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Friday, August 14, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 14, 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. ___ Plateau, home to the tomb of King Khufu 4
2A 5. Discovers 9
3A 14. "There's my cue" 4
4A 15. "Dios mío!" 9
5A 16. Superbright 4
6A 17. Couple's last coupling, perhaps 10
7A 18. Mounted warrior skilled in martial arts 7
8A 20. Retired pro wrestler Flair 3
9A 21. Sibling's cry of protest, maybe 6
10A 22. Guard for some time? 8
11A 27. Unit whose name derives from the Latin word for "heat" 7
12A 29. Completely lose it 6
13A 30. Bunk alternatives 4
14A 31. Leave a lasting mark on 4
15A 33. Because 5
16A 34. Self-doubter's question 3
17A 35. Huddling, as teammates 7
18A 37. Mom-and-pop group 3
19A 38. Rock musician Bob 5
20A 40. "Enough out of you!" 4
21A 41. Costco competitor, informally 4
22A 42. England's George V vis-à-vis Russia's Nicholas II 6
23A 44. Good places for a deep dive into research? 7
24A 46. Recollection, say 8
25A 48. Primates found only in and around Madagascar 6
26A 50. Slip 3
27A 51. Explode, as a paintball 7
28A 52. Enthusiastic cry when one's favorite song comes on the radio 10
29A 57. Idle 4
30A 58. Excessively greedy 9
31A 59. Berkshire town 4
32A 60. Of an indefinitely large number 9
33A 61. Spanish muralist José María ___ 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. ___ Plateau, home to the tomb of King Khufu"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ancient egyptian city on the west bank of the nile opposite cairo; site of three great pyramids and the sphinx
  • Similar words include: El Giza, Gizeh
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIZA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Discovers"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. "There's my cue""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. "Dios mío!""

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Superbright"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
  • Similar words include: atomic number 10, Ne
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Couple's last coupling, perhaps"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Mounted warrior skilled in martial arts"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a japanese warrior who was a member of the feudal military aristocracy
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAMURAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Retired pro wrestler Flair"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Sibling's cry of protest, maybe"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception
  • Similar words include: unjust
  • Opposite of: fair
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNFAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Guard for some time?"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "27. Unit whose name derives from the Latin word for "heat""

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree at one atmosphere pressure; used by nutritionists to characterize the energy-producing potential in food
  • Similar words include: small calorie, large calorie, nutritionist's calorie
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CALORIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "29. Completely lose it"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Bunk alternatives"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Leave a lasting mark on"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make an etching of
  • Similar words include: engrave
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. Because"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Self-doubter's question"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Huddling, as teammates"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that surround completely
  • Similar words include: introduce, put in, shut in
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCLOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Mom-and-pop group"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Rock musician Bob"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. "Enough out of you!""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (poetic) tranquil silence
  • Similar words include: quiet, still, quiesce
  • Opposite of: louden
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUSH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Costco competitor, informally"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
  • Similar words include: SAM, surface-to-air missile
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. England's George V vis-à-vis Russia's Nicholas II"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the child of your aunt or uncle
  • Similar words include: cousin-german, first cousin, full cousin
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COUSIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Good places for a deep dive into research?"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Recollection, say"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANECDOTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Primates found only in and around Madagascar"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large-eyed arboreal prosimian having foxy faces and long furry tails
  • Similar words include: lemur
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEMURS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Slip"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to make a mistake or be incorrect
  • Similar words include: slip, drift, mistake
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Explode, as a paintball"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Enthusiastic cry when one's favorite song comes on the radio"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "57. Idle"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be idle; exist in a changeless situation
  • Similar words include: stagnate, idle, slug
  • Opposite of: work
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. Excessively greedy"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey
  • Similar words include: predatory, ravening, vulturine
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAPACIOUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "59. Berkshire town"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Of an indefinitely large number"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that last in an indefinitely numerous series
  • Similar words include: umptieth, umteenth
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UMPTEENTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. Spanish muralist José María ___"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Kitchen brand inspired by 18-Across 5
2D 2. "Seriously?!" 11
3D 3. Issue in a modern remote work setting 11
4D 4. Corn and wheat, for two 7
5D 5. Garment worn with a bodice called a choli 4
6D 6. 365th out of 365, in brief 3
7D 7. Words of comfort 5
8D 8. Not being real about 6
9D 9. Honey is high in this 8
10D 10. Deplete 3
11D 11. Yogis' utterances 3
12D 12. Purple drink ingredient at a boba tea shop 3
13D 13. "... plus ___" 3
14D 17. Unfruitful 6
15D 19. Animated 2011 film set in Brazil 3
16D 22. Person that's best left alone 7
17D 23. Wong of Netflix's "Beef" 3
18D 24. Shoot the breeze 11
19D 25. Philosophy of "Keep things simple," in a sense 11
20D 26. "How do ___ grow? They grow out of your life": Robert Penn Warren 5
21D 28. Scratch that! 4
22D 30. "Julius Caesar" role 5
23D 32. Plot device? 4
24D 35. Shimmer colorfully 8
25D 36. Hello or goodbye, abroad 6
26D 39. Computer key that might be pressed repeatedly in a panic 3
27D 41. Tastes 7
28D 43. Average Joe, in modern slang 6
29D 45. ___ Bleus, nickname for France's World Cup team 3
30D 47. Check for fit 5
31D 49. What might go straight to the heart? 5
32D 51. Deep cut 4
33D 52. Monodrama that debuted in 1989 3
34D 53. Country ___ 3
35D 54. Unwanted place for bugs 3
36D 55. Parlor offering, for short 3
37D 56. Project 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Kitchen brand inspired by 18-Across"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Seriously?!""

11 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Issue in a modern remote work setting"

11 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Corn and wheat, for two"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (botany) a plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year
  • Similar words include: yearly, annual, yearbook
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANNUALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Garment worn with a bodice called a choli"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

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!

6D: "6. 365th out of 365, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Words of comfort"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Not being real about"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make a copy of with the intent to deceive
  • Similar words include: wangle, forge, talk through one's hat
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FAKING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Honey is high in this"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a simple sugar found in honey and in many ripe fruits
  • Similar words include: levulose, fruit sugar, laevulose
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRUCTOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Deplete"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant
  • Similar words include: tire, muggins, fool
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Yogis' utterances"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Purple drink ingredient at a boba tea shop"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "... plus ___""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government
  • Similar words include: assess, task, revenue enhancement
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "17. Unfruitful"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an uninhabited wilderness that is worthless for cultivation
  • Similar words include: waste, destitute, desolate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BARREN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Animated 2011 film set in Brazil"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the former capital and 2nd largest city of brazil; chief brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
  • Similar words include: Rio de Janeiro
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Person that's best left alone"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who lives in solitude
  • Similar words include: troglodyte, withdrawn, reclusive
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RECLUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Wong of Netflix's "Beef""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Shoot the breeze"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that unconsciously replace fact with fantasy in one's memory
  • Similar words include: natter, chatter, consult
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONFABULATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "25. Philosophy of "Keep things simple," in a sense"

11 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "26. "How do ___ grow? They grow out of your life": Robert Penn Warren"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
  • Similar words include: poem, verse form
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POEMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "28. Scratch that!"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation
  • Similar words include: itchiness, scratch, urge
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "30. "Julius Caesar" role"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Plot device?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that socks and stockings and tights collectively (the british include underwear)
  • Similar words include: hose down, hosiery, hosepipe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Shimmer colorfully"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be iridescent
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRIDESCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Hello or goodbye, abroad"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Computer key that might be pressed repeatedly in a panic"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Tastes"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small part of something intended as representative of the whole
  • Similar words include: taste, sample, try
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAMPLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Average Joe, in modern slang"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. ___ Bleus, nickname for France's World Cup team"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
  • Similar words include: LE, lupus erythematosus
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "47. Check for fit"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. What might go straight to the heart?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slender tube inserted inside a tubular body part (as a blood vessel) to provide support during and after surgical anastomosis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Deep cut"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wound made by cutting
  • Similar words include: slice, slash, cut
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Monodrama that debuted in 1989"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Country ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)
  • Similar words include: overact, ham actor, gammon
  • Opposite of: underact
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Unwanted place for bugs"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Parlor offering, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Project"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
  • Similar words include: project, bulge, prominence
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

33 Across Clues
37 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

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Last updated: August 14, 2026 at 05:11 AM

Sunday, December 21, 2025

XWordHint Crossword Answers December 21, 2025 | 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. Some Arctic transports 9
2A 10. S.E.C. football powerhouse, for short 4
3A 14. 1950s hangout with a jukebox 8
4A 20. Game piece made of four squares 9
5A 21. "The Kite Runner" protagonist 4
6A 22. Skulks 6
7A 23. Joins gradually 9
8A 24. "Doggone it!" 4
9A 25. Treatment 6
10A 26. Blue colorant obtained from the indigo plant 4
11A 27. Wrangler alternative 3
12A 28. Brightly colored Mediterranean flowers 8
13A 30. Rap's Run-___ 3
14A 31. Course catalog? 4
15A 32. When Aries transitions to Taurus 5
16A 34. Sweetly, on scores 5
17A 35. "I'll pass" 3
18A 36. Input of certain mining 4
19A 38. Montalbán who played Khan in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" 7
20A 40. Timer setting 4
21A 42. Areas of influence 7
22A 45. Mental health org. 3
23A 46. Fraudulently make seem like 9
24A 48. Covers completely 5
25A 49. Wyoming peak 5
26A 51. Like a corporation with a new logo, perhaps 9
27A 54. Comment from someone caught in the rain 8
28A 56. Yellow avenue in Monopoly 7
29A 58. A bit off, say 6
30A 59. Hyatt alternative 4
31A 60. Hard-boiled genre 4
32A 62. TheForce.net for "Star Wars," for example 7
33A 64. Dark side 3
34A 65. Former big name in browsers 8
35A 67. U.F.O.-watching org. 4
36A 68. By way of, informally 4
37A 70. Kemo ___ (the Lone Ranger) 4
38A 71. Sailor's patron 6
39A 72. Fleetwood Mac hit named for a Celtic goddess 8
40A 76. Daddy 3
41A 79. Eponymous British financier James ___ 7
42A 81. By saying this you mean well 4
43A 82. Wrap seller 4
44A 83. Adopted, as a pet 6
45A 85. Wasn't folded in a suitcase, say 7
46A 87. Developed, as baby teeth 6
47A 89. Sci-fi miniaturizer 9
48A 91. Emanations 5
49A 93. Boldly face 5
50A 94. Kind of cipher in which A becomes B, B becomes C, e.g. 6
51A 95. Guardians, on a scoreboard 3
52A 96. Bit of birdspeak 7
53A 98. Damp, mildewy quality 4
54A 99. They hold water 7
55A 102. Silence 4
56A 103. Lying faceup 6
57A 104. ___ Park, Calif. 5
58A 105. Air 5
59A 107. Disney subsidiary 4
60A 111. A little help? 3
61A 112. Evaded, as a sensitive issue 12
62A 114. Some pings, in brief 3
63A 115. "Fie on ___!" (Shakespearean cry) 4
64A 116. Skips over 6
65A 118. Few and far between 4
66A 119. Regulars at parks with ramps, informally 9
67A 121. Reply after having one's memory jogged 6
68A 122. Some time ago 4
69A 123. "What's done is done!" 9
70A 124. Stick (to) 6
71A 125. Garden interloper 4
72A 126. Church parts crossing naves 9

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Some Arctic transports"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "10. S.E.C. football powerhouse, for short"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. 1950s hangout with a jukebox"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "20. Game piece made of four squares"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "21. "The Kite Runner" protagonist"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent ruler or chieftain (especially in africa or arabia)
  • Similar words include: ameer, emir, emeer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "22. Skulks"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of prowling (walking about in a stealthy manner)
  • Similar words include: lurch, prowl
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROWLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "23. Joins gradually"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "24. "Doggone it!""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something of little value
  • Similar words include: shucks, damn, hoot
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DARN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "25. Treatment"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil
  • Similar words include: cure, redress, remediate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REMEDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "26. Blue colorant obtained from the indigo plant"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blue dye obtained from plants or made synthetically
  • Similar words include: indigo, Indigofera anil, indigotin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "27. Wrangler alternative"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in america (born in 1957)
  • Similar words include: Henry Lee, Robert E. Lee, Bruce Lee
  • Opposite of: windward
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "28. Brightly colored Mediterranean flowers"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any plant of the genus helianthemum; vigorous plants of stony alpine meadows and dry scrub regions
  • Similar words include: helianthemum, sunrose, sun rose
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUNROSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Rap's Run-___"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Course catalog?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a list of dishes available at a restaurant
  • Similar words include: carte du jour, card, fare
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MENU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. When Aries transitions to Taurus"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Sweetly, on scores"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gently and sweetly
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOLCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. "I'll pass""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Input of certain mining"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn
  • Similar words include: datum, information, data point
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DATA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Montalbán who played Khan in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan""

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english economist who argued that the laws of supply and demand should operate in a free market (1772-1823)
  • Similar words include: David Ricardo
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICARDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Timer setting"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

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!

21A: "42. Areas of influence"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular environment or walk of life
  • Similar words include: field, empyrean, sphere
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPHERES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Mental health org."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Fraudulently make seem like"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. Covers completely"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
  • Similar words include: coat, surface, pelage
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. Wyoming peak"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the large western branch of sioux people which was made up of several groups that lived on the plains
  • Similar words include: Teton Sioux, Lakota, Teton Dakota
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TETON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Like a corporation with a new logo, perhaps"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "54. Comment from someone caught in the rain"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "56. Yellow avenue in Monopoly"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "58. A bit off, say"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "59. Hyatt alternative"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. Hard-boiled genre"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. TheForce.net for "Star Wars," for example"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "64. Dark side"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the dark negative feminine principle in chinese dualistic cosmology
  • Opposite of: yang
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "65. Former big name in browsers"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a commercial browser
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NETSCAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. U.F.O.-watching org."

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "68. By way of, informally"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "70. Kemo ___ (the Lone Ranger)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "71. Sailor's patron"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "72. Fleetwood Mac hit named for a Celtic goddess"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "76. Daddy"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
  • Similar words include: pour down, toss off, dad
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "79. Eponymous British financier James ___"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "81. By saying this you mean well"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "82. Wrap seller"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shop selling ready-to-eat food products
  • Similar words include: food shop, delicatessen
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "83. Adopted, as a pet"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "85. Wasn't folded in a suitcase, say"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "87. Developed, as baby teeth"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "89. Sci-fi miniaturizer"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "91. Emanations"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure
  • Similar words include: aura, halo, atmosphere
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AURAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "93. Boldly face"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a north american indian warrior
  • Similar words include: dauntless, endure, weather
  • Opposite of: cowardly, timid
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRAVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "94. Kind of cipher in which A becomes B, B becomes C, e.g."

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that conqueror of gaul and master of italy (100-44 bc)
  • Similar words include: Gaius Julius Caesar, Sid Caesar, Sidney Caesar
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAESAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "95. Guardians, on a scoreboard"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "96. Bit of birdspeak"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make high-pitched sounds, as of birds
  • Similar words include: twitter
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHITTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "98. Damp, mildewy quality"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a necessary or essential thing
  • Similar words include: mustiness, moldiness
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "99. They hold water"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tube in which a body fluid circulates
  • Similar words include: vessel, vas, watercraft
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VESSELS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "102. Silence"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (poetic) tranquil silence
  • Similar words include: quiesce, hush up, quieten
  • Opposite of: louden
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUSH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "103. Lying faceup"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lying face upward
  • Similar words include: resupine, resistless, unresisting
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUPINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "104. ___ Park, Calif."

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "105. Air"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies
  • Similar words include: ethyl ether, vinyl ether, ethoxyethane
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETHER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "107. Disney subsidiary"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "111. A little help?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
  • Similar words include: pixy, hob, extremely low frequency
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "112. Evaded, as a sensitive issue"

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DANCEDAROUND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "114. Some pings, in brief"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63A: "115. "Fie on ___!" (Shakespearean cry)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64A: "116. Skips over"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that leave or strike out
  • Similar words include: elide
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELIDES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65A: "118. Few and far between"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
  • Similar words include: uncommon, rarified, rarefied
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66A: "119. Regulars at parks with ramps, informally"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67A: "121. Reply after having one's memory jogged"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68A: "122. Some time ago"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that on one occasion
  • Similar words include: one time, erst, at one time
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

69A: "123. "What's done is done!""

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

70A: "124. Stick (to)"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be compatible or in accordance with
  • Similar words include: cohere, bind, stick to
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADHERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71A: "125. Garden interloper"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any plant that crowds out cultivated plants
  • Similar words include: locoweed, Mary Jane, sens
  • Opposite of: cultivated plant
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

72A: "126. Church parts crossing naves"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that structure forming the transverse part of a cruciform church; crosses the nave at right angles
  • Similar words include: transept
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRANSEPTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Make furious 5
2D 2. "The Family Circus" cartoonist Bil ___ 5
3D 3. Tennis line judge's ruling 5
4D 4. Duke Ellington classic with the lyric "That was my heart serenading you" 14
5D 5. West side of L.A.? 3
6D 6. "Is there still time for me to join you?" 7
7D 7. 51 to the hour 8
8D 8. Stage direction 5
9D 9. Phillipa of Broadway 3
10D 10. Grammy winner Erykah 4
11D 11. ___ Gorman, "The Hill We Climb" poet 6
12D 12. Copy 6
13D 13. Iced-tea-and-lemonade refreshments 13
14D 14. Spending romp 5
15D 15. Output of certain mining 4
16D 16. Counterpart of a sub 3
17D 17. Fast start? 12
18D 18. Father, familiarly 6
19D 19. Mentally overpower, with "out" 5
20D 28. Like most moccasins 6
21D 29. Great Dane of cartoons, informally 5
22D 33. More livid 6
23D 37. Keister, in Leicester 4
24D 39. 2015 chart-topping hit for the Weeknd 14
25D 40. Symbolic for its time 7
26D 41. Shoe company with an iconic checkerboard design 4
27D 42. Descendant 5
28D 43. Apple: Fr. 5
29D 44. Is without 5
30D 47. Rabid in appearance 8
31D 50. Woman's nickname that sounds like two letters 4
32D 51. Rice-A-___ 4
33D 52. "Borderlands" director ___ Roth 3
34D 53. Hiding place 3
35D 55. Gene pools? 8
36D 57. Org. with its own alphabet 4
37D 61. Abbr. not found on most smartphones 4
38D 63. "Aren't ___ lucky one?!" 4
39D 66. It has a lot of secretaries 7
40D 67. Shirt collar stiffener 4
41D 69. Where to find six "presents" in this puzzle? 12
42D 71. Knock 'em dead 4
43D 72. Coolidge who sang the theme for "Octopussy" 4
44D 73. Just getting started with 5
45D 74. Green shade 5
46D 75. What Joe Montana was in the '80s 5
47D 76. A TD scores six of these 3
48D 77. "Fancy, that!" 3
49D 78. Prickly denizen of coral reefs 13
50D 80. Famed lawyer in the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial 14
51D 81. Most minimal 6
52D 84. Some Korean exports 4
53D 86. Calmed deceptively 6
54D 88. Baseball slugger's stat 4
55D 90. Bird used to deliver messages on "Game of Thrones" 5
56D 92. Blueprints 8
57D 97. Author Zora Neale ___ 7
58D 98. Noodled on, with "over" 6
59D 100. Girlfriend in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" 6
60D 101. Informant 6
61D 103. "Ta-ta!" 5
62D 104. Tricky pool shot 5
63D 106. Someone enjoying a walk in the park 5
64D 108. Mentally with it 5
65D 109. ___ four 5
66D 110. Fits one inside the other 5
67D 112. Porcine : pigs :: cervine : ___ 4
68D 113. Essential 4
69D 117. It might be good for a change 3
70D 119. One who knows the drill?: Abbr. 3
71D 120. Teslas, e.g., for short 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Make furious"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water at boiling temperature diffused in the atmosphere
  • Similar words include: steam clean, steamer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

14 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. 51 to the hour"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Stage direction"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Phillipa of Broadway"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Grammy winner Erykah"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Copy"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIRROR

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

13 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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14D: "14. Spending romp"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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15D: "15. Output of certain mining"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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16D: "16. Counterpart of a sub"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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17D: "17. Fast start?"

12 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASHWEDNESDAY

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18D: "18. Father, familiarly"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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20D: "28. Like most moccasins"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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22D: "33. More livid"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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23D: "37. Keister, in Leicester"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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

14 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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25D: "40. Symbolic for its time"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
  • Similar words include: vanguard, avant-garde, caravan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VANS

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27D: "42. Descendant"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a descendent or heir
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCION

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28D: "43. Apple: Fr."

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "44. Is without"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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30D: "47. Rabid in appearance"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become bubbly or frothy or foaming
  • Similar words include: effervesce, sparkle, foam
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FROTHING

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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34D: "53. Hiding place"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Similar words include: hideaway, lair, hideout
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEN

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35D: "55. Gene pools?"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an international organization created in 1949 by the north atlantic treaty for purposes of collective security
  • Similar words include: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NATO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
  • Similar words include: storage locker, locker, console
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CABINET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "67. Shirt collar stiffener"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that continuing or remaining in a place or state
  • Similar words include: stay put, outride, persist
  • Opposite of: change, depart
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAY

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

12 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNDERTHETREE

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42D: "71. Knock 'em dead"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that kill intentionally and with premeditation
  • Similar words include: polish off, murder, off
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAY

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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44D: "73. Just getting started with"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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45D: "74. Green shade"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small ovoid fruit of the european olive tree; important food and source of oil
  • Similar words include: Olea europaea, European olive tree
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
  • Similar words include: IX, ix, nine
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

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: platinum, atomic number 78, Pt
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

13 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that spines become erect when the body is inflated; worldwide in warm waters
  • Similar words include: Diodon hystrix, porcupine fish
  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PORCUPINEFISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

14 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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51D: "81. Most minimal"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that completely unclothed
  • Similar words include: unsheathed, simple, bleak
  • Opposite of: sheathed, covered
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAREST

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52D: "84. Some Korean exports"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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53D: "86. Calmed deceptively"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that calm by deception
  • Similar words include: tranquillise, calm, quieten
  • Opposite of: agitate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LULLED

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a run that is the result of the batter's performance
  • Similar words include: rbi, run batted in
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RBIS

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

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large black bird with a straight bill and long wedge-shaped tail
  • Similar words include: devour, Corvus corax, pig
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAVEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56D: "92. Blueprints"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an internal representation of the world; an organization of concepts and actions that can be revised by new information about the world
  • Similar words include: schema, outline, scheme
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCHEMATA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57D: "97. Author Zora Neale ___"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reflect deeply on a subject
  • Similar words include: mull, reflect, ponder
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MULLED

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

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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60D: "101. Informant"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the place where something begins, where it springs into being
  • Similar words include: author, seed, origin
  • Opposite of: sink
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOURCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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62D: "104. Tricky pool shot"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shot in billiards made by hitting the cue ball with the cue held nearly vertically; the cue ball spins around another ball before hitting the object ball
  • Similar words include: masse shot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MASSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a foot traveler; someone who goes on an extended walk (for pleasure)
  • Similar words include: tramp, tramper
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIKER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64D: "108. Mentally with it"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named
  • Similar words include: penetrating, discriminating, penetrative
  • Opposite of: flat, dull
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHARP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65D: "109. ___ four"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
  • Similar words include: nest, snuggle, nestle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NESTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that distinguished from bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
  • Similar words include: cervid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEER

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68D: "113. Essential"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a condition requiring relief
  • Similar words include: pauperization, necessitate, involve
  • Opposite of: obviate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a usually soluble substance for staining or coloring e.g. fabrics or hair
  • Similar words include: dyestuff
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of energy equal to the work done by an electron accelerated through a potential difference of 1 volt
  • Similar words include: eV, electron volt
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVS

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

72 Across Clues
71 Down Clues
143 Total Clues

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Last updated: December 21, 2025 at 04:22 AM