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Thursday, August 6, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 06, 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. Singer Braxton 4
2A 5. Like some winter windshields 4
3A 9. ___ Bauer (brand of outdoor gear) 5
4A 14. Soon 4
5A 15. "Me, too" 4
6A 16. Stable job 5
7A 17. Spirit of the Caribbean 11
8A 19. Haggard 5
9A 20. Creamy dish made with arborio rice 7
10A 21. Angela on "The Office," e.g. 4
11A 22. "Bring it on!" 5
12A 23. Four-time N.B.A. M.V.P. 11
13A 28. Nick, e.g. 3
14A 30. Collected 4
15A 31. Evil computer of classic film 3
16A 32. Kind of seeds found in a basket in King Tutankhamen's tomb 6
17A 35. Alternate nickname for the "Hollywood of the South" 8
18A 37. Group with a coat of arms 4
19A 38. Unspecified ones 5
20A 40. Wednesday a.k.a. ___ day 4
21A 41. Like some fat 8
22A 43. Purposely wrongs 6
23A 45. "What's more ..." 3
24A 46. Joan known for his "dream paintings" 4
25A 47. Make out, perhaps? 3
26A 48. Pillow fight setting 11
27A 51. Juicer's "juice" 5
28A 55. Determination 4
29A 56. Shade provider along Central Park's Literary Walk 7
30A 58. A-tier 5
31A 60. Chock-full ... like three squares (and foods) in this puzzle 9
32A 62. Touch-and-go 5
33A 63. Force felt on Earth, for short 4
34A 64. Goddess whose name is an anagram of her mother's 4
35A 65. Feelings of getting older 5
36A 66. Volcano seen on HBO's "The White Lotus" 4
37A 67. Port in 50-Down 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Singer Braxton"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Like some winter windshields"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that decorate with frosting
  • Similar words include: frost, ice
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. ___ Bauer (brand of outdoor gear)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Soon"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at another time
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. "Me, too""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of an indigenous nomadic people living in northern scandinavia and herding reindeer
  • Similar words include: like, Saame, Sami
  • Opposite of: unlike, different
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Stable job"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a man participant in his own marriage ceremony
  • Similar words include: stableman, stableboy, prepare
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GROOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Spirit of the Caribbean"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Haggard"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
  • Similar words include: haggard, skeletal, pinched
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAUNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Creamy dish made with arborio rice"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rice cooked with broth and sprinkled with grated cheese
  • Similar words include: Italian rice
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RISOTTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Angela on "The Office," e.g."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
  • Similar words include: snot, snoot, snob
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. "Bring it on!""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Four-time N.B.A. M.V.P."

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Nick, e.g."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following february and preceding april
  • Similar words include: deflower, spoil, defect
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. Collected"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of being at a refreshingly low temperature
  • Similar words include: poise, sang-froid, cool down
  • Opposite of: warm, heat
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COOL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Evil computer of classic film"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Kind of seeds found in a basket in King Tutankhamen's tomb"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that east indian annual erect herb; source of sesame seed or benniseed and sesame oil
  • Similar words include: Sesamum indicum, benni, benne
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SESAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Alternate nickname for the "Hollywood of the South""

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Group with a coat of arms"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that group of people related by blood or marriage
  • Similar words include: kin group, kindred, kinship group
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Unspecified ones"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Wednesday a.k.a. ___ day"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
  • Similar words include: have a go at it, know, jut
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Like some fat"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to become
  • Similar words include: render, try, depict
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RENDERED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Purposely wrongs"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feeling a need to see others suffer
  • Similar words include: bruise, sprinkle, cattiness
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPITES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. "What's more ...""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Joan known for his "dream paintings""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that new zealand conifer used for lumber; the dark wood is used for interior carpentry
  • Similar words include: black pine, Joan Miro, Podocarpus ferruginea
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Make out, perhaps?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a label written or printed on paper, cardboard, or plastic that is attached to something to indicate its owner, nature, price, etc.
  • Similar words include: tail, mark, tatter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Pillow fight setting"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Juicer's "juice""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Determination"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention; - george meredith
  • Similar words include: leave, volition, bequeath
  • Opposite of: disinherit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Shade provider along Central Park's Literary Walk"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. A-tier"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the principal part of a duet (especially a piano duet)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRIMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. Chock-full ... like three squares (and foods) in this puzzle"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that crowd or pack to capacity
  • Similar words include: jam, jampack, cram
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAMPACKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Touch-and-go"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of uncertain outcome; especially fraught with risk; - new yorker
  • Similar words include: chanceful, dodgy, chancy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DICEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Force felt on Earth, for short"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Goddess whose name is an anagram of her mother's"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that queen of the olympian gods in ancient greek mythology; sister and wife of zeus remembered for her jealously of the many mortal women zeus fell in love with; identified with roman juno
  • Similar words include: Here
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Feelings of getting older"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
  • Similar words include: ache, aching, smart
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACHES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Volcano seen on HBO's "The White Lotus""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inactive volcano in sicily; last erupted in 1961; the highest volcano in europe (10,500 feet)
  • Similar words include: bunsen burner, Mt Etna, bunsen
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "67. Port in 50-Down"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an important port of yemen; located on the gulf of aden; its strategic location has made it a major trading center of southern arabia since ancient times
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Fruity pastry 7
2D 2. Live 5
3D 3. Like the jungle at daybreak 5
4D 4. At the helm 9
5D 5. "___ that right?" 4
6D 6. Number for December 5
7D 7. Bird with noted calf muscles 3
8D 8. Short blue person? 3
9D 9. ChαΊ£ giΓ², on a Vietnamese menu 7
10D 10. Enervate 5
11D 11. Temptation for Homer Simpson 11
12D 12. Na+ or Cl- 3
13D 13. Real lifesaver, for short 3
14D 18. Starting group 5
15D 21. Not accept an outrage, say 7
16D 24. Amazon smart speaker 7
17D 25. Jeers 4
18D 26. Tempting words on a Wonderland cake 5
19D 27. Is really good, in modern slang 5
20D 29. Legal mulligan 7
21D 32. What an old car might be sold for 5
22D 33. ___ Ferrante, author of the "Neapolitan Novels" 5
23D 34. Brown-bag item 11
24D 36. "OK, that makes sense" 9
25D 39. MΓΌnster man 4
26D 42. Puts to work 7
27D 44. Northern Italian city known for its cheese 5
28D 49. "The White Lotus" actress ___ Lou Wood 5
29D 50. Arabia Felix, now 5
30D 52. Perturbed 5
31D 53. Fortune 500 company started by a blacksmith, informally 5
32D 54. Civic's class 5
33D 57. Sports org. with a Tour 4
34D 58. Open show of intimacy, for short 3
35D 59. Nickname that drops "hard" 3
36D 60. Mud 3
37D 61. Tiny "farmer" 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Fruity pastry"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Live"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Like the jungle at daybreak"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
  • Opposite of: quiet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOISY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. At the helm"

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "___ that right?""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Number for December"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that joyful religious song celebrating the birth of christ
  • Similar words include: Christmas carol
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAROL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Bird with noted calf muscles"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various systems of units for measuring electricity and magnetism
  • Similar words include: Emu novaehollandiae, Dromaius novaehollandiae, electromagnetic unit
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Short blue person?"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. ChαΊ£ giΓ², on a Vietnamese menu"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Enervate"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it
  • Similar words include: drainage, enfeeble, waste pipe
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Temptation for Homer Simpson"

11 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Na+ or Cl-"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particle that is electrically charged (positive or negative); an atom or molecule or group that has lost or gained one or more electrons
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Real lifesaver, for short"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Starting group"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Not accept an outrage, say"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a formal and solemn declaration of objection
  • Similar words include: dissent, resist, objection
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROTEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Amazon smart speaker"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Jeers"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
  • Similar words include: snort, bird, boo
  • Opposite of: applaud
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Tempting words on a Wonderland cake"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Is really good, in modern slang"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
  • Similar words include: smacking, slap, smack
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Legal mulligan"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a new trial in which issues already litigated and to which the court has already rendered a verdict or decision are reexamined by the same court; occurs when the initial trial is found to have been improper or unfair due to procedural errors
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETRIAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. What an old car might be sold for"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
  • Similar words include: fleck, quarrel, flake
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCRAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. ___ Ferrante, author of the "Neapolitan Novels""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Brown-bag item"

11 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. "OK, that makes sense""

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. MΓΌnster man"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a german man; used before the name as a title equivalent to mr in english
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. Puts to work"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of being employed or having a job
  • Similar words include: use, employment, apply
  • Opposite of: unemployment, fire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMPLOYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "44. Northern Italian city known for its cheese"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "49. "The White Lotus" actress ___ Lou Wood"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "50. Arabia Felix, now"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic on the southwestern shores of the arabian peninsula on the indian ocean; formed in 1990
  • Similar words include: Republic of Yemen
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YEMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "52. Perturbed"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that irritate or vex
  • Similar words include: gall, irk
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "53. Fortune 500 company started by a blacksmith, informally"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states industrialist who manufactured plows suitable for working the prairie soil (1804-1886)
  • Similar words include: John Deere
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "54. Civic's class"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a car that is closed and that has front and rear seats and two or four doors
  • Similar words include: saloon, sedan chair
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEDAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "57. Sports org. with a Tour"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. Open show of intimacy, for short"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lightweight consumer electronic device that looks like a hand-held computer but instead performs specific tasks; can serve as a diary or a personal database or a telephone or an alarm clock etc.
  • Similar words include: personal organizer, personal organiser, personal digital assistant
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "59. Nickname that drops "hard""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "60. Mud"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "61. Tiny "farmer""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: August 06, 2026 at 06:08 AM

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers June 16, 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. Bluffer's giveaway 4
2A 5. Dessert that wiggles 5
3A 10. Obsessive captain of fiction 4
4A 14. "___, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio" 4
5A 15. Like a loud crowd 5
6A 16. Trio minus one 4
7A 17. Pontiff's emblem with three horizontal bars 10
8A 19. Martial art with shoulder throws 4
9A 20. On the line 7
10A 21. Bottom of a long column, say 5
11A 23. "Capisce?" 3
12A 24. Spearheaded 3
13A 25. Think pieces, for short 5
14A 28. Incensed 3
15A 29. Amigo 8
16A 32. Ancient Brit for whom a language was named 4
17A 34. Opening of a news article, in journalism lingo 4
18A 35. It scratches the itch 4
19A 36. Hemingway tale about an elderly fisherman, with "The" ... or a phonetic hint to four sets of circled letters in this puzzle? 15
20A 39. Party with glowsticks 4
21A 40. Smidgens 4
22A 41. The Beatles' "Back in the ___" 4
23A 42. Crustaceans sometimes called "mudbugs" 8
24A 44. Test for a future Ph.D. 3
25A 45. Monsieur, in Madrid 5
26A 46. Fishing tool 3
27A 47. Maple tree harvest 3
28A 50. Where the rubber meets the road 5
29A 53. "That's my next move" 7
30A 55. "... ???" 4
31A 57. Open some bubbly with a bang 10
32A 59. "Logan" actor Jackman 4
33A 60. "The Price Is Right" unveiling 5
34A 61. Cleveland's lake 4
35A 62. Be a good dog, say 4
36A 63. Half-goat follower of Dionysus 5
37A 64. Honeybunch 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Bluffer's giveaway"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)
  • Similar words include: say, order, distinguish
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Dessert that wiggles"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fruit-flavored dessert (trade mark jell-o) made from a commercially prepared gelatin powder
  • Similar words include: Jell-O
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JELLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Obsessive captain of fiction"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that according to the old testament he was a pagan king of israel and husband of jezebel (9th century bc)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AHAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. "___, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Similar words include: unfortunately, ala, regrettably
  • Opposite of: luckily, fortunately
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Like a loud crowd"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Trio minus one"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a set of two similar things considered as a unit
  • Similar words include: twain, yoke, partner off
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Pontiff's emblem with three horizontal bars"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Martial art with shoulder throws"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sport adapted from jujitsu (using principles of not resisting) and similar to wrestling; developed in japan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JUDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. On the line"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Bottom of a long column, say"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the whole amount
  • Similar words include: tote up, come, summate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOTAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. "Capisce?""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
  • Similar words include: escort, image, find out
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Spearheaded"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
  • Similar words include: guide, light-emitting diode, lead
  • Opposite of: follow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Think pieces, for short"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Incensed"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that roused to anger; - mark twain
  • Similar words include: crazy, unhinged, harebrained
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Amigo"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Ancient Brit for whom a language was named"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a gaelic-speaking celt in ireland or scotland or the isle of man
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Opening of a news article, in journalism lingo"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the introductory section of a story
  • Similar words include: lead, lead-in
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. It scratches the itch"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits
  • Similar words include: sail through, collar, arrest
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Hemingway tale about an elderly fisherman, with "The" ... or a phonetic hint to four sets of circled letters in this puzzle?"

15 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Party with glowsticks"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dance party that lasts all night and electronically synthesized music is played
  • Similar words include: gush, jabber, spout
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Smidgens"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece or quantity of something
  • Similar words include: flake, fleck, second
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. The Beatles' "Back in the ___""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a former communist country in eastern europe and northern asia; established in 1922; included russia and 14 other soviet socialist republics (ukraine and byelorussia and others); officially dissolved 31 december 1991
  • Similar words include: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Russia, Soviet Union
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USSR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Crustaceans sometimes called "mudbugs""

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tiny lobster-like crustaceans usually boiled briefly
  • Similar words include: crayfish, crawfish, ecrevisse
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRAWDADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Test for a future Ph.D."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "45. Monsieur, in Madrid"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a spanish title or form of address for a man; similar to the english `mr' or `sir'
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "46. Fishing tool"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long thin implement made of metal or wood
  • Similar words include: perch, rod cell, gat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Maple tree harvest"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant
  • Similar words include: run down, blackjack, tomfool
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. Where the rubber meets the road"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a step in walking or running
  • Similar words include: trample, stride, step
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "53. "That's my next move""

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. "... ???""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Open some bubbly with a bang"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. "Logan" actor Jackman"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "60. "The Price Is Right" unveiling"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
  • Similar words include: appreciate, respect, trophy
  • Opposite of: disrespect, disesteem
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRIZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "61. Cleveland's lake"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of an iroquoian people formerly living on the south shore of lake erie in northern ohio and northwest pennsylvania and western new york
  • Similar words include: Lake Erie
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "62. Be a good dog, say"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be obedient to
  • Opposite of: disobey
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "63. Half-goat follower of Dionysus"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that man with strong sexual desires
  • Similar words include: lech, letch, forest god
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SATYR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "64. Honeybunch"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
  • Similar words include: costly, honey, dearly
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Patatas bravas and croquetas, e.g. 5
2D 2. Fill with joy 5
3D 3. Momentary slip 5
4D 4. Exam for a future J.D. 4
5D 5. Very muscular, in slang 6
6D 6. Dropped the ball 5
7D 7. "Facilities," in Britain 3
8D 8. Place for the highest-scoring golfer 4
9D 9. Ish 4
10D 10. College-credit class that says sayonara to H.S.? 10
11D 11. Really booked it 9
12D 12. Charitable contributions, collectively 3
13D 13. "Dude!" 3
14D 18. Fingers-in-ears syllables 6
15D 22. Word with tank or tip 3
16D 26. Less sweet, as a wine 5
17D 27. "House" actress Ward 4
18D 28. Like an image just begging to be captioned and shared 10
19D 29. Word appearing on the nickel but not the dime or quarter, surprisingly 5
20D 30. Casino calculations 4
21D 31. Rendezvoused with 3
22D 32. Blinding light 5
23D 33. Upper hand 9
24D 34. Put down gently 4
25D 36. Green-skinned World of Warcraft characters 4
26D 37. Org. with Bulls and Bucks 3
27D 38. Obstacle to overcome 6
28D 43. "The Chronic" rapper, informally 3
29D 44. Animal symbol of the University of Minnesota 6
30D 46. Fancy-schmancy 5
31D 47. [Zzzz] 5
32D 48. Light-filled lobbies 5
33D 49. Game with a World Series held in Las Vegas 5
34D 51. Plates to share, informally 4
35D 52. Cartoon explorer who teaches Spanish 4
36D 54. Crushed, as a test 4
37D 55. Word sung over 100 times in "___ Are You" by the ___ 3
38D 56. Center of activity 3
39D 58. Part of a speedway or the stomach 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Patatas bravas and croquetas, e.g."

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry and pipturus albidus
  • Similar words include: tappa bark, tappa, tapa bark
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAPAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Fill with joy"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
  • Similar words include: lift up, pick up, intoxicate
  • Opposite of: depress
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Momentary slip"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mistake resulting from inattention
  • Similar words include: recidivate, pass, sink
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAPSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Exam for a future J.D."

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Very muscular, in slang"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lift with a special device
  • Similar words include: jacklight, jack up, jack
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JACKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Dropped the ball"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. "Facilities," in Britain"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a toilet in britain
  • Similar words include: closet, W.C., water closet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Place for the highest-scoring golfer"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the temporal end; the concluding time
  • Similar words include: utmost, concluding, in conclusion
  • Opposite of: first
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Ish"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. College-credit class that says sayonara to H.S.?"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Really booked it"

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Charitable contributions, collectively"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
  • Similar words include: assist, attention, tending
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "Dude!""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Fingers-in-ears syllables"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Word with tank or tip"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the upper part of anything
  • Similar words include: tiptop, elevation, exceed
  • Opposite of: bottom
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Less sweet, as a wine"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a substance that promotes drying (e.g., calcium oxide absorbs water and is used to remove moisture)
  • Similar words include: ironic, dry, wry
  • Opposite of: phlegmy, sweet
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. "House" actress Ward"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Like an image just begging to be captioned and shared"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Word appearing on the nickel but not the dime or quarter, surprisingly"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fractional monetary unit of several countries
  • Similar words include: penny, cent, centime
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CENTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Casino calculations"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

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!

21D: "31. Rendezvoused with"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come together
  • Similar words include: foregather, converge, touch
  • Opposite of: diverge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Blinding light"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
  • Similar words include: brilliance, limelight, glower
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Upper hand"

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
  • Similar words include: reward, vantage
  • Opposite of: penalty, disadvantage
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADVANTAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. Put down gently"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that put into a certain place or abstract location
  • Similar words include: place, repose, pose
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Green-skinned World of Warcraft characters"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "37. Org. with Bulls and Bucks"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "38. Obstacle to overcome"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a light movable barrier that competitors must leap over in certain races
  • Similar words include: vault
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HURDLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. "The Chronic" rapper, informally"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Animal symbol of the University of Minnesota"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a zealously energetic person (especially a salesman)
  • Similar words include: Gopherus polypemus, ground squirrel, pouched rat
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOPHER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Fancy-schmancy"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that luxuriously elegant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RITZY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. [Zzzz]"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rattling noise produced when snoring
  • Similar words include: saw logs, snoring, saw wood
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Light-filled lobbies"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any chamber that is connected to other chambers or passageways (especially one of the two upper chambers of the heart)
  • Similar words include: atrium
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATRIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "49. Game with a World Series held in Las Vegas"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fire iron consisting of a metal rod with a handle; used to stir a fire
  • Similar words include: stove poker, fire hook, salamander
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POKER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Plates to share, informally"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "52. Cartoon explorer who teaches Spanish"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "54. Crushed, as a test"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succeed at easily
  • Similar words include: nail, sail through, pass with flying colors
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "55. Word sung over 100 times in "___ Are You" by the ___"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a united nations agency to coordinate international health activities and to help governments improve health services
  • Similar words include: World Health Organization
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "56. Center of activity"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the central part of a car wheel (or fan or propeller etc) through which the shaft or axle passes
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "58. Part of a speedway or the stomach"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sizeable hole (usually in the ground)
  • Similar words include: Hell, pitfall, orchestra pit
  • Opposite of: Heaven
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: June 16, 2026 at 09:09 AM