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
- Across Clues Table (31 clues)
- Across Clues - Detailed Hints
- Down Clues Table (33 clues)
- Down Clues - Detailed Hints
- Expert Solving Strategies
- Today's Puzzle Statistics
Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate
Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!
Across Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | 1. It didn't come with a calculator until 2024 | 4 |
| 2A | 5. Goes down in estimation | 9 |
| 3A | 14. Rod ___, 1977 A.L. M.V.P. with the Twins | 5 |
| 4A | 16. End of a rant, perhaps | 9 |
| 5A | 17. Geological period | 5 |
| 6A | 18. Instrument also known as a ukitar | 9 |
| 7A | 19. Siva ___ (traditional dance named for its country of origin) | 5 |
| 8A | 20. Runner's goal, maybe | 9 |
| 9A | 21. Good-for-nothings | 6 |
| 10A | 23. The very first one was won by a ventriloquist | 4 |
| 11A | 24. Like much Ikea furniture | 8 |
| 12A | 26. "You'll ___ the day!" | 3 |
| 13A | 27. Inhale, so to speak | 3 |
| 14A | 28. Youngest congressional appointees | 11 |
| 15A | 33. Some strenuous athletic events, informally | 4 |
| 16A | 35. "Dog Day Afternoon" director | 5 |
| 17A | 36. Tibetan title | 4 |
| 18A | 37. One might be cut off by an orchestra | 11 |
| 19A | 40. U.S. : reps :: Canada : ___ | 3 |
| 20A | 41. Little | 3 |
| 21A | 42. Rattled, humorously | 8 |
| 22A | 44. Not see | 4 |
| 23A | 46. It's a whole thing | 6 |
| 24A | 47. Request for assistance from a higher-up? | 9 |
| 25A | 51. Build up | 5 |
| 26A | 53. "Sure ... that's true ..." | 9 |
| 27A | 54. Saturate | 5 |
| 28A | 55. "That's good thinking" | 9 |
| 29A | 56. Fired up again | 5 |
| 30A | 57. Speak rationally | 9 |
| 31A | 58. "I'm in!" | 4 |
Across Clues - Strategic Hints
1A: "1. It didn't come with a calculator until 2024"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IPAD
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2A: "5. Goes down in estimation"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOSESFACE
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3A: "14. Rod ___, 1977 A.L. M.V.P. with the Twins"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that englishman and cavalier poet whose lyric poetry was favored by charles i (1595-1639)
- Similar words include: Thomas Carew
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAREW
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4A: "16. End of a rant, perhaps"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILLSHUTUP
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5A: "17. Geological period"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
- Similar words include: date of reference, era
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPOCH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6A: "18. Instrument also known as a ukitar"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUITALELE
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7A: "19. Siva ___ (traditional dance named for its country of origin)"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a constitutional monarchy on the western part of the islands of samoa in the south pacific
- Similar words include: Samoan Islands, Western Samoa, Samoa i Sisifo
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAMOA
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8A: "20. Runner's goal, maybe"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOMEPLATE
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9A: "21. Good-for-nothings"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BADLOT
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10A: "23. The very first one was won by a ventriloquist"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an annual award by the academy of television arts and sciences for outstanding achievements in television
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMMY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11A: "24. Like much Ikea furniture"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that cover with veneer
- Similar words include: veneer
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VENEERED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12A: "26. "You'll ___ the day!""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that european strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
- Similar words include: herb of grace, ruefulness, repent
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13A: "27. Inhale, so to speak"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that take in solid food
- Similar words include: eat up, wipe out, feed
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14A: "28. Youngest congressional appointees"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENATEPAGES
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15A: "33. Some strenuous athletic events, informally"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIS
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16A: "35. "Dog Day Afternoon" director"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUMET
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17A: "36. Tibetan title"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a tibetan or mongolian priest of lamaism
- Similar words include: genus Lama
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAMA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18A: "37. One might be cut off by an orchestra"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSCARSPEECH
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19A: "40. U.S. : reps :: Canada : ___"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a widely distributed system of free and fixed macrophages derived from bone marrow
- Similar words include: military policeman, system of macrophages, military police
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MPS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20A: "41. Little"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a short time
- Similar words include: teentsy, bittie, pass water
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21A: "42. Rattled, humorously"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOOKETH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22A: "44. Not see"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a young woman
- Similar words include: neglect, fille, drop
- Opposite of: have, attend
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MISS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23A: "46. It's a whole thing"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that that which is perceived or known or inferred to have its own distinct existence (living or nonliving)
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENTITY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24A: "47. Request for assistance from a higher-up?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GODHELPME
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25A: "51. Build up"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that collect or gather
- Similar words include: collect, gather, pile up
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMASS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26A: "53. "Sure ... that's true ...""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMEANYEAH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27A: "54. Saturate"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that spread or diffuse through
- Similar words include: pervade, hue, permeate
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMBUE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28A: "55. "That's good thinking""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMARTMOVE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29A: "56. Fired up again"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RELIT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30A: "57. Speak rationally"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALKSENSE
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31A: "58. "I'm in!""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a brutal terrorist group active in kashmir; fights against india with the goal of restoring islamic rule of india
- Similar words include: Army of the Righteous, lease, rent
- Opposite of: disallow, prevent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LETS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
Down Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | 1. Decorates, say | 4 |
| 2D | 2. Certain father figures | 9 |
| 3D | 3. Like a person who might prefer platonic relationships | 9 |
| 4D | 4. Make more understandable | 6 |
| 5D | 5. "Just relax!" | 9 |
| 6D | 6. Ijeoma ___, "Be a Revolution" author | 4 |
| 7D | 7. Chance level right above none | 4 |
| 8D | 8. 90° from norte | 4 |
| 9D | 9. "Behave!" | 7 |
| 10D | 10. Not just a snack | 8 |
| 11D | 11. Ones who start | 5 |
| 12D | 12. Following the leader too closely, say | 5 |
| 13D | 13. Blade that doesn't cut | 4 |
| 14D | 15. Players who account for a disproportionate amount of a mobile game's revenue, in lingo | 6 |
| 15D | 22. Intimidating words | 6 |
| 16D | 24. One might necessitate an override | 4 |
| 17D | 25. Helen Mirren and Emma Thompson, for two | 5 |
| 18D | 26. Storytelling device that revises previously established facts, informally | 6 |
| 19D | 29. [Giggle] | 9 |
| 20D | 30. One might be felt | 9 |
| 21D | 31. No-talent boss | 9 |
| 22D | 32. Common sight at a bachelorette party | 4 |
| 23D | 34. Ocean predator with external teeth | 8 |
| 24D | 38. Has bad feelings toward | 7 |
| 25D | 39. Windbag's output | 6 |
| 26D | 43. Big name in late night | 6 |
| 27D | 44. Mell Lazarus comic strip that ran for 46 years | 5 |
| 28D | 45. Preferred, say | 5 |
| 29D | 47. Heart | 4 |
| 30D | 48. Connecticut town that lent its name to a tick-borne disease | 4 |
| 31D | 49. Nobody, say | 4 |
| 32D | 50. Squad for 14-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, to fans | 4 |
| 33D | 52. Goes down | 4 |
Down Clues - Strategic Hints
1D: "1. Decorates, say"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
- Similar words include: deoxyephedrine, crank, frosting
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2D: "2. Certain father figures"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAPABEARS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3D: "3. Like a person who might prefer platonic relationships"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AROMANTIC
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4D: "4. Make more understandable"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that convert code into ordinary language
- Similar words include: decrypt, decipher
- Opposite of: encode
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DECODE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5D: "5. "Just relax!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIGHTENUP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6D: "6. Ijeoma ___, "Be a Revolution" author"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLUO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7D: "7. Chance level right above none"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that take off weight
- Similar words include: thin, svelte, lose weight
- Opposite of: gain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLIM
Remember this word for future puzzles!
8D: "8. 90° from norte"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESTE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
9D: "9. "Behave!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHAPEUP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10D: "10. Not just a snack"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FULLMEAL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11D: "11. Ones who start"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATEAM
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12D: "12. Following the leader too closely, say"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CULTY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13D: "13. Blade that doesn't cut"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPEE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14D: "15. Players who account for a disproportionate amount of a mobile game's revenue, in lingo"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
- Similar words include: hulk, giant, whale
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHALES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15D: "22. Intimidating words"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORELSE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16D: "24. One might necessitate an override"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a vote that blocks a decision
- Similar words include: interdict, negative, nix
- Opposite of: permit, allow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VETO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17D: "25. Helen Mirren and Emma Thompson, for two"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that informal terms for a (young) woman
- Similar words include: wench, madam, dam up
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAMES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18D: "26. Storytelling device that revises previously established facts, informally"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETCON
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19D: "29. [Giggle]"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEEHEEHEE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20D: "30. One might be felt"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAMETABLE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21D: "31. No-talent boss"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMPTYSUIT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22D: "32. Common sight at a bachelorette party"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
- Similar words include: cincture, girdle, waistband
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SASH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23D: "34. Ocean predator with external teeth"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAWSHARK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24D: "38. Has bad feelings toward"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that feel bitter or indignant about
- Similar words include: begrudge, resent
- Opposite of: wish
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESENTS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25D: "39. Windbag's output"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOTAIR
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26D: "43. Big name in late night"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KIMMEL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27D: "44. Mell Lazarus comic strip that ran for 46 years"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that informal terms for a mother
- Similar words include: mom, mama, mammy
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOMMA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28D: "45. Preferred, say"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
- Similar words include: apotheosis, nonpareil, nonesuch
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDEAL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29D: "47. Heart"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
- Similar words include: essence, nub, nitty-gritty
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIST
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30D: "48. Connecticut town that lent its name to a tick-borne disease"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYME
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31D: "49. Nobody, say"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a laborer who is obliged to do menial work
- Similar words include: galley slave, navvy, drudge
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEON
Remember this word for future puzzles!
32D: "50. Squad for 14-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, to fans"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAVS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
33D: "52. Goes down"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
- Similar words include: define, set, curing
- Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SETS
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
31 Across Clues
33 Down Clues
64 Total Clues
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