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Wednesday, August 19, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 19, 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: Medium

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. Sahara-esque 4
2A 5. Exams for high school jrs. 5
3A 10. Private sleeping accommodations? 4
4A 14. "Didn't you get the ___?" 4
5A 15. Wipe from one's memory, so to speak 5
6A 16. Section in a textbook 4
7A 17. "___ She Lovely" (Stevie Wonder hit) 4
8A 18. Deceptive move in fencing 5
9A 19. Depend (on) 4
10A 20. Natural pillow filling 13
11A 23. Graffiti, to some 3
12A 24. Three unnamed things, in shorthand 3
13A 25. Quinceañeras, e.g. 5
14A 28. Lifted 5
15A 30. Services for senior citizens 9
16A 34. Hybrid tennis attire 5
17A 36. Word with pan, pump or paint 3
18A 37. ___ Minor 4
19A 38. Unofficial vote 9
20A 41. President who was a heavyweight wrestling champion in college 4
21A 44. "___ got it!" 3
22A 45. Cats and dogs, for example 5
23A 48. Old West outlaw who left behind poetic messages after some robberies 9
24A 51. Excludes 5
25A 53. Mount ___ Health System 5
26A 54. Immature high score initials on an arcade game 3
27A 56. Something to trust 3
28A 57. Hides one's central point, in a way ... with a doubly homophonic hint to 20-, 30-, 38- and 48-Across 13
29A 62. They offer support 4
30A 64. Speak at a political convention, perhaps 5
31A 65. Field 4
32A 66. Facility 4
33A 67. 2008 film about a solitary trash-compacting robot 5
34A 68. Semiaquatic relative of a weasel 4
35A 69. Blue No. 1 and Yellow No. 6 4
36A 70. Fall bloom 5
37A 71. Cave wall hangings? 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Sahara-esque"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lacking sufficient water or rainfall
  • Similar words include: waterless, desiccated, desiccate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Exams for high school jrs."

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Private sleeping accommodations?"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sheath worn to protect a finger
  • Similar words include: camp bed, cot, fingerstall
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. "Didn't you get the ___?""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a written proposal or reminder
  • Similar words include: memorandum, memoranda
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Wipe from one's memory, so to speak"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Section in a textbook"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any division of quantity accepted as a standard of measurement or exchange
  • Similar words include: whole, building block, unit of measurement
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. "___ She Lovely" (Stevie Wonder hit)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Deceptive move in fencing"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any distracting or deceptive maneuver (as a mock attack)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEINT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Depend (on)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have confidence or faith in
  • Similar words include: bank, swear, trust
  • Opposite of: mistrust
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RELY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Natural pillow filling"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOOSEFEATHERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Graffiti, to some"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the products of human creativity; works of art collectively
  • Similar words include: fine art, artwork, graphics
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Three unnamed things, in shorthand"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Quinceañeras, e.g."

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an established ceremony prescribed by a religion
  • Similar words include: religious rite, ritual, rite
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RITES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Lifted"

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!

15A: "30. Services for senior citizens"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Hybrid tennis attire"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Word with pan, pump or paint"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water
  • Similar words include: petroleum, embrocate, crude
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. ___ Minor"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Unofficial vote"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. President who was a heavyweight wrestling champion in college"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states sculptor (1860-1936)
  • Similar words include: Lorado Taft, William Howard Taft, President Taft
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. "___ got it!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Cats and dogs, for example"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action
  • Similar words include: noun
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOUNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. Old West outlaw who left behind poetic messages after some robberies"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "51. Excludes"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "53. Mount ___ Health System"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mountain peak in the southern sinai peninsula (7,500 feet high); it is believed to be the peak on which moses received the ten commandments
  • Similar words include: Mount Sinai, Sinai Peninsula, Sinai Desert
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SINAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. Immature high score initials on an arcade game"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: prat, tooshie, fundament
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "56. Something to trust"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus
  • Similar words include: intestine, catgut, bowel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "57. Hides one's central point, in a way ... with a doubly homophonic hint to 20-, 30-, 38- and 48-Across"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BURIESTHELEDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "62. They offer support"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an undergarment worn by women to support their breasts
  • Similar words include: brassiere, bandeau, bra
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "64. Speak at a political convention, perhaps"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that talk pompously
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "65. Field"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. Facility"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. 2008 film about a solitary trash-compacting robot"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Semiaquatic relative of a weasel"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the expensive fur of a mink
  • Similar words include: mink coat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Blue No. 1 and Yellow No. 6"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a usually soluble substance for staining or coloring e.g. fabrics or hair
  • Similar words include: dye, dyestuff
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "70. Fall bloom"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various chiefly fall-blooming herbs of the genus aster with showy daisylike flowers
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "71. Cave wall hangings?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
  • Similar words include: kooky, wacky, at-bat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Female friends from Fuenlabrada 6
2D 2. Some vacation destinations 7
3D 3. "My mood is pretty low" 7
4D 4. Top three sights in Fiji? 4
5D 5. Like eyes during an allergy attack 5
6D 6. "Bless you!" elicitor 6
7D 7. ___ Minor 4
8D 8. Something that's pitched 4
9D 9. "Family Guy" creator MacFarlane 4
10D 10. Set of courses offered 10
11D 11. Miserable rating 7
12D 12. "___ death do us part" 3
13D 13. What a parent might compare a messy bedroom to 3
14D 21. Put forth 5
15D 22. Drop the ball 3
16D 26. Verbal hesitations 3
17D 27. Neptune's territory 3
18D 29. Situations one might no longer put effort into 10
19D 31. Drop 5
20D 32. Drop 3
21D 33. North Carolina university 4
22D 35. Chicago paper, with "the" 4
23D 39. ___ Max, singer of the 2018 hit "Sweet but Psycho" 3
24D 40. Not taut 5
25D 41. Longtime "American Dad!" airer 3
26D 42. 2001 biopic starring Will Smith 3
27D 43. The "Beyhive" for Beyoncé, e.g. 7
28D 46. Country bordering Chad and Benin 7
29D 47. Lecture attendee 7
30D 49. ___ royale (Champagne cocktail) 3
31D 50. Rat (on) 6
32D 52. They can be well-done 6
33D 55. See-through 5
34D 58. Part of the Corn Belt 4
35D 59. Important stretches 4
36D 60. The word "salary" derives from the Latin for this 4
37D 61. What a shepherd may shepherd 4
38D 62. Bouncy part of a trampoline 3
39D 63. "A drop of golden sun," in song 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Female friends from Fuenlabrada"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Some vacation destinations"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hotel located in a resort area
  • Similar words include: resort hotel, recur, recourse
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESORTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. "My mood is pretty low""

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Top three sights in Fiji?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a very small circular shape
  • Similar words include: constellate, sprinkle, dit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Like eyes during an allergy attack"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that being puffed out; used of hair style or clothing
  • Similar words include: turgid, gusty, tumescent
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUFFY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. "Bless you!" elicitor"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose
  • Similar words include: sneezing, sternutation
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNEEZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. ___ Minor"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Something that's pitched"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
  • Similar words include: camp, encamp, collapsible shelter
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. "Family Guy" creator MacFarlane"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) third son of adam and eve; given by god in place of the murdered abel
  • Similar words include: Set
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SETH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Set of courses offered"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an integrated course of academic studies
  • Similar words include: course of study, syllabus, program
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CURRICULUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Miserable rating"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "___ death do us part""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. What a parent might compare a messy bedroom to"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Put forth"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have and exercise
  • Similar words include: exercise, wield, maintain
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Drop the ball"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Verbal hesitations"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
  • Similar words include: Er, ER, emergency room
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Neptune's territory"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

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!

18D: "29. Situations one might no longer put effort into"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. Drop"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the lower of two berths
  • Similar words include: lour, humiliated, miserable
  • Opposite of: raise, high
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOWER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Drop"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a depression in an otherwise level surface
  • Similar words include: angle of dip, magnetic inclination, drop
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. North Carolina university"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Chicago paper, with "the""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "39. ___ Max, singer of the 2018 hit "Sweet but Psycho""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "40. Not taut"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that grant freedom to; free from confinement
  • Similar words include: liberal, liberate, wanton
  • Opposite of: tight, affixed
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "41. Longtime "American Dad!" airer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metallic element of the rare earth group; used in lasers; occurs in apatite and monazite and xenotime and ytterbite
  • Similar words include: terbium, terabyte, Tb
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. 2001 biopic starring Will Smith"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942)
  • Similar words include: Cassius Clay, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Muhammad Ali
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "43. The "Beyhive" for Beyoncé, e.g."

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. Country bordering Chad and Benin"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in west africa on the gulf of guinea; gained independence from britain in 1960; most populous african country
  • Similar words include: Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIGERIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Lecture attendee"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
  • Similar words include: bookman, pupil, educatee
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STUDENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. ___ royale (Champagne cocktail)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Rat (on)"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that disclosing information or giving evidence about another
  • Similar words include: let the cat out of the bag, blab, peach
  • Opposite of: keep quiet
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TATTLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. They can be well-done"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slice of meat cut from the fleshy part of an animal or large fish
  • Similar words include: steak
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEAKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "55. See-through"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that turn sharply; change direction abruptly
  • Similar words include: transparent, gauze-like, vapourous
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. Part of the Corn Belt"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in iowa and minnesota and missouri
  • Similar words include: IA, Hawkeye State, Ioway
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOWA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "59. Important stretches"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

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, earned run average, era
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "60. The word "salary" derives from the Latin for this"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
  • Similar words include: table salt, common salt, Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "61. What a shepherd may shepherd"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that young sheep
  • Similar words include: Elia, dear, Charles Lamb
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "62. Bouncy part of a trampoline"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
  • Similar words include: make love, kip down, roll in the hay
  • Opposite of: get up, turn out
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "63. "A drop of golden sun," in song"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a column of light (as from a beacon)
  • Similar words include: beam of light, shaft of light, shaft
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: August 19, 2026 at 04:04 AM

Sunday, July 19, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 19, 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: Challenging

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. Teacher's summons 5
2A 11. Bench press muscle, for short 3
3A 18. ___ Basin (D.C. attraction) 5
4A 19. Progeny 5
5A 20. Didn't turn away 9
6A 22. Texas A&M athlete 5
7A 23. Prefix with media 5
8A 24. Person providing a sworn account 9
9A 25. "I really, really appreciate it!" 14
10A 27. Unspoken communication syst. 3
11A 28. After-the-fact discount 12
12A 29. Not fresh 5
13A 30. Big movie theater chain 3
14A 31. Website that calls itself "the heart of the internet" 6
15A 32. Paramedic's skill 3
16A 35. Reward for a good puppy 5
17A 37. Harbingers 5
18A 39. One-named singer with the 1994 hit "You Gotta Be" 6
19A 41. Score usually resulting from an error, in baseball 11
20A 44. Like sheep, so to speak 8
21A 46. Degree holder, informally 4
22A 47. Displayed audacity 5
23A 48. The Psychedelic ___ (rock band) 4
24A 49. Poet ___ St. Vincent Millay 4
25A 50. Explosive stuff 3
26A 53. Dancing hippo's wear in Disney's "Fantasia" 4
27A 55. Actress Shirley of "The Apartment" 8
28A 59. "Nice idea!" 5
29A 61. Beethoven's Third 6
30A 62. David Foster Wallace's "Tense Present," e.g. 5
31A 63. Conspiring cliques 6
32A 65. Judge of diamond value? 5
33A 66. Grab (onto) 4
34A 67. Word order 8
35A 69. Britain's most prestigious military decoration 13
36A 71. Fantasizes about 10
37A 73. Block someone's passage, say 13
38A 74. Scribble on, say 3
39A 75. Egyptian symbol of life 4
40A 76. Exits 4
41A 77. Allow to enroll 5
42A 79. Brand seen on the U.S. World Cup jerseys 4
43A 80. Gets more expensive 8
44A 82. Vague approximation 11
45A 85. Restrictive undergarment 6
46A 86. Word employment 5
47A 88. Pia ___ (brain covering) 5
48A 89. Pained yelps 3
49A 90. Linings of nautilus shells 6
50A 92. Hired detectives, for short 3
51A 94. Slow ___ (Asian primate) 5
52A 98. Prefix with -bar 3
53A 101. Stayed somewhere temporarily 9
54A 104. Peak of religion? 5
55A 106. "No worries!" 5
56A 107. Number ones 9
57A 108. You're doing it every day 5
58A 109. "I'll pass" 5
59A 110. Bank offering for a property buyer 12
60A 111. Roommate who doesn't pay rent? 3
61A 112. 2000 Christina Aguilera #1 hit 14
62A 113. "T-bone steak, cheese eggs and Welch's ___" (Notorious B.I.G.'s breakfast in "Big Poppa") 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Teacher's summons"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "11. Bench press muscle, for short"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "18. ___ Basin (D.C. attraction)"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to or caused by tides
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIDAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "19. Progeny"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an important question that is in dispute and must be settled
  • Similar words include: subject, exit, military issue
  • Opposite of: recall
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISSUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "20. Didn't turn away"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "22. Texas A&M athlete"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "23. Prefix with media"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "24. Person providing a sworn account"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "25. "I really, really appreciate it!""

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THANKSAMILLION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "27. Unspoken communication syst."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sign language used in the united states
  • Similar words include: American sign language
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "28. After-the-fact discount"

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "29. Not fresh"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
  • Similar words include: stock, threadbare, shopworn
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Big movie theater chain"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Website that calls itself "the heart of the internet""

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Paramedic's skill"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an emergency procedure consisting of external cardiac massage and artificial respiration; the first treatment for a person who has collapsed and has no pulse and has stopped breathing; attempts to restore circulation of the blood and prevent death or brain damage due to lack of oxygen
  • Similar words include: kiss of life, cardiac resuscitation, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CPR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. Reward for a good puppy"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "37. Harbingers"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sign of something about to happen
  • Similar words include: prognostication, portent, bode
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. One-named singer with the 1994 hit "You Gotta Be""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Score usually resulting from an error, in baseball"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "44. Like sheep, so to speak"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that dutifully complying with the commands or instructions of those in authority; ; ; ; - edmund burke
  • Opposite of: disobedient
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBEDIENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "46. Degree holder, informally"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the ammonium double sulfate of aluminum
  • Similar words include: ammonium alum, ammonia alum, graduate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. Displayed audacity"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
  • Similar words include: defy, dare, presume
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DARED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. The Psychedelic ___ (rock band)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
  • Similar words include: pelt, fur
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FURS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. Poet ___ St. Vincent Millay"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Explosive stuff"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that explosive consisting of a yellow crystalline compound that is a flammable toxic derivative of toluene
  • Similar words include: trinitrotoluene
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "53. Dancing hippo's wear in Disney's "Fantasia""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that south african prelate and leader of the antiapartheid struggle (born in 1931)
  • Similar words include: Desmond Tutu, ballet skirt
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUTU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "55. Actress Shirley of "The Apartment""

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "59. "Nice idea!""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore
  • Similar words include: hurt, saucy, fresh
  • Opposite of: stupid
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "61. Beethoven's Third"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "62. David Foster Wallace's "Tense Present," e.g."

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an analytic or interpretive literary composition
  • Similar words include: try out, attempt, test
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESSAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Conspiring cliques"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
  • Similar words include: camarilla, junto, conspiracy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CABALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "65. Judge of diamond value?"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states professional baseball player who hit more home runs than babe ruth (born in 1934)
  • Similar words include: Hank Aaron, Henry Louis Aaron
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AARON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "66. Grab (onto)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take by theft
  • Similar words include: snitch, thieve, hook
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "67. Word order"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the grouping of musical phrases in a melodic line
  • Similar words include: word, phrase, choice of words
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHRASING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Britain's most prestigious military decoration"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VICTORIACROSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "71. Fantasizes about"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "73. Block someone's passage, say"

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERECTABARRIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "74. Scribble on, say"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "75. Egyptian symbol of life"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "76. Exits"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
  • Similar words include: function, exit, rifle
  • Opposite of: come, be born
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "77. Allow to enroll"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
  • Similar words include: acknowledge, let in, accommodate
  • Opposite of: exclude, reject
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADMIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "79. Brand seen on the U.S. World Cup jerseys"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) winged goddess of victory; identified with roman victoria
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "80. Gets more expensive"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become steeper
  • Similar words include: steepen
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEEPENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "82. Vague approximation"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an estimate that combines reasoning with guessing
  • Similar words include: guestimate
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUESSTIMATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "85. Restrictive undergarment"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woman's close-fitting foundation garment
  • Similar words include: girdle, stays
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORSET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "86. Word employment"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of using
  • Similar words include: custom, usance, exercise
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "88. Pia ___ (brain covering)"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal use of the latin word for mother; sometimes used by british schoolboys or used facetiously
  • Similar words include: matt, mat, matted
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "89. Pained yelps"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "90. Linings of nautilus shells"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell
  • Similar words include: nacre, mother-of-pearl
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NACRES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "92. Hired detectives, for short"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle; approximately equal to 3.14159265358979323846...
  • Similar words include: sherlock, pi, private detective
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "94. Slow ___ (Asian primate)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "98. Prefix with -bar"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "101. Stayed somewhere temporarily"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that spend a certain length of time; reside temporarily
  • Similar words include: sojourn
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOJOURNED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "104. Peak of religion?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mountain peak in the southern sinai peninsula (7,500 feet high); it is believed to be the peak on which moses received the ten commandments
  • Similar words include: Sinai Desert, Sinai Peninsula, Mount Sinai
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SINAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "106. "No worries!""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "107. Number ones"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who has won first place in a competition
  • Similar words include: ace, champ, star
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHAMPIONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "108. You're doing it every day"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that acquiring desirable qualities by being left undisturbed for some time
  • Similar words include: get on, age, senescent
  • Opposite of: rejuvenate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "109. "I'll pass""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "110. Bank offering for a property buyer"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "111. Roommate who doesn't pay rent?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
  • Similar words include: favored, best-loved, dearie
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "112. 2000 Christina Aguilera #1 hit"

14 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHATAGIRLWANTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "113. "T-bone steak, cheese eggs and Welch's ___" (Notorious B.I.G.'s breakfast in "Big Poppa")"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various juicy fruit of the genus vitis with green or purple skins; grow in clusters
  • Similar words include: grape vine, grapevine, grapeshot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. "Right now!" 4
2D 2. This clue's number, cubed 5
3D 3. Hairstyle similar to a bowl cut 5
4D 4. Top priority on the agenda 8
5D 5. Strauss opera inspired by a Sophocles tragedy 7
6D 6. [See title] 4
7D 7. Baton Rouge institution, familiarly 3
8D 8. Five Pillars religion 5
9D 9. Defeat in competition 8
10D 10. Mötley Crüe frontman Vince ___ 4
11D 11. Accepts a deal from the D.A., say 9
12D 12. Spanish folk hero 5
13D 13. Meets head-on? 8
14D 14. [See title] 4
15D 15. Nabokov novel 3
16D 16. Whitesmith's material 3
17D 17. Doc using an otoscope 3
18D 20. TV's Don Draper and his co-workers 5
19D 21. Took orders, say 6
20D 26. Fortuneteller 4
21D 30. Calm 6
22D 31. "Star Wars" character Kylo ___ 3
23D 32. Plastic cap? 11
24D 33. Tube-shaped pasta 5
25D 34. Do some road maintenance on 5
26D 36. Et cetera 10
27D 38. Clear as ___ (not clear) 3
28D 40. Western mountain range, informally 7
29D 41. Arm bones 5
30D 42. Christmas display pieces 11
31D 43. E.R. V.I.P.s 3
32D 45. Classic Italian appetizer 10
33D 46. Paper source? 3
34D 48. Rage 4
35D 51. [See title] 5
36D 52. Puerto ___ 4
37D 53. Player's club 4
38D 54. [See title] 5
39D 56. Despises 7
40D 57. [See title] 4
41D 58. Brandy letters 3
42D 60. Artist Chagall 4
43D 62. Big heads 4
44D 64. Travel a winding route 5
45D 67. They're at the ends of some rainbows 6
46D 68. Test for M.A. seekers 3
47D 69. Explorer da Gama 5
48D 70. Following behind 5
49D 72. Making a comeback 9
50D 73. Ambulance initials 3
51D 76. "Keep it together!" 8
52D 77. Summer mo. 3
53D 78. Expression of frustration 8
54D 79. Sam Elliott's role in "The Big Lebowski" 8
55D 81. Suppressed, as emotions 6
56D 82. It's in the pipeline 3
57D 83. "___ never fly" 4
58D 84. Asking for a human's attention, perhaps 7
59D 87. They're often covered with dirt 5
60D 91. ___ slalom (event at the Summer Olympics) 5
61D 93. Coastal region of ancient Greece 5
62D 95. The 'gram 5
63D 96. Pound the pavement? 5
64D 97. [See title] 4
65D 98. "You don't need to tell me" 4
66D 99. [See title] 4
67D 100. ___-Ball 4
68D 101. Any of the U.C.s 3
69D 102. Cry of playful discovery 3
70D 103. Q: Why was the road sticky? A: Traffic ___ 3
71D 105. Kitchen intruder 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. "Right now!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. This clue's number, cubed"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one
  • Similar words include: ogdoad, octad, 8
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Hairstyle similar to a bowl cut"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the younger brother of edwy who became king of northumbria when it renounced edwy; on edwy's death he succeeded to the throne of england (944-975)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Top priority on the agenda"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Strauss opera inspired by a Sophocles tragedy"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. [See title]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that capital and largest city and economic center of peru; located in western peru; was capital of the spanish empire in the new world until the 19th century
  • Similar words include: capital of Peru
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Baton Rouge institution, familiarly"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Five Pillars religion"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the civilization of muslims collectively which is governed by the muslim religion
  • Similar words include: Mohammedanism, Islamism, Muslimism
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLAM

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9D: "9. Defeat in competition"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that score more points than one's opponents
  • Similar words include: outpoint
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUTSCORE

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10D: "10. Mötley Crüe frontman Vince ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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11D: "11. Accepts a deal from the D.A., say"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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12D: "12. Spanish folk hero"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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13D: "13. Meets head-on?"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be incompatible; be or come into conflict
  • Similar words include: jar, collide, clash
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COLLIDES

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14D: "14. [See title]"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital of switzerland; located in western switzerland
  • Similar words include: Berne, capital of Switzerland
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BERN

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15D: "15. Nabokov novel"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

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

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16D: "16. Whitesmith's material"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
  • Similar words include: tin can, put up, can
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIN

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17D: "17. Doc using an otoscope"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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18D: "20. TV's Don Draper and his co-workers"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone whose business is advertising
  • Similar words include: adman, advertizer, advertiser
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADMEN

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19D: "21. Took orders, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
  • Similar words include: wait, await, waitress
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAITED

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20D: "26. Fortuneteller"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person with unusual powers of foresight
  • Similar words include: prophet, vaticinator, prophesier
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEER

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21D: "30. Calm"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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22D: "31. "Star Wars" character Kylo ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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23D: "32. Plastic cap?"

11 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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24D: "33. Tube-shaped pasta"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pasta in short tubes with diagonally cut ends
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PENNE

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25D: "34. Do some road maintenance on"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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26D: "36. Et cetera"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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27D: "38. Clear as ___ (not clear)"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water soaked soil; soft wet earth
  • Similar words include: mire, muck up, muck
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MUD

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28D: "40. Western mountain range, informally"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)
  • Similar words include: sierra, Scomberomorus sierra
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIERRAS

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29D: "41. Arm bones"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the inner and longer of the two bones of the human forearm
  • Similar words include: elbow bone, ulna
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ULNAE

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30D: "42. Christmas display pieces"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a compound lever used to crack nuts open
  • Similar words include: nutcracker, nuthatch
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NUTCRACKERS

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31D: "43. E.R. V.I.P.s"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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32D: "45. Classic Italian appetizer"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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33D: "46. Paper source?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of pressure: the pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 mm high at sea level and 0 degrees centigrade
  • Similar words include: cash machine, automatic teller, standard atmosphere
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATM

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34D: "48. Rage"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feeling of intense anger
  • Similar words include: ferocity, vehemence, frenzy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FURY

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35D: "51. [See title]"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a town at the southern tip of illinois at the confluence of the ohio and mississippi rivers
  • Similar words include: capital of Egypt, Al Qahira, El Qahira
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAIRO

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36D: "52. Puerto ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that law intended to eradicate organized crime by establishing strong sanctions and forfeiture provisions
  • Similar words include: Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, anti-racketeering law, RICO Act
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "53. Player's club"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
  • Similar words include: team up, squad
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "54. [See title]"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital of morocco; located in the northwestern on the atlantic coast
  • Similar words include: capital of Morocco
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RABAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "56. Despises"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that find repugnant
  • Similar words include: loathe, abominate, execrate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOATHES

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40D: "57. [See title]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of norway; the country's main port; located at the head of a fjord on norway's southern coast
  • Similar words include: Christiania, capital of Norway
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSLO

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41D: "58. Brandy letters"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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42D: "60. Artist Chagall"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that made from residue of grapes or apples after pressing
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARC

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43D: "62. Big heads"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
  • Similar words include: self, self-importance, egotism
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "64. Travel a winding route"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
  • Similar words include: Snake River, ophidian, serpent
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "67. They're at the ends of some rainbows"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a polyhedron with two congruent and parallel faces (the bases) and whose lateral faces are parallelograms
  • Similar words include: optical prism, prism
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRISMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46D: "68. Test for M.A. seekers"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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47D: "69. Explorer da Gama"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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48D: "70. Following behind"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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49D: "72. Making a comeback"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rising again as to new life and vigor
  • Similar words include: renascent
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESURGENT

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50D: "73. Ambulance initials"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quad with a square body
  • Similar words include: pica, pica em, mutton quad
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMS

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51D: "76. "Keep it together!""

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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52D: "77. Summer mo."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following july and preceding september
  • Similar words include: August
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AUG

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53D: "78. Expression of frustration"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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54D: "79. Sam Elliott's role in "The Big Lebowski""

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who tells a story
  • Similar words include: storyteller, teller
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NARRATOR

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55D: "81. Suppressed, as emotions"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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56D: "82. It's in the pipeline"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

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, accelerator, gaseous state
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57D: "83. "___ never fly""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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58D: "84. Asking for a human's attention, perhaps"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cry like a cat
  • Similar words include: meow, mew
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEOWING

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59D: "87. They're often covered with dirt"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small hard fruit
  • Similar words include: cum, come, germ
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEEDS

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60D: "91. ___ slalom (event at the Summer Olympics)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANOE

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61D: "93. Coastal region of ancient Greece"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that region of western asia minor colonized by ancient greeks
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IONIA

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62D: "95. The 'gram"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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63D: "96. Pound the pavement?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dance involving a rhythmical stamping step
  • Similar words include: stump, stamp
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64D: "97. [See title]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that capital and largest city of italy; on the tiber; seat of the roman catholic church; formerly the capital of the roman republic and the roman empire
  • Similar words include: Italian capital, Eternal City, Roma
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65D: "98. "You don't need to tell me""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66D: "99. [See title]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a port city on the gulf of riga that is the capital and largest city of latvia; formerly a member of the hanseatic league
  • Similar words include: capital of Latvia
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67D: "100. ___-Ball"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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68D: "101. Any of the U.C.s"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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69D: "102. Cry of playful discovery"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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70D: "103. Q: Why was the road sticky? A: Traffic ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that preserve of crushed fruit
  • Similar words include: muddle, electronic jamming, fix
  • Opposite of: free
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71D: "105. Kitchen intruder"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

62 Across Clues
71 Down Clues
133 Total Clues

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Last updated: July 19, 2026 at 06:11 AM