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Friday, June 12, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers June 12, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Get-up 4
2A 5. Exhibiting a green face, stereotypically 7
3A 12. Children's book title character in a green suit 5
4A 13. Ambassador's aide 7
5A 14. Inheritance source, for good or ill 14
6A 16. "Red, the color of ___ / Black, the color of despair" ("Les Misérables" lyric) 6
7A 17. Prefix with present 4
8A 18. Farm grazer 3
9A 19. "Empire of the ___" (1977 sci-fi film with an approval rating of 5% on Rotten Tomatoes) 4
10A 20. Velociraptor, e.g., informally 4
11A 22. ___ asada 5
12A 24. Followers of the guru Nanak 5
13A 26. Elate 4
14A 28. Some fragrant gifts 4
15A 29. Half ass reply? 3
16A 30. Microscopic 4
17A 32. Weight 6
18A 34. Style with spotty coverage? 11
19A 37. Good market news 6
20A 39. Slip material 4
21A 40. Tally: Abbr. 3
22A 43. Ex- 4
23A 44. Big name in cups 4
24A 46. Contents of a modern flood 5
25A 48. Lock 5
26A 50. Some camera moves 4
27A 52. Commedia dell'___ 4
28A 53. Needing no script 3
29A 54. Deuce follower 4
30A 56. "That's good to hear" 6
31A 58. Home of the world's largest independently owned bookstore (spanning an entire city block) 14
32A 61. Windflower 7
33A 62. Play again 5
34A 63. Cone holders 7
35A 64. Cost of a hand 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Get-up"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for clothing
  • Similar words include: flop, turkey, dud
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Exhibiting a green face, stereotypically"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that experiencing motion sickness
  • Similar words include: carsick, airsick, air sick
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEASICK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "12. Children's book title character in a green suit"

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!

4A: "13. Ambassador's aide"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a specialist assigned to the staff of a diplomatic mission
  • Similar words include: attache case
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATTACHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Inheritance source, for good or ill"

14 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. "Red, the color of ___ / Black, the color of despair" ("Les Misérables" lyric)"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
  • Similar words include: trust, hope, want
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DESIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Prefix with present"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Farm grazer"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that female of domestic cattle:
  • Similar words include: overawe, moo-cow
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. "Empire of the ___" (1977 sci-fi film with an approval rating of 5% on Rotten Tomatoes)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
  • Similar words include: emmet, pismire, ant
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Velociraptor, e.g., informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. ___ asada"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Followers of the guru Nanak"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adherent of sikhism
  • Similar words include: Sikh
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIKHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Elate"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to go somewhere
  • Similar words include: broadcast, ship, post
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Some fragrant gifts"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
  • Similar words include: garland, coronal, lei
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Half ass reply?"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Microscopic"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: lilliputian, petite, flyspeck
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TINY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Weight"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the striking of one body against another
  • Similar words include: affect, touch, bear on
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Style with spotty coverage?"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a school of painters who used a technique of painting with tiny dots of pure colors that would blend in the viewer's eye; developed by georges seurat and his followers late in 19th century france
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POINTILLISM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Good market news"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an upward movement or trend as in business activity
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UPTURN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Slip material"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SILK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Tally: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heavy precious metallic element; grey-white and resistant to corroding; occurs in some nickel and copper ores and is also found native in some deposits
  • Similar words include: atomic number 78, Pt, platinum
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Ex-"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time that has elapsed
  • Similar words include: yesteryear, by, retiring
  • Opposite of: present, future
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Big name in cups"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any activity that is performed alone without assistance
  • Similar words include: alone, unaccompanied
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Contents of a modern flood"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (computer science) a system of world-wide electronic communication in which a computer user can compose a message at one terminal that can be regenerated at the recipient's terminal when the recipient logs in
  • Similar words include: netmail, electronic mail, e-mail
  • Opposite of: snail mail
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Lock"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
  • Similar words include: plait, twist, braid
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Some camera moves"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
  • Similar words include: pan, genus Pan, tear apart
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Commedia dell'___"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Needing no script"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

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!

29A: "54. Deuce follower"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. "That's good to hear""

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. Home of the world's largest independently owned bookstore (spanning an entire city block)"

14 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "61. Windflower"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any woodland plant of the genus anemone grown for its beautiful flowers and whorls of dissected leaves
  • Similar words include: windflower, sea anemone
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANEMONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. Play again"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "63. Cone holders"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the innermost light-sensitive membrane covering the back wall of the eyeball; it is continuous with the optic nerve
  • Similar words include: retina
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETINAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. Cost of a hand"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Pastry with Austrian origins, despite its name 6
2D 2. Cab alternative 4
3D 3. Passé 5
4D 4. Sanskrit honorific 3
5D 5. Certain ladder climber 6
6D 6. ___ collar 4
7D 7. Ghost story? 5
8D 8. Didn't play 3
9D 9. Place where customers get their licks in? 14
10D 10. Persistent 7
11D 11. Home of the Ernest Hemingway House 7
12D 12. Hidden gem 14
13D 14. One who might say "You wish!" 5
14D 15. Site of America's first roller coaster 11
15D 16. T, in Morse code 4
16D 21. "___ it?" 4
17D 23. Locale for 11 Winter Olympics 4
18D 25. Mix up 4
19D 27. Tzatziki ingredient 4
20D 31. Quality establishments? 4
21D 33. M.C.'s need 4
22D 35. Baseball trio 4
23D 36. Symbol of courage 4
24D 37. Satisfactory 7
25D 38. Epic beginning 7
26D 41. Saturn satellite 5
27D 42. Runners carry it 4
28D 45. Puts in one's two cents 6
29D 47. Smith who has won the Triple Crown of Acting 6
30D 49. Do business? 5
31D 51. Obstacle for Odysseus 5
32D 55. ___ Point, Calif. 4
33D 57. Central point 4
34D 59. "OMG, stop!" 3
35D 60. Pray, in Latin 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Pastry with Austrian origins, despite its name"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a scandinavian language that is the official language of denmark
  • Similar words include: danish pastry
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DANISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Cab alternative"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Passé"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that go on a date with
  • Similar words include: go out, date stamp, date
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Sanskrit honorific"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Certain ladder climber"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various large food and game fishes of northern waters; usually migrate from salt to fresh water to spawn
  • Similar words include: Salmon River, pink-orange, pinkish-orange
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALMON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. ___ collar"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Ghost story?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
  • Similar words include: dome, Classical Greek, garret
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATTIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Didn't play"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

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: posture, Saturday, model
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Place where customers get their licks in?"

14 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Persistent"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
  • Similar words include: continuing, inveterate
  • Opposite of: acute
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHRONIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Home of the Ernest Hemingway House"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Hidden gem"

14 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. One who might say "You wish!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (islam) an invisible spirit mentioned in the koran and believed by muslims to inhabit the earth and influence mankind by appearing in the form of humans or animals
  • Similar words include: jinni, djinny, djinn
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Site of America's first roller coaster"

11 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "16. T, in Morse code"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that distinctive and stylish elegance
  • Similar words include: smash, frighten off, flash
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "21. "___ it?""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Locale for 11 Winter Olympics"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large mountain system in south-central europe; scenic beauty and winter sports make them a popular tourist attraction
  • Similar words include: alp, the Alps
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Mix up"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event
  • Similar words include: stimulate, arouse, evoke
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Tzatziki ingredient"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that aromatic old world herb having aromatic threadlike foliage and seeds used as seasoning
  • Similar words include: Anethum graveolens, dill weed
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Quality establishments?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. M.C.'s need"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that device for converting sound waves into electrical energy
  • Similar words include: microphone
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Baseball trio"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (baseball) a failure by a batter or runner to reach a base safely in baseball
  • Similar words include: come out, come out of the closet, out
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Symbol of courage"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large gregarious predatory feline of africa and india having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
  • Similar words include: Panthera leo, Leo, king of beasts
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Satisfactory"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Epic beginning"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Saturn satellite"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person of exceptional importance and reputation
  • Similar words include: colossus, giant, heavyweight
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TITAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Runners carry it"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
  • Similar words include: sleigh, sledge
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Puts in one's two cents"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
  • Similar words include: animadvert, speak out, suppose
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPINES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Smith who has won the Triple Crown of Acting"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Do business?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gallery where works of art can be displayed
  • Similar words include: beauty parlor, beauty salon, beauty parlour
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "51. Obstacle for Odysseus"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived
  • Similar words include: temptress, femme fatale, enchantress
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIREN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "55. ___ Point, Calif."

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that celtic goddess who was the mother of the tuatha de danann; identified with the welsh don
  • Similar words include: Danu
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "57. Central point"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
  • Similar words include: essence, nub, heart and soul
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "59. "OMG, stop!""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "60. Pray, in Latin"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
  • Similar words include: OS, Os, os
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORA

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.

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: June 12, 2026 at 08:08 AM

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Sunday's NYT Down Dec 21 - Full Vertical Grid Solutions

NYT Down Clues Answers December 21, 2025 - All 71 Vertical Solutions & Expert Hints

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 71 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: April 11 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | November 09 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | NYT Down Crossword October 15 2025 |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for December 21, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Sunday, December 21, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 21, 2025
Day of Week Sunday
Total Down Clues 71 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Easy

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 71 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. Make furious
2 Down 2. "The Family Circus" cartoonist Bil ___
3 Down 3. Tennis line judge's ruling
4 Down 4. Duke Ellington classic with the lyric "That was my heart serenading you"
5 Down 5. West side of L.A.?
6 Down 6. "Is there still time for me to join you?"
7 Down 7. 51 to the hour
8 Down 8. Stage direction
9 Down 9. Phillipa of Broadway
10 Down 10. Grammy winner Erykah
11 Down 11. ___ Gorman, "The Hill We Climb" poet
12 Down 12. Copy
13 Down 13. Iced-tea-and-lemonade refreshments
14 Down 14. Spending romp
15 Down 15. Output of certain mining
16 Down 16. Counterpart of a sub
17 Down 17. Fast start?
18 Down 18. Father, familiarly
19 Down 19. Mentally overpower, with "out"
20 Down 28. Like most moccasins
21 Down 29. Great Dane of cartoons, informally
22 Down 33. More livid
23 Down 37. Keister, in Leicester
24 Down 39. 2015 chart-topping hit for the Weeknd
25 Down 40. Symbolic for its time
26 Down 41. Shoe company with an iconic checkerboard design
27 Down 42. Descendant
28 Down 43. Apple: Fr.
29 Down 44. Is without
30 Down 47. Rabid in appearance
31 Down 50. Woman's nickname that sounds like two letters
32 Down 51. Rice-A-___
33 Down 52. "Borderlands" director ___ Roth
34 Down 53. Hiding place
35 Down 55. Gene pools?
36 Down 57. Org. with its own alphabet
37 Down 61. Abbr. not found on most smartphones
38 Down 63. "Aren't ___ lucky one?!"
39 Down 66. It has a lot of secretaries
40 Down 67. Shirt collar stiffener
41 Down 69. Where to find six "presents" in this puzzle?
42 Down 71. Knock 'em dead
43 Down 72. Coolidge who sang the theme for "Octopussy"
44 Down 73. Just getting started with
45 Down 74. Green shade
46 Down 75. What Joe Montana was in the '80s
47 Down 76. A TD scores six of these
48 Down 77. "Fancy, that!"
49 Down 78. Prickly denizen of coral reefs
50 Down 80. Famed lawyer in the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial
51 Down 81. Most minimal
52 Down 84. Some Korean exports
53 Down 86. Calmed deceptively
54 Down 88. Baseball slugger's stat
55 Down 90. Bird used to deliver messages on "Game of Thrones"
56 Down 92. Blueprints
57 Down 97. Author Zora Neale ___
58 Down 98. Noodled on, with "over"
59 Down 100. Girlfriend in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
60 Down 101. Informant
61 Down 103. "Ta-ta!"
62 Down 104. Tricky pool shot
63 Down 106. Someone enjoying a walk in the park
64 Down 108. Mentally with it
65 Down 109. ___ four
66 Down 110. Fits one inside the other
67 Down 112. Porcine : pigs :: cervine : ___
68 Down 113. Essential
69 Down 117. It might be good for a change
70 Down 119. One who knows the drill?: Abbr.
71 Down 120. Teslas, e.g., for short

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues

Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:

Complete Down Solutions:


1 Down: "1. Make furious"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: S___M
  • Similar words: steamer, steam clean
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: water at boiling temperature diffused in the atmosphere
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer STEAM


2 Down: "2. "The Family Circus" cartoonist Bil ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: K___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KEANE


3 Down: "3. Tennis line judge's ruling"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: I___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ITSIN


4 Down: "4. Duke Ellington classic with the lyric "That was my heart serenading you""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 14 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P____________S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PRELUDETOAKISS


5 Down: "5. West side of L.A.?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LOS


6 Down: "6. "Is there still time for me to join you?""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A_____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AMILATE


7 Down: "7. 51 to the hour"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: N______T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NINEPAST


8 Down: "8. Stage direction"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: E___R
  • Similar words: embark, participate
  • Opposite of: exit
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: to come or go into
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ENTER


9 Down: "9. Phillipa of Broadway"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SOO


10 Down: "10. Grammy winner Erykah"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: B__U
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BADU


11 Down: "11. ___ Gorman, "The Hill We Climb" poet"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: A____A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AMANDA


12 Down: "12. Copy"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: M____R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MIRROR


13 Down: "13. Iced-tea-and-lemonade refreshments"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 13 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A___________S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARNOLDPALMERS


14 Down: "14. Spending romp"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S___E
  • Similar words: fling
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a brief indulgence of your impulses
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SPREE


15 Down: "15. Output of certain mining"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: O__S
  • Similar words: ore
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ORES


16 Down: "16. Counterpart of a sub"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'M'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DOM


17 Down: "17. Fast start?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 12 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: A__________Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ASHWEDNESDAY


18 Down: "18. Father, familiarly"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: O____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OLDMAN


19 Down: "19. Mentally overpower, with "out""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: P___H
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PSYCH


20 Down: "28. Like most moccasins"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: S____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLIPON


21 Down: "29. Great Dane of cartoons, informally"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'B'
  • Word pattern: S___B
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCOOB


22 Down: "33. More livid"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: I____R
  • Similar words: irate, ireful
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: feeling or showing extreme anger
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IRATER


23 Down: "37. Keister, in Leicester"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A__E
  • Similar words: rear, tush
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARSE


24 Down: "39. 2015 chart-topping hit for the Weeknd"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 14 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C____________E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CANTFEELMYFACE


25 Down: "40. Symbolic for its time"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: O_____A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OFANERA


26 Down: "41. Shoe company with an iconic checkerboard design"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: V__S
  • Similar words: van, new wave
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer VANS


27 Down: "42. Descendant"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: S___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a descendent or heir
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCION


28 Down: "43. Apple: Fr."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer POMME


29 Down: "44. Is without"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: H___T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HASNT


30 Down: "47. Rabid in appearance"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'G'
  • Word pattern: F______G
  • Similar words: form bubbles, fizz
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: become bubbly or frothy or foaming
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FROTHING


31 Down: "50. Woman's nickname that sounds like two letters"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: E__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EVIE


32 Down: "51. Rice-A-___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: R__I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RONI


33 Down: "52. "Borderlands" director ___ Roth"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'I'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ELI


34 Down: "53. Hiding place"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'N'
  • Similar words: hideaway, hideout
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the habitation of wild animals
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DEN


35 Down: "55. Gene pools?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: D______S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DNABANKS


36 Down: "57. Org. with its own alphabet"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: N__O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NATO


37 Down: "61. Abbr. not found on most smartphones"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: O__R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OPER


38 Down: "63. "Aren't ___ lucky one?!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: I__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ITHE


39 Down: "66. It has a lot of secretaries"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: C_____T
  • Similar words: locker, console
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CABINET


40 Down: "67. Shirt collar stiffener"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S__Y
  • Similar words: stick, remain
  • Opposite of: depart
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: continuing or remaining in a place or state
  • This is Down clue number 40

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer STAY


41 Down: "69. Where to find six "presents" in this puzzle?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 12 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: U__________E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 41

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer UNDERTHETREE


42 Down: "71. Knock 'em dead"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S__Y
  • Similar words: dispatch, hit
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: kill intentionally and with premeditation
  • This is Down clue number 42

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLAY


43 Down: "72. Coolidge who sang the theme for "Octopussy""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: R__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 43

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RITA


44 Down: "73. Just getting started with"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: N___T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 44

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NEWAT


45 Down: "74. Green shade"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O___E
  • Similar words: Olea europaea
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 45

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OLIVE


46 Down: "75. What Joe Montana was in the '80s"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: N___R
  • Similar words: ennead, IX
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
  • This is Down clue number 46

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NINER


47 Down: "76. A TD scores six of these"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: platinum, Pt
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 47

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PTS


48 Down: "77. "Fancy, that!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'H'
  • Similar words: aah
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
  • This is Down clue number 48

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OOH


49 Down: "78. Prickly denizen of coral reefs"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 13 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: P___________H
  • Similar words: porcupine fish, Diodon hystrix
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 49

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PORCUPINEFISH


50 Down: "80. Famed lawyer in the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 14 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: C____________W
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 50

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CLARENCEDARROW


51 Down: "81. Most minimal"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: B____T
  • Similar words: simple, scanty
  • Opposite of: sheathed
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: completely unclothed
  • This is Down clue number 51

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BAREST


52 Down: "84. Some Korean exports"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: K__S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 52

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KIAS


53 Down: "86. Calmed deceptively"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: L____D
  • Similar words: calm, tranquilize
  • Opposite of: agitate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: calm by deception
  • This is Down clue number 53

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LULLED


54 Down: "88. Baseball slugger's stat"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: R__S
  • Similar words: rbi, run batted in
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a run that is the result of the batter's performance
  • This is Down clue number 54

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RBIS


55 Down: "90. Bird used to deliver messages on "Game of Thrones""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: R___N
  • Similar words: Corvus corax, predate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 55

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RAVEN


56 Down: "92. Blueprints"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: S______A
  • Similar words: scheme, schema
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 56

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCHEMATA


57 Down: "97. Author Zora Neale ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: H_____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 57

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HURSTON


58 Down: "98. Noodled on, with "over""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: M____D
  • Similar words: reflect, think over
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: reflect deeply on a subject
  • This is Down clue number 58

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MULLED


59 Down: "100. Girlfriend in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 59

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLOANE


60 Down: "101. Informant"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S____E
  • Similar words: author, rootage
  • Opposite of: sink
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the place where something begins
  • This is Down clue number 60

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SOURCE


61 Down: "103. "Ta-ta!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: S___A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 61

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SEEYA


62 Down: "104. Tricky pool shot"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: M___E
  • Similar words: masse shot
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 62

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MASSE


63 Down: "106. Someone enjoying a walk in the park"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: H___R
  • Similar words: tramper, tramp
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 63

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HIKER


64 Down: "108. Mentally with it"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: S___P
  • Similar words: shrill, precipitous
  • Opposite of: dull
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 64

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SHARP


65 Down: "109. ___ four"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: P___T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 65

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PETIT


66 Down: "110. Fits one inside the other"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: N___S
  • Similar words: nestle, cuddle
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 66

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NESTS


67 Down: "112. Porcine : pigs :: cervine : ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: D__R
  • Similar words: cervid
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 67

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DEER


68 Down: "113. Essential"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: N__D
  • Similar words: necessitate, call for
  • Opposite of: obviate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a condition requiring relief
  • This is Down clue number 68

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NEED


69 Down: "117. It might be good for a change"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
  • Similar words: dyestuff
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 69

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DYE


70 Down: "119. One who knows the drill?: Abbr."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 70

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SGT


71 Down: "120. Teslas, e.g., for short"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: electron volt, eV
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 71

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EVS

Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues

Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Down Clues?

  • Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
  • Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
  • Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
  • Down answers often help solve Across clues

Down Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically

Time-Saving Down Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Down first Get a mental map of the vertical flow
Fill short Down words 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors
Use crossing letters Across letters help confirm Down answers
Look for themes Related Down answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues

What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?

Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.

Should I solve Down or Across clues first?

Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 71 Down clues.

Are Down clues easier than Across clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.

How do Down clues interact with Across clues?

Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 21, 2025 at 05:15 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, December 21 2025 down clues