Search Clues

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

Monday, June 8, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers June 08, 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. Deer sir? 4
2A 5. Free trial version 4
3A 9. Caspian or Mediterranean 3
4A 12. Designer ___ Boss 4
5A 13. Typographical embellishment 5
6A 14. Go across 4
7A 15. "Su-u-ure" 4
8A 16. Something green in a greenhouse 5
9A 17. Half ___ (when the minute hand points down) 4
10A 18. Popular board game adapted from India [1] 9
11A 20. They quickly spread online 5
12A 21. "Soldier, stop!" 4
13A 22. Page (through) 4
14A 23. Challenge for student drivers [2] 15
15A 30. Metals in mines 4
16A 31. Actor Stonestreet of "Modern Family" 4
17A 32. Apt zodiac sign for Bert Lahr, who played the Cowardly Lion 3
18A 33. Vitality 3
19A 34. Scoundrel's deeds 7
20A 37. A pair 3
21A 38. Card game whose name is something players cry 3
22A 39. Assistant 4
23A 40. Anthropologist Margaret 4
24A 41. Never stop having fun [3] 15
25A 46. "___ the night before Christmas ..." 4
26A 47. Word repeated in "___ ye, ___ ye!" 4
27A 48. Cube maker Erno 5
28A 50. Of the highest importance ... or, when parsed differently, what each bracketed number in the clues indicates? 9
29A 55. World's largest country with a four-letter name 4
30A 56. Underpinning 5
31A 57. Home of Columbus 4
32A 58. A single time 4
33A 59. Up in the air 5
34A 60. Zero 4
35A 61. "What a shame!" 3
36A 62. Test the weight of 4
37A 63. Backyard storage space 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Deer sir?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male deer, especially an adult male red deer
  • Similar words include: hart, betray, grass
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Free trial version"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a visual presentation showing how something works
  • Similar words include: exhibit, demonstration, demonstrate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Caspian or Mediterranean"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
  • Similar words include: ocean
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "12. Designer ___ Boss"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french poet and novelist and dramatist; leader of the romantic movement in france (1802-1885)
  • Similar words include: Victor Hugo, Victor-Marie Hugo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "13. Typographical embellishment"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short line at the end of the main strokes of a character
  • Similar words include: seriph
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERIF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "14. Go across"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the complete duration of something
  • Similar words include: couple, sweep, cross
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "15. "Su-u-ure""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "16. Something green in a greenhouse"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that buildings for carrying on industrial labor
  • Similar words include: engraft, implant, flora
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "17. Half ___ (when the minute hand points down)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time that has elapsed
  • Similar words include: by, past tense, preceding
  • Opposite of: present, future
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "18. Popular board game adapted from India [1]"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a modern board game based on pachisi
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARCHEESI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "20. They quickly spread online"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

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)
  • Similar words include: meme
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "21. "Soldier, stop!""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of inactivity following an interruption
  • Similar words include: check, game, hold
  • Opposite of: start
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "22. Page (through)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
  • Similar words include: flick, foliage, folio
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "23. Challenge for student drivers [2]"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Metals in mines"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Similar words include: ore
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Actor Stonestreet of "Modern Family""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Apt zodiac sign for Bert Lahr, who played the Cowardly Lion"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in leo
  • Similar words include: Lion, Leo the Lion
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Vitality"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that liveliness and energy
  • Similar words include: ginger, peppiness
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Scoundrel's deeds"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lack of honesty; acts of lying or cheating or stealing
  • Similar words include: dishonesty
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNAVERY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. A pair"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: 2, deuce, ii
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "38. Card game whose name is something players cry"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. Assistant"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer
  • Similar words include: auxiliary, adjutant, aide-de-camp
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "40. Anthropologist Margaret"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states anthropologist noted for her claims about adolescence and sexual behavior in polynesian cultures (1901-1978)
  • Similar words include: Margaret Mead, George Herbert Mead
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "41. Never stop having fun [3]"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. "___ the night before Christmas ...""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Word repeated in "___ ye, ___ ye!""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
  • Similar words include: try, learn, listen
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "48. Cube maker Erno"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. Of the highest importance ... or, when parsed differently, what each bracketed number in the clues indicates?"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having superior power and influence
  • Similar words include: preponderant, predominate, preponderating
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARAMOUNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. World's largest country with a four-letter name"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a theocratic islamic republic in the middle east in western asia; iran was the core of the ancient empire that was known as persia until 1935; rich in oil
  • Similar words include: Persia, Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Underpinning"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a relation that provides the foundation for something
  • Similar words include: cornerstone, base, fundament
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Home of Columbus"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a midwestern state in north central united states in the great lakes region
  • Similar words include: Buckeye State, Ohio River, OH
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OHIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. A single time"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that on one occasion
  • Similar words include: erstwhile, formerly, in one case
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "59. Up in the air"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "60. Zero"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a canonical hour that is the ninth hour of the day counting from sunrise
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "61. "What a shame!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that utter `tsk,' `tut,' or `tut-tut,' as in disapproval
  • Similar words include: tut, tut-tut
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "62. Test the weight of"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the property of being large in mass
  • Similar words include: heave up, ponderousness, heftiness
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "63. Backyard storage space"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage
  • Similar words include: slough, throw off, cast
  • Opposite of: persistent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Steamer or cruiser 4
2D 2. Oom-pah instrument 4
3D 3. Follower of New or teen 4
4D 4. Hidden snags 7
5D 5. Key to the right of "+" and "=" on a Mac keyboard 6
6D 6. What Taylor Swift calls the stages of her career 4
7D 7. 5x5-square crossword 4
8D 8. Frequently, in poetry 3
9D 9. Email winnower 10
10D 10. Effortlessness 4
11D 11. Tiny hill builders 4
12D 13. Characterize? 5
13D 14. Orate 5
14D 19. Nickname akin to Harry 3
15D 20. Compassion 5
16D 22. Den 4
17D 23. Short-term kind of store 5
18D 24. Sports locale 5
19D 25. Give a debriefing (to) 10
20D 26. Prime use for a crowbar 5
21D 27. Opposite of post- 3
22D 28. Starting to learn 5
23D 29. "Oh boy!" 5
24D 34. Watercraft for an Inuit 5
25D 35. Small bites 4
26D 36. Accessibility law inits. 3
27D 40. Leaves stranded 7
28D 42. Strong string 5
29D 43. What misers take to an extreme 6
30D 44. Bread maker's supply 5
31D 45. ___ Beesly, character who has the last line in the finale of "The Office" 3
32D 48. Civil uprising 4
33D 49. Caterer's containers 4
34D 50. Whitish 4
35D 51. Starting, timewise 4
36D 52. "This looks like trouble!" 4
37D 53. Number in a nonet 4
38D 54. Follower of pointy or pigeon 4
39D 56. Expression of contempt 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Steamer or cruiser"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vessel that carries passengers or freight
  • Similar words include: embark, transport, send
  • Opposite of: disembark
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Oom-pah instrument"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Follower of New or teen"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Hidden snags"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Key to the right of "+" and "=" on a Mac keyboard"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove or make invisible
  • Similar words include: cancel, blue-pencil, edit
  • Opposite of: record
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELETE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. What Taylor Swift calls the stages of her career"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. 5x5-square crossword"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a very short skirt
  • Similar words include: miniskirt
  • Opposite of: midi
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Frequently, in poetry"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that many times at short intervals
  • Similar words include: frequently, ofttimes, often
  • Opposite of: infrequently, rarely
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Email winnower"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Effortlessness"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
  • Similar words include: still, relieve, alleviate
  • Opposite of: difficulty
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Tiny hill builders"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "13. Characterize?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
  • Similar words include: turn, magical spell, spell out
  • Opposite of: unspell
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Orate"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express in speech
  • Similar words include: verbalize, address, mouth
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPEAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "19. Nickname akin to Harry"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. Compassion"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
  • Similar words include: mercifulness, clemency
  • Opposite of: mercilessness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MERCY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Den"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Similar words include: den
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Short-term kind of store"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Sports locale"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "25. Give a debriefing (to)"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "26. Prime use for a crowbar"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum
  • Similar words include: prise, pry, jimmy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "27. Opposite of post-"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "28. Starting to learn"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "29. "Oh boy!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something considered choice to eat
  • Similar words include: kickshaw, dainty, treat
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOODY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. Watercraft for an Inuit"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small canoe consisting of a light frame made watertight with animal skins; used by eskimos
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAYAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Small bites"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small drink of liquor
  • Similar words include: squeeze, twinge, tanginess
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. Accessibility law inits."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an enzyme found in mammals that can catalyze the deamination of adenosine into inosine and ammonia
  • Similar words include: adenosine deaminase
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Leaves stranded"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is stranded (as on an island)
  • Similar words include: strand, maroon
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAROONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Strong string"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lightweight cord
  • Similar words include: entwine, enlace, interlace
  • Opposite of: untwine, untwist
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. What misers take to an extreme"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of numerous sun-loving low-growing evergreens of the genus armeria having round heads of pink or white flowers
  • Similar words include: parsimony, parsimoniousness, penny-pinching
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THRIFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. Bread maker's supply"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a commercial leavening agent containing yeast cells; used to raise the dough in making bread and for fermenting beer or whiskey
  • Similar words include: barm
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YEAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "45. ___ Beesly, character who has the last line in the finale of "The Office""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Civil uprising"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public act of violence by an unruly mob
  • Similar words include: howler, debauchery, orgy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "49. Caterer's containers"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large vase that usually has a pedestal or feet
  • Similar words include: urn
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: URNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Whitish"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wooden strip forming part of a fence
  • Similar words include: picket, wan, pallid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "51. Starting, timewise"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "52. "This looks like trouble!""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "53. Number in a nonet"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
  • Similar words include: niner, club, IX
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "54. Follower of pointy or pigeon"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that walk so that the toes assume an indicated position or direction
  • Similar words include: toe, toenail
  • Opposite of: toeless
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "56. Expression of contempt"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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

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: June 08, 2026 at 08:28 AM

Sunday, May 17, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 17, 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. Snag 6
2A 7. Italian sparkling wine 4
3A 11. John ___, personification of Objectivism, for Ayn Rand 4
4A 15. Code for Queens-landers? 3
5A 18. ___ polaris 6
6A 19. Intl. group formed in 1945 5
7A 20. Purple dish eaten with a spoon 8
8A 22. Lottery commission? 12
9A 24. Prison terms? 8
10A 25. Smell, e.g. 5
11A 26. University of Alabama rallying cry 8
12A 28. President's middle name (accented on the first syllable) or California city (accented on the second) 6
13A 29. Shower stall? 9
14A 31. Slanted type: Abbr. 4
15A 32. Get one's feet wet? 4
16A 36. Dir. from St. Paul to Duluth 3
17A 37. Guido ___, Baroque painter from Bologna 4
18A 38. Automates? 7
19A 42. How mashed avocado might be served 9
20A 45. Acquire, in a way 5
21A 47. "Yep, noticed that" 4
22A 48. Battle cry? 7
23A 49. PC IDs 3
24A 52. What regular customers pay less for? 3
25A 53. A good Wordle starting word, by the looks of it 5
26A 54. When Memorial Day is observed 5
27A 55. Grim Grimm character 4
28A 56. Trounce 4
29A 58. Bamboozled 3
30A 59. Upscale shirtmaker 4
31A 60. Symbol of the American West 7
32A 63. Former 7
33A 65. Yellow submarine? 15
34A 69. Infantile 7
35A 72. Prepares 7
36A 73. Put on the line 4
37A 77. Mien 3
38A 78. Surname for a family of fictional Kansans 4
39A 80. One whose pride can be protective 4
40A 81. "___ a stinker?" (Bugs Bunny line) 5
41A 82. Affect emotionally 5
42A 84. Cologne conjunction 3
43A 86. Freight weight 3
44A 87. Stolen base? 7
45A 89. Pelvic parts 4
46A 90. Love, in Lyon 5
47A 92. Bit of flooring for a patio, say 9
48A 94. Blood vessel? 7
49A 96. Page (through) 4
50A 99. Org. for pugilists 3
51A 100. Go downhill, in a way 4
52A 101. Pizzeria in "Do the Right Thing" 4
53A 102. Fire starter? 9
54A 105. Showy kind of push-up 6
55A 108. Salty cheese made from sheep's milk 8
56A 109. Creature-friendly org. 5
57A 114. Padlock? 8
58A 116. Confidence men? 12
59A 118. Rock-bottom review 8
60A 119. 1957 #1 hit for Debbie Reynolds 5
61A 120. Demonstrate complete disrespect for, in a way 6
62A 121. What a clear plastic bag is not 3
63A 122. "Right now!" 4
64A 123. "Your point being?" 4
65A 124. Roxane's beloved, in classic literature 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Snag"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fault or defect in a computer program, system, or machine
  • Similar words include: bug
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLITCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Italian sparkling wine"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. John ___, personification of Objectivism, for Ayn Rand"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Code for Queens-landers?"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "18. ___ polaris"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the first light of day
  • Similar words include: sunrise, daybreak, first light
  • Opposite of: sunset
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AURORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "19. Intl. group formed in 1945"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "20. Purple dish eaten with a spoon"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "22. Lottery commission?"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "24. Prison terms?"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "25. Smell, e.g."

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general conscious awareness
  • Similar words include: sensory faculty, smell out, signified
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "26. University of Alabama rallying cry"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "28. President's middle name (accented on the first syllable) or California city (accented on the second)"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. Shower stall?"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Slanted type: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Get one's feet wet?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english tennis player who won many women's singles titles (born in 1945)
  • Similar words include: Virginia Wade
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "36. Dir. from St. Paul to Duluth"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the compass point that is midway between north and northeast
  • Similar words include: north northeast, nor'-nor'-east
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "37. Guido ___, Baroque painter from Bologna"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. Automates?"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of the eight small bones of the wrist of primates
  • Similar words include: wrist bone, carpal bone, carpal
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARPALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "42. How mashed avocado might be served"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "45. Acquire, in a way"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an addition that extends a main building
  • Similar words include: extension, wing, annexe
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANNEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "47. "Yep, noticed that""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "48. Battle cry?"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a writ from a court commanding police to perform specified acts
  • Similar words include: countenance, stock warrant, warranty
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WARRANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "49. PC IDs"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sciences concerned with gathering, manipulating, storing, retrieving, and classifying recorded information
  • Similar words include: information processing, informatics, IP
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "52. What regular customers pay less for?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity; relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature; the ability to diffuse readily; and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container
  • Similar words include: brag, gasconade, flatulence
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "53. A good Wordle starting word, by the looks of it"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fixed look with eyes open wide
  • Similar words include: gaze
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. When Memorial Day is observed"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "55. Grim Grimm character"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cruel wicked and inhuman person
  • Similar words include: monster, demon, devil
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OGRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "56. Trounce"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "58. Bamboozled"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
  • Similar words include: accept, cause, take
  • Opposite of: refuse, lack
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "59. Upscale shirtmaker"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. Symbol of the American West"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that extremely large treelike cactus of desert regions of southwestern united states having a thick columnar sparsely branched trunk bearing white flowers and edible red pulpy fruit
  • Similar words include: Carnegiea gigantea, sahuaro
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAGUARO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "63. Former"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that belonging to some prior time
  • Similar words include: old, one-time, erstwhile
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONETIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Yellow submarine?"

15 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "69. Infantile"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that characteristic of a baby
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BABYISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "72. Prepares"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that poised for action
  • Similar words include: ready, set, cook
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: READIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "73. Put on the line"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
  • Similar words include: put on the line, peril, gamble
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RISK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "77. Mien"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
  • Similar words include: publicize, strain, publicise
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "78. Surname for a family of fictional Kansans"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on beaufort scale
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "80. One whose pride can be protective"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large gregarious predatory feline of africa and india having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
  • Similar words include: king of beasts, Leo, Leo the Lion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "81. "___ a stinker?" (Bugs Bunny line)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "82. Affect emotionally"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the event of something coming in contact with the body
  • Similar words include: tactual sensation, tinge, disturb
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOUCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "84. Cologne conjunction"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "86. Freight weight"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a united states unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds
  • Similar words include: gross ton, long ton, short ton
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "87. Stolen base?"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a practical joke that involves inserting a match surreptitiously between the sole and upper of the victim's shoe and then lighting it
  • Similar words include: pelt along, bucket along, rush along
  • Opposite of: linger
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOTFOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "89. Pelvic parts"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ancient city in asia minor that was the site of the trojan war
  • Similar words include: Ilium, ilium, Ilion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "90. Love, in Lyon"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a usually secretive or illicit sexual relationship
  • Similar words include: liaison, affair, intimacy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMOUR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "92. Bit of flooring for a patio, say"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "94. Blood vessel?"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a close connection marked by community of interests or similarity in nature or character
  • Similar words include: family relationship, affinity, relationship
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KINSHIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "96. Page (through)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
  • Similar words include: riffle, foliage, flip
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "99. Org. for pugilists"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that blood cells that engulf and digest bacteria and fungi; an important part of the body's defense system
  • Similar words include: leucocyte, leukocyte, white corpuscle
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WBC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "100. Go downhill, in a way"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
  • Similar words include: sleigh, sledge
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "101. Pizzeria in "Do the Right Thing""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "102. Fire starter?"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "105. Showy kind of push-up"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "108. Salty cheese made from sheep's milk"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "109. Creature-friendly org."

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "114. Padlock?"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large thick pad filled with resilient material and often incorporating coiled springs, used as a bed or part of a bed
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATTRESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "116. Confidence men?"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a federal agent who engages in trust busting
  • Similar words include: trustbuster
  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRUSTBUSTERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "118. Rock-bottom review"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "119. 1957 #1 hit for Debbie Reynolds"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that plain-woven (often glazed) fabric of wool or wool and cotton used especially formerly for linings and garments and curtains
  • Similar words include: tam-o'-shanter, tam
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAMMY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "120. Demonstrate complete disrespect for, in a way"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "121. What a clear plastic bag is not"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an artifact designed to be played with
  • Similar words include: play, fiddle, miniature
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63A: "122. "Right now!""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64A: "123. "Your point being?""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65A: "124. Roxane's beloved, in classic literature"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Roams (about) 4
2D 2. Entice 4
3D 3. Country with many Farsi speakers 4
4D 4. They often have AAA backing 4
5D 5. Colonial news source 5
6D 6. Iconic role for Harrison Ford 3
7D 7. "You've Really Got ___ on Me" (1960s hit) 5
8D 8. Deck application 6
9D 9. Proverbial slowpoke 6
10D 10. Iconic role for Harrison Ford 7
11D 11. Display amazement, in a way 4
12D 12. Star pitcher 3
13D 13. Mechanism for local funding 7
14D 14. Feature of the tone-deaf 6
15D 15. ___ Linda (San Bernardino suburb) 4
16D 16. Verdon of "Damn Yankees" 4
17D 17. In addition 4
18D 19. Steakhouse orders 6
19D 21. Alternative to a bouncy house 7
20D 23. Direct a smile toward 6
21D 27. Fizzling out 5
22D 30. Erelong 4
23D 31. Skating exhibitions 8
24D 32. "Holy moly!" 5
25D 33. Before, in Bordeaux 5
26D 34. Skin: Prefix 5
27D 35. Misjudgment 7
28D 39. Japanese beer brand 5
29D 40. Crazylegs Hirsch, from 1949 to 1957, informally 5
30D 41. Greta Garbo, by birth 5
31D 43. T-Swift, by another nickname 3
32D 44. Bouncing character in "The House at Pooh Corner" 6
33D 46. Yep's opposite 3
34D 50. Trim 5
35D 51. Seasoning from the ocean 7
36D 53. What some houses are built on 4
37D 55. Cask wood 3
38D 57. Prefix with -form or -verse 3
39D 60. Inept sorts 8
40D 61. One source of news 5
41D 62. Burger toppers 6
42D 64. Savings banks 7
43D 66. Lofty 4
44D 67. "Life ___ beach" 3
45D 68. Home for an 80-Across 3
46D 69. Printing technique that uses wax 5
47D 70. Garlicky spread 5
48D 71. Bear 5
49D 74. Packed like sardines, say 5
50D 75. It's a wrap 5
51D 76. Passed, as bad checks 5
52D 79. Brian in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 3
53D 81. Experienced a bit of turnover? 3
54D 83. Mary ___, "The Boating Party" artist 7
55D 85. Sweet, in Seville 5
56D 87. Schmooze 6
57D 88. Back in the day 4
58D 90. Malady 7
59D 91. Do something because of 7
60D 93. A score 6
61D 95. Pollster Lou or singer Emmylou 6
62D 97. Polar wear 6
63D 98. Discussion sites 6
64D 103. ___ Beach, Calif. 5
65D 104. Hoarse 5
66D 105. Fail to mention 4
67D 106. Intl. group formed in 1949 4
68D 107. Online marketplace with personalized gifts 4
69D 108. "Hey there!" 4
70D 110. Awaken 4
71D 111. Creature-friendly org. 4
72D 112. Prefix in many Ocean Spray drink names 4
73D 113. Regarding 4
74D 115. Reggae relative 3
75D 117. Gamecocks' sch. 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Roams (about)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic free-floating anxiety and such symptoms as tension or sweating or trembling or lightheadedness or irritability etc that has lasted for more than six months
  • Similar words include: jazz around, gallivant, spur
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Entice"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward
  • Similar words include: decoy, enticement, hook
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LURE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Country with many Farsi speakers"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a theocratic islamic republic in the middle east in western asia; iran was the core of the ancient empire that was known as persia until 1935; rich in oil
  • Similar words include: Persia, Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. They often have AAA backing"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope
  • Similar words include: tow, towage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Colonial news source"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who weeps
  • Similar words include: weeper, town crier
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Iconic role for Harrison Ford"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that imperial dynasty that ruled china (most of the time from 206 bc to ad 220) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of chinese civilization
  • Similar words include: Han dynasty
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. "You've Really Got ___ on Me" (1960s hit)"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Deck application"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a kind of sealing material that is used to form a hard coating on a porous surface (as a coat of paint or varnish used to size a surface)
  • Similar words include: sealant
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEALER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Proverbial slowpoke"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar
  • Similar words include: capsize, turn turtle, polo-neck
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TURTLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Iconic role for Harrison Ford"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in midwestern united states
  • Similar words include: Hoosier State, Robert Indiana, IN
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INDIANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Display amazement, in a way"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an expression of openmouthed astonishment
  • Similar words include: gawp, yaw, goggle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Star pitcher"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Mechanism for local funding"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Feature of the tone-deaf"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "15. ___ Linda (San Bernardino suburb)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "16. Verdon of "Damn Yankees""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "17. In addition"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in addition
  • Similar words include: as well, besides, likewise
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "19. Steakhouse orders"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "21. Alternative to a bouncy house"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "23. Direct a smile toward"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "27. Fizzling out"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time when something ends
  • Similar words include: expire, give way, anxious
  • Opposite of: be born, nascent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DYING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "30. Erelong"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "31. Skating exhibitions"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "32. "Holy moly!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "33. Before, in Bordeaux"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "34. Skin: Prefix"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "35. Misjudgment"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (christianity) holding views that disagree with accepted doctrine; especially disagreement with papal infallibility
  • Opposite of: inerrancy
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERRANCY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "39. Japanese beer brand"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "40. Crazylegs Hirsch, from 1949 to 1957, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "41. Greta Garbo, by birth"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of sweden
  • Similar words include: swedish turnip, rutabaga plant, turnip cabbage
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWEDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "43. T-Swift, by another nickname"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a branch of the tai languages
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "44. Bouncing character in "The House at Pooh Corner""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "46. Yep's opposite"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Trim"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
  • Similar words include: trim, rationalize, snip
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRUNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "51. Seasoning from the ocean"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "53. What some houses are built on"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work
  • Similar words include: specification
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "55. Cask wood"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
  • Similar words include: oak tree
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "57. Prefix with -form or -verse"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "60. Inept sorts"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "61. One source of news"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that medium for communication
  • Similar words include: radiocommunication, tuner, radio receiver
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RADIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "62. Burger toppers"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bulb of an onion plant
  • Similar words include: onion plant, Allium cepa, onion
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONIONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "64. Savings banks"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of numerous sun-loving low-growing evergreens of the genus armeria having round heads of pink or white flowers
  • Similar words include: parsimony, thrift, penny-pinching
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THRIFTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "66. Lofty"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lofty level or position or degree
  • Similar words include: eminent, high-pitched, highschool
  • Opposite of: low spirits, low
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIGH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "67. "Life ___ beach""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "68. Home for an 80-Across"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Similar words include: hideaway, hideout, lair
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46D: "69. Printing technique that uses wax"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dyed fabric; a removable wax is used where the dye is not wanted
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BATIK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47D: "70. Garlicky spread"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

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!

48D: "71. Bear"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conventional name for a bear used in tales following usage in the old epic `reynard the fox'
  • Similar words include: brown bear, Ursus arctos
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRUIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49D: "74. Packed like sardines, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50D: "75. It's a wrap"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
  • Similar words include: steal, slip
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51D: "76. Passed, as bad checks"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that increase the amount (of a check) fraudulently
  • Similar words include: kite, kit, kit out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KITED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52D: "79. Brian in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53D: "81. Experienced a bit of turnover?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
  • Similar words include: use up, deplete, eat up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54D: "83. Mary ___, "The Boating Party" artist"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55D: "85. Sweet, in Seville"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56D: "87. Schmooze"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rub elbows with
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOBNOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57D: "88. Back in the day"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that on one occasion
  • Similar words include: in one case, formerly, erstwhile
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58D: "90. Malady"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
  • Similar words include: complaint, ill
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AILMENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59D: "91. Do something because of"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60D: "93. A score"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
  • Similar words include: 20, xx, XX
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWENTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61D: "95. Pollster Lou or singer Emmylou"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states author who wrote the stories about uncle remus (1848-1908)
  • Similar words include: Townsend Harris, Zellig Sabbatai Harris, Bomber Harris
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARRIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62D: "97. Polar wear"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a kind of heavy jacket (`windcheater' is a british term)
  • Similar words include: parka, windcheater, windbreaker
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANORAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63D: "98. Discussion sites"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public meeting or assembly for open discussion
  • Similar words include: meeting place, forum, assembly
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORUMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64D: "103. ___ Beach, Calif."

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65D: "104. Hoarse"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66D: "105. Fail to mention"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prevent from being included or considered or accepted
  • Similar words include: overlook, overleap, leave out
  • Opposite of: attend to, include
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67D: "106. Intl. group formed in 1949"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an international organization created in 1949 by the north atlantic treaty for purposes of collective security
  • Similar words include: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NATO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68D: "107. Online marketplace with personalized gifts"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

69D: "108. "Hey there!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

70D: "110. Awaken"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event
  • Similar words include: stimulate, hustle, shift
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71D: "111. Creature-friendly org."

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

72D: "112. Prefix in many Ocean Spray drink names"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a capacity unit used for measuring fresh herring
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

73D: "113. Regarding"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

74D: "115. Reggae relative"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

75D: "117. Gamecocks' sch."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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

65 Across Clues
75 Down Clues
140 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: May 17, 2026 at 06:35 AM