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Saturday, May 9, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 09, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Gold meddlers? 10
2A 11. One making calls on the fly? 4
3A 15. You or me, e.g. 10
4A 16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread) 4
5A 17. Exclamation of surprise from a host 10
6A 18. Place for a post 4
7A 19. Dr. J, for all of his N.B.A. career 5
8A 20. Perspective 4
9A 21. Husky hellos? 4
10A 22. Reached new heights 4
11A 24. Low-level clouds 6
12A 26. Central Plains nation governed by the Nasharo Council 6
13A 30. Storage unit 4
14A 32. Portable retirement option 3
15A 33. Black-and-white debut of 1912 4
16A 34. Like something no money can buy 4
17A 36. Accomplished 5
18A 38. List of qualifications? 15
19A 41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation 5
20A 42. Pomegranate morsel 4
21A 43. Certain razorback 4
22A 44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names 3
23A 45. Still active after all these years 4
24A 47. Looks all over 6
25A 49. ___ paratha (cheese-filled flatbread) 6
26A 51. Great find in the candy aisle, by the sound of it 4
27A 53. Things to let: Abbr. 4
28A 54. "I could be wrong, but ...," for short 4
29A 56. Tropical ring 5
30A 61. Hoot 4
31A 62. 2000 parody of a 62-Across 10
32A 64. "That's for sure" 4
33A 65. Postponed court date? 10
34A 66. No time like the present 4
35A 67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps 10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Gold meddlers?"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Place for a post"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Perspective"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Husky hellos?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Reached new heights"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Low-level clouds"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Storage unit"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. Portable retirement option"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Accomplished"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. List of qualifications?"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Pomegranate morsel"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Certain razorback"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 17th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Looks all over"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Tropical ring"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Hoot"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Postponed court date?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

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

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Central point"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Spring up"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Extra hot"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

15 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Lecture"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Least straightforward, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Makes some calls"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Traveled to perform"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Central point"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Legendary Himalayan climber"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Bath seat?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "46. Color separators"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "52. Won land"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "58. A zero is one"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
  • Similar words include: prolate, egg-shaped, ovoid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "59. Kilo follower"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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Last updated: May 09, 2026 at 06:03 AM

Thursday, February 5, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 05, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Dives into 5
2A 6. Cause to crack up 4
3A 10. Pillow covering 4
4A 14. Florida's ___ National Forest 5
5A 15. Give quite a shock 4
6A 16. Antifur org. 4
7A 17. | $ | $ | $ | $ | 10
8A 19. Sheltered from the wind 4
9A 20. Charge on imports 4
10A 21. Bible-inspired tourist attraction in Williamstown, Ky. 3
11A 22. Excel spreadsheets, essentially 5
12A 23. Go (for) 3
13A 24. | : : : | / / 11
14A 27. "How dare you!" looks 6
15A 29. Tree whose "slippery" variety has medicinal bark 3
16A 30. Mistake "air" for "heir," say 3
17A 31. Chick checker of a sort 5
18A 32. Put one's hands together 4
19A 34. About 4
20A 35. Classic Jack Kerouac novel ... or where you'll find 17-, 24-, 49- and 58-Across 9
21A 38. Fundamentals 4
22A 41. Helps out 4
23A 42. Spinal stack 5
24A 46. Grassy grazing ground 3
25A 47. Wrestling match ender 3
26A 48. Racer's final go-round 6
27A 49. | : : :--| 11
28A 53. Gershwin brother 3
29A 54. Adds to a stuffed suitcase, say 5
30A 55. Schedule pro 3
31A 56. Choice of bands, for short 4
32A 57. Church nook 4
33A 58. |X:X:X:X|
|X:X:X:X|
|X:X:X:X|
10
34A 61. Crown 4
35A 62. Dynamic starter? 4
36A 63. Fictional region that includes Bag End 5
37A 64. Slap (at) 4
38A 65. "Your turn," on a radio 4
39A 66. Sent up on social media, say 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Dives into"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Cause to crack up"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Pillow covering"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
  • Similar words include: imposter, affect, postiche
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Florida's ___ National Forest"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Give quite a shock"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Antifur org."

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. | $ | $ | $ | $ |"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a booth at a tollgate where the toll collector collects tolls
  • Similar words include: tollbooth, tollhouse, tolbooth
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOLLBOOTHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Sheltered from the wind"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that on or toward the lee
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Charge on imports"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force; ; - john d.rockefeller jr
  • Similar words include: tariff, obligation, responsibility
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Bible-inspired tourist attraction in Williamstown, Ky."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (judaism) sacred chest where the ancient hebrews kept the two tablets containing the ten commandments
  • Similar words include: Ark of the Covenant
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Excel spreadsheets, essentially"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pattern of regularly spaced horizontal and vertical lines
  • Similar words include: power system, storage-battery grid, gridiron
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Go (for)"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that select as an alternative over another
  • Similar words include: choose, prefer
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. | : : : | / /"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. "How dare you!" looks"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
  • Similar words include: limelight, blaze, public eye
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLARES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Tree whose "slippery" variety has medicinal bark"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various trees of the genus ulmus: important timber or shade trees
  • Similar words include: elm tree, elmwood
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Mistake "air" for "heir," say"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Chick checker of a sort"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "32. Put one's hands together"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sudden very loud noise
  • Similar words include: eruption, bam, gonorrhoea
  • Opposite of: boo
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. About"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Classic Jack Kerouac novel ... or where you'll find 17-, 24-, 49- and 58-Across"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "38. Fundamentals"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
  • Similar words include: first rudiment, alphabet, rudiment
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. Helps out"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles
  • Similar words include: care, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, assistance
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Spinal stack"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sound recording consisting of a disk with a continuous groove; used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracks in the groove
  • Similar words include: saucer, record, disc
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DISCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Grassy grazing ground"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of length of thread or yarn
  • Similar words include: pastureland, ley, grazing land
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Wrestling match ender"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of jewelry that is pinned onto the wearer's garment
  • Similar words include: pin tumbler, flag, personal identification number
  • Opposite of: unpin
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Racer's final go-round"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. | : : :--|"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Gershwin brother"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a militant organization of irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive british forces from northern ireland and achieve a united independent ireland
  • Similar words include: wrath, ire, Irish Republican Army
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Adds to a stuffed suitcase, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that crowd or pack to capacity
  • Similar words include: jam, mug up, grind away
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Schedule pro"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an accountant who has passed certain examinations and met all other statutory and licensing requirements of a united states state to be certified by that state
  • Similar words include: certified public accountant
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "56. Choice of bands, for short"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "57. Church nook"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar
  • Similar words include: apsis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "58. |X:X:X:X|
|X:X:X:X|
|X:X:X:X|"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "61. Crown"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that liver or meat or fowl finely minced or ground and variously seasoned
  • Similar words include: poll, crown
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "62. Dynamic starter?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "63. Fictional region that includes Bag End"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a former administrative district of england; equivalent to a county
  • Similar words include: shire horse
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "64. Slap (at)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sharp blow
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "65. "Your turn," on a radio"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch
  • Similar words include: all over, terminated, o'er
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "66. Sent up on social media, say"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Show-offs 7
2D 2. Not many 7
3D 3. Levy that helped fund the Erie Canal 7
4D 4. Friend in tough times 4
5D 5. Paragraph starter, perhaps 3
6D 6. Archive 5
7D 7. Potato pancake for Hanukkah 5
8D 8. Campfire residue 3
9D 9. "Definitely!" 3
10D 10. Prince Harry, per his memoir's title 5
11D 11. Genomic shapes 7
12D 12. Put up with put-downs 7
13D 13. Baton wielder 7
14D 18. Galley implements 4
15D 22. Class that may require a change of clothes 3
16D 24. Leaves in a waiting room? 4
17D 25. Becomes tiresome 5
18D 26. Brand in the pet aisle 4
19D 28. Some vintage autos 4
20D 32. Khaki alternative 5
21D 33. Played the first card 3
22D 34. Possible score seven points after love-love 4
23D 36. Follow 4
24D 37. In unison, musically 4
25D 38. Case of emergency? 7
26D 39. Source of a large print 7
27D 40. Card game played with two decks 7
28D 43. Meat stick brand 7
29D 44. Commuter's charge 7
30D 45. Barraged with irrelevant material 7
31D 47. HPs, e.g. 3
32D 48. First tennis player to achieve a Golden Slam 4
33D 50. Become acquainted via Gmail, say 5
34D 51. Jump ___ (horror movie staple) 5
35D 52. Willing to take part in 5
36D 56. Pine 4
37D 58. Confucian "way" 3
38D 59. Energize, with "up" 3
39D 60. Suffix with capital 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Show-offs"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who performs dangerous stunts to attract attention to himself
  • Similar words include: frankfurter, dog, frank
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOTDOGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Not many"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Levy that helped fund the Erie Canal"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Friend in tough times"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a friendly nation
  • Similar words include: friend
  • Opposite of: foe
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Paragraph starter, perhaps"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bill in a restaurant
  • Similar words include: pill, lozenge, tabloid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Archive"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
  • Similar words include: hive away, computer memory, stash away
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Potato pancake for Hanukkah"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that made of grated potato and egg with a little flour
  • Similar words include: potato pancake
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LATKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Campfire residue"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the residue that remains when something is burned
  • Similar words include: ash tree
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. "Definitely!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an affirmative
  • Opposite of: no
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Prince Harry, per his memoir's title"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an extra component of a machine or other apparatus
  • Similar words include: dispense with, fifth wheel, bare
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Genomic shapes"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle
  • Similar words include: genus Helix, Helix, spiral
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HELIXES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Put up with put-downs"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Baton wielder"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an artist of consummate skill
  • Similar words include: master
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAESTRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Galley implements"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an implement used to propel or steer a boat
  • Similar words include: oar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Class that may require a change of clothes"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that athletic facility equipped for sports or physical training
  • Similar words include: gymnasium
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GYM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Leaves in a waiting room?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FERN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Becomes tiresome"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that impairment resulting from long use
  • Similar words include: wear upon, wear, jade
  • Opposite of: refresh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Brand in the pet aisle"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Some vintage autos"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Khaki alternative"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that trousers made with chino cloth
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHINO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Played the first card"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Possible score seven points after love-love"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Follow"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
  • Similar words include: buttocks, fundament, shadower
  • Opposite of: head
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. In unison, musically"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Case of emergency?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Source of a large print"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Card game played with two decks"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a form of rummy using two decks of cards and four jokers; jokers and deuces are wild; the object is to form groups of the same rank
  • Similar words include: meld, basket rummy
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANASTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Meat stick brand"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Commuter's charge"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fare charged for riding a bus or streetcar
  • Similar words include: bus fare
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARFARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. Barraged with irrelevant material"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. HPs, e.g."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small digital computer based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time
  • Similar words include: PC, microcomputer, personal computer
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. First tennis player to achieve a Golden Slam"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that german tennis player who won seven women's singles titles at wimbledon (born in 1969)
  • Similar words include: Stephanie Graf, Steffi Graf
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Become acquainted via Gmail, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Jump ___ (horror movie staple)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sudden mass fear and anxiety over anticipated events
  • Similar words include: affright, panic attack, frighten off
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "52. Willing to take part in"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. Pine"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
  • Similar words include: aching, pine, hurt
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "58. Confucian "way""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adherent of any branch of taoism
  • Similar words include: Taoist
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Energize, with "up""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rate of revolution of a motor
  • Similar words include: revolutions per minute, rev up, rpm
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "60. Suffix with capital"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
  • Similar words include: doctrine, philosophical system, philosophy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

39 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 05, 2026 at 05:03 AM