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Saturday, August 8, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 08, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Fling 4
2A 5. Garment with a loose, flowing end known as a "pallu" 4
3A 9. Longtime airer of "The Young and the Restless" 3
4A 12. Nocturnal sounds in the woods 5
5A 14. Waffle 9
6A 16. Woodard with multiple Emmys 5
7A 17. Author and illustrator of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" 9
8A 18. Slippery slope 10
9A 20. Crowd (in) 4
10A 21. Summertime top 11
11A 23. Group of reps 3
12A 24. Kind of coating applied to metal 8
13A 25. Go for again 5
14A 27. Load from the dock 6
15A 28. University of California campus site 5
16A 29. Locals call it Mongibello ("the mountain of mountains") 4
17A 30. O. Henry's "The Gift of the ___" 4
18A 31. Braided rope made of rawhide 5
19A 33. Limited 6
20A 35. "Comprende?" 5
21A 36. They're taken off for boudoir photos 8
22A 38. Relieved response 3
23A 39. Greek dish made with an abundance of spinach 11
24A 42. La ___ Tar Pits 4
25A 44. Instrument measuring liquid density 10
26A 45. French beauty 9
27A 47. Section of a golf bag 5
28A 48. Pawn-capturing move 9
29A 49. Hard French cheese 5
30A 50. Map lines: Abbr. 3
31A 51. Giant bird of Chinese mythology that is transformed from a fish called Kun 4
32A 52. Capone's foe 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Fling"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of flipping a coin
  • Similar words include: chuck out, convulse, thrash
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Garment with a loose, flowing end known as a "pallu""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

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!

3A: "9. Longtime airer of "The Young and the Restless""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "12. Nocturnal sounds in the woods"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
  • Similar words include: shit, hiss, tinker's damn
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Waffle"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Woodard with multiple Emmys"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Author and illustrator of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar""

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Slippery slope"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Crowd (in)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a collection of objects laid on top of each other
  • Similar words include: batch, lot, mint
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Summertime top"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Group of reps"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: mark, correct, lot
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Kind of coating applied to metal"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Go for again"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hear or try a court case anew
  • Similar words include: rehear
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Load from the dock"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. University of California campus site"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english navigator who explored the arctic while searching for the northwest passage (1550-1605)
  • Similar words include: John Davys, Davys, Miles Dewey Davis Jr.
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAVIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. Locals call it Mongibello ("the mountain of mountains")"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inactive volcano in sicily; last erupted in 1961; the highest volcano in europe (10,500 feet)
  • Similar words include: Mt Etna, bunsen burner, Mount Etna
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "30. O. Henry's "The Gift of the ___""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (new testament) the sages who visited jesus and mary and joseph shortly after jesus was born; the gospel according to matthew says they were guided by a star and brought gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh; because there were three gifts it is usually assumed that there were three of them
  • Similar words include: magus, Wise Men
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAGI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "31. Braided rope made of rawhide"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long noosed rope used to catch animals
  • Similar words include: lasso, lariat, reata
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIATA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "33. Limited"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that bounded or limited in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent
  • Opposite of: infinite
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FINITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. "Comprende?""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "36. They're taken off for boudoir photos"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "38. Relieved response"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "39. Greek dish made with an abundance of spinach"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "42. La ___ Tar Pits"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "44. Instrument measuring liquid density"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measuring instrument for determining the specific gravity of a liquid or solid
  • Similar words include: gravimeter
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYDROMETER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "45. French beauty"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Section of a golf bag"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that metal shackles; for hands or legs
  • Similar words include: Fe, iron out, press
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "48. Pawn-capturing move"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "49. Hard French cheese"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french philosopher remembered as the founder of positivism; he also established sociology as a systematic field of study
  • Similar words include: Isidore Auguste Marie Francois Comte, Auguste Comte
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "50. Map lines: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "51. Giant bird of Chinese mythology that is transformed from a fish called Kun"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "52. Capone's foe"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strip of land projecting into a body of water
  • Similar words include: cape
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Warms up 5
2D 2. "Fancy!" 6
3D 3. Warms up, say 7
4D 4. Word-of-mouth promoters 10
5D 5. Investment bond in W.W. II 7
6D 6. During 6
7D 7. Tries to outrun 5
8D 8. Forbes competitor 3
9D 9. Corpus ___ 7
10D 10. Ostentatious spenders, in slang 7
11D 11. Term of endearment, in one spelling 6
12D 13. Napkins, to Brits 10
13D 14. Damn fine 7
14D 15. Repeated greeting in the Key & Peele sketch "Obama Meet & Greet" 3
15D 19. Court name 6
16D 22. Displaying a wide range of emotions, say 10
17D 26. Founder of Argentina's first female-led political party, familiarly 10
18D 28. Big name in comfortable footwear 6
19D 30. Tower with daily calls to prayer 7
20D 31. Hit from behind 7
21D 32. Words following a suggestion to try something 7
22D 33. Warding (off) 7
23D 34. Perfect example 7
24D 35. Person you practically have to drag out of a party, say 6
25D 36. One requesting simpler terms? 6
26D 37. Channel inserts 6
27D 40. Short-lived interest 5
28D 41. Parliamentary seats? 5
29D 43. Per 3
30D 46. For a medium, it's easy! 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Warms up"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
  • Similar words include: warming, thaw, unthaw
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THAWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Fancy!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Warms up, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make (images or sounds) soft or softer
  • Similar words include: soften, yield, buffer
  • Opposite of: stand, harden
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOFTENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Word-of-mouth promoters"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Investment bond in W.W. II"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. During"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Tries to outrun"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any competition
  • Similar words include: race, bucket along, run
  • Opposite of: linger
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Forbes competitor"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to saddam hussein's government of iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of sunni and shiite arabs and kurds who hope to build a new government
  • Similar words include: Iraqi National Congress
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Corpus ___"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Ostentatious spenders, in slang"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Term of endearment, in one spelling"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "13. Napkins, to Brits"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing
  • Similar words include: table napkin, serviette, napkin
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERVIETTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Damn fine"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Repeated greeting in the Key & Peele sketch "Obama Meet & Greet""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Court name"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Displaying a wide range of emotions, say"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to or characteristic of tragicomedy
  • Similar words include: tragicomical
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAGICOMIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Founder of Argentina's first female-led political party, familiarly"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Big name in comfortable footwear"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Tower with daily calls to prayer"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slender tower with balconies
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINARET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Hit from behind"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Words following a suggestion to try something"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Warding (off)"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that try to manage without help
  • Similar words include: stand, resist, fend
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FENDING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Perfect example"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a standard or typical example
  • Similar words include: prototype, paradigm, image
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPITOME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Person you practically have to drag out of a party, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. One requesting simpler terms?"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
  • Similar words include: layperson, secular
  • Opposite of: clergyman
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAYMAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "37. Channel inserts"

6 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
  • Similar words include: stent
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STENTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Short-lived interest"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any distinct time period in a sequence of events
  • Similar words include: stage, form, phase angle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Parliamentary seats?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Per"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. For a medium, it's easy!"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that apparent power to perceive things that are not present to the senses
  • Similar words include: E.S.P., clairvoyance, second sight
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESP

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

32 Across Clues
30 Down Clues
62 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: August 08, 2026 at 04:32 AM

Friday, May 29, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 29, 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. "Oscar" of the French film industry 5
2A 6. Feeling after a long hike 4
3A 10. Singer/composer Bareilles 4
4A 14. Prematurely 10
5A 16. Many a fund-raising target, informally 4
6A 17. "We have a mutual friend?!" 10
7A 18. Smurf who is more than 500 years old 4
8A 19. See 20-Across 3
9A 20. With 19-Across, swing dance originating in Harlem 5
10A 21. They're cut to defuse an explosive 5
11A 22. Cue ... or queue 4
12A 23. Only player to win three Super Bowl M.V.P. awards before turning 30 7
13A 25. Reducing to rubble 6
14A 28. Apt anagram of NOTES 5
15A 29. Hockey infraction 5
16A 30. Breezy things enjoyed at the beach 9
17A 34. Doesn't go at full speed 5
18A 35. Sack 3
19A 36. Walk-on 5
20A 37. They might make you one with everything 9
21A 39. "La Tulipe Noire" novelist, 1850 5
22A 40. Party poppers 5
23A 41. Makes fun of mercilessly 6
24A 42. Fall sign 7
25A 45. Agitate 4
26A 46. Hits 5
27A 47. Won't let it go 5
28A 49. Zendaya's role on "Euphoria" 3
29A 52. Fictional manufacturer of a Do-It Yourself Tornado Kit 4
30A 53. "Can you catch me up?" 10
31A 55. Time of day either way 4
32A 56. Author of "All I Did Was Ask: Conversations with Writers, Actors, Musicians and Artists" 10
33A 57. Barriers to entry, in a way 4
34A 58. Unravel at the edges 4
35A 59. Variety of cold brew 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "Oscar" of the French film industry"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Feeling after a long hike"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Singer/composer Bareilles"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Prematurely"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Many a fund-raising target, informally"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the ammonium double sulfate of aluminum
  • Similar words include: potash alum, ammonia alum, graduate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. "We have a mutual friend?!""

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Smurf who is more than 500 years old"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
  • Similar words include: pa, pop, dada
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. See 20-Across"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of hopping; jumping upward or forward (especially on one foot)
  • Similar words include: hop-skip, hops, record hop
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. With 19-Across, swing dance originating in Harlem"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an energetic american dance that was popular in the 1930s (probably named for the aviator charles lindbergh)
  • Similar words include: lindy hop
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LINDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. They're cut to defuse an explosive"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
  • Similar words include: wire, telegraph, cable
  • Opposite of: unwire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIRES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Cue ... or queue"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a formation of people or things one beside another
  • Similar words include: line of work, bloodline, lineage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Only player to win three Super Bowl M.V.P. awards before turning 30"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Reducing to rubble"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the event of a structure being completely demolished and leveled
  • Similar words include: rase, wrecking, level
  • Opposite of: raise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAZING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Apt anagram of NOTES"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of a person's voice
  • Similar words include: chant, timber, intone
  • Opposite of: atonicity
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TONES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Hockey infraction"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the formation of frost or ice on a surface
  • Similar words include: icing the puck, ice, frosting
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Breezy things enjoyed at the beach"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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17A: "34. Doesn't go at full speed"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slow pace of running
  • Similar words include: lope, jog, Trotskyist
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Sack"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
  • Similar words include: ax
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Walk-on"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a minor actor in crowd scenes
  • Similar words include: additional, supernumerary, duplicate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. They might make you one with everything"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. "La Tulipe Noire" novelist, 1850"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french writer remembered for his swashbuckling historical tales (1802-1870)
  • Similar words include: Alexandre Dumas, Duma
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUMAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Party poppers"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that outer bark of the cork oak; used for stoppers for bottles etc.
  • Similar words include: bottle cork, bobber, phellem
  • Opposite of: uncork
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "41. Makes fun of mercilessly"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of meat roasted or for roasting and of a size for slicing into more than one portion
  • Similar words include: ridicule, guy, jest at
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROASTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "42. Fall sign"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in scorpio
  • Similar words include: Scorpio the Scorpion, Scorpion, Scorpius
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCORPIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "45. Agitate"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be agitated
  • Similar words include: moil, churn, rile
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "46. Hits"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a puff of a marijuana or hashish cigarette
  • Similar words include: toke
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOKES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Won't let it go"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that agitation resulting from active worry
  • Similar words include: sweat, grudge, stew
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "49. Zendaya's role on "Euphoria""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that european strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
  • Similar words include: herb of grace, regret, Ruta graveolens
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "52. Fictional manufacturer of a Do-It Yourself Tornado Kit"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
  • Similar words include: elevation, peak, pinnacle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "53. "Can you catch me up?""

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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31A: "55. Time of day either way"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the middle of the day
  • Similar words include: noonday, noontide, midday
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "56. Author of "All I Did Was Ask: Conversations with Writers, Actors, Musicians and Artists""

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "57. Barriers to entry, in a way"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
  • Similar words include: decametre, dike, dyke
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "58. Unravel at the edges"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a noisy fight
  • Similar words include: scratch, frazzle, chafe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "59. Variety of cold brew"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. It is king, in a phrase 4
2D 2. Redheaded monster on TV 4
3D 3. Thwack 4
4D 4. Birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr.: Abbr. 3
5D 5. Road maneuvers featuring lazy braking 12
6D 6. Without dissenting voices 5
7D 7. It's cut after birth 4
8D 8. "Yowzers!" 9
9D 9. What a circle lacks 3
10D 10. Someone attracted to intellect over looks, say 11
11D 11. Dream interrupter 5
12D 12. Currency in The Legend of Zelda 5
13D 13. Hoard 5
14D 15. Outstanding, in a way 5
15D 21. Eager buyer's question 12
16D 22. Traps in a laundry room 11
17D 24. Not a particular one 3
18D 25. Snack brand since 1934 4
19D 26. It might be a lot 4
20D 27. Last U.S. national park, alphabetically 4
21D 28. Return payments? 5
22D 30. Adhere to the kashrut dietary rules 9
23D 31. They're filled with bacon 4
24D 32. "Curses, foiled again!" 4
25D 33. Guff 4
26D 38. Co-star of 2025's "Wicked: For Good," informally 3
27D 41. Neither demure nor mindful 5
28D 42. Come to attention, in a way 5
29D 43. Powder in a pantry 5
30D 44. Child's agreement 5
31D 45. Avoid rage-quitting, perhaps 5
32D 48. Longtime college basketball coach VanDerveer 4
33D 49. Run amok 4
34D 50. Hammer-and-sickle land, for short 4
35D 51. Gas brand whose name sounds like two letters of the alphabet 4
36D 53. "R U KIDDING ME?!" 3
37D 54. Way to look inward, in brief? 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. It is king, in a phrase"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that money in the form of bills or coins
  • Similar words include: hard currency, John Cash, Johnny Cash
  • Opposite of: credit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Redheaded monster on TV"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Thwack"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
  • Similar words include: bolt, smacking, smack
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr.: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Road maneuvers featuring lazy braking"

12 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Without dissenting voices"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. It's cut after birth"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a line made of twisted fibers or threads
  • Similar words include: electric cord, corduroy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. "Yowzers!""

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. What a circle lacks"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Someone attracted to intellect over looks, say"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Dream interrupter"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fear resulting from the awareness of danger
  • Similar words include: consternation, dismay, alarm clock
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALARM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Currency in The Legend of Zelda"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in sri lanka; equal to 100 cents
  • Similar words include: Sri Lanka rupee, Seychelles rupee, Nepalese rupee
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Hoard"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that collect or gather
  • Similar words include: collect, compile, conglomerate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Outstanding, in a way"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be obliged to pay or repay
  • Similar words include: owe, undischarged, outstanding
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Eager buyer's question"

12 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Traps in a laundry room"

11 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Not a particular one"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Snack brand since 1934"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that swiss hotelier who created a chain of elegant hotels (1850-1918)
  • Similar words include: Cesar Ritz
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RITZ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. It might be a lot"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in english-speaking countries
  • Similar words include: Akka, Akko, Accho
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Last U.S. national park, alphabetically"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that originally a stronghold captured by david (the 2nd king of the israelites); above it was built a temple and later the name extended to the whole hill; finally it became a synonym for the city of jerusalem
  • Similar words include: State of Israel, Yisrael, Utopia
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "28. Return payments?"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "30. Adhere to the kashrut dietary rules"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "31. They're filled with bacon"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of pressure: the pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 mm high at sea level and 0 degrees centigrade
  • Similar words include: standard atmosphere, ATM, standard pressure
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "32. "Curses, foiled again!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "33. Guff"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an impudent or insolent rejoinder
  • Similar words include: lip, backtalk, sassing
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Co-star of 2025's "Wicked: For Good," informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Neither demure nor mindful"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cruel and brutal fellow
  • Similar words include: raucous, roughneck, ruffian
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROWDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Come to attention, in a way"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a support or foundation
  • Similar words include: base, abide, standpoint
  • Opposite of: sit, yield
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Powder in a pantry"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
  • Similar words include: chocolate, drinking chocolate, hot chocolate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COCOA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. Child's agreement"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "45. Avoid rage-quitting, perhaps"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hear or try a court case anew
  • Similar words include: rehear
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Longtime college basketball coach VanDerveer"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a village in eastern ireland (northwest of dublin); seat of irish kings until 6th century
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TARA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "49. Run amok"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Hammer-and-sickle land, for short"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a former communist country in eastern europe and northern asia; established in 1922; included russia and 14 other soviet socialist republics (ukraine and byelorussia and others); officially dissolved 31 december 1991
  • Similar words include: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Russia, Soviet Union
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USSR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "51. Gas brand whose name sounds like two letters of the alphabet"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "53. "R U KIDDING ME?!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "54. Way to look inward, in brief?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the use of nuclear magnetic resonance of protons to produce proton density images
  • Similar words include: magnetic resonance imaging
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MRI

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
37 Down Clues
72 Total Clues

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Last updated: May 29, 2026 at 07:08 AM