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Monday, July 6, 2026

Quick NYT Mini Crossword July 06, 2026 (Trivia Week 1) - Solutions

NYT Mini Puzzle Trivia Week 1 July 06, 2026 - Solved

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: Xwordhint Crossword Answers December 02 | Todays Across Crossword NYT December 24 | December 18 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for July 06, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Monday, July 06, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date July 06, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week {week_num} NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

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

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

  1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
  2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
  3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
  4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
  5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

  • Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
  • Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
  • Best time to play: During a coffee break
  • Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 14. Hertz competitor
2 Across 41. Give the boot
3 Across 62. Hall-of-Fame hoopster Thomas
4 Across 36. Three-part fire safety technique
5 Across 17. Event that might include juggling, singing and magic tricks
6 Across 65. Like the crying face emoji
7 Across 43. Flatbread with a palindromic name
8 Across 27. Calm, as a lake
9 Across 46. 2009 comedy about a bachelor party and its aftermath
10 Across 52. Colorful glows

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. Also check out these helpful guides:


1 Across: "14. Hertz competitor"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: A___O

Answer:

Click to reveal ALAMO


2 Across: "41. Give the boot"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: O__T

Answer:

Click to reveal OUST


3 Across: "62. Hall-of-Fame hoopster Thomas"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: I___H

Answer:

Click to reveal ISIAH


4 Across: "36. Three-part fire safety technique"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 15 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: S_____________L

Answer:

Click to reveal STOPDROPANDROLL


5 Across: "17. Event that might include juggling, singing and magic tricks"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 10 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: T________W

Answer:

Click to reveal TALENTSHOW


6 Across: "65. Like the crying face emoji"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: T___Y

Answer:

Click to reveal TEARY


7 Across: "43. Flatbread with a palindromic name"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: N__N

Answer:

Click to reveal NAAN


8 Across: "27. Calm, as a lake"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: P____D

Answer:

Click to reveal PLACID


9 Across: "46. 2009 comedy about a bachelor party and its aftermath"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 11 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: T_________R

Answer:

Click to reveal THEHANGOVER


10 Across: "52. Colorful glows"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A___S

Answer:

Click to reveal AURAS

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 32. Word after black or special
2 Down 7. ___ Omar, first Somali American in Congress
3 Down 5. Nuthatch or nightingale
4 Down 2. In the manner of
5 Down 9. Piglet's mother
6 Down 44. Some small batteries
7 Down 58. Paver's goop
8 Down 11. Negative attack on a political opponent
9 Down 39. Instrument played by a Muse
10 Down 49. Express one's thoughts

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:


1 Down: "32. Word after black or special"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal OPS


2 Down: "7. ___ Omar, first Somali American in Congress"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: I___N

Answer:

Click to reveal ILHAN


3 Down: "5. Nuthatch or nightingale"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 8 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: S______D

Answer:

Click to reveal SONGBIRD


4 Down: "2. In the manner of"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal ALA


5 Down: "9. Piglet's mother"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'W'
  • Another word like this: seed

Answer:

Click to reveal SOW


6 Down: "44. Some small batteries"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Another word like this: AA

Answer:

Click to reveal AAS


7 Down: "58. Paver's goop"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'R'
  • Another word like this: mariner

Answer:

Click to reveal TAR


8 Down: "11. Negative attack on a political opponent"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: S___R

Answer:

Click to reveal SMEAR


9 Down: "39. Instrument played by a Muse"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: L__E

Answer:

Click to reveal LYRE


10 Down: "49. Express one's thoughts"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O___E

Answer:

Click to reveal OPINE

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
  2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
  3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
  4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
  5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • The letter E is the most common in English
  • Words ending in S are often plurals
  • If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
  • Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds Advanced Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes Good You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes Learning You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20 clues to solve
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25 squares to fill
Average Time: Most people solve in 1 minute 3 seconds
Difficulty: Medium

Common Questions About Trivia Week 1

When can I play the Trivia Week 1 Mini?

The Trivia Week 1 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 1?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 1 Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play Trivia Week 1?

No! The Trivia Week 1 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 1 solver?

Good Trivia Week 1 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 1?

Trivia Week 1 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.


About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: July 06, 2026 at 07:59 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, July 06 2026 mini crossword

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 06, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: 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. Long, detailed tales 5
2A 6. Binds together 4
3A 10. Russia's Peter the Great, e.g. 4
4A 14. Hertz competitor 5
5A 15. Muppet with a noted feud with a pet rock 4
6A 16. Jane Austen title character 4
7A 17. Event that might include juggling, singing and magic tricks 10
8A 19. ___ wave (summer phenomenon) 4
9A 20. Northern neighbor of Namibia 6
10A 21. Eat, as cattle might 5
11A 22. Serpent seen on a sarcophagus 3
12A 24. Looks of total confusion 11
13A 27. Calm, as a lake 6
14A 29. Bard of ___, nickname for Shakespeare 4
15A 30. Intellectual thoroughness 5
16A 31. Olden days 4
17A 33. Texter's "If you ask me ..." 3
18A 36. Three-part fire safety technique 15
19A 40. Opposite of NNW 3
20A 41. Give the boot 4
21A 42. When farmers typically wake up 5
22A 43. Flatbread with a palindromic name 4
23A 45. Steve ___, 2003 N.F.L. M.V.P.-winning quarterback 6
24A 46. 2009 comedy about a bachelor party and its aftermath 11
25A 51. Golf ball holder 3
26A 52. Colorful glows 5
27A 53. Grapefruit relative 6
28A 55. Some urban pollution 4
29A 56. Sections of a choir .... as hinted at by this puzzle's circled letters 10
30A 60. It comes and goes each day 4
31A 61. "Frozen" princess 4
32A 62. Hall-of-Fame hoopster Thomas 5
33A 63. Where Eve reached for the forbidden fruit 4
34A 64. Grammy-winning singer Lisa 4
35A 65. Like the crying face emoji 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Long, detailed tales"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family; originally (12th to 14th centuries) a story of the families that settled iceland and their descendants but now any prose narrative that resembles such an account
  • Similar words include: saga
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAGAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Binds together"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
  • Similar words include: tie-up, attach, wed
  • Opposite of: disconnect, untie
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Russia's Peter the Great, e.g."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Hertz competitor"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a siege and massacre at a mission in san antonio in 1836; mexican forces under santa anna besieged and massacred american rebels who were fighting to make texas independent of mexico
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALAMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Muppet with a noted feud with a pet rock"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Jane Austen title character"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Event that might include juggling, singing and magic tricks"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. ___ wave (summer phenomenon)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
  • Similar words include: oestrus, heating system, estrus
  • Opposite of: anestrus, coldness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Northern neighbor of Namibia"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in southwestern africa on the atlantic ocean; achieved independence from portugal in 1975 and was the scene of civil war until 1990
  • Similar words include: Republic of Angola
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANGOLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Eat, as cattle might"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a superficial abrasion
  • Similar words include: browse, crease, rake
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Serpent seen on a sarcophagus"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Looks of total confusion"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Calm, as a lake"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
  • Similar words include: tranquil, smooth, good-tempered
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLACID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Bard of ___, nickname for Shakespeare"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a river in southwestern england rising in gloucestershire and flowing through bristol to empty into the estuary of the severn
  • Similar words include: Upper Avon, River Avon, Upper Avon River
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Intellectual thoroughness"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something hard to endure
  • Similar words include: hardness, grimness, rigorousness
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIGOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Olden days"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that time long past
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Texter's "If you ask me ...""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the united nations agency concerned with international maritime activities
  • Similar words include: International Maritime Organization
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Three-part fire safety technique"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Opposite of NNW"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the compass point midway between south and southeast
  • Similar words include: south southeast, sou'-sou'-east
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Give the boot"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. When farmers typically wake up"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
  • Similar words include: other, former, too soon
  • Opposite of: late, middle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EARLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Flatbread with a palindromic name"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that leavened bread baked in a clay oven in india; usually shaped like a teardrop
  • Similar words include: nan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Steve ___, 2003 N.F.L. M.V.P.-winning quarterback"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. 2009 comedy about a bachelor party and its aftermath"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Golf ball holder"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the starting place for each hole on a golf course
  • Similar words include: teeing ground, golf tee, tee up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "52. Colorful glows"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure
  • Similar words include: nimbus, aura, aureole
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AURAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Grapefruit relative"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that southeastern asian tree producing large fruits resembling grapefruits
  • Similar words include: pomelo tree, pummelo, Citrus decumana
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POMELO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Some urban pollution"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
  • Similar words include: smogginess
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Sections of a choir .... as hinted at by this puzzle's circled letters"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. It comes and goes each day"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
  • Similar words include: surge, lunar time period
  • Opposite of: ebb
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. "Frozen" princess"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a former copper coin of pakistan and india
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Hall-of-Fame hoopster Thomas"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Where Eve reached for the forbidden fruit"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
  • Similar words include: paradise, nirvana, promised land
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Grammy-winning singer Lisa"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states physiologist (born in germany) who did research on parthenogenesis (1859-1924)
  • Similar words include: Jacques Loeb
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOEB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Like the crying face emoji"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that with eyes full of tears
  • Similar words include: teary-eyed, watery-eyed
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEARY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Used a chair 3
2D 2. In the manner of 3
3D 3. Archipelago that helped shape Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" 9
4D 4. Prayer ender 4
5D 5. Nuthatch or nightingale 8
6D 6. Cybertruck maker 5
7D 7. ___ Omar, first Somali American in Congress 5
8D 8. Angsty subculture 3
9D 9. Piglet's mother 3
10D 10. Capital city between Baghdad, Iraq, and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 10
11D 11. Negative attack on a political opponent 5
12D 12. Knock the socks off 5
13D 13. Parking garage listing 5
14D 18. Relayed, as a story 4
15D 21. 1960s Pontiac muscle car 3
16D 22. Auto loan figs. 4
17D 23. Cuts open, as an envelope 5
18D 25. 24-___ gold 5
19D 26. "Frozen" reindeer 4
20D 28. European capital that's home to the Little Mermaid statue 10
21D 31. Offspring 5
22D 32. Word after black or special 3
23D 34. Temporary suspensions 9
24D 35. Basic skateboarding jump 5
25D 37. Singer Chappell with the double-platinum album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" 4
26D 38. Dilapidated 8
27D 39. Instrument played by a Muse 4
28D 44. Some small batteries 3
29D 45. Modern lead-in to coin or stock 4
30D 46. One of the five senses 5
31D 47. Like sticky summer weather 5
32D 48. Wash away 5
33D 49. Express one's thoughts 5
34D 50. Words of interest to a language learner, informally 5
35D 54. Operate on using a beam 4
36D 56. Actor Kilmer 3
37D 57. The Yoko of "Dear Yoko" 3
38D 58. Paver's goop 3
39D 59. Like a shrinking violet 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Used a chair"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. In the manner of"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Archipelago that helped shape Darwin's "On the Origin of Species""

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of islands in the pacific off south america; owned by ecuador; known for unusual animal life
  • Similar words include: Galapagos Islands
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GALAPAGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Prayer ender"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a primeval egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at thebes
  • Similar words include: Amun, Amon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Nuthatch or nightingale"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any bird having a musical call
  • Similar words include: songster
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONGBIRD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Cybertruck maker"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of magnetic flux density equal to one weber per square meter
  • Similar words include: Nikola Tesla
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TESLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. ___ Omar, first Somali American in Congress"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Angsty subculture"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Piglet's mother"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adult female hog
  • Similar words include: sow in, inseminate, seed
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Capital city between Baghdad, Iraq, and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Negative attack on a political opponent"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slanderous defamation
  • Similar words include: blot, denigrate, besmirch
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Knock the socks off"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that affect with wonder
  • Similar words include: get, vex, astound
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Parking garage listing"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a local tax on property (usually used in the plural)
  • Similar words include: scab, stag, shit
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Relayed, as a story"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express in words
  • Similar words include: secernate, recite, say
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOLD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. 1960s Pontiac muscle car"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Auto loan figs."

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following march and preceding may
  • Similar words include: April, Apr
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Cuts open, as an envelope"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrow opening
  • Similar words include: prick, twat, scratch
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. 24-___ gold"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy; 18-karat gold is 75% gold; 24-karat gold is pure gold
  • Similar words include: carat, kt
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KARAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. "Frozen" reindeer"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. European capital that's home to the Little Mermaid statue"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of denmark; located on the island of zealand
  • Similar words include: Kobenhavn, Danish capital
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COPENHAGEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Offspring"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any immature animal
  • Similar words include: Whitney Young, untested, Pres Young
  • Opposite of: aged, old
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YOUNG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Word after black or special"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (roman mythology) goddess of abundance and fertility; wife of saturn; counterpart of greek rhea and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Temporary suspensions"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged
  • Similar words include: moratorium
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORATORIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Basic skateboarding jump"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Singer Chappell with the double-platinum album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a soft sheepskin leather that is colored and finished to resemble morocco; used in bookbinding
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Dilapidated"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that worn and broken down by hard use
  • Similar words include: creaky, sapless, weakly
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DECREPIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. Instrument played by a Muse"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a harp used by ancient greeks for accompaniment
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Some small batteries"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an associate degree in applied science
  • Similar words include: Associate in Arts, AA, Associate in Applied Science
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Modern lead-in to coin or stock"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cultural unit (an idea or value or pattern of behavior) that is passed from one person to another by non-genetic means (as by imitation)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. One of the five senses"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
  • Similar words include: savour, sample, try out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TASTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Like sticky summer weather"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that containing or characterized by a great deal of water vapor
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUMID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Wash away"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become ground down or deteriorate
  • Similar words include: wear away, eat away, gnaw
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "49. Express one's thoughts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
  • Similar words include: speak out, suppose, guess
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Words of interest to a language learner, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Operate on using a beam"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. Actor Kilmer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. The Yoko of "Dear Yoko""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states musician (born in japan) who married john lennon and collaborated with him on recordings (born in 1933)
  • Similar words include: Yoko Ono
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "58. Paver's goop"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
  • Similar words include: mariner, seafarer, gob
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. Like a shrinking violet"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quick throw
  • Similar words include: unsure, diffident, timid
  • Opposite of: confident
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHY

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

35 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: July 06, 2026 at 07:59 AM

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Today's NYT Crossword Down Clues December 23, 2025 - Complete Top-to-Bottom Answers

NYT Down Today December 23, 2025: Complete Vertical Clues Walkthrough

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 39 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: September 11 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | December 11 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | January 04 2023 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for December 23, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 23, 2025
Day of Week Tuesday
Total Down Clues 39 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Medium

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 39 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. Sgt. or cpl.
2 Down 2. Go off a ski jump, say
3 Down 3. "Oh, really?"
4 Down 4. Tried to identify, in a way, as a wrapped gift
5 Down 5. Playground retort
6 Down 6. 1990s internet option
7 Down 7. With all judges present
8 Down 8. ___ de Rossi, "Arrested Development" actress
9 Down 9. Aspen or pine
10 Down 10. Reporter's big get
11 Down 11. Just for grins
12 Down 12. Short version of an impactful story
13 Down 13. Org. regulating water safety
14 Down 21. Insect that emerges en masse every 13 or 17 years
15 Down 22. Kind of salad whose dressing contains anchovies
16 Down 23. Former N.B.A. star Shawn with the nickname "Reign Man"
17 Down 26. Nailed, as a test
18 Down 29. "Once ___ a time ..."
19 Down 30. Character played by Bruce Lee on "The Green Hornet"
20 Down 33. ___ Finn
21 Down 35. One of three on the pitchfork in "American Gothic"
22 Down 37. Big Apple org. that's going to blazes?
23 Down 38. Flat-bottomed boat
24 Down 40. "That's correct!"
25 Down 41. Resident of Pisa or Lucca
26 Down 42. Condition that may require an inhaler
27 Down 43. Get more than a little mad
28 Down 46. Like many a dress shirt, with "in"
29 Down 47. Top execs, colloquially ... or what 20-, 28-, 39- and 59-Across are, phonetically?
30 Down 48. Make negative remarks about
31 Down 50. Not on the up and up, slangily
32 Down 51. In a fitting way
33 Down 52. Breaks (into), as a computer system
34 Down 53. Middle name for Lennon starting in 1969
35 Down 56. "Escape (The ___ Colada Song)"
36 Down 58. Sign of peace
37 Down 60. Sallie or Fannie follower
38 Down 61. Hand-y communication method, for short?
39 Down 62. Drink slowly

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues

Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:

Complete Down Solutions:


1 Down: "1. Sgt. or cpl."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NCO


2 Down: "2. Go off a ski jump, say"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: C______R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CATCHAIR


3 Down: "3. "Oh, really?""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: I______O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ISTHATSO


4 Down: "4. Tried to identify, in a way, as a wrapped gift"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: S___K
  • Similar words: agitate, stimulate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SHOOK


5 Down: "5. Playground retort"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: A__O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AMSO


6 Down: "6. 1990s internet option"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: D____P
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DIALUP


7 Down: "7. With all judges present"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'C'
  • Word pattern: E____C
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ENBANC


8 Down: "8. ___ de Rossi, "Arrested Development" actress"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: P____A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PORTIA


9 Down: "9. Aspen or pine"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T__E
  • Similar words: corner, shoetree
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TREE


10 Down: "10. Reporter's big get"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: S___P
  • Similar words: exclusive, goop
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the quantity a scoop will hold
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCOOP


11 Down: "11. Just for grins"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: A______N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ALLINFUN


12 Down: "12. Short version of an impactful story"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: V______E
  • Similar words: sketch
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a brief literary description
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer VIGNETTE


13 Down: "13. Org. regulating water safety"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EPA


14 Down: "21. Insect that emerges en masse every 13 or 17 years"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: C____A
  • Similar words: cicala
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CICADA


15 Down: "22. Kind of salad whose dressing contains anchovies"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: C____R
  • Similar words: Julius Caesar, Sidney Caesar
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: conqueror of Gaul and master of Italy (100-44 BC)
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CAESAR


16 Down: "23. Former N.B.A. star Shawn with the nickname "Reign Man""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: K__P
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KEMP


17 Down: "26. Nailed, as a test"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: A__D
  • Similar words: sail through, ace
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: succeed at easily
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ACED


18 Down: "29. "Once ___ a time ...""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: U__N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer UPON


19 Down: "30. Character played by Bruce Lee on "The Green Hornet""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: K__O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KATO


20 Down: "33. ___ Finn"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: H__K
  • Similar words: huckaback
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HUCK


21 Down: "35. One of three on the pitchfork in "American Gothic""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: prong on a fork or pitchfork or antler
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TINE


22 Down: "37. Big Apple org. that's going to blazes?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: F__Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FDNY


23 Down: "38. Flat-bottomed boat"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: S__W
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: any of various flat-bottomed boats with sloping ends
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCOW


24 Down: "40. "That's correct!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'S'
  • Opposite of: no
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: an affirmative
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer YES


25 Down: "41. Resident of Pisa or Lucca"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: T____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a resident of Tuscany
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TUSCAN


26 Down: "42. Condition that may require an inhaler"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: A____A
  • Similar words: asthma attack
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ASTHMA


27 Down: "43. Get more than a little mad"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: S____D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SEERED


28 Down: "46. Like many a dress shirt, with "in""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: T____D
  • Similar words: pucker, gather
  • Opposite of: untucked
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: fit snugly into
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TUCKED


29 Down: "47. Top execs, colloquially ... or what 20-, 28-, 39- and 59-Across are, phonetically?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CSUITE


30 Down: "48. Make negative remarks about"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: H____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HATEON


31 Down: "50. Not on the up and up, slangily"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: genus Sus
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: type genus of the Suidae
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SUS


32 Down: "51. In a fitting way"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: A___Y
  • Similar words: ably, competently
  • Opposite of: incompetently
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: with competence; in a competent capable manner
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer APTLY


33 Down: "52. Breaks (into), as a computer system"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: H___S
  • Similar words: taxicab, plug
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: one who works hard at boring tasks
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HACKS


34 Down: "53. Middle name for Lennon starting in 1969"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'O'
  • Similar words: Yoko Ono
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ONO


35 Down: "56. "Escape (The ___ Colada Song)""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: P__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PINA


36 Down: "58. Sign of peace"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: D__E
  • Similar words: peacenik, plunk
  • Opposite of: hawk
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: any of numerous small pigeons
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DOVE


37 Down: "60. Sallie or Fannie follower"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'E'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MAE


38 Down: "61. Hand-y communication method, for short?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the sign language used in the United States
  • This is Down clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ASL


39 Down: "62. Drink slowly"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a small drink
  • This is Down clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SIP

Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues

Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Down Clues?

  • Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
  • Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
  • Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
  • Down answers often help solve Across clues

Down Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically

Time-Saving Down Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Down first Get a mental map of the vertical flow
Fill short Down words 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors
Use crossing letters Across letters help confirm Down answers
Look for themes Related Down answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues

What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?

Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.

Should I solve Down or Across clues first?

Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 39 Down clues.

Are Down clues easier than Across clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.

How do Down clues interact with Across clues?

Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 23, 2025 at 05:18 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, December 23 2025 down clues