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Monday, September 14, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 14, 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. Cherokee or Wrangler 4
2A 5. Omelet ingredients 4
3A 9. Big noisy fight 5
4A 14. Cornfield measure 4
5A 15. Little flying pest 4
6A 16. Dale who sang "Happy Trails" with Roy Rogers 5
7A 17. Crew building 9
8A 19. Assigns stars to, as on Yelp 5
9A 20. "Spare" things at a barbecue 4
10A 21. Stately tree 3
11A 23. Before, in poetry 3
12A 24. Atlantic City attraction 6
13A 27. "Is it bigger than a ___?" 8
14A 29. 911 respondent, in brief 3
15A 30. Latina toon explorer 4
16A 32. Beatles song with the lyric "She promises the earth to me" 4
17A 33. Pinocchio's are easily exposed 4
18A 35. "Absolutely, amigo!" 4
19A 37. The White Stripes and the Black Keys, for two 4
20A 39. Close boxing match outcome 13
21A 42. Picket line crosser 4
22A 43. Silverstein who wrote and illustrated "The Giving Tree" 4
23A 44. Contacted on Instagram, informally 4
24A 46. Bills typically found in a tip jar 4
25A 48. Mallorca or Menorca, por ejemplo 4
26A 50. Place for a piercing or a plug 3
27A 51. All-out boxing match 8
28A 54. Sarcastic 6
29A 56. "Hamilton" composer ___-Manuel Miranda 3
30A 57. Singer/actress Rita ___ 3
31A 58. It's "smashed" in a particle accelerator 4
32A 59. Playful aquatic mammal 5
33A 61. Flip out ... or a hint to the beginnings of 17-, 27-, 39- and 51-Across 9
34A 66. Word said while pointing 5
35A 67. "Never Have I ___" (sleepover game) 4
36A 68. Coldest possible temperature on the Kelvin scale 4
37A 69. Informal hoops game 5
38A 70. Winter road application 4
39A 71. Rams' mates 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Cherokee or Wrangler"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a car suitable for traveling over rough terrain
  • Similar words include: landrover
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Omelet ingredients"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
  • Similar words include: ball, orchis, ballock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Big noisy fight"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a noisy riotous fight
  • Similar words include: scrimmage, battle royal
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MELEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Cornfield measure"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in english-speaking countries
  • Similar words include: Akko, Akka, Accho
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Little flying pest"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various small biting flies: midges; biting midges; black flies; sand flies
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GNAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Dale who sang "Happy Trails" with Roy Rogers"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states anatomist who identified four pituitary hormones and discovered vitamin e (1882-1971)
  • Similar words include: Arthur Evans, Herbert McLean Evans, Sir Arthur John Evans
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Crew building"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shed at the edge of a river or lake; used to store boats
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOATHOUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Assigns stars to, as on Yelp"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. "Spare" things at a barbecue"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that support resembling the rib of an animal
  • Similar words include: roast, jest at, ridicule
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Stately tree"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various trees of the genus ulmus: important timber or shade trees
  • Similar words include: elmwood, elm tree
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Before, in poetry"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Atlantic City attraction"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public building for gambling and entertainment
  • Similar words include: gambling casino, cassino
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CASINO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. "Is it bigger than a ___?""

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a container used to keep bread or cake in
  • Similar words include: bread-bin
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BREADBOX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. 911 respondent, in brief"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Latina toon explorer"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Beatles song with the lyric "She promises the earth to me""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a young woman
  • Similar words include: fille, female child, miss
  • Opposite of: boy, male child
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIRL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Pinocchio's are easily exposed"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
  • Similar words include: Trygve Lie, lie down, lie
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. "Absolutely, amigo!""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. The White Stripes and the Black Keys, for two"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that two items of the same kind
  • Similar words include: duad, brace, couplet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Close boxing match outcome"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. Picket line crosser"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike
  • Similar words include: blackleg, rat, fink
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Silverstein who wrote and illustrated "The Giving Tree""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Contacted on Instagram, informally"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Bills typically found in a tip jar"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: one, I, unity
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Mallorca or Menorca, por ejemplo"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Place for a piercing or a plug"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
  • Similar words include: pinna, spike, auricle
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. All-out boxing match"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fight with bare fists
  • Similar words include: fisticuffs, fistfight
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLUGFEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Sarcastic"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. "Hamilton" composer ___-Manuel Miranda"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states sculptor and architect whose public works include the memorial to veterans of the vietnam war in washington (born in 1959)
  • Similar words include: Maya Lin
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Singer/actress Rita ___"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
  • Similar words include: os, osmium, bone
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. It's "smashed" in a particle accelerator"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
  • Similar words include: corpuscle, speck, mote
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. Playful aquatic mammal"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fur of an otter
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. Flip out ... or a hint to the beginnings of 17-, 27-, 39- and 51-Across"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. Word said while pointing"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a location other than here; that place
  • Similar words include: at that place, on that point, thither
  • Opposite of: here
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. "Never Have I ___" (sleepover game)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at any time
  • Similar words include: always, ever so, of all time
  • Opposite of: never
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "68. Coldest possible temperature on the Kelvin scale"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity of no importance
  • Similar words include: cipher, zilch, zip
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZERO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "69. Informal hoops game"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
  • Similar words include: sawhorse, knight, sawbuck
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HORSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "70. Winter road application"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

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: salinity, Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, table salt
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "71. Rams' mates"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a people living in southern benin and togo and southeastern ghana
  • Similar words include: Ewe, ewe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EWES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Quick boxing punch 3
2D 2. Prefix with friendly or warrior 3
3D 3. Slice of history 3
4D 4. ___ dish (lab item) 5
5D 5. Self-esteem builder 8
6D 6. African antelopes 4
7D 7. Something an electric car doesn't use 3
8D 8. Have the reins 5
9D 9. Disney's Ariel and her sisters 8
10D 10. Youngest of the Gabor sisters 3
11D 11. One slow to develop 11
12D 12. Beginning of el aƱo 5
13D 13. English county NE of London 5
14D 18. Female red deer 4
15D 22. "Break a ___!" 3
16D 24. "The Simpsons" collectible 3
17D 25. Out of place 5
18D 26. Pedometer 11
19D 27. Single, double or triple 7
20D 28. Ancient Celtic priest 5
21D 31. Clears (of) 4
22D 34. Word hidden, aptly, in "teen's language" 5
23D 36. Completes, as a cake 4
24D 38. Move stealthily 5
25D 40. Lead-in to "except after C" 8
26D 41. "Let me go first" 8
27D 45. Like some humor and wine 3
28D 47. To be, in Barcelona 3
29D 49. Soon, in poems 4
30D 51. Animal that sleeps upside down 5
31D 52. Certain art print, informally 5
32D 53. Wise sorts 5
33D 55. Astound 5
34D 58. Brother of Cain 4
35D 60. TV medical drama settings, in brief 3
36D 62. Things traveling through fallopian tubes 3
37D 63. Previously unseen 3
38D 64. "Rules ___ rules" 3
39D 65. Abba title sung after the line "The love you gave me, nothing else can save me" 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Quick boxing punch"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
  • Similar words include: poking, dig, poke
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Prefix with friendly or warrior"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Slice of history"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

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, epoch
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. ___ dish (lab item)"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Self-esteem builder"

8 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. African antelopes"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large african antelope having a head with horns like an ox and a long tufted tail
  • Similar words include: gnu, wildebeest
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GNUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Something an electric car doesn't use"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

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: natural gas, shoot a line, bluster
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Have the reins"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an indication of potential opportunity
  • Similar words include: bullock, direct, guide
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Disney's Ariel and her sisters"

8 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that half woman and half fish; lives in the sea
  • Similar words include: mermaid
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MERMAIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Youngest of the Gabor sisters"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. One slow to develop"

11 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Beginning of el aƱo"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. English county NE of London"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a county in southeastern england on the north sea and the thames estuary
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESSEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Female red deer"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of several mostly spotted fishes that resemble groupers
  • Similar words include: hinder, back
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. "Break a ___!""

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
  • Similar words include: stage, pegleg, peg
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. "The Simpsons" collectible"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Out of place"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not functioning properly
  • Similar words include: awry, imperfectly, wrong
  • Opposite of: perfectly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Pedometer"

11 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Single, double or triple"

7 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. Ancient Celtic priest"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pre-christian priest among the celts of ancient gaul and britain and ireland
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRUID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Clears (of)"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that relieve from
  • Similar words include: free, disembarrass, rid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Word hidden, aptly, in "teen's language""

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions; often vituperative or vulgar
  • Similar words include: argot, slang expression, patois
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLANG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Completes, as a cake"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
  • Similar words include: deoxyephedrine, meth, crank
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Move stealthily"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is regarded as underhanded and furtive and contemptible
  • Similar words include: surreptitious, stalker, sneaky
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNEAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Lead-in to "except after C""

8 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. "Let me go first""

8 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Like some humor and wine"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a reformer who opposes the use of intoxicating beverages
  • Similar words include: prohibitionist, teetotal, ironic
  • Opposite of: phlegmy, wet
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "47. To be, in Barcelona"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "49. Soon, in poems"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "51. Animal that sleeps upside down"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disinclination to work or exert yourself
  • Similar words include: tree sloth, acedia, slothfulness
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLOTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "52. Certain art print, informally"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. Wise sorts"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
  • Similar words include: sag, sag down, swag
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "55. Astound"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. Brother of Cain"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that norwegian mathematician (1802-1829)
  • Similar words include: Niels Henrik Abel, Niels Abel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "60. TV medical drama settings, in brief"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "62. Things traveling through fallopian tubes"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the female reproductive cell; the female gamete
  • Similar words include: egg cell, ovum
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "63. Previously unseen"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
  • Similar words include: fresh, young, unexampled
  • Opposite of: worn, old
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "64. "Rules ___ rules""

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "65. Abba title sung after the line "The love you gave me, nothing else can save me""

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an internationally recognized distress signal in radio code
  • Similar words include: soh, sol, so
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOS

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

39 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: September 14, 2026 at 09:06 AM

Thursday, February 19, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 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. Punk rocker Joan 4
2A 5. Choctaw or Chickasaw 5
3A 10. Design detail 4
4A 14. "Up and ___!" (catchphrase for a physicist) 4
5A 15. In possession of 6
6A 17. Tibetan title 4
7A 18. Courting disaster, slangily 18
8A 21. Fraternity party order 3
9A 22. Symbol of protection 3
10A 23. Part of a window above the apron 4
11A 24. One-half of a golf partnership, perhaps 3
12A 25. Sound of disapproval 4
13A 27. Concludes 6
14A 29. Uses a shampoo bottle as a microphone, perhaps 16
15A 34. Swindled 5
16A 35. Boxing champ Laila 3
17A 36. Subject of the Edward Snowden leaks, in brief 3
18A 37. Jot down 4
19A 38. Makes a noise like an electric fan 6
20A 40. Australian actor Eric 4
21A 44. "___ Father ..." 3
22A 46. Concert souvenir 3
23A 47. River to the Rio Grande 5
24A 48. They may have knowledge of corporate secrets 16
25A 51. Be defeated by 6
26A 52. "___ of the D'Urbervilles" 4
27A 53. Big name in London 3
28A 54. Big beginning? 4
29A 56. Servant of Sauron in "The Lord of the Rings" 3
30A 57. Short flight 3
31A 60. Better choice, given the options ... or the circled squares vis-Ć -vis the shaded ones? 16
32A 64. Volunteer's words 4
33A 65. Completely immersed, perhaps 6
34A 66. Some colorful plastic items in the seasonal aisle in the spring 4
35A 67. Noted Punxsutawney resident 4
36A 68. Source of some aerial shots 5
37A 69. "Take ___!" 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Punk rocker Joan"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Choctaw or Chickasaw"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a social division of (usually preliterate) people
  • Similar words include: kindred, kin group, kinship group
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Design detail"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. "Up and ___!" (catchphrase for a physicist)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
  • Similar words include: speck, corpuscle, molecule
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. In possession of"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
  • Similar words include: hold, have got, feature
  • Opposite of: abstain, lack
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAVING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Tibetan title"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

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!

7A: "18. Courting disaster, slangily"

18 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. Fraternity party order"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quantity contained in a keg
  • Similar words include: kegful
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KEG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Symbol of protection"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (judaism) sacred chest where the ancient hebrews kept the two tablets containing the ten commandments
  • Similar words include: Ark of the Covenant
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. Part of a window above the apron"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that structural member consisting of a continuous horizontal timber forming the lowest member of a framework or supporting structure
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. One-half of a golf partnership, perhaps"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an athlete who plays for pay
  • Similar words include: professional
  • Opposite of: amateur, anti
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Sound of disapproval"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
  • Similar words include: fizzle, hoot, boo
  • Opposite of: applaud
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Concludes"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the temporal end; the concluding time
  • Similar words include: come together, conclude, shut down
  • Opposite of: open
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLOSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Uses a shampoo bottle as a microphone, perhaps"

16 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SINGSINTHESHOWER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "34. Swindled"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort
  • Similar words include: burn, stick, steamed
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STUNG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. Boxing champ Laila"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Subject of the Edward Snowden leaks, in brief"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the united states cryptologic organization that coordinates and directs highly specialized activities to protect united states information systems and to produce foreign intelligence information
  • Similar words include: National Security Agency
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Jot down"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brief written record
  • Similar words include: promissory note, observe, bank bill
  • Opposite of: ignore
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Makes a noise like an electric fan"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sound of something in rapid motion
  • Similar words include: purr, birr, whizz
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHIRRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Australian actor Eric"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. "___ Father ...""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "46. Concert souvenir"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "47. River to the Rio Grande"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tributary of the rio grande that flows southeastward from new mexico through western texas
  • Similar words include: Pecos River
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PECOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. They may have knowledge of corporate secrets"

16 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUSINESSINSIDERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Be defeated by"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "52. "___ of the D'Urbervilles""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Big name in London"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mountain or tall hill
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Big beginning?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Servant of Sauron in "The Lord of the Rings""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Short flight"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of hopping; jumping upward or forward (especially on one foot)
  • Similar words include: record hop, skip, hops
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. Better choice, given the options ... or the circled squares vis-Ć -vis the shaded ones?"

16 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LESSEROFTWOEVILS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. Volunteer's words"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Completely immersed, perhaps"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that submerge in a liquid
  • Similar words include: sop, intoxicate, loaded
  • Opposite of: undercharge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOAKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. Some colorful plastic items in the seasonal aisle in the spring"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
  • Similar words include: bollock, orchis, testicle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Noted Punxsutawney resident"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "68. Source of some aerial shots"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that stingless male bee in a colony of social bees (especially honeybees) whose sole function is to mate with the queen
  • Similar words include: radio-controlled aircraft, lagger, pilotless aircraft
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "69. "Take ___!""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Part of a royal flush 4
2D 2. Raison d'___ 4
3D 3. Metaphor for a challenging puzzle 8
4D 4. "Eww ... just eww" 3
5D 5. Want very much, with "for" 6
6D 6. Major, e.g. 4
7D 7. Reproductive option, for short 3
8D 8. Some paragraphs in playbills 4
9D 9. Improve 6
10D 10. High-end camera, for short 3
11D 11. Penniless one 6
12D 12. Mideast leaders 5
13D 13. Spot to play baccarat 6
14D 16. Gas units 7
15D 19. Talking back to 7
16D 20. Is really bad, in slang 5
17D 26. Formed from molten lava 7
18D 28. Sunken treasure sites 7
19D 29. You can request a new one on religious grounds if it contains "666": Abbr. 3
20D 30. "What was ___ think?" 3
21D 31. "Yeah, right!" 3
22D 32. Ruling class 5
23D 33. Fathers 5
24D 38. Dickens and Dickinson 7
25D 39. Varnish ingredient 5
26D 41. Card game clarification 8
27D 42. Neither's partner 3
28D 43. Buffoon 3
29D 45. "I'm at your disposal" 5
30D 47. Bishop, e.g. 5
31D 48. Japanese word that's sometimes translated as "planted in a pot" 6
32D 49. Commentator's call after a missed field goal 6
33D 50. Took steps 6
34D 51. Medieval cure-all 5
35D 53. Radar operator's concern 4
36D 55. Over yonder 4
37D 56. Wilson of the Frat Pack 4
38D 58. Actress Kurylenko 4
39D 59. "Over here!" 4
40D 61. Sketch show with Colin Jost, in brief 3
41D 62. Fight-ending letters 3
42D 63. Screen, as a candidate 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Part of a royal flush"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small worthless amount
  • Similar words include: mariner, diddly, old salt
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Raison d'___"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Metaphor for a challenging puzzle"

8 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "Eww ... just eww""

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Want very much, with "for""

6 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a physiological need to drink
  • Similar words include: lust, hungriness, crave
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THIRST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Major, e.g."

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
  • Similar words include: social status, social rank, absolute
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Reproductive option, for short"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Some paragraphs in playbills"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Improve"

6 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make better or improve in quality
  • Opposite of: impoverish, deprive
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENRICH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. High-end camera, for short"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Penniless one"

6 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is very poor
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAUPER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Mideast leaders"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent ruler or chieftain (especially in africa or arabia)
  • Similar words include: ameer, emeer, emir
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMIRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Spot to play baccarat"

6 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public building for gambling and entertainment
  • Similar words include: gambling casino, cassino
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CASINO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "16. Gas units"

7 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters
  • Similar words include: gallon, gal, congius
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GALLONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Talking back to"

7 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an impudent or insolent rejoinder
  • Similar words include: back talk, mouth, sass
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SASSING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "20. Is really bad, in slang"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
  • Similar words include: setback, bobble, fuck up
  • Opposite of: conserve
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Formed from molten lava"

7 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that produced under conditions involving intense heat
  • Similar words include: pyrogenic, eruptive, pyrogenous
  • Opposite of: aqueous
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IGNEOUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Sunken treasure sites"

7 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bottom of a sea or ocean
  • Similar words include: sea floor, seabed, sea bottom
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEABEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. You can request a new one on religious grounds if it contains "666": Abbr."

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. "What was ___ think?""

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. "Yeah, right!""

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Ruling class"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status
  • Similar words include: elite group, elect
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Fathers"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a title of address formerly used for a man of rank and authority
  • Similar words include: get, sire, generate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIRES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Dickens and Dickinson"

7 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
  • Similar words include: author, writer
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WRITERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. Varnish ingredient"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of a class of solid or semisolid viscous substances obtained either as exudations from certain plants or prepared by polymerization of simple molecules
  • Similar words include: rosin
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Card game clarification"

8 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Neither's partner"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Buffoon"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. "I'm at your disposal""

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "47. Bishop, e.g."

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a separate part of a whole
  • Similar words include: set up, composition, tack together
  • Opposite of: disassemble
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIECE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "48. Japanese word that's sometimes translated as "planted in a pot""

6 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dwarfed ornamental tree or shrub grown in a tray or shallow pot
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BONSAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Commentator's call after a missed field goal"

6 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Took steps"

6 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that walk with long steps
  • Similar words include: stride
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Medieval cure-all"

5 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end
  • Similar words include: phlebotomize, bloodsucker, phlebotomise
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEECH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "53. Radar operator's concern"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sudden minor shock or meaningless interruption
  • Similar words include: radar target, pip
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Over yonder"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Wilson of the Frat Pack"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)
  • Similar words include: Robert Owen, Sir Richard Owen
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWEN

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38D: "58. Actress Kurylenko"

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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39D: "59. "Over here!""

4 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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40D: "61. Sketch show with Colin Jost, in brief"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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41D: "62. Fight-ending letters"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a knockout declared by the referee who judges one boxer unable to continue
  • Similar words include: technical knockout
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TKO

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42D: "63. Screen, as a candidate"

3 letters šŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a doctor who practices veterinary medicine
  • Similar words include: veterinarian, veterinary, ex-serviceman
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VET

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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
42 Down Clues
79 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 19, 2026 at 05:08 AM