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Friday, February 20, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 20, 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: Tricky

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. Disney character who sings "In Summer" 4
2A 5. Product code used in inventory management 3
3A 8. Ropes in 6
4A 14. Ones always grinding at their jobs? 8
5A 16. Connect 6
6A 17. Baking sheets, cake pans, muffin tins, etc. 8
7A 18. Manages 6
8A 19. Pleasant chill in the air, say 14
9A 21. Baylor of N.B.A. fame 5
10A 22. Org. whose work takes many forms? 3
11A 23. Took in 3
12A 24. Smear 6
13A 26. Nahuatl speaker 5
14A 28. Muse aloud 5
15A 29. Actress Seehorn of "Pluribus" 4
16A 30. "I smell trouble ...!" 4
17A 34. Break down while studying? 15
18A 37. First place? 4
19A 38. Docs that deal with sensitive information 4
20A 39. Miracle on the ___ (surprise French/English victory of W.W. I) 5
21A 40. Like many working horses, but not many working dogs 5
22A 42. Binges 6
23A 43. N.Y.C.-based dance group 3
24A 46. Wonder 3
25A 47. Descendants of the Picts 5
26A 48. Someone you might like to get to know better 14
27A 52. Wyndham hotel brand 6
28A 53. Has to keep going 8
29A 55. Extra 6
30A 56. Instruction before an M.R.I. 8
31A 57. Gets wise to? 6
32A 58. Li'l ___ (tykes) 3
33A 59. Fix 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Disney character who sings "In Summer""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Product code used in inventory management"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Ropes in"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that belgian composer (1532-1594)
  • Similar words include: Orlando di Lasso, lariat, Lasso
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LASSOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Ones always grinding at their jobs?"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Connect"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to be attached
  • Similar words include: bond, tie, confiscate
  • Opposite of: detach
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATTACH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Baking sheets, cake pans, muffin tins, etc."

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that heat-resistant dishware in which food can be cooked as well as served
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVENWARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Manages"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Pleasant chill in the air, say"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Baylor of N.B.A. fame"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Org. whose work takes many forms?"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bureau of the treasury department responsible for tax collections
  • Similar words include: Internal Revenue Service
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Took in"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
  • Similar words include: exhaust, consume, eat on
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Smear"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that speak unfavorably about
  • Similar words include: traduce, evil, drag through the mud
  • Opposite of: benign
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MALIGN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Nahuatl speaker"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the nahuatl people who established an empire in mexico that was overthrown by cortes in 1519
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AZTEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Muse aloud"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
  • Similar words include: sound off, animadvert, guess
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Actress Seehorn of "Pluribus""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fertility goddess in ancient greek mythology; wife of cronus and mother of zeus; identified with roman ops and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Similar words include: Rhea americana, nandu, Pterocnemia pennata
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. "I smell trouble ...!""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Break down while studying?"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. First place?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
  • Similar words include: Shangri-la, paradise, promised land
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Docs that deal with sensitive information"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Miracle on the ___ (surprise French/English victory of W.W. I)"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Like many working horses, but not many working dogs"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that furnish with shoes
  • Similar words include: shod, shoe, shodden
  • Opposite of: unshod
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Binges"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brief indulgence of your impulses
  • Similar words include: spree, fling
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPREES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. N.Y.C.-based dance group"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Wonder"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
  • Similar words include: veneration, fear, reverence
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Descendants of the Picts"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the dialect of english used in scotland
  • Similar words include: Scotch, Scotsman, Scottish
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Someone you might like to get to know better"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Wyndham hotel brand"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Has to keep going"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Extra"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
  • Similar words include: too, excessively, to a fault
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVERLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Instruction before an M.R.I."

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Gets wise to?"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. Li'l ___ (tykes)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization of independent states formed in 1945 to promote international peace and security
  • Similar words include: UN, United Nations
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "59. Fix"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove the ovaries of
  • Similar words include: neuter, alter, castrate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Seller's shorthand for "I'm willing to haggle" 3
2D 2. W.C.s 4
3D 3. "Is this being broadcast now?" 9
4D 4. Posh hotel room amenities 10
5D 5. Cholesterol-lowering drug 6
6D 6. ___ Bass, first female mayor of Los Angeles 5
7D 7. Customer, in tech-speak 4
8D 8. Social activity that may involve wearing a vest 8
9D 9. Relaxed 6
10D 10. "Let it stand" 4
11D 11. One of the Obamas 5
12D 12. It has eight players 5
13D 13. Word with bird or leave 5
14D 15. Arrogant self-assurance 7
15D 20. Becomes aged, in a way 6
16D 24. Extra 4
17D 25. Was a copycat of 4
18D 26. To come 5
19D 27. Shady dealers 10
20D 29. Trade for cash 6
21D 31. "Some free advice ..." 9
22D 32. State bird found in only a single state 4
23D 33. Valuable deposits 4
24D 35. They might be made up in the spring 8
25D 36. Brings in 7
26D 41. Online nickname 6
27D 42. Things made by toddlers and directors 6
28D 43. Hairstyles often associated with the '60s and '70s 5
29D 44. "Well done!" 5
30D 45. x 5
31D 47. Wood finish 5
32D 49. Crispy flaps of crust on sourdough loaves 4
33D 50. Org. with a "Know Your Rights" campaign 4
34D 51. ___ Bunny, toon who debuted in "Space Jam" 4
35D 54. Carry on 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Seller's shorthand for "I'm willing to haggle""

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. W.C.s"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
  • Similar words include: can, john, lav
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAVS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. "Is this being broadcast now?""

9 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Posh hotel room amenities"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Cholesterol-lowering drug"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a medicine that lowers blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting hmg-coa reductase
  • Similar words include: lipid-lowering medication, statin drug, lipid-lowering medicine
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STATIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. ___ Bass, first female mayor of Los Angeles"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the tibeto-burman language spoken in the thailand and burmese borderlands
  • Similar words include: Karenic
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAREN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Customer, in tech-speak"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who makes use of a thing; someone who uses or employs something
  • Similar words include: substance abuser, drug user, exploiter
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Social activity that may involve wearing a vest"

8 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Relaxed"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. "Let it stand""

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that printing: cancel, as of a correction or deletion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. One of the Obamas"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. It has eight players"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one
  • Similar words include: VIII, ogdoad, octonary
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OCTET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Word with bird or leave"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the land along the edge of a body of water
  • Similar words include: prop, shore up, shoring
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Arrogant self-assurance"

7 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an itinerant australian laborer who carries his personal belongings in a bundle as he travels around in search of work
  • Similar words include: swash, tittup, prance
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWAGGER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. Becomes aged, in a way"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Extra"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english statesman who opposed henry viii's divorce from catherine of aragon and was imprisoned and beheaded; recalled for his concept of utopia, the ideal state
  • Similar words include: to a greater extent, Thomas More, more than
  • Opposite of: fewer, less
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Was a copycat of"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that imitate uncritically and in every aspect
  • Similar words include: caricature, ape
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. To come"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having the leading position or higher score in a contest
  • Similar words include: beforehand, forward, in advance
  • Opposite of: back, backward
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AHEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Shady dealers"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Trade for cash"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that save from sins
  • Similar words include: save, ransom, pay off
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REDEEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. "Some free advice ...""

9 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. State bird found in only a single state"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Valuable deposits"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Similar words include: ore
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. They might be made up in the spring"

8 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Brings in"

7 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country
  • Similar words include: moment, significance, meaning
  • Opposite of: export, inconsequence
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPORTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Online nickname"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it
  • Similar words include: manage, wield, palm
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HANDLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Things made by toddlers and directors"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the place where some action occurs
  • Similar words include: tantrum, scenery, picture
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCENES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Hairstyles often associated with the '60s and '70s"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rounded thickly curled hairdo
  • Similar words include: Afro, Afro hairdo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFROS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. "Well done!""

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. x"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
  • Similar words include: clip, multiplication, fourth dimension
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Wood finish"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a soiled or discolored appearance
  • Similar words include: sully, maculate, grunge
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Crispy flaps of crust on sourdough loaves"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Org. with a "Know Your Rights" campaign"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. ___ Bunny, toon who debuted in "Space Jam""

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Carry on"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in combination
  • Similar words include: run, supply, provide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLY

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

33 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
68 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: February 20, 2026 at 05:01 AM

Thursday, February 12, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 12, 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. *Succeed 6
2A 6. Home of War in the Pacific National Historical Park 4
3A 10. Sign on some restroom doors 3
4A 13. Angular unit of measurement 6
5A 15. Sapa ___ ("the only emperor" in Quechua) 4
6A 16. Kitchen gadget brand 3
7A 17. Must pay 6
8A 18. *Public messages of appreciation 9
9A 20. Heavy metal band whose name is a big cat in Spanish 7
10A 22. Alternatively ... !!! 6
11A 23. Sign out? 4
12A 24. Firehouse supply 7
13A 26. Take out, in a way 3
14A 28. "An idea ..." 3
15A 30. Mount known to produce rare volcanic "smoke rings" 4
16A 31. Off-road ride, for short 3
17A 32. Horned mountain climber 4
18A 34. Pen 6
19A 36. Dennis's sister on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" 3
20A 37. *New England-style chowder, for one 8
21A 39. ___-weekly (mag type) 3
22A 40. Small surgical instrument 6
23A 42. Wraps up 4
24A 43. Wield 3
25A 44. Ingrid Bergman's "Casablanca" role 4
26A 45. Stuff with strands 3
27A 46. College subj. that can be evolutionary or behavioral 3
28A 47. Lightweight fabric for a handkerchief 7
29A 50. Tomato type 4
30A 53. Pet project? 6
31A 54. *Long-legged wader 8
32A 58. Provide comfort, in a way ... or a hint to the answers to the four starred Across clues 8
33A 60. Northeastern prep school or its town 6
34A 61. "What's the ___?!" 3
35A 62. Surrender 4
36A 63. Ceramics component 6
37A 64. Web portal with a butterfly logo 3
38A 65. Schooner's stabilizer 4
39A 66. Some spa treatments 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. *Succeed"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Home of War in the Pacific National Historical Park"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the largest and southernmost island in the marianas which is administered as a territory of the united states; it was ceded by spain to the united states in 1898
  • Similar words include: GU
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Sign on some restroom doors"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. Angular unit of measurement"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the unit of plane angle adopted under the systeme international d'unites; equal to the angle at the center of a circle subtended by an arc equal in length to the radius (approximately 57.295 degrees)
  • Similar words include: rad
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RADIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Sapa ___ ("the only emperor" in Quechua)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ruler of the incas (or a member of his family)
  • Similar words include: Inka, Incan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Kitchen gadget brand"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Must pay"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. *Public messages of appreciation"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Heavy metal band whose name is a big cat in Spanish"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Alternatively ... !!!"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Sign out?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an opening that permits escape or release
  • Similar words include: give-up the ghost, passing, buy the farm
  • Opposite of: be born, enter
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Firehouse supply"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
  • Similar words include: ladder, run, ravel
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADDERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Take out, in a way"

3 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: regard, come across, interpret
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. "An idea ...""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the chance to speak
  • Similar words include: read, articulate, sound out
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Mount known to produce rare volcanic "smoke rings""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

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: Mount Etna, bunsen, Mt Etna
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Off-road ride, for short"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Horned mountain climber"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wild goat of mountain areas of eurasia and northern africa having large recurved horns
  • Similar words include: Capra ibex
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IBEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Pen"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pen for cattle
  • Similar words include: cattle pen, cow pen
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORRAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Dennis's sister on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. *New England-style chowder, for one"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. ___-weekly (mag type)"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
  • Similar words include: EL, elevation, altitude
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Small surgical instrument"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acutely pointed gothic arch, like a lance
  • Similar words include: lancet arch, lance
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LANCET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Wraps up"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
  • Similar words include: end, final stage, closing
  • Opposite of: begin, beginning
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Wield"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in combination
  • Similar words include: cater, run, provide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "44. Ingrid Bergman's "Casablanca" role"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "45. Stuff with strands"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (biochemistry) a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix; associated with the transmission of genetic information
  • Similar words include: desoxyribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "46. College subj. that can be evolutionary or behavioral"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "47. Lightweight fabric for a handkerchief"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thin plain-weave cotton or linen fabric; used for shirts or dresses
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BATISTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "50. Tomato type"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a people with dark skin and hair who speak romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work and fortunetelling; they are believed to have originated in northern india but now are living on all continents (but mostly in europe, north africa, and north america)
  • Similar words include: Italian capital, Rommany, ROM
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "53. Pet project?"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that outbuilding that serves as a shelter for a dog
  • Similar words include: doghouse, dog house
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KENNEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "54. *Long-legged wader"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large pink to scarlet web-footed wading bird with down-bent bill; inhabits brackish lakes
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLAMINGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. Provide comfort, in a way ... or a hint to the answers to the four starred Across clues"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "60. Northeastern prep school or its town"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "61. "What's the ___?!""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of using
  • Similar words include: expend, apply, role
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "62. Surrender"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
  • Similar words include: give up, yield, concede
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CEDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "63. Ceramics component"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a white or colorless vitreous insoluble solid (sio2); various forms occur widely in the earth's crust as quartz or cristobalite or tridymite or lechatelierite
  • Similar words include: silicon oxide, silicon dioxide
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SILICA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "64. Web portal with a butterfly logo"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "65. Schooner's stabilizer"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a projection or ridge that suggests a keel
  • Similar words include: careen, swag, stagger
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KEEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "66. Some spa treatments"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a covering to disguise or conceal the face
  • Similar words include: masquerade, disguise, masque
  • Opposite of: unmask
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MASKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. What a phone call or new album might do 4
2D 2. 7-Eleven competitor on the East Coast 4
3D 3. Tree of knowledge locale 4
4D 4. Directory name 6
5D 5. *Behind in payment 4
6D 6. Ones "over there" in "Over There," in brief 3
7D 7. Sacrilegious 6
8D 8. Legend, e.g. 5
9D 9. Beat in chess 5
10D 10. Mechanisms that are often spring-loaded 10
11D 11. *Forevermore 9
12D 12. Us, in Spanish 3
13D 14. Sushi seaweed type 4
14D 19. From further back 5
15D 21. Befuddled 5
16D 25. Coarse, as language 5
17D 26. Quickly smooch ... or a hint to the answers to the four starred Down clues 10
18D 27. Square 10
19D 29. *Word appearing 51 times in the New Testament 4
20D 31. Speak extemporaneously 5
21D 32. Makeup of some shelves 3
22D 33. Lunch item usually eaten with two hands, in brief 3
23D 34. Cow's mouthful 3
24D 35. Photo ___ 3
25D 38. Wolf (down) 5
26D 41. Michael nominated for Oscars in five different decades 5
27D 45. Fool 6
28D 46. Hollywood's Anderson or Bach 6
29D 48. Nosh 5
30D 49. Little laugh 5
31D 51. Sounds from un estadio 4
32D 52. *Severely harm 4
33D 55. Words of affirmation 4
34D 56. Resting place for a boa 4
35D 57. Pรขtรฉ de foie ___ 4
36D 58. Unpleasant discovery under a desk 3
37D 59. Hair raiser? 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. What a phone call or new album might do"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shape that is spherical and small
  • Similar words include: expend, send packing, shake off
  • Opposite of: sharpen, attend to
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DROP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. 7-Eleven competitor on the East Coast"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Tree of knowledge locale"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
  • Similar words include: paradise, nirvana, heaven
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Directory name"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. *Behind in payment"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
  • Similar words include: tardily, recently, recent
  • Opposite of: early
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Ones "over there" in "Over There," in brief"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of magnetomotive force equal to 0.7958 ampere-turns
  • Similar words include: Gb, gilbert, Gi
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Sacrilegious"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not hallowed or consecrated
  • Similar words include: infernal, fiendish, hellish
  • Opposite of: holy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNHOLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Legend, e.g."

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Beat in chess"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that engage in sexual intercourse
  • Similar words include: snarl, tangle, felt up
  • Opposite of: disentangle, unmated
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Mechanisms that are often spring-loaded"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a trap for catching mice
  • Similar words include: trap play, mousetrap
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOUSETRAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. *Forevermore"

9 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that for a limitless time; ; - p.p.bliss
  • Similar words include: forever, evermore, everlastingly
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETERNALLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Us, in Spanish"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known
  • Similar words include: nobelium, atomic number 102, No
  • Opposite of: yes
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Sushi seaweed type"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "19. From further back"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that advanced in years; (`aged' is pronounced as two syllables)
  • Similar words include: one-time, quondam, Old
  • Opposite of: new, young
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Befuddled"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Coarse, as language"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that engagingly stimulating or provocative
  • Similar words include: piquant
  • Opposite of: fresh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Quickly smooch ... or a hint to the answers to the four starred Down clues"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Square"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. *Word appearing 51 times in the New Testament"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Speak extemporaneously"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Makeup of some shelves"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
  • Similar words include: chicken feed, frost, shabu
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Lunch item usually eaten with two hands, in brief"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Cow's mouthful"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food of a ruminant regurgitated to be chewed again
  • Similar words include: rechewed food, chew, quid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Photo ___"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

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!

25D: "38. Wolf (down)"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make off with belongings of others
  • Similar words include: pinch, purloin, nobble
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNARF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Michael nominated for Oscars in five different decades"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Fool"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be false to; be dishonest with
  • Similar words include: deceive, cozen, lead on
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELUDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. Hollywood's Anderson or Bach"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. Nosh"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a light informal meal
  • Similar words include: collation, nosh, bite
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Little laugh"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "51. Sounds from un estadio"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. *Severely harm"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disfiguration or mutilation
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "55. Words of affirmation"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "56. Resting place for a boa"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
  • Similar words include: neck opening, cervix, make out
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NECK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "57. Pรขtรฉ de foie ___"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "58. Unpleasant discovery under a desk"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a preparation (usually made of sweetened chicle) for chewing
  • Similar words include: chewing gum, gum tree, mucilage
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "59. Hair raiser?"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

39 Across Clues
37 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 12, 2026 at 05:12 AM