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Showing posts sorted by date for query picnic. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Monday, April 13, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 13, 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. Undergoes a chemical change 6
2A 7. Yosemite or Yellowstone 4
3A 11. Hairstyling stuff 3
4A 14. Send out of the country, as goods 6
5A 15. One of many in an autumn pile 4
6A 16. Alter ___ (secondary identity) 3
7A 17. Rap songs and such 11
8A 19. Certain endurance race, in brief 3
9A 20. Bowling venue 5
10A 21. Singer Tori 4
11A 22. "You got that right!" 4
12A 23. Brewski 4
13A 24. Places to stick wallets 10
14A 26. "___ of the d'Urbervilles" 4
15A 28. "There's ___ in 'team,' but there is one in 'win'" 3
16A 29. Longtime TV brand 3
17A 31. Paula of "American Idol" 5
18A 35. Something named on a license plate 5
19A 39. Risky time for beach property owners 15
20A 42. Chose 5
21A 43. Highway stopover 5
22A 44. Married 3
23A 45. Keg attachment 3
24A 47. French fashion magazine 4
25A 49. Singer with the 1961 #1 hit "Hit the Road Jack" 10
26A 55. "The Thin Man" terrier 4
27A 58. Salt Lake City's home 4
28A 59. "___, and ye shall find" (Matthew 7:7) 4
29A 60. Tehre are two in tihs clue 5
30A 61. ___ B, a.k.a. Scary Spice 3
31A 62. "Woo-hoo!" ... as suggested by the starts of 17-, 24-, 39- and 49-Across 11
32A 64. Slight amount 3
33A 65. The slightest amount 4
34A 66. Make fizzy, as a drink 6
35A 67. Actress de Armas 3
36A 68. Freight car weights 4
37A 69. Picnic food holder 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Undergoes a chemical change"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Yosemite or Yellowstone"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
  • Similar words include: green, Mungo Park, ballpark
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Hairstyling stuff"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Send out of the country, as goods"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that commodities (goods or services) sold to a foreign country
  • Similar words include: exportation
  • Opposite of: import
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXPORT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. One of many in an autumn pile"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
  • Similar words include: foliage, riffle, riff
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Alter ___ (secondary identity)"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Rap songs and such"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Certain endurance race, in brief"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Bowling venue"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Singer Tori"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hebrew shepherd and minor prophet
  • Similar words include: Book of Amos
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. "You got that right!""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a primeval egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at thebes
  • Similar words include: Amun, Amon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Brewski"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. Places to stick wallets"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. "___ 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!

15A: "28. "There's ___ in 'team,' but there is one in 'win'""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. Longtime TV brand"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Paula of "American Idol""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Something named on a license plate"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
  • Similar words include: nation, res publica, State Department
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Risky time for beach property owners"

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Chose"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that select as an alternative over another
  • Similar words include: choose, opt, prefer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Highway stopover"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a motor hotel
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOTEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Married"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fourth day of the week; the third working day
  • Similar words include: marry, tie, get hitched with
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Keg attachment"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by a gentle blow
  • Similar words include: dab, water tap, pat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. French fashion magazine"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. Singer with the 1961 #1 hit "Hit the Road Jack""

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "55. "The Thin Man" terrier"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "58. Salt Lake City's home"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in the western united states; settled in 1847 by mormons led by brigham young
  • Similar words include: Mormon State, Beehive State, UT
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "59. "___, and ye shall find" (Matthew 7:7)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the movement of a read/write head to a specific data track on a disk
  • Similar words include: look for, attempt, search
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "60. Tehre are two in tihs clue"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind
  • Similar words include: literal, typo, erratum
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TYPOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. ___ B, a.k.a. Scary Spice"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "62. "Woo-hoo!" ... as suggested by the starts of 17-, 24-, 39- and 49-Across"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. Slight amount"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece or quantity of something
  • Similar words include: chip, act, routine
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. The slightest amount"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. Make fizzy, as a drink"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that expose to fresh air
  • Similar words include: air, oxygenize, oxygenate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AERATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Actress de Armas"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mother of the ancient irish gods; sometimes identified with danu
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "68. Freight car weights"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large number or amount
  • Similar words include: gobs, scores, stacks
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "69. Picnic food holder"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a container that is usually woven and has handles
  • Similar words include: field goal, hoop, handbasket
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASKET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Physical therapy and such, informally 5
2D 2. Send out of the country, as a disgraced leader 5
3D 3. Fruit pastry that pairs well with vanilla ice cream 9
4D 4. Stick together 6
5D 5. Land of Priam and Hector 4
6D 6. Motor oil brand 3
7D 7. Pleasingly round 5
8D 8. Author of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" 5
9D 9. ___ d'etre (justification for being) 6
10D 10. Colonel Sanders's chain 3
11D 11. "See what I mean?" 5
12D 12. Wading bird 5
13D 13. Gird one's ___ 5
14D 18. ___ tai (cocktail) 3
15D 22. Japanese dog 5
16D 24. Big banking inits. in the U.K. 4
17D 25. Sportscaster Howard who cried "Down goes Frazier!" 6
18D 27. Responded to a doctor's request 6
19D 29. Greek P 3
20D 30. Baking quantity 3
21D 32. Fish ladder locale 3
22D 33. Chicago-style pizza chain 3
23D 34. "Live and ___ live" 3
24D 36. Right now 9
25D 37. Nursery rhyme's "little piggy" 3
26D 38. Finish line 3
27D 40. [Gag!] 5
28D 41. Observes 4
29D 46. Afghan language 6
30D 48. Features of lasagna or an onion 6
31D 49. Dance from Cuba 5
32D 50. Stayed home for dinner 5
33D 51. Site where Allies met in 1945 5
34D 52. Showed again, as on TV 5
35D 53. City NE of Manchester 5
36D 54. Barely manage, with "out" 3
37D 56. Rich cake whose name comes from German 5
38D 57. Strong suit 5
39D 60. Ellington's "Take ___ Train" 4
40D 62. Tit for ___ 3
41D 63. Taxi 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Physical therapy and such, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Send out of the country, as a disgraced leader"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
  • Similar words include: deportation, expatriate, expatriation
  • Opposite of: repatriate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Fruit pastry that pairs well with vanilla ice cream"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Stick together"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
  • Similar words include: stick, adhere, cling
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COHERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Land of Priam and Hector"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a system of weights used for precious metals and gemstones; based on a 12-ounce pound and an ounce of 480 grains
  • Similar words include: Ilium, Ilion, troy weight
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Motor oil brand"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that standard temperature and pressure
  • Similar words include: s.t.p.
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Pleasingly round"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound of a sudden heavy fall
  • Similar words include: plummet, plop, fatten out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLUMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Author of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that greek author of fables (circa 620-560 bc)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AESOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. ___ d'etre (justification for being)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Colonel Sanders's chain"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. "See what I mean?""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Wading bird"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various usually white herons having long plumes during breeding season
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGRET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Gird one's ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the lower part of the abdomen just above the external genital organs
  • Similar words include: lumbus, pubic region, loin
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOINS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. ___ tai (cocktail)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Japanese dog"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Big banking inits. in the U.K."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Sportscaster Howard who cried "Down goes Frazier!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Responded to a doctor's request"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Greek P"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 17th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Baking quantity"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
  • Similar words include: loving cup, cupful, transfuse
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Fish ladder locale"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
  • Similar words include: dekameter, decametre, dam up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Chicago-style pizza chain"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. "Live and ___ live""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brutal terrorist group active in kashmir; fights against india with the goal of restoring islamic rule of india
  • Similar words include: Lashkar-e-Taiba, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, allow
  • Opposite of: forbid, prevent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Right now"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Nursery rhyme's "little piggy""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the digits of the foot
  • Similar words include: toenail
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Finish line"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
  • Similar words include: last, ending, close
  • Opposite of: begin, beginning
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: END

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. [Gag!]"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomiting
  • Similar words include: sick, disgorge, cast
  • Opposite of: keep down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Observes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. Afghan language"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an iranian language spoken in afghanistan and pakistan; the official language of afghanistan
  • Similar words include: Paxto, Afghan, Pashtu
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PASHTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Features of lasagna or an onion"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance
  • Similar words include: level, bed, layer
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAYERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Dance from Cuba"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that syncopated music in duple time for dancing the rumba
  • Similar words include: rhumba
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUMBA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Stayed home for dinner"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "51. Site where Allies met in 1945"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a resort city in crimea in the southern ukraine on the black sea; site of the allied conference between roosevelt, stalin, and churchill in february 1945
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YALTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "52. Showed again, as on TV"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that broadcast again, as of a film
  • Similar words include: rerun, rebroadcast
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RERAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "53. City NE of Manchester"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city on the river aire in west yorkshire in northern england; a center of the clothing industry
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "54. Barely manage, with "out""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Rich cake whose name comes from German"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rich cake usually covered with cream and fruit or nuts; originated in austria
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TORTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "57. Strong suit"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a useful or valuable quality
  • Similar words include: plus
  • Opposite of: liability
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASSET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "60. Ellington's "Take ___ Train""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "62. Tit for ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
  • Similar words include: cheapness, Thematic Apperception Test, tackiness
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "63. Taxi"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: April 13, 2026 at 06:01 AM

Thursday, February 26, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 26, 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: Moderate

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. 8' 4" 7
2A 8. 250,000 sheets 6
3A 14. Short piece of classical music 8
4A 15. Accessory for SpongeBob SquarePants 6
5A 16. Long-tongued animal 8
6A 17. Laudanum, e.g. 6
7A 18. Calif. M.L.B. team, on scoreboards 3
8A 19. Happening 5
9A 21. Collectively, the reigns of all English monarchs named George 11
10A 26. Grill, informally 3
11A 29. Bit of mining equipment 7
12A 30. It's not pretty 7
13A 32. Walt Disney's middle name 5
14A 34. Like a plane, informally 4
15A 35. System in which XL is smaller than L ... or a hint to interpreting
the answers to the italicized clues
13
16A 40. Malarkey 4
17A 41. "Stompin' at the ___" (Benny Goodman standard) 5
18A 42. "Based on my research ..." 7
19A 46. ___ Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow 7
20A 50. Vibe (with) 3
21A 51. Superhuman strength, mind-reading, invisibility and four dozen other powers 11
22A 53. Vexing 5
23A 54. Title for a certain union member? 3
24A 55. Like cats and dogs 6
25A 58. Stall, e.g. 8
26A 63. Charge, in a way 6
27A 64. Loose, as floorboards 8
28A 65. ☐☐☐☐☐
☐☐☐☐☐
6
29A 66. Total on a chiliagon 7

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. 8' 4""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any undertaking that is easy to do
  • Similar words include: cinch, girth, picnic
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CINCHES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "8. 250,000 sheets"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
  • Similar words include: aspiration, dream, pipe dream
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DREAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Short piece of classical music"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short and simple sonata
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONATINA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Accessory for SpongeBob SquarePants"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Long-tongued animal"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that toothless mammal of southern africa and asia having a body covered with horny scales and a long snout for feeding on ants and termites
  • Similar words include: aardvark, echidna, pangolin
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTEATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Laudanum, e.g."

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narcotic drug that contains opium or an opium derivative
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPIATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Calif. M.L.B. team, on scoreboards"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Happening"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that traveling by foot
  • Similar words include: underway
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Collectively, the reigns of all English monarchs named George"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "26. Grill, informally"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "29. Bit of mining equipment"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "30. It's not pretty"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something very ugly and offensive
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYESORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "32. Walt Disney's middle name"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "34. Like a plane, informally"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "35. System in which XL is smaller than L ... or a hint to interpreting
the answers to the italicized clues"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "40. Malarkey"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz
  • Similar words include: swing, swing music
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "41. "Stompin' at the ___" (Benny Goodman standard)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a geographical region of historical importance; a former duchy in what is now southwestern france, western switzerland, and northwestern italy
  • Similar words include: savoy cabbage
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAVOY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "42. "Based on my research ...""

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "46. ___ Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "50. Vibe (with)"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "51. Superhuman strength, mind-reading, invisibility and four dozen other powers"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that anything that is owed to someone else
  • Similar words include: indebtedness, liability, financial obligation
  • Opposite of: asset
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIABILITIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "53. Vexing"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that causing irritation or annoyance
  • Similar words include: pestiferous, vexatious, plaguey
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PESKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "54. Title for a certain union member?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a form of address for a married woman
  • Similar words include: Mrs., Mister, Mr
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "55. Like cats and dogs"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the form of a word that is used to denote more than one
  • Similar words include: plural form
  • Opposite of: singular
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLURAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "58. Stall, e.g."

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "63. Charge, in a way"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become converted into ions
  • Similar words include: ionise
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IONIZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "64. Loose, as floorboards"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "65. ☐☐☐☐☐
☐☐☐☐☐
"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "66. Total on a chiliagon"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that clothes dryer for drying and ironing laundry by passing it between two heavy heated rollers
  • Similar words include: mangle, maul, cut up
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANGLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Nicolas Cage film set on a plane 6
2D 2. Amount measured in calories 6
3D 3. Highland refusal 3
4D 4. Org. that runs the "L" 3
5D 5. Alternative to a walk 3
6D 6. 67.5 deg. on a compass 3
7D 7. ___ Connor, the Terminator's target in "The Terminator" 5
8D 8. Wilted 6
9D 9. Peaceful state 6
10D 10. Make some alterations 4
11D 11. ___ minimum 3
12D 12. Cambridge sch. 3
13D 13. Get 3
14D 14. Sudden attack 5
15D 20. "Bah!" 3
16D 22. Workers who sing the opening number in "Frozen" 6
17D 23. Queen of the Pride Lands 4
18D 24. Friendly look 4
19D 25. Ending of seven country names 4
20D 26. Poke ___ 4
21D 27. Dudes 4
22D 28. End of a proof 3
23D 31. Patronize, as an Airbnb 6
24D 33. Questionable, in slang 3
25D 35. Side dish eaten with curry 4
26D 36. Roundish, say 4
27D 37. Salon job, informally 4
28D 38. Assessment, informally 4
29D 39. Side dish eaten with curry 4
30D 40. Some fancy footwork 3
31D 43. Dirtbag 6
32D 44. Parts of naves 6
33D 45. Animal in some traditional Tibetan races 3
34D 47. Like a fish out of water, e.g. 6
35D 48. Mercury's mythological counterpart 6
36D 49. Half-___ (subpar, in slang) 5
37D 52. "Dagnabbit!" 5
38D 53. Grand ___ 4
39D 55. Shots, informally 3
40D 56. Toss up? 3
41D 57. One, south of the border 3
42D 59. "Ballerina" star ___ de Armas 3
43D 60. You can stop right there! 3
44D 61. Remind too often 3
45D 62. Up to 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Nicolas Cage film set on a plane"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Amount measured in calories"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
  • Similar words include: breathing in, inlet, uptake
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INTAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Highland refusal"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Org. that runs the "L""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Alternative to a walk"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)
  • Similar words include: hitting, bump off, off
  • Opposite of: miss
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. 67.5 deg. on a compass"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the compass point midway between northeast and east
  • Similar words include: east northeast
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. ___ Connor, the Terminator's target in "The Terminator""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) the wife of abraham and mother of isaac
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Wilted"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)
  • Similar words include: sagging, drooping
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DROOPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Peaceful state"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
  • Similar words include: recumb, reside, lay
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REPOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Make some alterations"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting
  • Similar words include: cut, edit out, blue-pencil
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. ___ minimum"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Cambridge sch."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an engineering university in cambridge
  • Similar words include: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Get"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
  • Similar words include: construe, control, image
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Sudden attack"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an outburst resembling the discharge of firearms or the release of bombs
  • Similar words include: burst, fusillade, volley
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALVO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. "Bah!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Workers who sing the opening number in "Frozen""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who cuts and delivers ice
  • Similar words include: hatchet man, iceman
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICEMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Queen of the Pride Lands"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Friendly look"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
  • Similar words include: smiling, smile, grinning
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "25. Ending of seven country names"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "26. Poke ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
  • Similar words include: stadium, bowling ball, pipe bowl
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOWL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "27. Dudes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "28. End of a proof"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a relativistic quantum theory of the electromagnetic interactions of photons and electrons and muons
  • Similar words include: quantum electrodynamics
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: QED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "31. Patronize, as an Airbnb"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Questionable, in slang"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that type genus of the suidae
  • Similar words include: genus Sus
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Side dish eaten with curry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished
  • Similar words include: Elmer Reizenstein, Sir Tim Rice, Elmer Rice
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. Roundish, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
  • Similar words include: ovoid, oviform, prolate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "37. Salon job, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "38. Assessment, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "39. Side dish eaten with curry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "40. Some fancy footwork"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that music in three-four time for dancing a jig
  • Similar words include: gigue
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "43. Dirtbag"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
  • Similar words include: cheapness, tat, tackiness
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "44. Parts of naves"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
  • Similar words include: gangway, aisle
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AISLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "45. Animal in some traditional Tibetan races"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large long-haired wild ox of tibet often domesticated
  • Similar words include: yakety-yak, yack, chatter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "47. Like a fish out of water, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with `like' or `as')
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIMILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "48. Mercury's mythological counterpart"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) messenger and herald of the gods; god of commerce and cunning and invention and theft; identified with roman mercury
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "49. Half-___ (subpar, in slang)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "52. "Dagnabbit!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "53. Grand ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "55. Shots, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chest in which coins from the mint are held to await assay
  • Similar words include: pyx, pyx chest, pix chest
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "56. Toss up?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an easy return of a tennis ball in a high arc
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "57. One, south of the border"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "59. "Ballerina" star ___ de Armas"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mother of the ancient irish gods; sometimes identified with danu
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "60. You can stop right there!"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
  • Similar words include: lodge, auberge, hostel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "61. Remind too often"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "62. Up to"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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

29 Across Clues
45 Down Clues
74 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.

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Last updated: February 26, 2026 at 05:06 AM