January 14, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (41 clues)
• Down Clues (35 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

Related Puzzles

Check out these other crossword solutions and helpful guides:

• May 20 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 08 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• May 14 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• October 28 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 07 2023 NYT Clues Solutions

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (41 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.0 letters

NYT Tuesday Crossword Across Clues - January 14, 2020 Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Actress Hathaway	4
2A	5. Forest components	5
3A	10. Scored 100 on	4
4A	14. Hacienda drudge	4
5A	15. Like much of the Dakotas	5
6A	16. Alternative to a walker	4
7A	17. When doubled, miniature golf	4
8A	18. Video game franchise in which the enemies are pigs	10
9A	20. "The ___ of Pooh" (Benjamin Hoff book)	3
10A	21. Rotten little twerp	4
11A	22. "Time is money," e.g.	5
12A	23. With 51-Across, Eric Carle kid-lit book, after "The"	7
13A	25. Pal of Chewbacca	3
14A	27. Put a ding in, say	3
15A	28. Dadaism pioneer	6
16A	29. Just sitting around	4
17A	30. 911 responder, in brief	3
18A	31. Perfectly understood	5
19A	32. ___ Jemison, first black woman in space	3
20A	33. Pub pints	4
21A	34. Feline in an internet meme	9
22A	38. A wartime communication might be sent in it	4
23A	41. Rogue computer in "2001"	3
24A	42. Outcome of haste, it's said	5
25A	46. "Hail!," to Caesar	3
26A	47. Promising, as a future	4
27A	48. Soon-to-be graduate, usually	6
28A	49. Backside, in Britain	3
29A	50. "That's the spot!"	3
30A	51. See 23-Across	7
31A	52. Story that one generally sticks to, whether it's true or not	5
32A	54. Pursuer of an "accursed white whale"	4
33A	56. Button on a cam	3
34A	57. 1980 boxing biopic	10
35A	59. Many a Meccan	4
36A	61. Princely school	4
37A	62. Aquarium buildup	5
38A	63. Fey of "30 Rock"	4
39A	64. "Bill & ___ Excellent Adventure"	4
40A	65. Requests for Friskies, perhaps	5
41A	66. "No problemo!"	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. Actress Hathaway"

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 queen of england and scotland and ireland; daughter if james ii and the last of the stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last english ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
• 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: ANNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Forest components"

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 a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
• Words that mean the same thing: Tree, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, corner
• 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: TREES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Scored 100 on"

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 succeed at easily
• Words that mean the same thing: breeze through, sweep through, sail through
• 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: ACED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Hacienda drudge"

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 laborer who is obliged to do menial work
• Words that mean the same thing: drudge, navvy, galley slave
• 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: PEON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Like much of the Dakotas"

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 living in or characteristic of farming or country life
• The opposite would be: urban
• 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: RURAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Alternative to a walker"

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 stick that people can lean on to help them walk
• Words that mean the same thing: flog, lambast, lambaste
• 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: CANE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. When doubled, miniature golf"

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 hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
• Words that mean the same thing: putting
• 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: PUTT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Video game franchise in which the enemies are pigs"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert 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: ANGRYBIRDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. "The ___ of Pooh" (Benjamin Hoff book)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an adherent of any branch of taoism
• Words that mean the same thing: Taoist
• 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: TAO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Rotten little twerp"

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 regarded as arrogant and annoying
• Words that mean the same thing: prig, snob, snoot
• 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: SNOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. "Time is money," e.g."

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 a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
• Words that mean the same thing: proverb, byword, saw
• 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: ADAGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. With 51-Across, Eric Carle kid-lit book, after "The""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that annoyed and irritable
• Words that mean the same thing: fussy, bad-tempered, crabby
• 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: GROUCHY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Pal of Chewbacca"

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 imperial dynasty that ruled china (most of the time from 206 bc to ad 220) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of chinese civilization
• Words that mean the same thing: Han dynasty
• 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: HAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Put a ding in, say"

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 month following february and preceding april
• Words that mean the same thing: deflower, spoil, March
• 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: MAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "28. Dadaism pioneer"

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: MANRAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "29. Just sitting around"

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 the state of an engine or other mechanism that is idling
• Words that mean the same thing: loose, dead, unfounded
• The opposite would be: work, run
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IDLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "30. 911 responder, 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: EMT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "31. Perfectly understood"

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 the state of being free of suspicion
• Words that mean the same thing: exculpated, percipient, crystallize
• The opposite would be: unclear, opaque
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "32. ___ Jemison, first black woman in space"

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: MAE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "33. Pub pints"

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 general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
• Words that mean the same thing: ale
• 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: ALES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "34. Feline in an internet meme"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: GRUMPYCAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "38. A wartime communication might be sent in it"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)
• Words that mean the same thing: computer code, cypher, codification
• 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: CODE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "41. Rogue computer in "2001""

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: HAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "42. Outcome of haste, it's said"

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 any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
• Words that mean the same thing: dissipation, wild, waste product
• The opposite would be: conserve
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WASTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "46. "Hail!," to Caesar"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: AVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "47. Promising, as a future"

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 reflecting optimism
• Words that mean the same thing: rose-cheeked, flushed, rosy-cheeked
• 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: ROSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "48. Soon-to-be graduate, usually"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an undergraduate student during the year preceding graduation
• Words that mean the same thing: fourth-year, older, aged
• The opposite would be: junior
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SENIOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "49. Backside, in Britain"

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 person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
• Words that mean the same thing: hind end, arse, rat
• 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: BUM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "50. "That's the spot!""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: AHH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "51. See 23-Across"

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 small round bright-colored and spotted beetle that usually feeds on aphids and other insect pests
• Words that mean the same thing: ladybird beetle, ladybird, lady beetle
• 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: LADYBUG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "52. Story that one generally sticks to, whether it's true or not"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
• Words that mean the same thing: self-justification, exculpation, excuse
• 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: ALIBI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "54. Pursuer of an "accursed white whale""

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 according to the old testament he was a pagan king of israel and husband of jezebel (9th century bc)
• 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: AHAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "56. Button on a cam"

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: REC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "57. 1980 boxing biopic"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: RAGINGBULL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "59. Many a Meccan"

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 member of a semitic people originally from the arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks arabic and who inhabits much of the middle east and northern africa
• Words that mean the same thing: Arabian
• 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: ARAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "61. Princely school"

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: ETON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "62. Aquarium buildup"

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 primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves
• Words that mean the same thing: alga
• 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: ALGAE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "63. Fey of "30 Rock""

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: TINA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "64. "Bill & ___ Excellent Adventure""

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 tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing edwardian style clothes
• Words that mean the same thing: Teddy boy, Ted
• 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: TEDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Across: "65. Requests for Friskies, perhaps"

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 the sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)
• Words that mean the same thing: miaul, mew, meow
• 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: MEOWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Across: "66. "No problemo!""

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 posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
• Words that mean the same thing: well-fixed, well-situated, loose
• The opposite would be: quickly, difficult
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EASY

  Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Tuesday NYT Crossword January 14, 2020

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. 18-Across, e.g.	3
2D	2. Like hosiery hues, typically	7
3D	3. Zero, zip, nada	7
4D	4. Rapper's posse	9
5D	5. In poor taste	6
6D	6. Like undercooked eggs	5
7D	7. Logician's "therefore"	4
8D	8. April event that's "green"	8
9D	9. Sneakily clever	3
10D	10. Gastric juice, e.g.	4
11D	11. Apple coating at a fair	7
12D	12. When checkmate is most likely to occur	7
13D	13. "Just" punishment	7
14D	19. Cause of ruination	4
15D	23. Yukon S.U.V. maker	3
16D	24. Vikki who sang "It Must Be Him"	4
17D	26. Smart ___	4
18D	29. Subtly suggest	5
19D	33. "Be that as it may ..."	9
20D	35. "Here's trouble!"	4
21D	36. BuzzFeed competitor	8
22D	37. Totally blown away	4
23D	38. Musical for which Liza Minnelli won an Oscar	7
24D	39. Release a fertilizable egg	7
25D	40. Part man, part deity	7
26D	43. Stereotypical place of exile	7
27D	44. Sam the Froot Loops mascot and others	7
28D	45. Tiny bit of energy	3
29D	47. Drops from the sky	4
30D	48. Relatives of weasels with dark fur	6
31D	51. Legal drama with Susan Dey	5
32D	53. Coal containers	4
33D	55. ___ Boss (German fashion house)	4
34D	58. Leg, in old slang	3
35D	60. San Francisco area, with "the"	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. 18-Across, e.g."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: APP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Like hosiery hues, typically"

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 one who does not side with any party in a war or dispute
• Words that mean the same thing: electroneutral, achromatic, inert
• The opposite would be: chromatic, positive
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEUTRAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Zero, zip, nada"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: NOTAONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Rapper's posse"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the group following and attending to some important person
• Words that mean the same thing: retinue, cortege, suite
• 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: ENTOURAGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. In poor taste"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that cheap and inferior; of no value
• Words that mean the same thing: meretricious, brassy, gaudy
• 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: TRASHY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Like undercooked eggs"

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 characteristic of a fluid; capable of flowing and easily changing shape
• Words that mean the same thing: fluid
• 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: RUNNY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Logician's "therefore""

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 (used as a sentence connector) therefore or consequently
• 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: ERGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. April event that's "green""

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: EARTHDAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Sneakily clever"

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 marked by skill in deception
• Words that mean the same thing: cunning, tricky, dodgy
• 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: SLY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Gastric juice, e.g."

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 any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt
• Words that mean the same thing: sulfurous, blistering, Zen
• 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: ACID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Apple coating at a fair"

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 firm chewy candy made from caramelized sugar and butter and milk
• Words that mean the same thing: raw sienna, yellowish brown, caramel brown
• 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: CARAMEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. When checkmate is most likely to occur"

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 the final stages of an extended process of negotiation
• Words that mean the same thing: end 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: ENDGAME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. "Just" punishment"

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 an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved
• Words that mean the same thing: forsake, comeuppance, desert
• 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: DESERTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "19. Cause of ruination"

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 something causing misery or death
• Words that mean the same thing: scourge, nemesis, curse
• 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: BANE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "23. Yukon S.U.V. maker"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: GMC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Vikki who sang "It Must Be Him""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: CARR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "26. Smart ___"

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: ALEC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "29. Subtly suggest"

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 express or state indirectly
• Words that mean the same thing: connote, inculpate, mean
• 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: IMPLY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "33. "Be that as it may ...""

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: ATANYRATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "35. "Here's trouble!""

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: UHOH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "36. BuzzFeed competitor"

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: MASHABLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "37. Totally blown away"

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 inspire awe in
• Words that mean the same thing: awestricken, awe, awful
• The opposite would be: unawed
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AWED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "38. Musical for which Liza Minnelli won an Oscar"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a spot that is open late at night and that provides entertainment (as singers or dancers) as well as dancing and food and drink
• Words that mean the same thing: club, floorshow, nightspot
• 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: CABARET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "39. Release a fertilizable egg"

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 produce and discharge eggs
• 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: OVULATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "40. Part man, part deity"

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 a person with great powers and abilities
• Words that mean the same thing: Ubermensch, superman, daemon
• 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: DEMIGOD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "43. Stereotypical place of exile"

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 a vast asian region of russia; famous for long cold winters
• 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: SIBERIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "44. Sam the Froot Loops mascot and others"

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 brilliantly colored arboreal fruit-eating bird of tropical america having a very large thin-walled beak
• Words that mean the same thing: toucan
• 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: TOUCANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "45. Tiny bit of energy"

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 cgs unit of work or energy; the work done by a force of one dyne acting over a distance of one centimeter
• 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: ERG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. Drops from the sky"

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 water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
• Words that mean the same thing: rain down, pelting, rainfall
• 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: RAIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "48. Relatives of weasels with dark fur"

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 an artist's brush made of sable hairs
• Words that mean the same thing: soot black, jet black, ebony
• 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: SABLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "51. Legal drama with Susan Dey"

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: LALAW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "53. Coal containers"

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 container; usually has a lid
• Words that mean the same thing: ABA transit number, bank identification number, BIN
• 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: BINS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "55. ___ Boss (German fashion house)"

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 french poet and novelist and dramatist; leader of the romantic movement in france (1802-1885)
• Words that mean the same thing: Victor-Marie Hugo, Victor Hugo
• 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: HUGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "58. Leg, in old slang"

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 herd of whales
• 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: GAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "60. San Francisco area, with "the""

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 indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
• Words that mean the same thing: embayment, bay laurel, Laurus nobilis
• 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: BAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	54	71.1%
Short Answer	15	19.7%
Literature	2	2.6%
History	2	2.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.3%
Sports	1	1.3%
Music	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	41
Down Clues	35
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	5.0 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	10 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 Tuesday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 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!

More Crossword Resources

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

• September 07 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• October 28 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 08 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 01 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• May 20 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• May 14 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers August 12
• July 03 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 14 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 30 2020 NYT Clues Solutions

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 05:37 PM

May 18, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (37 clues)
• Down Clues (41 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

Related Puzzles

Check out these other crossword solutions and helpful guides:

• February 14 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 23 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• February 08 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 25 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• May 17 2022 NYT Clues Solutions

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, May 18, 2020

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (37 Across, 41 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.8 letters

May 18, 2020 Monday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Shakespeare, for one	4
2A	5. Product of Chevron or Shell	3
3A	8. Many an electoral chart, in brief	5
4A	13. State that's said to be "high in the middle"	4
5A	14. Con's opposite	3
6A	15. Take a deep breath	6
7A	16. Where Army recruits go to start training	8
8A	18. One placing a phone call	6
9A	19. Houston-based food service giant	5
10A	20. Three goals by the same player	8
11A	22. Actor Wilson	4
12A	25. Part of a Halloween costume	4
13A	26. Shell game	10
14A	30. Norway's capital	4
15A	34. "___ the land of the free ..."	3
16A	35. Prefix with -vore or -scient	4
17A	36. Made snide verbal attacks	6
18A	38. Ostentatiously ornamented	5
19A	40. ___ Arbor, Mich.	3
20A	42. Shade akin to army green	5
21A	43. "Finally!"	6
22A	45. Avocado dip, informally	4
23A	47. Antidiscrimination inits.	3
24A	48. What snakes and lizards do periodically with their skin	4
25A	49. British heavy metal band named for a torture device	10
26A	52. What trees do in the wind	4
27A	54. Coordinate, informally	4
28A	55. All tuckered out	8
29A	59. Go deeply (into)	5
30A	63. ___ borealis	6
31A	64. Game whose tokens have included the starts of 16-, 20-, 26-, 49- and 55-Across	8
32A	67. Apache and Sioux, for two	6
33A	68. Beetles, e.g., for short	3
34A	69. It leads the orchestra in tuning	4
35A	70. ___ Park, Colo.	5
36A	71. Word before lion, level or legs	3
37A	72. Square ones won't fit into round holes	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. Shakespeare, for one"

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 lyric poet
• Words that mean the same thing: barde, dress up, caparison
• 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: BARD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Product of Chevron or Shell"

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 state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity; relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature; the ability to diffuse readily; and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container
• Words that mean the same thing: gasconade, flatulence, gun
• 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: GAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "8. Many an electoral chart, in brief"

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: USMAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. State that's said to be "high in the middle""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a midwestern state in north central united states in the great lakes region
• Words that mean the same thing: OH, Buckeye State, Ohio River
• 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: OHIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "14. Con's opposite"

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 an athlete who plays for pay
• Words that mean the same thing: professional
• The opposite would be: con, anti
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "15. Take a deep breath"

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 draw deep into the lungs in by breathing
• Words that mean the same thing: inspire, breathe in
• The opposite would be: exhale
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INHALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "16. Where Army recruits go to start training"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert 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: BOOTCAMP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. One placing a phone call"

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: DIALER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Houston-based food service giant"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about food & drink.

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: SYSCO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. Three goals by the same player"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert 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: HATTRICK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Actor Wilson"

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 welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)
• Words that mean the same thing: Robert Owen, Sir Richard Owen
• 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: OWEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. Part of a Halloween costume"

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 covering to disguise or conceal the face
• Words that mean the same thing: masquerade party, masque, disguise
• The opposite would be: unmask
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MASK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Shell game"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a swindling sleight-of-hand game; victim guesses which of three things a pellet is under
• Words that mean the same thing: shell 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: THIMBLERIG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. Norway's capital"

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

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: Christiania, capital of Norway
• 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 15 Across: "34. "___ the land of the free ...""

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: OER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. Prefix with -vore or -scient"

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: OMNI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. Made snide verbal attacks"

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 hunt or shoot snipe
• Words that mean the same thing: crop, prune, cut back
• 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: SNIPED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "38. Ostentatiously ornamented"

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 (britain) a celebratory reunion feast or entertainment held a college
• Words that mean the same thing: flashy, garish, flash
• 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: GAUDY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "40. ___ Arbor, Mich."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: ANN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "42. Shade akin to army green"

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 small ovoid fruit of the european olive tree; important food and source of oil
• Words that mean the same thing: European olive tree, Olea europaea
• 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: OLIVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. "Finally!""

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: ATLAST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Avocado dip, informally"

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: GUAC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "47. Antidiscrimination inits."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: EEO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. What snakes and lizards do periodically with their skin"

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 an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage
• Words that mean the same thing: pour forth, moult, caducous
• The opposite would be: persistent
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "49. British heavy metal band named for a torture device"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: IRONMAIDEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "52. What trees do in the wind"

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 controlling influence
• Words that mean the same thing: rock, persuade, carry
• 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: SWAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "54. Coordinate, informally"

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 make synchronous and adjust in time or manner
• Words that mean the same thing: synchronize, synchronise
• The opposite would be: desynchronise, desynchronize
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SYNC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "55. All tuckered out"

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: DOGTIRED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "59. Go deeply (into)"

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 turn up, loosen, or remove earth
• Words that mean the same thing: dig, cut into, turn over
• 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: DELVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "63. ___ borealis"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the first light of day
• Words that mean the same thing: morning, dawn, dayspring
• The opposite would be: sunset
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AURORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "64. Game whose tokens have included the starts of 16-, 20-, 26-, 49- and 55-Across"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (economics) a market in which there are many buyers but only one seller
• 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: MONOPOLY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "67. Apache and Sioux, for two"

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 a social division of (usually preliterate) people
• Words that mean the same thing: kin, folk, kindred
• 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: TRIBES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "68. Beetles, e.g., for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: VWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "69. It leads the orchestra in tuning"

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 a slender double-reed instrument; a woodwind with a conical bore and a double-reed mouthpiece
• Words that mean the same thing: hautbois, hautboy
• 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: OBOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "70. ___ Park, Colo."

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: ESTES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "71. Word before lion, level or legs"

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 division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
• Words that mean the same thing: ocean
• 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: SEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "72. Square ones won't fit into round holes"

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 a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface
• Words that mean the same thing: nail, nail down, leg
• 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: PEGS

  Great job if you got it right!

May 18, 2020 Down Hints: NYT Monday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Short hairstyles	4
2D	2. Greeting to a "matey"	4
3D	3. Rivers, in Mexico	4
4D	4. Company doing business mostly online	6
5D	5. 4.0 is a superb one, in brief	3
6D	6. Cost an ___ and a leg	3
7D	7. Student who's no longer a frosh	4
8D	8. Cups and quarts	5
9D	9. Controversial cosmetics ingredient	8
10D	10. Its capital is Bamako	4
11D	11. Trump impersonator Baldwin	4
12D	12. Become more attentive, with "up"	4
13D	15. Pet collar attachments	6
14D	17. Some rodeo riders	7
15D	21. "What ___?" (end of a riddle)	3
16D	23. Stately tree	3
17D	24. "99 Red Balloons" singer	4
18D	26. Some fraternity party getups	5
19D	27. Actor Ledger	5
20D	28. Cry made while chest-thumping	5
21D	29. Rock Starr?	5
22D	31. Observed secretly	5
23D	32. Flood blocker	5
24D	33. Ancient theater	5
25D	37. Slangy turndown of a request for help	7
26D	39. Expectant papas	8
27D	41. Convent residents	4
28D	44. Bejeweled bands	6
29D	46. Senator Klobuchar	3
30D	50. Loaf with seeds	3
31D	51. Cold treat on a stick	6
32D	53. Tangle behind a computer, maybe	5
33D	55. Calendar info	4
34D	56. "___ is not to reason why ..."	4
35D	57. Stick-to-itiveness	4
36D	58. License bureaus, for short	4
37D	60. Part of an ear or brain	4
38D	61. Certain YouTube posting	4
39D	62. Seeing things?	4
40D	65. Be indebted to	3
41D	66. Secretive government org.	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. Short hairstyles"

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 former monetary unit in great britain
• Words that mean the same thing: bobsled, bob, bobtail
• 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: BOBS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Greeting to a "matey""

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: AHOY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Rivers, in Mexico"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the former capital and 2nd largest city of brazil; chief brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
• Words that mean the same thing: Rio de Janeiro, Rio
• 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: RIOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Company doing business mostly online"

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: DOTCOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. 4.0 is a superb one, in brief"

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 measure of a student's academic achievement at a college or university; calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted
• Words that mean the same thing: grade point average
• 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: GPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Cost an ___ and a leg"

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 human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
• Words that mean the same thing: build up, gird, fortify
• The opposite would be: disarm
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Student who's no longer a frosh"

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 a second-year undergraduate
• Words that mean the same thing: sophomore
• 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: SOPH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Cups and quarts"

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 any division of quantity accepted as a standard of measurement or exchange
• Words that mean the same thing: building block, unit, unit of measurement
• 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: UNITS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Controversial cosmetics ingredient"

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: SHARKOIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Its capital is Bamako"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a landlocked republic in northwestern africa; achieved independence from france in 1960; mali was a center of west african civilization for more than 4,000 years
• Words that mean the same thing: Republic of Mali, French Sudan
• 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: MALI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Trump impersonator Baldwin"

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: ALEC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Become more attentive, with "up""

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 an incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is regarded as a right)
• Words that mean the same thing: perquisite, pick up, gain vigor
• 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: PERK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "15. Pet collar attachments"

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: IDTAGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "17. Some rodeo riders"

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 a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
• Words that mean the same thing: cowhand, cowman, cowboy
• 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: COWBOYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. "What ___?" (end of a riddle)"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a hard 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: AMI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Stately tree"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of various trees of the genus ulmus: important timber or shade trees
• Words that mean the same thing: elmwood, elm tree
• 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: ELM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. "99 Red Balloons" singer"

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: NENA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. Some fraternity party getups"

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 a one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient rome
• Words that mean the same thing: toga
• 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: TOGAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "27. Actor Ledger"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a low evergreen shrub of the family ericaceae; has small bell-shaped pink or purple flowers
• Words that mean the same thing: heathland
• 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: HEATH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "28. Cry made while chest-thumping"

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: IRULE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "29. Rock Starr?"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard 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: RINGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. Observed secretly"

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 catch sight of
• Words that mean the same thing: descry, sight, snoop
• 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: SPIED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "32. Flood blocker"

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 a formal reception of visitors or guests (as at a royal court)
• 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: LEVEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "33. Ancient theater"

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

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: ODEON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "37. Slangy turndown of a request for help"

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: NOCANDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Expectant papas"

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: DADSTOBE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "41. Convent residents"

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 woman religious
• Words that mean the same thing: nun, nun buoy, conical buoy
• 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: NUNS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Bejeweled bands"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a jeweled headdress worn by women on formal occasions
• Words that mean the same thing: tiara
• 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: TIARAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "46. Senator Klobuchar"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: AMY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "50. Loaf with seeds"

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 seed of the cereal grass
• Words that mean the same thing: Secale cereale, rye whiskey, rye whisky
• 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: RYE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "51. Cold treat on a stick"

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: ICEPOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "53. Tangle behind a computer, maybe"

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 ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
• Words that mean the same thing: cable, conducting wire, telegram
• The opposite would be: unwire
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WIRES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "55. Calendar info"

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 the specified day of the month
• Words that mean the same thing: engagement, go out, go steady
• 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: DATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "56. "___ is not to reason why ...""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: OURS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "57. Stick-to-itiveness"

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 a hard coarse-grained siliceous sandstone
• Words that mean the same thing: guts, sand, moxie
• 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: GRIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "58. License bureaus, 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: DMVS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "60. Part of an ear or brain"

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 (anatomy) a somewhat rounded subdivision of a bodily organ or part
• 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: LOBE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "61. Certain YouTube posting"

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: VLOG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "62. Seeing things?"

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 opinion or judgment
• Words that mean the same thing: center, centre, oculus
• 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: EYES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "65. Be indebted to"

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 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 41 Down: "66. Secretive government org."

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 united states cryptologic organization that coordinates and directs highly specialized activities to protect united states information systems and to produce foreign intelligence information
• Words that mean the same thing: National Security Agency
• 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: NSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	48	61.5%
Short Answer	13	16.7%
Celebrity/Entertainment	6	7.7%
Geography	5	6.4%
Sports	2	2.6%
Abbreviation	2	2.6%
Food & Drink	1	1.3%
History	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	37
Down Clues	41
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	4.8 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	10 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 Monday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 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!

More Crossword Resources

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

• July 06 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 25 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• February 08 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 23 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• 27440 Fri Dec 27 2024 Ny Times
• NYT Across Crossword September 18 2025
• NYT Crossword Answers Hints July 13
• April 02 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 27 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• October 17 2022 NYT Clues Solutions

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 25, 2025 at 04:25 AM