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

Monday, May 18, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 18, 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. Like a game that has gone into a penalty shootout 4
2A 5. Luxury handbag brand 5
3A 10. Petri dish gel 4
4A 14. West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024 4
5A 15. Stereotypical meal for a college student 5
6A 16. "Veni, ___, vici" 4
7A 17. Like the Code of Hammurabi 10
8A 19. Enterprise rival 4
9A 20. Got to one's feet 5
10A 21. Elmer's product 4
11A 23. "There's a cockroach!" 3
12A 24. Patch up some clothes, say 3
13A 25. Pioneering hybrid car 11
14A 29. Pouty expression 4
15A 30. Future atty.'s exam 4
16A 31. Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie" 4
17A 34. Tackling of the quarterback 4
18A 37. Nebraska's largest city 5
19A 40. Governing body in the Harry Potter universe 15
20A 43. Fibrous part of broccoli 5
21A 44. Nothin' 4
22A 45. Cool, slangily 4
23A 46. "___ Calm and Carry On" 4
24A 48. Region 4
25A 50. Gardener's tool 11
26A 54. Kit ___ bar 3
27A 57. Woodcutter's tool 3
28A 58. Beauty queen's accessory 4
29A 59. Garlicky condiment 5
30A 61. Eye irritation 4
31A 63. Advice for the overambitious ... or a hint to 17-, 25-, 40- and 50-Across 10
32A 66. ___ leches cake 4
33A 67. Oopsie 5
34A 68. Lotion ingredient 4
35A 69. Toward sunrise 4
36A 70. "Same!" 5
37A 71. Stereotypically antisocial pets 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Like a game that has gone into a penalty shootout"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord
  • Similar words include: trussed, draw, bind
  • Opposite of: untied, disconnect
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Luxury handbag brand"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Petri dish gel"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any culture medium that uses agar as the gelling agent
  • Similar words include: nutrient agar, agar-agar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Stereotypical meal for a college student"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. "Veni, ___, vici""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Like the Code of Hammurabi"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inhabitant of ancient babylon
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BABYLONIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Enterprise rival"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Got to one's feet"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come into existence; take on form or shape
  • Similar words include: get up, grow, rise up
  • Opposite of: sit down, fall
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AROSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Elmer's product"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cement consisting of a sticky substance that is used as an adhesive
  • Similar words include: gum, paste, mucilage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. "There's a cockroach!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Patch up some clothes, say"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Pioneering hybrid car"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Pouty expression"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disdainful grimace
  • Similar words include: pout, wry face
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Future atty.'s exam"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Tackling of the quarterback"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
  • Similar words include: paper bag, poke, sacking
  • Opposite of: hire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Nebraska's largest city"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in the missouri river valley in northeastern nebraska
  • Similar words include: Maha
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMAHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Governing body in the Harry Potter universe"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "43. Fibrous part of broccoli"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
  • Similar words include: stem, husk, angry walk
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STALK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. Nothin'"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity of no importance
  • Similar words include: cypher, nil, null
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Cool, slangily"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that street names for marijuana
  • Similar words include: the skinny, Mary Jane, dope up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. "___ Calm and Carry On""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the financial means whereby one lives
  • Similar words include: livelihood, dungeon, hold on
  • Opposite of: discontinue, break
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. Region"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
  • Similar words include: surface area, sphere, domain
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Gardener's tool"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. Kit ___ bar"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the leaves of the shrub catha edulis which are chewed like tobacco or used to make tea; has the effect of a euphoric stimulant
  • Similar words include: cat, African tea, qat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "57. Woodcutter's tool"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
  • Similar words include: ax
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "58. Beauty queen's accessory"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. Garlicky condiment"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that garlic mayonnaise
  • Similar words include: aioli sauce, garlic sauce
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIOLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Eye irritation"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
  • Similar words include: eye infection, sty, hordeolum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Advice for the overambitious ... or a hint to 17-, 25-, 40- and 50-Across"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. ___ leches cake"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Oopsie"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
  • Similar words include: mistake, erroneous belief, misplay
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERROR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Lotion ingredient"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Toward sunrise"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
  • Similar words include: Orient, E, eastern United States
  • Opposite of: west
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "70. "Same!""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "71. Stereotypically antisocial pets"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
  • Similar words include: throw up, CT, computerized tomography
  • Opposite of: keep down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Large brass instruments 5
2D 2. "You have my sympathy" 5
3D 3. Macaroni shape 5
4D 4. 14 of these make up a fortnight 4
5D 5. Con's opposite 3
6D 6. Sprinted 3
7D 7. Friend in Mexico 5
8D 8. Gave out cards 5
9D 9. Zinnia or sunflower 6
10D 10. Director DuVernay 3
11D 11. Attempt something 9
12D 12. "Au revoir!" 5
13D 13. Puts on the line 5
14D 18. Oscar winner Jared 4
15D 22. English town famous for its salts 5
16D 26. Throw out of office 4
17D 27. Long (for) 5
18D 28. Holiday Inn competitor 6
19D 29. Sent by post 6
20D 31. Writes to on WhatsApp, in brief 3
21D 32. Puppy school command 3
22D 33. Roll of two ones 9
23D 35. "Ta-ta," in a text 3
24D 36. Camera company known for its "moments" 5
25D 38. With it 3
26D 39. Unreturned serve 3
27D 41. Distorts, as data 5
28D 42. Ticket price 4
29D 47. The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example 6
30D 49. Chapters of history 4
31D 50. Squander 5
32D 51. Outlandishly over the top, in modern slang 5
33D 52. Houston baseballer 5
34D 53. Swiss ___ (salad green) 5
35D 54. Marsupial often mistermed a "bear" 5
36D 55. Apportion 5
37D 56. There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game 5
38D 60. Apple desktop 4
39D 62. Superlative suffix 3
40D 64. Down Under bounder, for short 3
41D 65. Prefix between bi- and tetra- 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Large brass instruments"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the lowest brass wind instrument
  • Similar words include: bass horn, tuba, sousaphone
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUBAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "You have my sympathy""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Macaroni shape"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
  • Similar words include: human elbow, cubital joint, articulatio cubiti
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELBOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. 14 of these make up a fortnight"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time during which someone's life continues
  • Similar words include: Day, daylight, Clarence Day
  • Opposite of: night
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Con's opposite"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an athlete who plays for pay
  • Similar words include: professional
  • Opposite of: amateur, anti
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Sprinted"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
  • Similar words include: function, bunk, be given
  • Opposite of: idle, malfunction
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Friend in Mexico"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a friend or comrade
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMIGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Gave out cards"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
  • Similar words include: take, grapple, cover
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Zinnia or sunflower"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (botany) a plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year
  • Similar words include: one-year, yearbook, yearly
  • Opposite of: biennial
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANNUAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Director DuVernay"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Attempt something"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "Au revoir!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a farewell remark
  • Similar words include: cheerio, bye, au revoir
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADIEU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Puts on the line"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
  • Similar words include: risk of exposure, take chances, risk of infection
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RISKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Oscar winner Jared"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wife or mistress of zeus and mother of apollo and artemis in ancient mythology; called latona in roman mythology
  • Similar words include: Latona
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LETO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. English town famous for its salts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Throw out of office"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove from a position or office
  • Similar words include: throw out, boot out, drum out
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Long (for)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that desire strongly or persistently
  • Similar words include: hanker, pine, ache
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YEARN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Holiday Inn competitor"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Sent by post"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that send via the postal service
  • Similar words include: get off, mail-clad, mail
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAILED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Writes to on WhatsApp, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Puppy school command"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be around, often idly or without specific purpose
  • Similar words include: model, sit around, baby-sit
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Roll of two ones"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. "Ta-ta," in a text"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Camera company known for its "moments""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. With it"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
  • Similar words include: hip joint, coxa, articulatio coxae
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Unreturned serve"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: 1, sensation, breeze through
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Distorts, as data"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that turn or place at an angle
  • Similar words include: skew
  • Opposite of: align
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKEWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Ticket price"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an agenda of things to do
  • Similar words include: menu, make out, come
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any distinct time period in a sequence of events
  • Similar words include: phase angle, form, phase
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Chapters of history"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: earned run average, era, epoch
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Squander"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
  • Similar words include: wild, consume, thriftlessness
  • Opposite of: conserve
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WASTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Outlandishly over the top, in modern slang"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a minor actor in crowd scenes
  • Similar words include: additional, excess, superfluous
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Houston baseballer"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Swiss ___ (salad green)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that beet lacking swollen root; grown as a vegetable for its edible leaves and stalks
  • Similar words include: spinach beet, Swiss chard, leaf beet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Marsupial often mistermed a "bear""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sluggish tailless australian arboreal marsupial with grey furry ears and coat; feeds on eucalyptus leaves and bark
  • Similar words include: kangaroo bear, native bear, koala bear
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KOALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Apportion"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that allow to have
  • Similar words include: dish out, accord, assign
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
  • Similar words include: roofing tile, tile
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TILES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "60. Apple desktop"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "62. Superlative suffix"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
  • Similar words include: Eastern Time, Eastern Standard Time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "64. Down Under bounder, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "65. Prefix between bi- and tetra-"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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
41 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: May 18, 2026 at 07:10 AM

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers January 27, 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: Moderate

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Potpourri piece 5
2A 6. Bit of pandemic attire 4
3A 10. Cry from a crib, perhaps 4
4A 14. Came up 5
5A 15. Et ___ (and others) 4
6A 16. Some stadium shouts 4
7A 17. Give friendly bites, as a puppy might 5
8A 18. Heaps 4
9A 19. Wrangler on the road 4
10A 20. Hosp. hookups 3
11A 21. Far from any urban center, colloquially 11
12A 24. Trickster figure in Native American folklore 6
13A 26. Cousin of a cravat 5
14A 27. Add as an afterthought 5
15A 29. Lacking a conscience 6
16A 33. Potentially at risk, metaphorically 10
17A 36. Spanish gold 3
18A 37. Nashville has a "grand ole" one 4
19A 38. ___ Speed Wagon (old vehicle) 3
20A 39. Air passage 4
21A 40. Title for M.L.K. Jr. 3
22A 41. In a soaring mood, so to speak 10
23A 45. "Moving right along ..." 6
24A 47. Kind of fund 5
25A 48. Jump and shout for joy 5
26A 51. Ragamuffin 6
27A 54. Metaphor for a parent whose youngest has "launched" ... like the little bird whose progress is suggested by 21-, 33- and 41-Across 11
28A 58. Poem of praise 3
29A 59. "Captain" on Mount Ararat 4
30A 60. Chew as a beaver might 4
31A 61. "Yay me!" 5
32A 63. Doofus 4
33A 64. To be, in Toulouse 4
34A 65. Assuaged 5
35A 66. Corset component 4
36A 67. Medical measure 4
37A 68. In poor condition 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Potpourri piece"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that part of the perianth that is usually brightly colored
  • Similar words include: flower petal
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PETAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Bit of pandemic attire"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a covering to disguise or conceal the face
  • Similar words include: cloak, disguise, masque
  • Opposite of: unmask
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MASK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Cry from a crib, perhaps"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for a mother
  • Similar words include: mom, mamma, ma
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Came up"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come into existence; take on form or shape
  • Similar words include: bob up, come up, get up
  • Opposite of: turn in, go to bed
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AROSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Et ___ (and others)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Some stadium shouts"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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7A: "17. Give friendly bites, as a puppy might"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Heaps"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large number or amount
  • Similar words include: slews, a good deal, lashings
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Wrangler on the road"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a car suitable for traveling over rough terrain
  • Similar words include: landrover
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Hosp. hookups"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
  • Similar words include: quartet, 4, quaternary
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IVS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "21. Far from any urban center, colloquially"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Trickster figure in Native American folklore"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small wolf native to western north america
  • Similar words include: brush wolf, Canis latrans, prairie wolf
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COYOTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Cousin of a cravat"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cravat with wide square ends; secured with an ornamental pin
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASCOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Add as an afterthought"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Lacking a conscience"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Potentially at risk, metaphorically"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Spanish gold"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Nashville has a "grand ole" one"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. ___ Speed Wagon (old vehicle)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Air passage"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bodily passage or tube lined with epithelial cells and conveying a secretion or other substance
  • Similar words include: channel, epithelial duct, canal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUCT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Title for M.L.K. Jr."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rate of revolution of a motor
  • Similar words include: rpm, rev up, revolutions per minute
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. In a soaring mood, so to speak"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. "Moving right along ...""

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Kind of fund"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that partially melted snow
  • Similar words include: splash, slosh, splosh
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLUSH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Jump and shout for joy"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feel extreme happiness or elation
  • Similar words include: triumph, jump for joy, walk on air
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXULT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Ragamuffin"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that poor and often mischievous city child
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: URCHIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "54. Metaphor for a parent whose youngest has "launched" ... like the little bird whose progress is suggested by 21-, 33- and 41-Across"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "58. Poem of praise"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. "Captain" on Mount Ararat"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the hebrew patriarch who saved himself and his family and the animals by building an ark in which they survived 40 days and 40 nights of rain; the story of noah and the flood is told in the book of genesis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. Chew as a beaver might"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that bite or chew on with the teeth
  • Similar words include: erode, eat at, wear away
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GNAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. "Yay me!""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "63. Doofus"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that street names for marijuana
  • Similar words include: weed, gage, skunk
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "64. To be, in Toulouse"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "65. Assuaged"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move gently or carefully
  • Similar words include: ease, alleviate, relieved
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EASED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. Corset component"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that continuing or remaining in a place or state
  • Similar words include: halt, outride, delay
  • Opposite of: change, depart
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "67. Medical measure"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measured portion of medicine taken at any one time
  • Similar words include: VD, drug, window pane
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. In poor condition"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that full of seeds
  • Similar words include: poorly, sordid, squalid
  • Opposite of: seedless
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEEDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Freak out 5
2D 2. "Wicked" co-star Cynthia ___ 5
3D 3. Downside-up 10
4D 4. Happy ___ lark 3
5D 5. "Forgive and forget" 7
6D 6. Barley product 4
7D 7. Hi in HI 5
8D 8. Loci 5
9D 9. Source of some Jumbotron entertainment 7
10D 10. Cuban rum cocktail 6
11D 11. Actor Guinness 4
12D 12. Like the ones who shall inherit the earth, in Matthew 5:5 4
13D 13. Horned vipers 4
14D 22. Like some highlighter colors 4
15D 23. ___ of the Unknown Soldier 4
16D 25. Like some cookies and milk 4
17D 28. Not, colloquially 4
18D 30. Engage in boisterous activity 10
19D 31. St. Louis landmark 4
20D 32. Area to build on 3
21D 33. Request from a dentist 4
22D 34. Floral ring 3
23D 35. Charged particles 4
24D 37. Singer Rita 3
25D 39. Chip shape 4
26D 41. Cunning, like Mr. Tod or Swiper 4
27D 42. Chillaxed, say 7
28D 43. It's binding 4
29D 44. Gets a move on 7
30D 46. Possible pronoun pairing 6
31D 49. Slowly, in scores 5
32D 50. Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great 5
33D 52. Did diddly-squat 5
34D 53. Tending to cling 5
35D 54. Winds up 4
36D 55. Debatable 4
37D 56. Cry from a crib, perhaps 4
38D 57. Britishly precious 4
39D 62. Issa of "The Lovebirds" 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Freak out"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
  • Similar words include: terror, scare, affright
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PANIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Wicked" co-star Cynthia ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Downside-up"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Happy ___ lark"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "Forgive and forget""

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Barley product"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Hi in HI"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acknowledgment that can be used to say hello or goodbye (aloha is hawaiian and ciao is italian)
  • Similar words include: ciao
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Loci"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
  • Similar words include: sit, model, ride
  • Opposite of: arise, stand
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SITES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Source of some Jumbotron entertainment"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Cuban rum cocktail"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Actor Guinness"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Like the ones who shall inherit the earth, in Matthew 5:5"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
  • Similar words include: spiritless, tame, mild
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Horned vipers"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of southern europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
  • Similar words include: Naja haje, Egyptian cobra, Vipera aspis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "22. Like some highlighter colors"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
  • Similar words include: atomic number 10, Ne
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. ___ of the Unknown Soldier"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
  • Similar words include: grave
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Like some cookies and milk"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "28. Not, colloquially"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used with singular count nouns) colloquial for `not a' or `not one' or `never a'
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NARY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "30. Engage in boisterous activity"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that engage in rough or disorderly play
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROUGHHOUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. St. Louis landmark"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
  • Similar words include: puckish, arc, patronising
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Area to build on"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
  • Similar words include: mickle, mass, stack
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Request from a dentist"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
  • Similar words include: exposed, undecided, undetermined
  • Opposite of: unreceptive, covert
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Floral ring"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
  • Similar words include: garland, coronal, leu
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Charged particles"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

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
  • Similar words include: ion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Singer Rita"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
  • Similar words include: Os, operating system, OS
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. Chip shape"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sound recording consisting of a disk with a continuous groove; used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracks in the groove
  • Similar words include: platter, magnetic disk, magnetic disc
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DISC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Cunning, like Mr. Tod or Swiper"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by skill in deception
  • Similar words include: tricksy, crafty, tricky
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOXY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Chillaxed, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sit or recline comfortably
  • Similar words include: lollygag, linger, lallygag
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOUNGED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. It's binding"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cement consisting of a sticky substance that is used as an adhesive
  • Similar words include: paste, gum, mucilage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Gets a move on"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
  • Similar words include: hurriedness, rush, hurry
  • Opposite of: delay
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HURRIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Possible pronoun pairing"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Slowly, in scores"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of tempo) slow
  • Similar words include: slowly
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LENTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male monarch or emperor (especially of russia prior to 1917)
  • Similar words include: tsar, czar, tzar
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Did diddly-squat"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that run disconnected or idle
  • Similar words include: stagnate, tick over, idle
  • Opposite of: work, run
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Tending to cling"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that needy people collectively
  • Similar words include: indigent, impoverished, destitute
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEEDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Winds up"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
  • Similar words include: cease, terminate, final stage
  • Opposite of: begin, beginning
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Debatable"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hypothetical case that law students argue as an exercise
  • Similar words include: turn over, arguable, debate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Cry from a crib, perhaps"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
  • Similar words include: pop, dada, dad
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "57. Britishly precious"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that affectedly dainty or refined
  • Similar words include: niminy-piminy, dainty, prim
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "62. Issa of "The Lovebirds""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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: January 27, 2026 at 04:31 AM