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Monday, September 21, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 21, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Where Mongolia is 4
2A 5. Scaredy-cat 4
3A 9. Leafs (through) 5
4A 14. Album for which Kendrick Lamar won a Pulitzer Prize 4
5A 15. Berry at a smoothie shop 4
6A 16. Company behind the game Pong 5
7A 17. Mentally pooped 15
8A 20. 1960s service site, informally 3
9A 21. Common injury site for a basketball player, informally 3
10A 22. Thick, as plant growth 4
11A 23. Deliberately give instruction in a way that targets an exam 14
12A 28. Commercial that may come with a jingle 7
13A 29. Took a chair 3
14A 30. Eager 4
15A 31. Hair parter 4
16A 34. Continue a subscription 5
17A 38. Barely passing grade 3
18A 39. Decade of W.W. II ... or a homophonic hint to 17-, 23-, 50- and 57-Across 7
19A 41. Around 18, typically, for a high school graduate 3
20A 42. Sometimes-floral organic compound 5
21A 44. Draped Indian garment 4
22A 45. ___-X (computer command to cut text) 4
23A 46. Crosses (out) 3
24A 48. Conjures up, say 7
25A 50. "If I'm being honest ..." 14
26A 54. Cook, in a way, as ahi tuna 4
27A 55. Opposite of 'neath 3
28A 56. Fools' mo. 3
29A 57. "A fight requires more than one person" 15
30A 63. "I'm available to help" 5
31A 64. Modern note-taking aid 4
32A 65. Plant in a marsh 4
33A 66. Spanish babies 5
34A 67. What a paper airplane icon may indicate 4
35A 68. Thing in a grove 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Where Mongolia is"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Scaredy-cat"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy
  • Similar words include: chicken, weakly interacting massive particle, crybaby
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Leafs (through)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
  • Similar words include: varlet, foliate, Thomas Nelson Page
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Album for which Kendrick Lamar won a Pulitzer Prize"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something of little value
  • Similar words include: darn, curse, infernal
  • Opposite of: bless
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAMN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Berry at a smoothie shop"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Company behind the game Pong"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Mentally pooped"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. 1960s service site, informally"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Common injury site for a basketball player, informally"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Thick, as plant growth"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
  • Similar words include: alky, boozer, alcoholic
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUSH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Deliberately give instruction in a way that targets an exam"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "28. Commercial that may come with a jingle"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. Took a chair"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the sabbath by jews and some christians
  • Similar words include: Sabbatum, posture, pose
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. Eager"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `for') ardently or excessively desirous
  • Similar words include: zealous, esurient, greedy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Hair parter"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge; disentangles or arranges hair
  • Similar words include: comb out, disentangle, ransack
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Continue a subscription"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reestablish on a new, usually improved, basis or make new or like new
  • Similar words include: regenerate, reincarnate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RENEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "38. Barely passing grade"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Decade of W.W. II ... or a homophonic hint to 17-, 23-, 50- and 57-Across"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time of life between 40 and 50
  • Similar words include: 40, mid-forties, 1940s
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORTIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Around 18, typically, for a high school graduate"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how long something has existed
  • Similar words include: long time, maturate, geezerhood
  • Opposite of: rejuvenate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Sometimes-floral organic compound"

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!

21A: "44. Draped Indian garment"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dress worn primarily by hindu women; consists of several yards of light material that is draped around the body
  • Similar words include: saree
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. ___-X (computer command to cut text)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Crosses (out)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless odorless inert gaseous element occurring in the earth's atmosphere in trace amounts
  • Similar words include: xenon, disco biscuit, cristal
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: XES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. Conjures up, say"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make or cause to be or to become
  • Similar words include: produce, create, make
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CREATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. "If I'm being honest ...""

14 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. Cook, in a way, as ahi tuna"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make very hot and dry
  • Similar words include: blacken, singe, char
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "55. Opposite of 'neath"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "56. Fools' mo."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following march and preceding may
  • Similar words include: April
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "57. "A fight requires more than one person""

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "63. "I'm available to help""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "64. Modern note-taking aid"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "65. Plant in a marsh"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera arundo and phragmites
  • Similar words include: vibrating reed, John Reed, beating-reed instrument
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "66. Spanish babies"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "67. What a paper airplane icon may indicate"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to go somewhere
  • Similar words include: air, transmit, send off
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "68. Thing in a grove"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
  • Similar words include: shoetree, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, tree diagram
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Big letters in home security 3
2D 2. ___ Paulo, Brazil 3
3D 3. Comment that might follow "None for me, thanks" 9
4D 4. Relief for an upset stomach 7
5D 5. Simple two-player card game 3
6D 6. Drink cooler 3
7D 7. Angry with 5
8D 8. Throw from a mound 5
9D 9. Butter square 3
10D 10. Any Olympian 7
11D 11. First name of Julius Caesar 5
12D 12. Artist Max 5
13D 13. Worshiper in a turban 4
14D 18. Texter's qualifier 4
15D 19. Cries in a fΓΊtbol stadium 4
16D 23. Barter 5
17D 24. Roof overhangs 5
18D 25. It may have a hard or soft shell 4
19D 26. Things indicated by squiggly lines in cartoons 5
20D 27. Paves the way? 4
21D 32. N.Y.C. subway letters 3
22D 33. Hardwood whose bark is sometimes used as paper 5
23D 35. Leader of an 1831 revolt against slavery 9
24D 36. Spearfishing bird 5
25D 37. People of SW Britain 5
26D 39. Without charge 4
27D 40. The Emerald Isle 4
28D 43. Like skydiving or cliff-diving 7
29D 45. Dashboard or bumper 7
30D 47. Place to put a coin 4
31D 49. Coup d'___ 4
32D 50. Joke with 5
33D 51. Like some wine barrels 5
34D 52. ___ and Clark 5
35D 53. Familiar narrative device 5
36D 54. Leave dumbfounded 4
37D 58. French possessive 3
38D 59. Catch some rays 3
39D 60. Bizarre 3
40D 61. "Golly!" 3
41D 62. Poetic tribute 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Big letters in home security"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. ___ Paulo, Brazil"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Comment that might follow "None for me, thanks""

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Relief for an upset stomach"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an agent that counteracts or neutralizes acidity (especially in the stomach)
  • Similar words include: alkalizer, gastric antacid, antiacid
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTACID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Simple two-player card game"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
  • Similar words include: warfare, state of war
  • Opposite of: make peace, peace
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Drink cooler"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
  • Similar words include: frappe, methamphetamine hydrochloride, glass
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Angry with"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Throw from a mound"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
  • Similar words include: cant over, flip, cant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PITCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Butter square"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Any Olympian"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person trained to compete in sports
  • Similar words include: jock
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATHLETE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. First name of Julius Caesar"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that roman emperor who succeeded tiberius and whose uncontrolled passions resulted in manifest insanity; noted for his cruelty and tyranny; was assassinated (12-41)
  • Similar words include: Caligula, Gaius Caesar
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAIUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Artist Max"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that painter (born in germany, resident of france and the united states) who was a cofounder of dadaism; developed the technique of collage (1891-1976)
  • Similar words include: Max Ernst
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERNST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Worshiper in a turban"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adherent of sikhism
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIKH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Texter's qualifier"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Cries in a fΓΊtbol stadium"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Barter"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
  • Similar words include: trade in, switch, craft
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Roof overhangs"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the overhang at the lower edge of a roof
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAVES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. It may have a hard or soft shell"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Things indicated by squiggly lines in cartoons"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any property detected by the olfactory system
  • Similar words include: smell, olfactory property, aroma
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Paves the way?"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
  • Similar words include: seaman, pitch, tar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. N.Y.C. subway letters"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Hardwood whose bark is sometimes used as paper"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
  • Similar words include: birchen, birken, birch tree
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIRCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Leader of an 1831 revolt against slavery"

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Spearfishing bird"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. People of SW Britain"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or resident of wales
  • Similar words include: Cambrian, welch, Cymric
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WELSH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Without charge"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people who are free
  • Similar words include: relinquish, gratis, liberate
  • Opposite of: confine, lodge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. The Emerald Isle"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of ireland; achieved independence from the united kingdom in 1921
  • Similar words include: Republic of Ireland, Irish Republic, Ireland
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Like skydiving or cliff-diving"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the furthest or highest degree of something
  • Similar words include: utmost, extremum, extreme point
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXTREME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Dashboard or bumper"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "47. Place to put a coin"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a position in a grammatical linguistic construction in which a variety of alternative units are interchangeable
  • Similar words include: time slot, expansion slot, one-armed bandit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Coup d'___"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Joke with"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity)
  • Similar words include: cod, fluff, pester
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "51. Like some wine barrels"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAKEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "52. ___ and Clark"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935)
  • Similar words include: Frederick Carleton Lewis, Carl Lewis, C. S. Lewis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEWIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "53. Familiar narrative device"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
  • Similar words include: figure of speech, image, figure
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "54. Leave dumbfounded"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a blow
  • Similar words include: daze, stupefy, sandbag
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "58. French possessive"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a toxic nonmetallic element related to sulfur and tellurium; occurs in several allotropic forms; a stable grey metallike allotrope conducts electricity better in the light than in the dark and is used in photocells; occurs in sulfide ores (as pyrite)
  • Similar words include: sulfur, reciprocal ohm, southward
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Catch some rays"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
  • Similar words include: sunburn, suntan, burn
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "60. Bizarre"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not divisible by two
  • Similar words include: uneven, unmatched, queer
  • Opposite of: even
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "61. "Golly!""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of force equal to the force exerted by gravity; used to indicate the force to which a body is subjected when it is accelerated
  • Similar words include: g, g-force
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "62. Poetic tribute"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODE

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
41 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: September 21, 2026 at 09:08 AM

Sunday, September 20, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 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. Special-ordered 6
2A 7. Sections of a circle's circumference 4
3A 11. NASCAR stat that varies widely by venue 7
4A 18. Banderas of 2024's "Babygirl" 7
5A 20. Coaster feature, maybe 4
6A 21. Assembles in proper order 8
7A 22. Mar, as a reputation 7
8A 23. See 25-Across 4
9A 24. Maligns 8
10A 25. With 23-Across, March Madness tournament round 8
11A 27. Mouths (off) 6
12A 29. Pact that preceded the U.S.M.C.A. 5
13A 30. Burnable bog stuff 4
14A 31. Burnt chimney stuff 4
15A 33. High-speed Olympic sport 4
16A 34. See 37-Across 3
17A 35. One who might have perfect pitch? 5
18A 37. With 34-Across, full extent of something 15
19A 43. "Holy moly!" 3
20A 45. Defensive player who keeps an eye on the QB, in football lingo 3
21A 46. Red-coated cheese 4
22A 47. "___ funny!" 3
23A 48. Bigwig 7
24A 52. Own (up) 4
25A 55. It's off the wall! 8
26A 57. "Red" or "1989," to Swifties 3
27A 58. Buck ___, first African American coach in Major League Baseball 5
28A 60. Extremely soft, in music: Abbr. 3
29A 62. See 64-Across 5
30A 63. Chew the fat 3
31A 64. With 62-Across, Beatles classic with the lyric "Will you still need me / Will you still feed me" 10
32A 67. Noted exile isle 4
33A 69. Energy-efficient bulb, for short 3
34A 71. ___ orange, tree whose fruit has a brainlike appearance 5
35A 72. Native Nebraskans 5
36A 75. See 78-Across 3
37A 76. Author who purportedly drew inspiration from a filing cabinet labeled "O-Z" 4
38A 78. With 75-Across, "So very appreciated!" 10
39A 81. Hold up 3
40A 83. Narnia or Neverland 5
41A 86. Give it a whirl 3
42A 87. Violinmaker of Cremona 5
43A 88. Letters from your folks? 3
44A 89. "So cool!" 8
45A 92. Follower of John in the New Testament 4
46A 94. Chef with "New New Orleans"-style cooking 7
47A 96. Greatest guy? 3
48A 97. See 101-Across 4
49A 98. Vent 3
50A 100. Part of SCOTUS 3
51A 101. With 97-Across, Vegas casino machine 15
52A 107. No-cash deal 5
53A 111. Lay off 3
54A 112. Culprit, in police lingo 4
55A 113. Modern pentathlon equipment 4
56A 115. Metaphor for a too-hot room 4
57A 116. Actress Christine whose last name sounds like a pair of musical notes 5
58A 118. Ill will 6
59A 120. Number written above and to the right of another number ... as seen five times in this puzzle? 8
60A 122. Weigh down, and then some 8
61A 124. Number with a 120-Across, mathematically 4
62A 126. Armand of "American Gangster" 7
63A 127. Many mailbox stuffers 8
64A 128. Zest 4
65A 129. Iced tea request 7
66A 130. Clumsy 7
67A 131. Move fast, as a cloud 4
68A 132. Road trip stopovers 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Special-ordered"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that accepted or habitual practice
  • Similar words include: tradition, usage, customs duty
  • Opposite of: ready-made
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUSTOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Sections of a circle's circumference"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
  • Similar words include: spark, arch, discharge
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. NASCAR stat that varies widely by venue"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "18. Banderas of 2024's "Babygirl""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "20. Coaster feature, maybe"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fastener consisting of a metal ring for lining a small hole to permit the attachment of cords or lines
  • Similar words include: curl, grummet, intertwine
  • Opposite of: open circuit, uncoil
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "21. Assembles in proper order"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that compare critically; of texts
  • Similar words include: collate
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COLLATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "22. Mar, as a reputation"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation
  • Similar words include: stain, defile, maculate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TARNISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "23. See 25-Across"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
  • Similar words include: Little Joe, quaternion, quadruplet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOUR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "24. Maligns"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
  • Similar words include: defame, besmirch, slander
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASPERSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "25. With 23-Across, March Madness tournament round"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "27. Mouths (off)"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an opening that allows the passage of liquids or grain
  • Similar words include: mouth off, spurt, rabbit on
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPOUTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "29. Pact that preceded the U.S.M.C.A."

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an agreement for free trade between the united states and canada and mexico; became effective in 1994 for ten years
  • Similar words include: North American Free Trade Agreement
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAFTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Burnable bog stuff"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that partially carbonized vegetable matter saturated with water; can be used as a fuel when dried
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Burnt chimney stuff"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink
  • Similar words include: smut, carbon black, crock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. High-speed Olympic sport"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a racing sled for one or two people
  • Similar words include: toboggan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. See 37-Across"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: ii, II, deuce
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. One who might have perfect pitch?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone whose business is advertising
  • Similar words include: advertiser, advertizer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADMAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. With 34-Across, full extent of something"

15 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "43. "Holy moly!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
  • Similar words include: divinity, deity, immortal
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "45. Defensive player who keeps an eye on the QB, in football lingo"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "46. Red-coated cheese"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mild yellow dutch cheese made in balls encased in a red covering
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. "___ funny!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. Bigwig"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
  • Similar words include: genius, superstar, champion
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOTSHOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "52. Own (up)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (heraldry) an ordinary consisting of a broad horizontal band across a shield
  • Similar words include: fesse, Fes, Fez
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "55. It's off the wall!"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a glancing rebound
  • Similar words include: rebound, recoil, carom
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICOCHET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "57. "Red" or "1989," to Swifties"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: earned run average, geological era, epoch
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "58. Buck ___, first African American coach in Major League Baseball"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "60. Extremely soft, in music: Abbr."

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that surgical resection of unnecessary palatal and oropharyngeal tissue to open the airway; intended to cure extreme cases of snoring (with or without sleep apnea)
  • Similar words include: palatopharyngoplasty, UPPP, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PPP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "62. See 64-Across"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
  • Similar words include: 3, triad, trinity
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "63. Chew the fat"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "64. With 62-Across, Beatles classic with the lyric "Will you still need me / Will you still feed me""

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "67. Noted exile isle"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "69. Energy-efficient bulb, for short"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
  • Similar words include: precede, direct, moderate
  • Opposite of: follow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "71. ___ orange, tree whose fruit has a brainlike appearance"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in missouri in the valleys of the missouri and osage rivers; oil was found on osage lands early in the 20th century
  • Similar words include: Osage River
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "72. Native Nebraskans"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people inhabiting the valleys of the platte and missouri rivers in nebraska
  • Similar words include: Otoe, Oto
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTOES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "75. See 78-Across"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
  • Similar words include: half a dozen, half-dozen, sextet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "76. Author who purportedly drew inspiration from a filing cabinet labeled "O-Z""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states writer of children's books (1856-1919)
  • Similar words include: Lyman Frank Brown, Frank Baum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "78. With 75-Across, "So very appreciated!""

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "81. Hold up"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
  • Similar words include: surcharge, plume, pluck
  • Opposite of: undercharge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "83. Narnia or Neverland"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a domain in which something is dominant
  • Similar words include: region, land, kingdom
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REALM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "86. Give it a whirl"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
  • Similar words include: sample, render, stress
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "87. Violinmaker of Cremona"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that italian violin maker in cremona; taught the craft to guarneri and stradivari (1596-1684)
  • Similar words include: Nicola Amati, Nicolo Amati
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMATI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "88. Letters from your folks?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

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!

44A: "89. "So cool!""

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "92. Follower of John in the New Testament"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

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: bit, do, pretend
  • Opposite of: refrain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "94. Chef with "New New Orleans"-style cooking"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "96. Greatest guy?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "97. See 101-Across"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "98. Vent"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
  • Similar words include: beam, publicise, broadcast
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "100. Part of SCOTUS"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "101. With 97-Across, Vegas casino machine"

15 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "107. No-cash deal"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
  • Similar words include: swap, trade wind, merchandise
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "111. Lay off"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.
  • Similar words include: displace, buns, fanny
  • Opposite of: hire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "112. Culprit, in police lingo"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "113. Modern pentathlon equipment"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "115. Metaphor for a too-hot room"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "116. Actress Christine whose last name sounds like a pair of musical notes"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "118. Ill will"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feeling a need to see others suffer
  • Similar words include: spitefulness, malevolence, spite
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MALICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "120. Number written above and to the right of another number ... as seen five times in this puzzle?"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
  • Similar words include: power, index, advocator
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXPONENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "122. Weigh down, and then some"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an electrical load that exceeds the available electrical power
  • Similar words include: surcharge, overcharge, clog
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVERLOAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "124. Number with a 120-Across, mathematically"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that installation from which a military force initiates operations
  • Similar words include: base of operations, Qaeda, alkali
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "126. Armand of "American Gangster""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63A: "127. Many mailbox stuffers"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64A: "128. Zest"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
  • Similar words include: dash, ardor, style
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65A: "129. Iced tea request"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66A: "130. Clumsy"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that causing inconvenience
  • Similar words include: inept, ill-chosen, embarrassing
  • Opposite of: graceful
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWKWARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67A: "131. Move fast, as a cloud"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of moving along swiftly (as before a gale)
  • Similar words include: flash, shoot, scudding
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68A: "132. Road trip stopovers"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a motor hotel
  • Similar words include: motel
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOTELS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Pampering place for a Persian 6
2D 2. Not impressed 6
3D 3. Watch via Hulu, say 6
4D 4. Online forum qualifiers such as /j ("joking") or /s ("sarcastic") 8
5D 5. "I'll deal with this right now!" 4
6D 6. Keeps hydrated, as vegetables in the produce aisle 5
7D 7. Sitcom character from Melmac 3
8D 8. Aussie animals 4
9D 9. Item 6
10D 10. Alfalfa shoot 6
11D 11. Stockholder's setback 4
12D 12. Weisshorn or Finsteraarhorn 3
13D 13. Not merely enough to go around 10
14D 14. Island containing Kiribati's capital 6
15D 15. "Don't pay any mind to this" 14
16D 16. Zoom, e.g. 4
17D 17. Feminine pronoun in Florence 4
18D 19. "Would you look at that!" 5
19D 21. Wedding reception hiree 7
20D 26. Partner of aahs 4
21D 28. "So-o-o gross!" 3
22D 32. A-one 9
23D 36. With nary a chance 5
24D 38. Ingredient in some hair relaxers 3
25D 39. Make a long story short, say 4
26D 40. Individually 4
27D 41. Female rabbit 3
28D 42. Elbow-bender 3
29D 44. Popular singer of the Hawaiian folk song "Pearly Shells" 5
30D 48. "Sup!" 3
31D 49. Sonicare competitor 5
32D 50. Reschedule, so to speak 14
33D 51. Things that drivers sometimes leave behind? 4
34D 53. Letters on a lip balm tube 3
35D 54. Scare stiff 5
36D 56. Some old Disney collectibles 4
37D 59. Arriving by 4
38D 61. Tables 9
39D 65. Stiller's comedic partner 5
40D 66. Incur a cellphone surcharge, perhaps 4
41D 68. Electrical impulse transmitters 5
42D 70. Face off 4
43D 73. Catchall abbr. 4
44D 74. Priced to be, as bail 5
45D 77. Fortified wine from Spain 10
46D 79. Home of NoHo and SoHo 3
47D 80. "Catch ya in the morn!" 5
48D 82. Main squeeze, in newer slang 3
49D 84. Lascivious look 4
50D 85. Old-timey teacher 4
51D 89. Sped or bled ... or led 3
52D 90. ___ Lilly (Mounjaro maker) 3
53D 91. Pointe shoe accessories 7
54D 93. Amy who wrote "Saving Fish From Drowning" 3
55D 95. Balloon pilot, say 8
56D 99. Worth a pick? 4
57D 102. Stick to simple and unprocessed foods, say 6
58D 103. State with only three counties: Abbr. 3
59D 104. Illegal offerings 6
60D 105. High-level H.S. class with derivatives 6
61D 106. Star football player? 5
62D 108. Get even for 6
63D 109. Kind of insurance for bridges 6
64D 110. Types in 6
65D 114. Surrey's Derby town 5
66D 116. Singer/dancer/actress Falana 4
67D 117. Say for sure 4
68D 118. Org. supporting sobriety checkpoints 4
69D 119. Father of five sons in the Bible 4
70D 121. ___ buco 4
71D 123. Adornment on a boathouse wall 3
72D 125. Heel, e.g. 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Pampering place for a Persian"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Not impressed"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Opposite of: awed
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNAWED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Watch via Hulu, say"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
  • Similar words include: rain cats and dogs, well out, pelt
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STREAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Online forum qualifiers such as /j ("joking") or /s ("sarcastic")"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "I'll deal with this right now!""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Keeps hydrated, as vegetables in the produce aisle"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thin fog with condensation near the ground
  • Similar words include: mist over, obscure, becloud
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MISTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Sitcom character from Melmac"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Aussie animals"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Item"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pair who associate with one another
  • Similar words include: pair, mate, mates
  • Opposite of: uncouple
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COUPLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Alfalfa shoot"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any new growth of a plant such as a new branch or a bud
  • Similar words include: shoot, bourgeon, pullulate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPROUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Stockholder's setback"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that is lost
  • Similar words include: passing, personnel casualty, red ink
  • Opposite of: gain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Weisshorn or Finsteraarhorn"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any high mountain
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Not merely enough to go around"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Island containing Kiribati's capital"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that national capital of kiribati
  • Similar words include: Bairiki, Tarawa-Makin, Makin
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TARAWA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "15. "Don't pay any mind to this""

14 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "16. Zoom, e.g."

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held
  • Similar words include: see, contact, satisfy
  • Opposite of: diverge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "17. Feminine pronoun in Florence"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "19. "Would you look at that!""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "21. Wedding reception hiree"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who provides food and service (as for a party)
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATERER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "26. Partner of aahs"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "28. "So-o-o gross!""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. A-one"

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. With nary a chance"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in no manner; in no way
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOHOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Ingredient in some hair relaxers"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. Make a long story short, say"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Individually"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used of count nouns) every one considered individually
  • Similar words include: from each one, apiece, for each one
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EACH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Female rabbit"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the federal department responsible for maintaining a national energy policy of the united states; created in 1977
  • Similar words include: Energy, Department of Energy, Energy Department
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Elbow-bender"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chronic drinker
  • Similar words include: wino, rummy, inebriate
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Popular singer of the Hawaiian folk song "Pearly Shells""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. "Sup!""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Sonicare competitor"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Reschedule, so to speak"

14 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "51. Things that drivers sometimes leave behind?"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Letters on a lip balm tube"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the degree to which a sunscreen protects the skin from the direct rays of the sun
  • Similar words include: sun protection factor
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Scare stiff"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone unpleasantly strange or eccentric
  • Similar words include: creep, shade, weirdie
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPOOK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. Some old Disney collectibles"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "59. Arriving by"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "61. Tables"

9 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "65. Stiller's comedic partner"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "66. Incur a cellphone surcharge, perhaps"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
  • Similar words include: swan, rove, cast
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "68. Electrical impulse transmitters"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that long nerve fiber that conducts away from the cell body of the neuron
  • Similar words include: axone, axon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "70. Face off"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
  • Similar words include: affaire d'honneur
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "73. Catchall abbr."

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "74. Priced to be, as bail"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "77. Fortified wine from Spain"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that very dry pale sherry from spain
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANZANILLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46D: "79. Home of NoHo and SoHo"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47D: "80. "Catch ya in the morn!""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
  • Similar words include: nighttime, dark, Nox
  • Opposite of: day
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48D: "82. Main squeeze, in newer slang"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49D: "84. Lascivious look"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls
  • Similar words include: sneer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50D: "85. Old-timey teacher"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51D: "89. Sped or bled ... or led"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
  • Similar words include: lean, head for the hills, consort
  • Opposite of: idle, malfunction
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52D: "90. ___ Lilly (Mounjaro maker)"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53D: "91. Pointe shoe accessories"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54D: "93. Amy who wrote "Saving Fish From Drowning""

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
  • Similar words include: bronze, burn, suntan
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55D: "95. Balloon pilot, say"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who operates an aircraft
  • Similar words include: aviator, flier, flyer
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AERONAUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56D: "99. Worth a pick?"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
  • Similar words include: mature, advanced, good
  • Opposite of: green
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57D: "102. Stick to simple and unprocessed foods, say"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58D: "103. State with only three counties: Abbr."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59D: "104. Illegal offerings"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment
  • Similar words include: bribe, payoff, grease one's palms
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIBES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60D: "105. High-level H.S. class with derivatives"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61D: "106. Star football player?"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or resident of texas
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEXAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62D: "108. Get even for"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take revenge for a perceived wrong
  • Similar words include: revenge, retaliate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVENGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63D: "109. Kind of insurance for bridges"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a consonant articulated with the tip of the tongue near the gum ridge
  • Similar words include: dental consonant, alveolar, alveolar consonant
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DENTAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64D: "110. Types in"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to come or go into
  • Similar words include: accede, enroll, introduce
  • Opposite of: drop out, exit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENTERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65D: "114. Surrey's Derby town"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66D: "116. Singer/dancer/actress Falana"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67D: "117. Say for sure"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
  • Similar words include: swan, affirm, swear
  • Opposite of: disavow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68D: "118. Org. supporting sobriety checkpoints"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

69D: "119. Father of five sons in the Bible"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) the eldest son of isaac who would have inherited the covenant that god made with abraham and that abraham passed on to isaac; he traded his birthright to his twin brother jacob for a mess of pottage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

70D: "121. ___ buco"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71D: "123. Adornment on a boathouse wall"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

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!

72D: "125. Heel, e.g."

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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

68 Across Clues
72 Down Clues
140 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 20, 2026 at 08:42 AM