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Saturday, August 8, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 08, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: 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. Fling 4
2A 5. Garment with a loose, flowing end known as a "pallu" 4
3A 9. Longtime airer of "The Young and the Restless" 3
4A 12. Nocturnal sounds in the woods 5
5A 14. Waffle 9
6A 16. Woodard with multiple Emmys 5
7A 17. Author and illustrator of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" 9
8A 18. Slippery slope 10
9A 20. Crowd (in) 4
10A 21. Summertime top 11
11A 23. Group of reps 3
12A 24. Kind of coating applied to metal 8
13A 25. Go for again 5
14A 27. Load from the dock 6
15A 28. University of California campus site 5
16A 29. Locals call it Mongibello ("the mountain of mountains") 4
17A 30. O. Henry's "The Gift of the ___" 4
18A 31. Braided rope made of rawhide 5
19A 33. Limited 6
20A 35. "Comprende?" 5
21A 36. They're taken off for boudoir photos 8
22A 38. Relieved response 3
23A 39. Greek dish made with an abundance of spinach 11
24A 42. La ___ Tar Pits 4
25A 44. Instrument measuring liquid density 10
26A 45. French beauty 9
27A 47. Section of a golf bag 5
28A 48. Pawn-capturing move 9
29A 49. Hard French cheese 5
30A 50. Map lines: Abbr. 3
31A 51. Giant bird of Chinese mythology that is transformed from a fish called Kun 4
32A 52. Capone's foe 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Fling"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of flipping a coin
  • Similar words include: chuck out, convulse, thrash
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Garment with a loose, flowing end known as a "pallu""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

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!

3A: "9. Longtime airer of "The Young and the Restless""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "12. Nocturnal sounds in the woods"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
  • Similar words include: shit, hiss, tinker's damn
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Waffle"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Woodard with multiple Emmys"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Author and illustrator of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar""

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Slippery slope"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Crowd (in)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a collection of objects laid on top of each other
  • Similar words include: batch, lot, mint
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Summertime top"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Group of reps"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: mark, correct, lot
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Kind of coating applied to metal"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Go for again"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hear or try a court case anew
  • Similar words include: rehear
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Load from the dock"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. University of California campus site"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english navigator who explored the arctic while searching for the northwest passage (1550-1605)
  • Similar words include: John Davys, Davys, Miles Dewey Davis Jr.
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAVIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. Locals call it Mongibello ("the mountain of mountains")"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inactive volcano in sicily; last erupted in 1961; the highest volcano in europe (10,500 feet)
  • Similar words include: Mt Etna, bunsen burner, Mount Etna
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "30. O. Henry's "The Gift of the ___""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (new testament) the sages who visited jesus and mary and joseph shortly after jesus was born; the gospel according to matthew says they were guided by a star and brought gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh; because there were three gifts it is usually assumed that there were three of them
  • Similar words include: magus, Wise Men
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAGI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "31. Braided rope made of rawhide"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long noosed rope used to catch animals
  • Similar words include: lasso, lariat, reata
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIATA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "33. Limited"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that bounded or limited in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent
  • Opposite of: infinite
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FINITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. "Comprende?""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "36. They're taken off for boudoir photos"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "38. Relieved response"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
  • Similar words include: ooh
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "39. Greek dish made with an abundance of spinach"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "42. La ___ Tar Pits"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "44. Instrument measuring liquid density"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measuring instrument for determining the specific gravity of a liquid or solid
  • Similar words include: gravimeter
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYDROMETER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "45. French beauty"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Section of a golf bag"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that metal shackles; for hands or legs
  • Similar words include: Fe, iron out, press
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "48. Pawn-capturing move"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "49. Hard French cheese"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french philosopher remembered as the founder of positivism; he also established sociology as a systematic field of study
  • Similar words include: Isidore Auguste Marie Francois Comte, Auguste Comte
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "50. Map lines: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "51. Giant bird of Chinese mythology that is transformed from a fish called Kun"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "52. Capone's foe"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strip of land projecting into a body of water
  • Similar words include: cape
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Warms up 5
2D 2. "Fancy!" 6
3D 3. Warms up, say 7
4D 4. Word-of-mouth promoters 10
5D 5. Investment bond in W.W. II 7
6D 6. During 6
7D 7. Tries to outrun 5
8D 8. Forbes competitor 3
9D 9. Corpus ___ 7
10D 10. Ostentatious spenders, in slang 7
11D 11. Term of endearment, in one spelling 6
12D 13. Napkins, to Brits 10
13D 14. Damn fine 7
14D 15. Repeated greeting in the Key & Peele sketch "Obama Meet & Greet" 3
15D 19. Court name 6
16D 22. Displaying a wide range of emotions, say 10
17D 26. Founder of Argentina's first female-led political party, familiarly 10
18D 28. Big name in comfortable footwear 6
19D 30. Tower with daily calls to prayer 7
20D 31. Hit from behind 7
21D 32. Words following a suggestion to try something 7
22D 33. Warding (off) 7
23D 34. Perfect example 7
24D 35. Person you practically have to drag out of a party, say 6
25D 36. One requesting simpler terms? 6
26D 37. Channel inserts 6
27D 40. Short-lived interest 5
28D 41. Parliamentary seats? 5
29D 43. Per 3
30D 46. For a medium, it's easy! 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Warms up"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
  • Similar words include: warming, thaw, unthaw
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THAWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Fancy!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Warms up, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make (images or sounds) soft or softer
  • Similar words include: soften, yield, buffer
  • Opposite of: stand, harden
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOFTENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Word-of-mouth promoters"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Investment bond in W.W. II"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. During"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Tries to outrun"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any competition
  • Similar words include: race, bucket along, run
  • Opposite of: linger
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Forbes competitor"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to saddam hussein's government of iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of sunni and shiite arabs and kurds who hope to build a new government
  • Similar words include: Iraqi National Congress
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Corpus ___"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Ostentatious spenders, in slang"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Term of endearment, in one spelling"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "13. Napkins, to Brits"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing
  • Similar words include: table napkin, serviette, napkin
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERVIETTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Damn fine"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Repeated greeting in the Key & Peele sketch "Obama Meet & Greet""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Court name"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Displaying a wide range of emotions, say"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to or characteristic of tragicomedy
  • Similar words include: tragicomical
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAGICOMIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Founder of Argentina's first female-led political party, familiarly"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Big name in comfortable footwear"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Tower with daily calls to prayer"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slender tower with balconies
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINARET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Hit from behind"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Words following a suggestion to try something"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Warding (off)"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that try to manage without help
  • Similar words include: stand, resist, fend
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FENDING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Perfect example"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a standard or typical example
  • Similar words include: prototype, paradigm, image
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPITOME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Person you practically have to drag out of a party, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. One requesting simpler terms?"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
  • Similar words include: layperson, secular
  • Opposite of: clergyman
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAYMAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "37. Channel inserts"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slender tube inserted inside a tubular body part (as a blood vessel) to provide support during and after surgical anastomosis
  • Similar words include: stent
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STENTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Short-lived interest"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any distinct time period in a sequence of events
  • Similar words include: stage, form, phase angle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Parliamentary seats?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Per"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. For a medium, it's easy!"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that apparent power to perceive things that are not present to the senses
  • Similar words include: E.S.P., clairvoyance, second sight
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESP

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

32 Across Clues
30 Down Clues
62 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: August 08, 2026 at 04:32 AM

Saturday, July 18, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 18, 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. Unite, with "up" 4
2A 5. Many an extra in the "Lord of the Rings" movies 3
3A 8. Like fondue, traditionally 5
4A 13. Nairobi-based collection of NGOs 5
5A 15. Restriction on how much one can serve 9
6A 17. Conductor's reference 5
7A 18. Opportunity to compare notes, perhaps 9
8A 19. Very traditional sort 6
9A 21. Khloe, Kim or Kourtney, familiarly 3
10A 22. Jennifer who won a Pulitzer for "A Visit From the Goon Squad" 4
11A 23. Concerning 4
12A 24. Weight 4
13A 26. Orange video game character who appears in "Wreck-It Ralph" 5
14A 27. Retailer with mountains in its logo 3
15A 28. Persuade, as on a course of action 4
16A 29. Shade 3
17A 30. Smartphone feature that debuted worldwide in 2011 13
18A 34. Hot 6
19A 35. Kind of acid partly responsible for sourdough's tang 6
20A 37. "Sorry, that's way above my pay grade" 13
21A 40. Black ___ 3
22A 41. Line holders 4
23A 42. Brilliant example 3
24A 43. Digs up by the roots 5
25A 46. Cry at the end of a countdown 4
26A 47. Dead center? 4
27A 48. Song whose titular subject has a "dark brown voice" 4
28A 49. Mesh 3
29A 50. One side of many a transaction 6
30A 52. Backs up on its own, say 9
31A 55. Titular animated dog of children's TV 5
32A 56. Go down swinging, perhaps 9
33A 57. What might add a bit of flavor to a salsa? 5
34A 58. Company bought by Tempur-Pedic in 2012 5
35A 59. W.W. II-era occupation for baseball's Moe Berg, following his playing career 3
36A 60. Rides 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Unite, with "up""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Many an extra in the "Lord of the Rings" movies"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
  • Similar words include: extremely low frequency, brownie, pixy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Like fondue, traditionally"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the natives or inhabitants of switzerland
  • Similar words include: Swiss people
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. Nairobi-based collection of NGOs"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Restriction on how much one can serve"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Conductor's reference"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
  • Similar words include: hit, musical score, sexual conquest
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Opportunity to compare notes, perhaps"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Very traditional sort"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who insists on great precision and correctness (especially in the use of words)
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PURIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Khloe, Kim or Kourtney, familiarly"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a female person who has the same parents as another person
  • Similar words include: te, atomic number 14, sister
  • Opposite of: brother
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Jennifer who won a Pulitzer for "A Visit From the Goon Squad""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Concerning"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Weight"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Orange video game character who appears in "Wreck-It Ralph""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Retailer with mountains in its logo"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Persuade, as on a course of action"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the activity of persuading someone to buy
  • Similar words include: deal, trade, betray
  • Opposite of: buy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. Shade"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

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!

17A: "30. Smartphone feature that debuted worldwide in 2011"

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Hot"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an erotic person
  • Similar words include: titillating
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EROTIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. Kind of acid partly responsible for sourdough's tang"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to or obtained from milk (especially sour milk or whey)
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LACTIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. "Sorry, that's way above my pay grade""

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Black ___"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (roman mythology) goddess of abundance and fertility; wife of saturn; counterpart of greek rhea and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. Line holders"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long thin implement made of metal or wood
  • Similar words include: retinal rod, pole, rod
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RODS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Brilliant example"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
  • Similar words include: stone, precious stone, gemstone
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Digs up by the roots"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for a meal
  • Similar words include: mooch, eats, bum
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRUBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Cry at the end of a countdown"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an instance or single occasion for some event
  • Similar words include: clock time, clock, sentence
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Dead center?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
  • Similar words include: grave
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "48. Song whose titular subject has a "dark brown voice""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "49. Mesh"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a display of bad temper
  • Similar words include: agree, fit out, primed
  • Opposite of: disagree, unfit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "50. One side of many a transaction"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
  • Similar words include: principal, trader, monger
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEALER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "52. Backs up on its own, say"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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31A: "55. Titular animated dog of children's TV"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "56. Go down swinging, perhaps"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an out resulting from the batter getting three strikes
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRIKEOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "57. What might add a bit of flavor to a salsa?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small drum; played with the hands
  • Similar words include: Tragelaphus eurycerus, bongo drum, Boocercus eurycerus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BONGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "58. Company bought by Tempur-Pedic in 2012"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "59. W.W. II-era occupation for baseball's Moe Berg, following his playing career"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors
  • Similar words include: stag, spot, snoop
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "60. Rides"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone (especially a woman) who annoys people by constantly finding fault
  • Similar words include: scold, plug, hen-peck
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Left 7
2D 2. "Um ... what?!" 8
3D 3. With even stronger reasoning, in law 9
4D 4. Super man? 5
5D 5. Quite a few characters in 2025's "Elio," for short 3
6D 6. Unleashes 7
7D 7. Results of one's labors, so to speak 5
8D 8. Shrewd 3
9D 9. You might give this to someone you want to avoid 9
10D 10. Outward appearance 5
11D 11. Instrument that's held at about a 45-degree angle from the player's body 5
12D 12. Inner tube? 5
13D 14. "Bonjour, ___ amis!" 3
14D 16. Figures listed on Zocdoc, for short 3
15D 20. Gustav Klimt masterpiece 7
16D 25. Choose 5
17D 26. Charlatans 6
18D 28. Exercises with a "butterfly" variation, in which the soles of one's feet are pressed together 6
19D 29. Overtook? 7
20D 31. Cosmetic additive that comes from the Southwest 9
21D 32. Flowering period 5
22D 33. Actor who plays the title role on TV's "Andor" 9
23D 36. Classic Easter treat 8
24D 38. Report 7
25D 39. Items frozen in cryopreservation 7
26D 43. Flute, for one 5
27D 44. Way 5
28D 45. Prefix with marathon 5
29D 46. Bygone recorders 5
30D 47. Grabber 5
31D 49. Race of supernatural spirits 3
32D 51. Fall back 3
33D 53. You might look up to this 3
34D 54. Unpleasant digs 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Left"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Um ... what?!""

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. With even stronger reasoning, in law"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Super man?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Quite a few characters in 2025's "Elio," for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Unleashes"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Results of one's labors, so to speak"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
  • Similar words include: yield
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRUIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Shrewd"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by skill in deception
  • Similar words include: guileful, slick, dodgy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. You might give this to someone you want to avoid"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Outward appearance"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an iconic mental representation
  • Similar words include: visualise, paradigm, ikon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Instrument that's held at about a 45-degree angle from the player's body"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a stringed instrument of india; has a long neck and movable frets; has 6 or 7 metal strings for playing and usually 13 resonating strings
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SITAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Inner tube?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slender tube inserted inside a tubular body part (as a blood vessel) to provide support during and after surgical anastomosis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. "Bonjour, ___ amis!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in new england
  • Similar words include: ME, Pine Tree State, Maine
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "16. Figures listed on Zocdoc, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding einsteinium with alpha particles (md is the current symbol for mendelevium but mv was formerly the symbol)
  • Similar words include: Dr., Md, physician
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. Gustav Klimt masterpiece"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Choose"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an exclusive group of people
  • Similar words include: elite, chosen
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Charlatans"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an untrained person who pretends to be a physician and who dispenses medical advice
  • Similar words include: quack
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: QUACKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Exercises with a "butterfly" variation, in which the soles of one's feet are pressed together"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Overtook?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that save up as for future use
  • Similar words include: collect, hoard, stash
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOARDED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Cosmetic additive that comes from the Southwest"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Flowering period"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the organic process of bearing flowers
  • Similar words include: heyday, rosiness, bloom of youth
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Actor who plays the title role on TV's "Andor""

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Classic Easter treat"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Report"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. Items frozen in cryopreservation"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (botany) a minute rudimentary plant contained within a seed or an archegonium
  • Similar words include: embryo, fertilized egg, conceptus
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMBRYOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. Flute, for one"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
  • Similar words include: drinking glass, meth, deoxyephedrine
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "44. Way"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an established line of travel or access
  • Similar words include: itinerary, road, path
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROUTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Prefix with marathon"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used of opinions and actions) far beyond the norm
  • Similar words include: radical, extremist
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ULTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. Bygone recorders"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "47. Grabber"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Race of supernatural spirits"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a device consisting of a container of fuel and two explosive charges; the first charge bursts open the fuel container at a predetermined height and spreads the fuel in a cloud that mixes with atmospheric oxygen; the second charge detonates the cloud which creates an enormous blast wave and incinerates whatever is below
  • Similar words include: fuel-air explosive
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FAE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Fall back"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
  • Similar words include: ebbing, ebb out, wane
  • Opposite of: tide
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EBB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "53. You might look up to this"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
  • Similar words include: flip, toss, pitch
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "54. Unpleasant digs"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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

36 Across Clues
34 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

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Last updated: July 18, 2026 at 05:39 AM