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Monday, April 27, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 27, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: 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. Paths for lobbed tennis balls 4
2A 5. Tribe of Arizona 4
3A 9. Flinch, say 5
4A 14. Short blast from a horn 4
5A 15. Actor McGregor of "Trainspotting" 4
6A 16. Han Solo's response to Leia's "I love you" 5
7A 17. Singer's recovery period 9
8A 19. "Catch my drift?" 5
9A 20. Shop 5
10A 21. Spot for a soak 3
11A 23. Dear ___ (letter start) 3
12A 24. Pumice or basalt 12
13A 29. Chemical that speeds up a fruit's aging process 7
14A 32. Film director Coen 5
15A 33. "Our Lips ___ Sealed" (hit by the Go-Go's) 3
16A 34. Youngest woman ever elected to Congress, familiarly 3
17A 36. Betraying surprise, in a way 5
18A 39. Spinoff of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" 15
19A 44. Big name in microprocessors 5
20A 45. "Who's Who in the Cast" blurb 3
21A 46. Tie-breaking periods, for short 3
22A 47. How a picture book may be read at bedtime 5
23A 50. ___ of hand (magician's skill) 7
24A 53. Congressional history 12
25A 56. Palindrome akin to "Aha!" 3
26A 57. Work well together 3
27A 58. Florida's ___-Dade County 5
28A 62. Jousting weapon 5
29A 65. Device worn by a video gamer ... or a hint to 17-, 24-, 39- and 53-Across 9
30A 68. Basic piano chord 5
31A 69. Notes of indebtedness 4
32A 70. Gets eyes on 4
33A 71. Sends frisky messages 5
34A 72. Strong soapmaking solutions 4
35A 73. Like bourbon 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Paths for lobbed tennis balls"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
  • Similar words include: arc, bow, spark
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Tribe of Arizona"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the shoshonean people of northeastern arizona
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOPI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Flinch, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that show a response or a reaction to something
  • Similar words include: respond, oppose
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Short blast from a horn"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blast of a horn
  • Similar words include: carousal, beep, booze-up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Actor McGregor of "Trainspotting""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Han Solo's response to Leia's "I love you""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Singer's recovery period"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. "Catch my drift?""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Shop"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
  • Similar words include: computer storage, memory board, put in
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Spot for a soak"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body
  • Similar words include: tubful, bath, bathing tub
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Dear ___ (letter start)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that term of address for a man
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Pumice or basalt"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. Chemical that speeds up a fruit's aging process"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. Film director Coen"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. "Our Lips ___ Sealed" (hit by the Go-Go's)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
  • Similar words include: equal, ar, be
  • Opposite of: differ
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Youngest woman ever elected to Congress, familiarly"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Betraying surprise, in a way"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Spinoff of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills""

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "44. Big name in microprocessors"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "45. "Who's Who in the Cast" blurb"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "46. Tie-breaking periods, for short"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. How a picture book may be read at bedtime"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that using the voice; not silently
  • Similar words include: loud, loudly, out loud
  • Opposite of: softly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "50. ___ of hand (magician's skill)"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that adroitness in using the hands
  • Similar words include: manual dexterity, dexterity
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "53. Congressional history"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "56. Palindrome akin to "Aha!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "57. Work well together"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colloid in a more solid form than a sol
  • Similar words include: gelatin, colloidal gel, mousse
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "58. Florida's ___-Dade County"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the extinct algonquian people formerly living in northern indiana and southern michigan
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIAMI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "62. Jousting weapon"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
  • Similar words include: spear, shaft, fizgig
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LANCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "65. Device worn by a video gamer ... or a hint to 17-, 24-, 39- and 53-Across"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "68. Basic piano chord"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
  • Similar words include: trine, trey, triple
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "69. Notes of indebtedness"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal debt instrument; representing `i owe you'
  • Similar words include: IOU
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "70. Gets eyes on"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
  • Similar words include: fancy, take in, understand
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "71. Sends frisky messages"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fourth of the seven canonical hours; about noon
  • Similar words include: sext
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEXTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "72. Strong soapmaking solutions"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide
  • Similar words include: lye
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "73. Like bourbon"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Four-wheelers, in brief 4
2D 2. Word before beer or after square 4
3D 3. Pixar film with the Oscar-winning song "Remember Me" 4
4D 4. "Feed a cold, ___ a fever" (dubious medical advice) 6
5D 5. That girl 3
6D 6. Have debts 3
7D 7. Many an Olive Garden entree 5
8D 8. Sounding good, as a musical instrument 6
9D 9. 18-wheeler 3
10D 10. Barely get (by) 3
11D 11. Snack with celery, peanut butter and raisins 10
12D 12. "Peanuts" or "Pickles" 5
13D 13. Do some booty-shaking 5
14D 18. Spinks who defeated Muhammad Ali 4
15D 22. One-eighth of a byte 3
16D 25. Titular Shakespearean king 4
17D 26. Remove outer parts from, as a photo 4
18D 27. Burn until black 4
19D 28. Prego alternative 4
20D 29. Sitar virtuoso Shankar 4
21D 30. Tehran's land 4
22D 31. Grammy-winning a cappella group famous for their Christmas albums 10
23D 35. Chicago slugger 3
24D 37. "Late Night" host Meyers 4
25D 38. "Hey! Over here!" 4
26D 40. Place to purchase pastrami 4
27D 41. North Carolina university 4
28D 42. Catchall category: Abbr. 4
29D 43. Sport on a horse 4
30D 48. Sheepskin boot brand 3
31D 49. Role for Mike Myers in the Austin Powers movies 6
32D 51. Columnist Bombeck 4
33D 52. Doubling-down assertion 6
34D 53. Battery measure 5
35D 54. Chicago airport 5
36D 55. "The Jetsons" boy 5
37D 59. On the waves 4
38D 60. Gentle and submissive 4
39D 61. ___-bitsy 4
40D 63. Garfield in the funny pages, e.g. 3
41D 64. Magazine bigwigs, in brief 3
42D 66. Gradation of color 3
43D 67. Letter before tee 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Four-wheelers, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Word before beer or after square"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
  • Similar words include: rootage, theme, ancestor
  • Opposite of: descendant
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Pixar film with the Oscar-winning song "Remember Me""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tall palm tree bearing coconuts as fruits; widely planted throughout the tropics
  • Similar words include: coco palm, cocoa palm, coconut tree
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COCO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "Feed a cold, ___ a fever" (dubious medical advice)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be hungry; go without food
  • Similar words include: hunger, famish, lust
  • Opposite of: feed, be full
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STARVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. That girl"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Have debts"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be obliged to pay or repay
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Many an Olive Garden entree"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dish that contains pasta as its main ingredient
  • Similar words include: alimentary paste
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PASTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Sounding good, as a musical instrument"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. 18-wheeler"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gear (including necessary machinery) for a particular enterprise
  • Similar words include: fishing rig, semi, set
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Barely get (by)"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Snack with celery, peanut butter and raisins"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "Peanuts" or "Pickles""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a professional performer who tells jokes and performs comical acts
  • Similar words include: risible, funny, amusing
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Do some booty-shaking"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Spinks who defeated Muhammad Ali"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a historical area and former kingdom in northwestern spain
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. One-eighth of a byte"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece or quantity of something
  • Similar words include: seize with teeth, scrap, morsel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Titular Shakespearean king"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that british artist and writer of nonsense verse (1812-1888)
  • Similar words include: Edward Lear, King Lear
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Remove outer parts from, as a photo"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the yield from plants in a single growing season
  • Similar words include: dress, craw, cut back
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CROP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Burn until black"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a charred substance
  • Similar words include: cleaning lady, woman, sear
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Prego alternative"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Sitar virtuoso Shankar"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Tehran's land"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

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!

22D: "31. Grammy-winning a cappella group famous for their Christmas albums"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Chicago slugger"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward and inexperienced youth
  • Similar words include: greenhorn, sonny, lad
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. "Late Night" host Meyers"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

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!

25D: "38. "Hey! Over here!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Place to purchase pastrami"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shop selling ready-to-eat food products
  • Similar words include: delicatessen, food shop
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. North Carolina university"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Catchall category: Abbr."

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Sport on a horse"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that venetian traveler who explored asia in the 13th century and served kublai khan (1254-1324)
  • Similar words include: Marco Polo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Sheepskin boot brand"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Role for Mike Myers in the Austin Powers movies"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Columnist Bombeck"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Doubling-down assertion"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Battery measure"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is 1 watt; equivalent to the potential difference across a resistance of 1 ohm when 1 ampere of current flows through it
  • Similar words include: volt, V
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VOLTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Chicago airport"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. "The Jetsons" boy"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "59. On the waves"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in the direction of the sea
  • Similar words include: seaward, seawards
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "60. Gentle and submissive"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "61. ___-bitsy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "63. Garfield in the funny pages, e.g."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "64. Magazine bigwigs, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rapid automatic system to detect plastic explosives in passengers' luggage using x-ray technology and computers; designed for use in airports
  • Similar words include: male erecticle dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, ED
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "66. Gradation of color"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
  • Similar words include: imbue, chromaticity
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "67. Letter before tee"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons
  • Similar words include: einsteinium, Es, atomic number 99
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
43 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: April 27, 2026 at 06:14 AM

Sunday, February 1, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 01, 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. Meter in a video game showing a character's health 7
2A 8. Relative of a gazelle 6
3A 14. Office square 6
4A 20. Food additive named one of Time's 50 Worst Inventions 7
5A 21. Keep cruising, say 6
6A 22. On which Apple Pay can be used 6
7A 23. Canio in "Pagliacci," e.g.? 14
8A 25. Noxious atmosphere 6
9A 26. Prefix with business 4
10A 27. "My house, my rules" 6
11A 28. QB Drew whom Tom Brady ultimately replaced 7
12A 29. Get tuckered out 9
13A 32. Indian wedding wear 4
14A 34. School subj. 3
15A 35. Grab the chips and dip? 6
16A 37. News hound? 10
17A 40. Atomic bond, essentially? 18
18A 45. Many visitors to national parks 6
19A 46. Nearsighted person 5
20A 47. Messing up on the big screen 5
21A 51. Italy's third-largest island (after Sicily and Sardinia) 4
22A 52. Subterranean adventurer 5
23A 54. "Aaron Burr, ___" ("Hamilton" show tune) 3
24A 57. Great number 4
25A 58. Cute, cutesily 6
26A 61. Dropbox and Roblox 4
27A 62. Hailed vehicle 3
28A 64. Show interruptions 3
29A 65. Some electrolysis targets? 19
30A 71. Partner of vigor 3
31A 72. Letter symbolizing the ratio of a circle's circumference to its radius 3
32A 73. "Downton Abbey" countess 4
33A 74. Warm winter coats 6
34A 76. Like some early education, for short 4
35A 78. W.C. sign 3
36A 80. City where LeBron James was born 5
37A 81. Blemish 4
38A 82. Bit of a character? 5
39A 84. Conspiring (with) 5
40A 86. Spice Girl alongside Baby, Ginger, Scary and Posh 6
41A 88. "Mainsail hoisted, check! Hatches battened, check!"? 18
42A 94. Shark's singing rival in "West Side Story"? 10
43A 97. Corral 6
44A 98. Yankee great Gehrig 3
45A 99. Something a judge shouldn't have 4
46A 100. Very rude email, informally 9
47A 105. Never mind? 7
48A 108. Neglectful 6
49A 111. Bank (on) 4
50A 112. Two-___ schooner 6
51A 113. Frozen treat for Bruins fans? 14
52A 117. Lacking scruples 6
53A 118. Storm, say 6
54A 119. Noted early riser 7
55A 120. With a level head 6
56A 121. Thickets 6
57A 122. Embarrassing items to have revealed on an airport X-ray 7

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Meter in a video game showing a character's health"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "8. Relative of a gazelle"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that african antelope with ridged curved horns; moves with enormous leaps
  • Similar words include: Aepyceros melampus
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Office square"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "20. Food additive named one of Time's 50 Worst Inventions"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "21. Keep cruising, say"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "22. On which Apple Pay can be used"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "23. Canio in "Pagliacci," e.g.?"

14 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "25. Noxious atmosphere"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unwholesome atmosphere
  • Similar words include: miasm
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIASMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "26. Prefix with business"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "27. "My house, my rules""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "28. QB Drew whom Tom Brady ultimately replaced"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "29. Get tuckered out"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "32. Indian wedding wear"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dress worn primarily by hindu women; consists of several yards of light material that is draped around the body
  • Similar words include: saree
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "34. School subj."

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "35. Grab the chips and dip?"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "37. News hound?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "40. Atomic bond, essentially?"

18 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWOPARTICLEHARMONY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "45. Many visitors to national parks"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a foot traveler; someone who goes on an extended walk (for pleasure)
  • Similar words include: tramper, hiker, tramp
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIKERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "46. Nearsighted person"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person with myopia; a nearsighted person
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MYOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "47. Messing up on the big screen"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "51. Italy's third-largest island (after Sicily and Sardinia)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "52. Subterranean adventurer"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "54. "Aaron Burr, ___" ("Hamilton" show tune)"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that term of address for a man
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "57. Great number"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
  • Similar words include: batch, spate, deal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "58. Cute, cutesily"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "61. Dropbox and Roblox"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "62. Hailed vehicle"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
  • Similar words include: hack, taxi, cabriolet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "64. Show interruptions"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public promotion of some product or service
  • Similar words include: ad, advertising, advertizing
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "65. Some electrolysis targets?"

19 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOLLICLESONONESFACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "71. Partner of vigor"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a healthy capacity for vigorous activity
  • Similar words include: vigor, vitality, energy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "72. Letter symbolizing the ratio of a circle's circumference to its radius"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 19th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "73. "Downton Abbey" countess"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) daughter of zeus and demeter; made queen of the underworld by pluto in ancient mythology; identified with roman proserpina
  • Similar words include: Persephone, Kore, Despoina
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "74. Warm winter coats"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "76. Like some early education, for short"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "78. W.C. sign"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the force of workers available
  • Similar words include: Isle of Man, valet de chambre, military personnel
  • Opposite of: civilian, woman
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "80. City where LeBron James was born"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in northeastern ohio; the heart of the united states rubber industry
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AKRON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "81. Blemish"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
  • Similar words include: German mark, commemorate, stigmatise
  • Opposite of: ignore
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "82. Bit of a character?"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

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!

39A: "84. Conspiring (with)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "86. Spice Girl alongside Baby, Ginger, Scary and Posh"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that exhibiting or calling for sportsmanship or fair play
  • Similar words include: jazzy, sportsmanlike, showy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPORTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "88. "Mainsail hoisted, check! Hatches battened, check!"?"

18 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WERENAUTICALWORTHY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "94. Shark's singing rival in "West Side Story"?"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "97. Corral"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "98. Yankee great Gehrig"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "99. Something a judge shouldn't have"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
  • Similar words include: preconception, predetermine, diagonal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "100. Very rude email, informally"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "105. Never mind?"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that partial or total loss of memory
  • Similar words include: blackout, memory loss
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMNESIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "108. Neglectful"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that failing in what duty requires
  • Similar words include: derelict, delinquent, neglectful
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REMISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "111. Bank (on)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "112. Two-___ schooner"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having or furnished with a mast; often used in combination; - s.e.morrison
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MASTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "113. Frozen treat for Bruins fans?"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "117. Lacking scruples"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "118. Storm, say"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation
  • Similar words include: intrude on, occupy, obtrude upon
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INVADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "119. Noted early riser"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that adult male chicken
  • Similar words include: cock
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOSTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "120. With a level head"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that with good sense or in a reasonable or intelligent manner
  • Similar words include: reasonably, sensibly
  • Opposite of: unreasonably, insanely
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SANELY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "121. Thickets"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dense growth of bushes
  • Similar words include: coppice, brushwood, copse
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COPSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "122. Embarrassing items to have revealed on an airport X-ray"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Person from the neighborhood 5
2D 2. Volunteer's offer 5
3D 3. Bogeymen 5
4D 4. Maker of Bikini So Teeny nail polish 5
5D 5. Breakthrough K-pop group 3
6D 6. Horror director Aster 3
7D 7. Most suggestive 7
8D 8. Like the Eid al-Fitr festival 7
9D 9. Department store eponym 4
10D 10. Pale lager, informally 4
11D 11. ___ gobi (Indian potato dish) 4
12D 12. Feeling down 3
13D 13. ___ Taylor (fashion retailer) 3
14D 14. Home of the Preakness Stakes 7
15D 15. Early TV role for Ron Howard 4
16D 16. Atlantic fish 4
17D 17. Like Frisbees and some salads 6
18D 18. Not stereo 6
19D 19. Hard-boiled Chinese snack 6
20D 24. Sapporo competitor 5
21D 28. Bowler's edge 4
22D 30. Blemish 4
23D 31. Fixes, as a driveway 4
24D 32. Cake not to be eaten 4
25D 33. French for "after" 5
26D 36. Barry Bonds and Shohei Ohtani, notably, for short 6
27D 37. Hammer wielder 4
28D 38. Furthermore 3
29D 39. Caustic solutions 4
30D 40. Mother of Helios, in myth 4
31D 41. Metaphor for a runaway success 8
32D 42. Gen Z put-down of an elder 8
33D 43. Bit of wisdom 5
34D 44. Orbit 9
35D 48. Arcane technique 8
36D 49. Iron-rich variety of fertile soil 8
37D 50. Exclamations in nurseries 3
38D 52. Lead-in to "tech" 3
39D 53. Primatologist's interest 3
40D 55. Give the cold shoulder, with "out" 3
41D 56. Grating voice 4
42D 59. Common diner order 3
43D 60. Rodgers and Hammerstein musical setting 4
44D 63. Photog's undergrad degree 3
45D 66. Stick on a table 3
46D 67. Like Volvo and Nokia, by origin 6
47D 68. Gold, in Guadalajara 3
48D 69. London granny 3
49D 70. Standard battle wear 5
50D 71. No. 2's 3
51D 75. Vodka in blue bottles 4
52D 77. New Zealander 4
53D 79. One studied in the art of invisibility 5
54D 80. Touch 4
55D 83. Govt. campaign watchdog 3
56D 85. Scottish refusals 4
57D 86. Loretta of "M*A*S*H" 4
58D 87. Small keg size 4
59D 89. With zeal 7
60D 90. Director Kazan 4
61D 91. Neighbors of premolars 7
62D 92. Audibly shocked 5
63D 93. Landlords, more formally 7
64D 94. Pack carriers 6
65D 95. Crack open? 6
66D 96. Is fueled by 6
67D 101. Fill in a mill 5
68D 102. Right-hand page 5
69D 103. Strike zone? 5
70D 104. Mike or Michael in movies 5
71D 106. Raison d'___ 4
72D 107. Close up tight 4
73D 108. Invitation letters 4
74D 109. Uber predictions, in brief 4
75D 110. Style 4
76D 113. Zippo competitor 3
77D 114. Co-producer of the documentary "The Beatles: Get Back" 3
78D 115. "The Bells" poet 3
79D 116. Fenway team, familiarly 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Person from the neighborhood"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that public transport consisting of a bus or train that stops at all stations or stops
  • Similar words include: local anaesthetic, topical anesthetic, topical anaesthetic
  • Opposite of: general, express
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOCAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Volunteer's offer"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Bogeymen"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
  • Similar words include: fright, awe, fearfulness
  • Opposite of: fearlessness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Maker of Bikini So Teeny nail polish"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Breakthrough K-pop group"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Horror director Aster"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Most suggestive"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that full of zest or vigor
  • Similar words include: naughty, full-bodied, spicy
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACIEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Like the Eid al-Fitr festival"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to or supporting islamism
  • Similar words include: Moslem, Muslim
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLAMIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Department store eponym"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Pale lager, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. ___ gobi (Indian potato dish)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Feeling down"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an air mass of lower pressure; often brings precipitation
  • Similar words include: abject, depression, small
  • Opposite of: high
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. ___ Taylor (fashion retailer)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Home of the Preakness Stakes"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a racetrack for thoroughbred racing; site of the preakness
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIMLICO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "15. Early TV role for Ron Howard"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "16. Atlantic fish"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that bony flesh of herring-like fish usually caught during their migration to fresh water for spawning; especially of atlantic coast
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "17. Like Frisbees and some salads"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that throw or toss with a light motion
  • Similar words include: dispose, thresh about, discard
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOSSED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "18. Not stereo"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "19. Hard-boiled Chinese snack"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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20D: "24. Sapporo competitor"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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21D: "28. Bowler's edge"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the top edge of a vessel or other container
  • Similar words include: rim, lip
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIM

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22D: "30. Blemish"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mark left (usually on the skin) by the healing of injured tissue
  • Similar words include: pit, cicatrice, pock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAR

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23D: "31. Fixes, as a driveway"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
  • Similar words include: sea dog, pitch, Jack
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TARS

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24D: "32. Cake not to be eaten"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cleansing agent made from the salts of vegetable or animal fats
  • Similar words include: max, Georgia home boy, easy lay
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOAP

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25D: "33. French for "after""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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26D: "36. Barry Bonds and Shohei Ohtani, notably, for short"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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27D: "37. Hammer wielder"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (norse mythology) god of thunder and rain and farming; pictured as wielding a hammer emblematic of the thunderbolt; identified with teutonic donar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THOR

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28D: "38. Furthermore"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "39. Caustic solutions"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide
  • Similar words include: lye
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYES

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30D: "40. Mother of Helios, in myth"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) the titaness who was mother of helios and selene and eos in ancient mythology
  • Similar words include: Theia
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THEA

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31D: "41. Metaphor for a runaway success"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a raging and rapidly spreading conflagration
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WILDFIRE

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32D: "42. Gen Z put-down of an elder"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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33D: "43. Bit of wisdom"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
  • Similar words include: bead, bone, drop
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEARL

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34D: "44. Orbit"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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35D: "48. Arcane technique"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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36D: "49. Iron-rich variety of fertile soil"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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37D: "50. Exclamations in nurseries"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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38D: "52. Lead-in to "tech""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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39D: "53. Primatologist's interest"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
  • Similar words include: anthropoid, caricature, copycat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APE

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40D: "55. Give the cold shoulder, with "out""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
  • Similar words include: internal-combustion engine, glass, shabu
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICE

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41D: "56. Grating voice"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that uttering in an irritated tone
  • Similar words include: rasping, wood file
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RASP

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42D: "59. Common diner order"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sandwich filled with slices of bacon and tomato with lettuce
  • Similar words include: bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLT

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43D: "60. Rodgers and Hammerstein musical setting"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a country of southeastern asia that extends southward along the isthmus of kra to the malay peninsula
  • Similar words include: Kingdom of Thailand, Thailand
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "63. Photog's undergrad degree"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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45D: "66. Stick on a table"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
  • Similar words include: pool stick, pool cue, cue stick
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46D: "67. Like Volvo and Nokia, by origin"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the northern family of germanic languages that are spoken in scandinavia and iceland
  • Similar words include: North Germanic, Scandinavian, Norse
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NORDIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47D: "68. Gold, in Guadalajara"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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48D: "69. London granny"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that your grandmother
  • Similar words include: Nan River, nanna, grandma
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49D: "70. Standard battle wear"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that protective covering made of metal and used in combat
  • Similar words include: armour
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARMOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50D: "71. No. 2's"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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51D: "75. Vodka in blue bottles"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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52D: "77. New Zealander"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that climbing vine native to china; cultivated in new zealand for its fuzzy edible fruit with green meat
  • Similar words include: Actinidia chinensis, kiwi vine, Chinese gooseberry
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KIWI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53D: "79. One studied in the art of invisibility"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the ninja who were trained in martial arts and hired for espionage or sabotage or assassinations; a person skilled in ninjutsu
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINJA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54D: "80. Touch"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
  • Similar words include: march, adjoin, butt against
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABUT

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55D: "83. Govt. campaign watchdog"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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56D: "85. Scottish refusals"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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57D: "86. Loretta of "M*A*S*H""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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58D: "87. Small keg size"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a range horse of the western united states
  • Similar words include: crib, trot, jigger
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PONY

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59D: "89. With zeal"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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60D: "90. Director Kazan"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english essayist (1775-1834)
  • Similar words include: Charles Lamb, Lamb
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELIA

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61D: "91. Neighbors of premolars"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars
  • Similar words include: cuspid, dogtooth, canid
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANINES

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62D: "92. Audibly shocked"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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63D: "93. Landlords, more formally"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who grants a lease
  • Similar words include: lessor, lease giver
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LESSORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64D: "94. Pack carriers"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wild or domesticated south american cud-chewing animal related to camels but smaller and lacking a hump
  • Similar words include: llama
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LLAMAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65D: "95. Crack open?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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66D: "96. Is fueled by"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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67D: "101. Fill in a mill"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that grain intended to be or that has been ground
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRIST

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68D: "102. Right-hand page"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that right-hand page
  • Opposite of: verso
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RECTO

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69D: "103. Strike zone?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrow street with walls on both sides
  • Similar words include: back street, bowling alley, skittle alley
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLEY

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70D: "104. Mike or Michael in movies"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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71D: "106. Raison d'___"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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72D: "107. Close up tight"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
  • Similar words include: cachet, Navy SEAL, sealing wax
  • Opposite of: unseal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

73D: "108. Invitation letters"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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74D: "109. Uber predictions, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
  • Similar words include: Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Basque Homeland and Freedom, ETA
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

75D: "110. Style"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how something is done or how it happens
  • Similar words include: modality, manner, modal value
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MODE

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76D: "113. Zippo competitor"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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77D: "114. Co-producer of the documentary "The Beatles: Get Back""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

78D: "115. "The Bells" poet"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states writer and poet (1809-1849)
  • Similar words include: Edgar Allan Poe
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

79D: "116. Fenway team, familiarly"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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

57 Across Clues
79 Down Clues
136 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 01, 2026 at 05:11 AM