words include: burden, incumbrance, load
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "37. #1 hit from 50/52-Across ("Why did those days ever have to go?")"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "39. Greek "I""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
  • Similar words include: smidge, whit, smidgeon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "40. Perched"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the sabbath by jews and some christians
  • Similar words include: sit, model, baby-sit
  • Opposite of: arise, stand
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Fraudulent offer"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fraudulent business scheme
  • Similar words include: bunco, mulct, defraud
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Not sinking"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that aimlessly drifting
  • Similar words include: planless, undirected, rudderless
  • Opposite of: aground
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFLOAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. Like pagodas and some cakes"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having or arranged in tiers
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIERED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "46. "Clemency" star Woodard"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "47. ___ point (center)"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having or localized centrally at a focus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOCAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "50. With 52-Across, double album released on September 28, 1976, that spent 13 straight weeks at #1"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "52. See 50-Across"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THEKEYOFLIFE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "56. Spy's identifier"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "57. Bloc party?"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a politically organized body of people under a single government
  • Similar words include: res publica, Carry Amelia Moore Nation, body politic
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NATION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "61. Whistlers in the kitchen"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
  • Similar words include: kettleful, timpani, tympani
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KETTLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "62. ___ Kreme"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "63. Doughnut quantities"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large number or amount
  • Similar words include: 12, stacks, dozen
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOZENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "64. Work ___"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the principles of right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or a social group
  • Similar words include: ethical code, moral principle, value-system
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETHIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Buddy 3
2D 2. ___-Wan Kenobi 3
3D 3. Vase with a base 3
4D 4. Popular times for tacos 8
5D 5. Pancake-flipping tool 7
6D 6. Feng ___ 4
7D 7. Scoop holder 4
8D 8. Declare definitively 4
9D 9. Segments of news shows 7
10D 10. Venues for concerts and competitions 6
11D 11. Road curves 5
12D 13. "Star ___ II: The Wrath of Khan" 4
13D 15. Profound 4
14D 18. Like some humor and runs 3
15D 20. "Oy ___!" 3
16D 21. Grain storage structures 5
17D 22. Broadway star Menzel 5
18D 23. Argue against 5
19D 27. "Demon Slayer" or "Attack on Titan" 5
20D 28. Contents of plastic sleeves or jewel cases, informally 3
21D 29. "lol" 4
22D 31. "Love it!" 4
23D 33. They might be thatched 5
24D 34. Pioneer in arcade games 5
25D 35. Devoured 5
26D 38. "This means ___!" 3
27D 39. Cry in response to a doorbell 8
28D 41. Feature of "rendezvous" and "laissez-faire" 7
29D 43. Celebratory hoopla 7
30D 44. Start liking 6
31D 45. Broadband connection type, in brief 3
32D 47. Government agcy. founded to enforce antitrust laws 3
33D 48. "I see" 4
34D 49. Formally yielded 5
35D 51. Pig's cry 4
36D 53. Ivy League school in New Haven 4
37D 54. Sign of things to come 4
38D 55. ___ up (come clean) 4
39D 58. "... or thereabouts" 3
40D 59. Nail polish brand 3
41D 60. It has M.S.G. in it 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Buddy"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
  • Similar words include: chum, sidekick, pal up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. ___-Wan Kenobi"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (west indies) followers of a religious system involving witchcraft and sorcery
  • Similar words include: obeah
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Vase with a base"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large vase that usually has a pedestal or feet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: URN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Popular times for tacos"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the third day of the week; the second working day
  • Similar words include: Tuesday, Tues
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUESDAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Pancake-flipping tool"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a turner with a narrow flexible blade
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPATULA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Feng ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Scoop holder"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any cone-shaped artifact
  • Similar words include: conoid, strobile, strobilus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Declare definitively"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
  • Similar words include: avouch, assert, affirm
  • Opposite of: disavow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Segments of news shows"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
  • Similar words include: report, written report, theme
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REPORTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Venues for concerts and competitions"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular environment or walk of life
  • Similar words include: orbit, arena, sphere
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARENAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Road curves"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pain resulting from rapid change in pressure
  • Similar words include: air embolism, twist, bend dexter
  • Opposite of: straighten, unbend
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BENDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "13. "Star ___ II: The Wrath of Khan""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a journey by ox wagon (especially an organized migration by a group of settlers)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "15. Profound"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the central and most intense or profound part
  • Similar words include: trench, recondite, bass
  • Opposite of: shallow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Like some humor and runs"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a reformer who opposes the use of intoxicating beverages
  • Similar words include: dry out, prohibitionist, ironical
  • Opposite of: sweet, phlegmy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. "Oy ___!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "21. Grain storage structures"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cylindrical tower used for storing silage
  • Similar words include: silo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SILOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "22. Broadway star Menzel"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "23. Argue against"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
  • Similar words include: controvert, refute
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REBUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. "Demon Slayer" or "Attack on Titan""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hard copal derived from an african tree
  • Similar words include: Zanzibar copal, gum anime
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. Contents of plastic sleeves or jewel cases, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a soft bluish-white ductile malleable toxic bivalent metallic element; occurs in association with zinc ores
  • Similar words include: candela, atomic number 48, standard candle
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "29. "lol""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. "Love it!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in southeastern france on the mediterranean; the leading resort on the french riviera
  • Similar words include: dainty, gracious, overnice
  • Opposite of: nasty
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. They might be thatched"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
  • Similar words include: ceiling, cap, roof
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. Pioneer in arcade games"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Devoured"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take in solid food
  • Similar words include: wipe out, feed, consume
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EATEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. "This means ___!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
  • Similar words include: state of war, warfare
  • Opposite of: peace, make peace
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. Cry in response to a doorbell"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Feature of "rendezvous" and "laissez-faire""

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Celebratory hoopla"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a gaudy outward display
  • Similar words include: ostentation, flash, flourish
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FANFARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. Start liking"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "45. Broadband connection type, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a generic name for digital lines that are provided by telephone companies to their local subscribers and that carry data at high speeds
  • Similar words include: digital subscriber line
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DSL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "47. Government agcy. founded to enforce antitrust laws"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent agency of the united states federal government that maintains fair and free competition; enforces federal antitrust laws; educates the public about identity theft
  • Similar words include: Federal Trade Commission
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FTC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "48. "I see""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "49. Formally yielded"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
  • Similar words include: concede, yield, grant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CEDED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "51. Pig's cry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs
  • Similar words include: grunt, squeal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "53. Ivy League school in New Haven"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

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!

37D: "54. Sign of things to come"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sign of something about to happen
  • Similar words include: Muscat and Oman, Sultanate of Oman, portent
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "55. ___ up (come clean)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (heraldry) an ordinary consisting of a broad horizontal band across a shield
  • Similar words include: fesse, Fez, Fes
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "58. "... or thereabouts""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "59. Nail polish brand"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "60. It has M.S.G. in it"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

31 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
72 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 22, 2026 at 08:40 AM

Saturday, September 27, 2025

February 12, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Related Puzzles

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 74 (35 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

NYT Wednesday Crossword Across Clues - February 12, 2020 Solutions

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Vegetable that can get slimy when overcooked 4
2A 5. Exhausted, with "up" 3
3A 8. Basketball shots from beyond the arc 6
4A 14. Frozen treats 8
5A 16. Locale in the Lord's Prayer 6
6A 17. Optimistic maxim from Virgil 15
7A 19. "You ___ me one" 3
8A 20. Chart topper 3
9A 21. Fanfare 4
10A 22. Jacob had 12 of them 4
11A 23. Call to a toreador 3
12A 24. Genre for Fall Out Boy 3
13A 27. Reliable things, to Ben Franklin 13
14A 30. Business index, with "the" 3
15A 31. Chi-Town or Beantown team 3
16A 32. Team sharing an arena with the Flyers, informally 6
17A 33. Means of control 5
18A 35. Bit of Halloween décor 3
19A 37. About 5
20A 38. Mint in a tin 6
21A 40. Research facility 3
22A 42. Extra periods, in brief 3
23A 43. They make loud noises during showers 13
24A 46. Nurse 3
25A 47. Lead-in to a Pen used by nurses 3
26A 48. Old Pontiacs 4
27A 49. Pasta ___ Norma 4
28A 50. Actress Hagen 3
29A 51. Car rental add-on 3
30A 54. Overly optimistic 1910s appellation 15
31A 59. "Let me try that again ..." 6
32A 60. Phrase on an egg carton 8
33A 61. Pest 6
34A 62. What each set of circled letters is, relative to the first word in its answer 3
35A 63. Tumbler turners 4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. Vegetable that can get slimy when overcooked"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that long green edible beaked pods of the okra plant
  • Words that mean the same thing: Hibiscus esculentus, okra plant, Abelmoschus esculentus
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OKRA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Exhausted, with "up""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
  • Words that mean the same thing: eat on, deplete, consume
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ATE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "8. Basketball shots from beyond the arc"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
  • Words that mean the same thing: deuce-ace, troika, trinity
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: THREES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Frozen treats"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SNOCONES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. Locale in the Lord's Prayer"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
  • Words that mean the same thing: Shangri-la, promised land, Eden
  • The opposite would be: Hell
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HEAVEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. Optimistic maxim from Virgil"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _______________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LOVECONQUERSALL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. "You ___ me one""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that be obliged to pay or repay
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OWE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Chart topper"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)
  • Words that mean the same thing: attain, come to, rack up
  • The opposite would be: miss
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. Fanfare"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that cheap or pretentious or vain display
  • Words that mean the same thing: eclat, gaudery
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: POMP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Jacob had 12 of them"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a male human offspring
  • Words that mean the same thing: Son, son, boy
  • The opposite would be: daughter, girl
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SONS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Call to a toreador"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OLE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Genre for Fall Out Boy"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EMO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "27. Reliable things, to Ben Franklin"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DEATHANDTAXES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. Business index, with "the""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DOW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Chi-Town or Beantown team"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SOX

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. Team sharing an arena with the Flyers, informally"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
  • Words that mean the same thing: sise, six, sextet
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SIXERS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. Means of control"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
  • Words that mean the same thing: rein, rein in, rule
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REINS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "35. Bit of Halloween décor"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving
  • Words that mean the same thing: entanglement, vane, net
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WEB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "37. About"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CIRCA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "38. Mint in a tin"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ALTOID

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. Research facility"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
  • Words that mean the same thing: laboratory, research laboratory, science laboratory
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LAB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "42. Extra periods, in brief"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "43. They make loud noises during showers"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a storm resulting from strong rising air currents; heavy rain or hail along with thunder and lightning
  • Words that mean the same thing: electric storm, thunderstorm, electrical storm
  • The word looks like this: _____________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: THUNDERSTORMS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "46. Nurse"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a small drink
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SIP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "47. Lead-in to a Pen used by nurses"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a self-report personality inventory based on hans eysenck's factor analysis of personality which assumes three basic factors (the two most important being extraversion to introversion and neuroticism)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Eysenck Personality Inventory
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EPI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "48. Old Pontiacs"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GTOS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "49. Pasta ___ Norma"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ALLA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "50. Actress Hagen"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a reptile genus of iguanidae
  • Words that mean the same thing: genus Uta
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: UTA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "51. Car rental add-on"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a navigational system involving satellites and computers that can determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on earth by computing the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver
  • Words that mean the same thing: Global Positioning System
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GPS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "54. Overly optimistic 1910s appellation"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _______________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WARTOENDALLWARS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "59. "Let me try that again ...""

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IMEANT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "60. Phrase on an egg carton"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ONEDOZEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "61. Pest"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NOODGE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "62. What each set of circled letters is, relative to the first word in its answer"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be 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
  • Words that mean the same thing: divinity, Supreme Being, idol
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GOD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "63. Tumbler turners"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
  • Words that mean the same thing: Francis Scott Key, keystone, identify
  • The opposite would be: atonality
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: KEYS

    Great job if you got it right!

NYT Wednesday Crossword Down Clues - February 12, 2020 Answers

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Where Edvard Munch's "The Scream" is displayed 4
2D 2. Apt radio station to air "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!" (and it does!) 4
3D 3. Ramble 4
4D 4. Hole in one 3
5D 5. Selects, as a successor 7
6D 6. Circus 8
7D 7. Name ender for a lawyer 3
8D 8. Parents and grandparents, in teen lingo 7
9D 9. Airtight 8
10D 10. Scrape 4
11D 11. "Me" in the Oscar-winning song "You Must Love Me" 3
12D 12. Moray, e.g. 3
13D 13. Where an artist works on a sketch, for short? 3
14D 15. Lorena who was the #1 female golfer for 158 consecutive weeks 5
15D 18. Atop 4
16D 22. Affixed, like a patch 6
17D 24. Puts forth, as effort 6
18D 25. Paid soldiers, informally 5
19D 26. Mount near Olympus 4
20D 27. Throw a party grandly 6
21D 28. Leaps on the ice 5
22D 29. Starts to geometric proofs 6
23D 30. Home to India's Red Fort and Lotus Temple 5
24D 33. "Shoot!" 4
25D 34. Indirect, as a glance 8
26D 36. Fertilizer found in caves 8
27D 39. Use up 7
28D 41. Alternative to canned 7
29D 44. Director Johnson 4
30D 45. Dahl who wrote "James and the Giant Peach" 5
31D 49. Not much 4
32D 51. Stare intensely 4
33D 52. Hunted animals 4
34D 53. Entries on 1040s, for short 4
35D 54. Come out ahead 3
36D 55. Start of a Latin conjugation 3
37D 56. Old auto with its founder's monogram 3
38D 57. Follow relentlessly 3
39D 58. Pad Thai pan 3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. Where Edvard Munch's "The Scream" is displayed"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the capital and largest city of norway; the country's main port; located at the head of a fjord on norway's southern coast
  • Words that mean the same thing: capital of Norway, Christiania
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OSLO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Apt radio station to air "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!" (and it does!)"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
  • Words that mean the same thing: cognize, live, make out
  • The opposite would be: ignore
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: KNOW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Ramble"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
  • Words that mean the same thing: roam, roll, reeve
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ROVE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Hole in one"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Words that mean the same thing: wiz, A-one, tiptop
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ACE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Selects, as a successor"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that choose by or as if by divine intervention
  • Words that mean the same thing: anoint, inunct, oil
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ANOINTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Circus"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TENTSHOW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Name ender for a lawyer"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a title of respect for a member of the english gentry ranking just below a knight; placed after the name
  • Words that mean the same thing: Esquire
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ESQ

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Parents and grandparents, in teen lingo"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: THEOLDS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Airtight"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that completely sealed; completely airtight
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HERMETIC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Scrape"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that uttering in an irritated tone
  • Words that mean the same thing: wood file, rasping
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RASP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. "Me" in the Oscar-winning song "You Must Love Me""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about music.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EVA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Moray, e.g."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be 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
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EEL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Where an artist works on a sketch, for short?"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a hard clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SNL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "15. Lorena who was the #1 female golfer for 158 consecutive weeks"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that united states biochemist (born in spain) who studied the biological synthesis of nucleic acids (1905-1993)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Severo Ochoa
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OCHOA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "18. Atop"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: UPON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Affixed, like a patch"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SEWNON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Puts forth, as effort"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that have and exercise
  • Words that mean the same thing: maintain, exert, wield
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EXERTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Paid soldiers, informally"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MERCS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. Mount near Olympus"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
  • Words that mean the same thing: operating system, bone, atomic number 76
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OSSA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. Throw a party grandly"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DOITUP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. Leaps on the ice"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AXELS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "29. Starts to geometric proofs"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
  • Words that mean the same thing: axiom, maxim
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AXIOMS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "30. Home to India's Red Fort and Lotus Temple"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a city in north central india
  • Words that mean the same thing: Old Delhi
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DELHI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "33. "Shoot!""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
  • Words that mean the same thing: git, crumb, squealer
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RATS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "34. Indirect, as a glance"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy; - elizabeth bowen
  • Words that mean the same thing: obliquely, lateral, asquint
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SIDELONG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "36. Fertilizer found in caves"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BATGUANO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "39. Use up"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that use up (resources or materials)
  • Words that mean the same thing: consume, eat, use up
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DEPLETE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "41. Alternative to canned"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that store (liquids or gases) in bottles
  • Words that mean the same thing: bottle
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BOTTLED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "44. Director Johnson"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RIAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "45. Dahl who wrote "James and the Giant Peach""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ROALD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "49. Not much"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ATAD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. Stare intensely"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a long fixed look
  • Words that mean the same thing: stare, regard
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GAZE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. Hunted animals"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
  • Words that mean the same thing: raven, target, fair game
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PREY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. Entries on 1040s, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SSNS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "54. Come out ahead"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a victory (as in a race or other competition)
  • Words that mean the same thing: pull ahead, profits, advance
  • The opposite would be: lose, losings
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WIN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "55. Start of a Latin conjugation"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AMO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "56. Old auto with its founder's monogram"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "57. Follow relentlessly"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a member of the genus canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
  • Words that mean the same thing: go after, dog-iron, cad
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DOG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "58. Pad Thai pan"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that pan with a convex bottom; used for frying in chinese cooking
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WOK

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 44 59.5%
Short Answer 20 27.0%
Celebrity/Entertainment 5 6.8%
Sports 2 2.7%
Abbreviation 2 2.7%
Music 1 1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 35
Down Clues 39
Total Clues 74
Average Answer Length 5.1 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

  • Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
  • Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
  • When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
  • Today is Wednesday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
  • Most clues today are about general knowledge
  • The average word today has about 5 letters
  • Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
  • Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: September 27, 2025 at 04:41 AM