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Saturday, May 9, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 09, 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. Gold meddlers? 10
2A 11. One making calls on the fly? 4
3A 15. You or me, e.g. 10
4A 16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread) 4
5A 17. Exclamation of surprise from a host 10
6A 18. Place for a post 4
7A 19. Dr. J, for all of his N.B.A. career 5
8A 20. Perspective 4
9A 21. Husky hellos? 4
10A 22. Reached new heights 4
11A 24. Low-level clouds 6
12A 26. Central Plains nation governed by the Nasharo Council 6
13A 30. Storage unit 4
14A 32. Portable retirement option 3
15A 33. Black-and-white debut of 1912 4
16A 34. Like something no money can buy 4
17A 36. Accomplished 5
18A 38. List of qualifications? 15
19A 41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation 5
20A 42. Pomegranate morsel 4
21A 43. Certain razorback 4
22A 44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names 3
23A 45. Still active after all these years 4
24A 47. Looks all over 6
25A 49. ___ paratha (cheese-filled flatbread) 6
26A 51. Great find in the candy aisle, by the sound of it 4
27A 53. Things to let: Abbr. 4
28A 54. "I could be wrong, but ...," for short 4
29A 56. Tropical ring 5
30A 61. Hoot 4
31A 62. 2000 parody of a 62-Across 10
32A 64. "That's for sure" 4
33A 65. Postponed court date? 10
34A 66. No time like the present 4
35A 67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps 10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Gold meddlers?"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who was versed in the practice of alchemy and who sought an elixir of life and a panacea and an alkahest and the philosopher's stone
  • Similar words include: alchemist
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALCHEMISTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "11. One making calls on the fly?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
  • Similar words include: shuttle, chick, shuttlecock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIRD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. You or me, e.g."

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Exclamation of surprise from a host"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Place for a post"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies
  • Similar words include: web log
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Dr. J, for all of his N.B.A. career"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
  • Similar words include: sestet, sextet, sextuplet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIXER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Perspective"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
  • Similar words include: require, take aim, subscribe to
  • Opposite of: disclaim, give
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Husky hellos?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Reached new heights"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
  • Similar words include: uprise, develop, grow
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GREW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Low-level clouds"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large dark low cloud
  • Similar words include: stratus, stratus cloud
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRATI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. Central Plains nation governed by the Nasharo Council"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the pawnee nation formerly living in nebraska and kansas but now largely in oklahoma
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAWNEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Storage unit"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one character of alphanumeric data) processed as a single unit of information
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BYTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. Portable retirement option"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sheath worn to protect a finger
  • Similar words include: camp bed, crib, fingerstall
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. Black-and-white debut of 1912"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chocolate cookie with white cream filling
  • Similar words include: oreo cookie
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Like something no money can buy"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people who are free
  • Similar words include: barren, unloosen, liberal
  • Opposite of: freeze, block
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Accomplished"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
  • Similar words include: wiz, skilful, wizard
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADEPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. List of qualifications?"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that formed by reaction between an acid and an alcohol with elimination of water
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Pomegranate morsel"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fleshy and usually brightly colored cover of some seeds that develops from the ovule stalk and partially or entirely envelopes the seed
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Certain razorback"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that old world wild swine having a narrow body and prominent tusks from which most domestic swine come; introduced in united states
  • Similar words include: wild boar, Sus scrofa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

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!

23A: "45. Still active after all these years"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that moving quickly and lightly
  • Similar words include: agile, nimble, quick
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Looks all over"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that diarrhea in livestock
  • Similar words include: purge, scour, abrade
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCOURS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. ___ paratha (cheese-filled flatbread)"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Great find in the candy aisle, by the sound of it"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Things to let: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. "I could be wrong, but ...," for short"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Tropical ring"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an island consisting of a circular coral reef surrounding a lagoon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATOLL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Hoot"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public act of violence by an unruly mob
  • Similar words include: public violence, thigh-slapper, wow
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "62. 2000 parody of a 62-Across"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. "That's for sure""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that proper alignment; the property possessed by something that is in correct or proper alignment
  • Similar words include: avowedly, reliable, dead on target
  • Opposite of: untruthful, false
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Postponed court date?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. No time like the present"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that time long past
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987 4
2D 2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped 4
3D 3. Central point 4
4D 4. "This is for you" 4
5D 5. Spring up 6
6D 6. One of the Three Stooges 3
7D 7. Extra hot 5
8D 8. Parlor treat typically served with the first five letters of its name 15
9D 9. Lecture 4
10D 10. Least straightforward, say 6
11D 11. Weighty subject of some children's books 5
12D 12. Statement that may be followed by a dash 10
13D 13. Where spirits are high? 10
14D 14. Vacationers' hires, perhaps 10
15D 23. Makes some calls 4
16D 25. Kings of Los Angeles, e.g. 4
17D 26. Event at which you hope to get good deals? 10
18D 27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening" 10
19D 28. Traveled to perform 10
20D 29. Central point 4
21D 31. Legendary Himalayan climber 4
22D 35. Sound made by many fans 4
23D 37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history) 4
24D 39. Bath seat? 4
25D 40. Setup for an extra point 4
26D 46. Color separators 6
27D 48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon 6
28D 50. Perfume with an accent on its fourth letter 5
29D 52. Won land 5
30D 55. What some bio majors do prep work for 4
31D 57. Garment that once indicated citizenship 4
32D 58. A zero is one 4
33D 59. Kilo follower 4
34D 60. Certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, in brief 4
35D 63. New ___ University of Knuckleheads (fictional institution where Leslie Nielsen lectured about the Three Stooges) 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Central point"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small conspicuous constellation in the southern hemisphere in the milky way near centaurus
  • Similar words include: Crux Australis, crux of the matter, Southern Cross
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRUX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "This is for you""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the present location; this place
  • Similar words include: hither, Hera
  • Opposite of: there
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Spring up"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come out into view, as from concealment
  • Similar words include: issue, egress, come forth
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMERGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. One of the Three Stooges"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Extra hot"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feeling or showing extreme anger
  • Similar words include: ireful
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Parlor treat typically served with the first five letters of its name"

15 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Lecture"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an exchange of ideas via conversation
  • Similar words include: spill, blab out, blab
  • Opposite of: keep quiet
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Least straightforward, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by skill in deception
  • Similar words include: tricksy, foxy, dodgy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLYEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Weighty subject of some children's books"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an imaginary elephant that appears in a series of french books for children
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BABAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Statement that may be followed by a dash"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Where spirits are high?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Vacationers' hires, perhaps"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Makes some calls"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or american football) who is expected to ensure fair play
  • Similar words include: referee, ref
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Kings of Los Angeles, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Event at which you hope to get good deals?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening""

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Traveled to perform"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Central point"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a connecting point at which several lines come together
  • Similar words include: client, lymph gland, guest
  • Opposite of: antinode
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Legendary Himalayan climber"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the himalayas
  • Similar words include: abominable snowman
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YETI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Sound made by many fans"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a deep prolonged loud noise
  • Similar words include: roaring, holloa, boom
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Bath seat?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: prat, posterior, arsehole
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Setup for an extra point"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in addition
  • Similar words include: as well, too, likewise
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "46. Color separators"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a polyhedron with two congruent and parallel faces (the bases) and whose lateral faces are parallelograms
  • Similar words include: optical prism, prism
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRISMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
  • Similar words include: hamper, spasm, muscle spasm
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRAMPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "50. Perfume with an accent on its fourth letter"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "52. Won land"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an asian peninsula (off manchuria) separating the yellow sea and the sea of japan; the korean name is dae-han-min-gook or han-gook
  • Similar words include: Dae-Han-Min-Gook, Korean Peninsula, Han-Gook
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KOREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "55. What some bio majors do prep work for"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "57. Garment that once indicated citizenship"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient rome
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "58. A zero is one"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

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: prolate, egg-shaped, ovoid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "59. Kilo follower"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that capital and largest city and economic center of peru; located in western peru; was capital of the spanish empire in the new world until the 19th century
  • Similar words include: capital of Peru
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "60. Certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "63. New ___ University of Knuckleheads (fictional institution where Leslie Nielsen lectured about the Three Stooges)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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

35 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
70 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: May 09, 2026 at 06:03 AM

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 28, 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. Sore 4
2A 5. Nail polish brand 3
3A 8. Some cantina fare 5
4A 13. "Hip hip hooray!," e.g. 5
5A 15. Sink-or-swim competition? 9
6A 17. Handles a few unresolved issues 15
7A 19. Like tears 6
8A 20. Site to build on 3
9A 21. Gossip, slangily 3
10A 22. Build on 5
11A 24. Welcome at the door, say 5
12A 27. Linguist's concern 7
13A 30. Serious in manner 5
14A 31. Bagel topping 3
15A 32. Not perfect, but acceptable 11
16A 36. Bickering 4
17A 38. Blade that's pulled 3
18A 39. Casual farewell often used outside its language of origin 4
19A 40. Station set up in a kitchen 11
20A 45. Bit of intel 3
21A 46. Coins of Cuba 5
22A 47. Ingredients in some tropical smoothies 7
23A 49. Foreign Service assignments 5
24A 50. Madrid mister 5
25A 51. Church seat 3
26A 52. Promise to pay 3
27A 54. Journalist, informally 6
28A 58. Like children, ideally, in an old adage ... or a hint to a four-letter word hidden in 17-, 32- and 40-Across 15
29A 62. Rigorous 9
30A 63. Astronomer Carl 5
31A 64. Irritable 5
32A 65. [As written] 3
33A 66. Civil rights activist Parks 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Sore"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that causing a dull and steady pain
  • Similar words include: aching
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACHY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Nail polish brand"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Some cantina fare"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of mexican descent
  • Similar words include: greaser, wetback, taco
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TACOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. "Hip hip hooray!," e.g."

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cry or shout of approval
  • Similar words include: sunshine, barrack, jolly up
  • Opposite of: complain, dishearten
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Sink-or-swim competition?"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Handles a few unresolved issues"

15 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Like tears"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an isotonic solution of sodium chloride and distilled water
  • Similar words include: saline solution
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Site to build on"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
  • Similar words include: quite a little, sight, band
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Gossip, slangily"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
  • Similar words include: Camellia sinensis, tea leaf, teatime
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Build on"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Welcome at the door, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "27. Linguist's concern"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAMMAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Serious in manner"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rear part of a ship
  • Similar words include: posterior, unforgiving, exacting
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STERN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Bagel topping"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bluish translucent magnetic liquid obtained by compressing gaseous oxygen and then cooling it below its boiling point; used as an oxidizer in rocket propellants
  • Similar words include: liquid oxygen
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Not perfect, but acceptable"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "36. Bickering"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "38. Blade that's pulled"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an implement used to propel or steer a boat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Casual farewell often used outside its language of origin"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acknowledgment that can be used to say hello or goodbye (aloha is hawaiian and ciao is italian)
  • Similar words include: aloha
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Station set up in a kitchen"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "45. Bit of intel"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
  • Similar words include: steer, bakshish, summit
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "46. Coins of Cuba"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in uruguay; equal to 100 centesimos
  • Similar words include: Uruguayan peso, Dominican peso, Mexican peso
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PESOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. Ingredients in some tropical smoothies"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tropical american shrub or small tree having huge deeply palmately cleft leaves and large oblong yellow fruit
  • Similar words include: papaya, Carica papaya, papaya tree
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAPAYAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "49. Foreign Service assignments"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand
  • Similar words include: station, military post, billet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POSTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "50. Madrid mister"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a spanish title or form of address for a man; similar to the english `mr' or `sir'
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Church seat"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation
  • Similar words include: church bench
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "52. Promise to pay"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal debt instrument; representing `i owe you'
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "54. Journalist, informally"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french playwright (1791-1861)
  • Similar words include: penman, scrivener, scriber
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCRIBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "58. Like children, ideally, in an old adage ... or a hint to a four-letter word hidden in 17-, 32- and 40-Across"

15 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "62. Rigorous"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
  • Similar words include: tight, rigorous
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRINGENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "63. Astronomer Carl"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "64. Irritable"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that easily irritated or annoyed
  • Similar words include: cranky, nettlesome, irritable
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TESTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "65. [As written]"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that urge to attack someone
  • Similar words include: set
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "66. Civil rights activist Parks"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
  • Similar words include: genus Rosa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Play parts 4
2D 2. Kind of seed or pet 4
3D 3. Sometimes-raised part of a shoe 4
4D 4. Emphatic confirmation 6
5D 5. Nocturnal hooter 3
6D 6. Painter Veronese 5
7D 7. Langston Hughes poem 4
8D 8. Due + 1 3
9D 9. Mimic 3
10D 10. Script supervisor's concern 10
11D 11. ___ days 5
12D 12. Slugger Sammy 4
13D 14. "Raising Hell" rap trio 6
14D 16. Council ___ (British equivalent of a housing project) 6
15D 18. Part of a piano or loom 5
16D 23. Boots on the ground 6
17D 25. Rep.'s counterpart 3
18D 26. Ray of McDonald's 4
19D 27. Genre for Ziggy Stardust, informally 4
20D 28. Naan alternative 4
21D 29. Coalition that opposed the Allies in W.W. II 10
22D 30. Mexican wrap 6
23D 33. Kid-lit girl with a blueberry pail 3
24D 34. Greek goddess of the earth 4
25D 35. Brewing need 4
26D 37. They help you drive farther 4
27D 41. Ballpark fig. 3
28D 42. Snooping (around) 6
29D 43. "___ thou not minister to a mind diseased ...?": Macbeth 5
30D 44. Significant periods 6
31D 48. Overdue debt 6
32D 49. Golfer Calvin or QB Rodney 5
33D 50. Islam's largest branch 5
34D 51. Alternative to a tap on the shoulder 4
35D 53. Works of praise 4
36D 55. "Othello" villain 4
37D 56. Some supports 4
38D 57. ___ Lewis, the "Grande Dame of Southern Cooking" 4
39D 59. Minor complaint 3
40D 60. Unspecified amount 3
41D 61. Not Rx 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Play parts"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
  • Similar words include: play, pretend, deed
  • Opposite of: refrain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Kind of seed or pet"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Sometimes-raised part of a shoe"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
  • Similar words include: bounder, reheel, hound
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Emphatic confirmation"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Nocturnal hooter"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
  • Similar words include: bird of night, bird of Minerva, hooter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Painter Veronese"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Langston Hughes poem"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Due + 1"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Mimic"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
  • Similar words include: copycat, imitator, caricature
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Script supervisor's concern"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that uninterrupted connection or union
  • Similar words include: persistence
  • Opposite of: discontinuity
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONTINUITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. ___ days"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Slugger Sammy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. "Raising Hell" rap trio"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "16. Council ___ (British equivalent of a housing project)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
  • Similar words include: land, the three estates, demesne
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESTATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "18. Part of a piano or loom"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sustained bass note
  • Similar words include: foot lever, cycle, wheel
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEDAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Boots on the ground"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that soldiers collectively
  • Similar words include: scout troop, scout group, military personnel
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROOPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Rep.'s counterpart"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fractional monetary unit of japan and indonesia and cambodia; equal to one hundredth of a yen or rupiah or riel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Ray of McDonald's"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Genre for Ziggy Stardust, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. Naan alternative"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "29. Coalition that opposed the Allies in W.W. II"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "30. Mexican wrap"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long brightly colored shawl; worn mainly by mexican men
  • Similar words include: sarape
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Kid-lit girl with a blueberry pail"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. Greek goddess of the earth"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) goddess of the earth and mother of cronus and the titans in ancient mythology
  • Similar words include: Gaea, Ge
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Brewing need"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that twining perennials having cordate leaves and flowers arranged in conelike spikes; the dried flowers of this plant are used in brewing to add the characteristic bitter taste to beer
  • Similar words include: skip, hop-skip, hop
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "37. They help you drive farther"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Ballpark fig."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
  • Similar words include: Eastern Time, Eastern Standard Time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Snooping (around)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that search or inquire in a meddlesome way
  • Similar words include: horn in, intrude, nuzzle
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOSING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. "___ thou not minister to a mind diseased ...?": Macbeth"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. Significant periods"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: date of reference, era, epoch
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPOCHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "48. Overdue debt"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Golfer Calvin or QB Rodney"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Islam's largest branch"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the branch of islam that accepts the first four caliphs as rightful successors to muhammad
  • Similar words include: Sunnite, Sunni Muslim, Sunni Islam
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUNNI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Alternative to a tap on the shoulder"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "53. Works of praise"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
  • Similar words include: ode
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. "Othello" villain"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the villain in william shakespeare's tragedy who tricked othello into murdering his wife
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IAGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Some supports"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an undergarment worn by women to support their breasts
  • Similar words include: bandeau, brassiere, bra
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "57. ___ Lewis, the "Grande Dame of Southern Cooking""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. Minor complaint"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a luminance unit equal to 1 candle per square meter measured perpendicular to the rays from the source
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "60. Unspecified amount"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one or some or every or all without specification
  • Similar words include: whatsoever, whatever
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "61. Not Rx"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of securities) not traded on a stock exchange
  • Similar words include: over-the-counter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTC

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
41 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: April 28, 2026 at 06:18 AM