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Wednesday, August 26, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 26, 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: Challenging

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. Modern lead-in to quit or bait 4
2A 5. Heat source for many hydrothermal vents 5
3A 10. Act all teenagerly, say 4
4A 14. [I have something to say ...] 4
5A 15. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders 5
6A 16. River by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre 4
7A 17. Enhancing "blemish" (3x) 10
8A 19. Rip apart 4
9A 20. Something to belly up to 3
10A 21. Tennis's "King of Clay," familiarly 4
11A 22. Cautious 4
12A 23. "My guess is ..." 5
13A 25. Teach, playfully (3x) 9
14A 29. Pinocchio's tell 4
15A 31. South American capital where Simón Bolívar was born 7
16A 32. ___ Wowie (cocktail with a rhyming name) 4
17A 33. PC key 3
18A 34. Wait for it! 3
19A 35. Sweet popcorn coating (4x) 13
20A 39. Sci-fi pilot ___ Solo 3
21A 40. Call, as a poker bet 3
22A 41. Roman author of "Metamorphoses" 4
23A 42. Fred Flintstone's boss at the rock quarry 7
24A 45. Tech review site 4
25A 46. Nut in Sausalito cookies (3x) 9
26A 48. Bundles in a stationery shop 5
27A 52. Pointed remarks 4
28A 53. "Famous" cookie entrepreneur 4
29A 55. Church fixture 3
30A 56. Black mark on a credit report, in brief 4
31A 57. "Unbelievable!" ... or what 17-, 25-, 35- and 46-Across are made from, letter-wise? 10
32A 60. Never Have I ___ (party game) 4
33A 61. April's ___ Day 5
34A 62. Bug on a pug 4
35A 63. Alien incubators in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" 4
36A 64. Acrimonious, as a breakup 5
37A 65. Units of verse 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Modern lead-in to quit or bait"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feeling of intense anger
  • Similar words include: storm, furore, craze
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Heat source for many hydrothermal vents"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that molten rock in the earth's crust
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAGMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Act all teenagerly, say"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who wastes time
  • Similar words include: dilly-dallier, mope around, moon around
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. [I have something to say ...]"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the utterance of a sound similar to clearing the throat; intended to get attention, express hesitancy, fill a pause, hide embarrassment, warn a friend, etc.
  • Similar words include: hem
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AHEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) a titan who was forced by zeus to bear the sky on his shoulders
  • Similar words include: telamon, atlas vertebra, book of maps
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATLAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. River by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a river in southwestern england rising in gloucestershire and flowing through bristol to empty into the estuary of the severn
  • Similar words include: Upper Avon, River Avon, Upper Avon River
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Enhancing "blemish" (3x)"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Rip apart"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tear or be torn violently
  • Similar words include: rip, pull, rive
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Something to belly up to"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
  • Similar words include: streak, cake, Browning automatic rifle
  • Opposite of: unbar
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Tennis's "King of Clay," familiarly"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Cautious"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
  • Similar words include: leery, mistrustful, suspicious
  • Opposite of: unwary
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WARY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. "My guess is ...""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Teach, playfully (3x)"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Pinocchio's tell"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
  • Similar words include: nozzle, intrude, olfactory organ
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. South American capital where Simón Bolívar was born"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of venezuela
  • Similar words include: capital of Venezuela
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARACAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. ___ Wowie (cocktail with a rhyming name)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the second largest of the hawaiian islands
  • Similar words include: Maui Island
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAUI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. PC key"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
  • Similar words include: EL, elevation, altitude
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Wait for it!"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
  • Similar words include: peak, lead, tip off
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. Sweet popcorn coating (4x)"

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Sci-fi pilot ___ Solo"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that imperial dynasty that ruled china (most of the time from 206 bc to ad 220) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of chinese civilization
  • Similar words include: Han dynasty
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Call, as a poker bet"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
  • Similar words include: insure, find, go steady
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. Roman author of "Metamorphoses""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that roman poet remembered for his elegiac verses on love (43 bc - ad 17)
  • Similar words include: Publius Ovidius Naso
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Fred Flintstone's boss at the rock quarry"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Tech review site"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Nut in Sausalito cookies (3x)"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any tree of the genus macadamia
  • Similar words include: macadamia tree
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MACADAMIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Bundles in a stationery shop"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large quantity of written matter
  • Similar words include: ream
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Pointed remarks"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
  • Similar words include: thrusting, dig, thrust
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. "Famous" cookie entrepreneur"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hebrew shepherd and minor prophet
  • Similar words include: Book of Amos
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Church fixture"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation
  • Similar words include: church bench
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Black mark on a credit report, in brief"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. "Unbelievable!" ... or what 17-, 25-, 35- and 46-Across are made from, letter-wise?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Never Have I ___ (party game)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at any time
  • Similar words include: e'er, ever so, always
  • Opposite of: never
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. April's ___ Day"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tree (as opposed to shrub)
  • Similar words include: pergola, spindle, arbour
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARBOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "62. Bug on a pug"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any wingless bloodsucking parasitic insect noted for ability to leap
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "63. Alien incubators in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the vessel that contains the seeds of a plant (not the seeds themselves)
  • Similar words include: fuel pod, seedpod, cod
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PODS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "64. Acrimonious, as a breakup"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that dirty and disorderly
  • Similar words include: mussy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MESSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "65. Units of verse"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
  • Similar words include: base, groundwork, metrical unit
  • Opposite of: head
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Torah scholar 5
2D 2. Bridge Out ___ (sign) 5
3D 3. They have teeth but don't bite 5
4D 4. Ground-dwelling bird in a eucalyptus forest 3
5D 5. Chichén Itzá builders 4
6D 6. Taking charge? 6
7D 7. Happy-sounding advocacy grp. 5
8D 8. Scuff up, say 3
9D 9. Set, as a price 3
10D 10. Instrument associated with beans and salsa? 6
11D 11. Was a ham 9
12D 12. Scrunchied hairstyle 8
13D 13. "The ___" (final track listed on the original "Abbey Road") 3
14D 18. Audition 6
15D 22. Word that can precede cry or baby 3
16D 24. Picky, picky, picky 4
17D 26. Sch. attended by Steve Martin, James Dean and Jack Black (none of whom stayed to graduate) 4
18D 27. Housemother 6
19D 28. What cards with circles, stars, pluses, squares and wavy lines test for, in brief 3
20D 30. Day break? 6
21D 32. Got it all off his chest? 9
22D 33. Disc golf "hole"-in-one 3
23D 35. Capital city known as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans" 8
24D 36. Consider 4
25D 37. Disinclined 6
26D 38. Small bug with a strong-sounding name 4
27D 39. "Well, let me think" 3
28D 43. Herculean tasks 6
29D 44. Almost a quarter of the Super Bowl's run time 3
30D 45. Sometimes-uncredited appearances 6
31D 47. da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, for example 5
32D 49. Gift from a teacher's pet 5
33D 50. Free-for-all 5
34D 51. Result of a hot pursuit? 5
35D 54. Grand Ole ___ 4
36D 56. One leg press, say 3
37D 57. Uncle ___ 3
38D 58. Minecraft resource 3
39D 59. Command to a jumpy dog 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Torah scholar"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that spiritual leader of a jewish congregation; qualified to expound and apply jewish law
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RABBI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Bridge Out ___ (sign)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having the leading position or higher score in a contest
  • Similar words include: onwards, leading, forward
  • Opposite of: backward, back
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AHEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. They have teeth but don't bite"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
  • Similar words include: geared wheel, gear wheel, train
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Ground-dwelling bird in a eucalyptus forest"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various systems of units for measuring electricity and magnetism
  • Similar words include: Dromaius novaehollandiae, electromagnetic unit, Emu novaehollandiae
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Chichén Itzá builders"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of an american indian people of yucatan and belize and guatemala who had a culture (which reached its peak between ad 300 and 900) characterized by outstanding architecture and pottery and astronomy
  • Similar words include: Mayan language, Mayan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAYA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Taking charge?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Happy-sounding advocacy grp."

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Scuff up, say"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following february and preceding april
  • Similar words include: spoil, vitiate, mutilate
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Set, as a price"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that inquire about
  • Similar words include: inquire, need, involve
  • Opposite of: obviate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Instrument associated with beans and salsa?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a percussion instrument consisting of a hollow gourd containing pebbles or beans; often played in pairs
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARACA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Was a ham"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that exaggerate one's acting
  • Similar words include: ham it up, overact, ham
  • Opposite of: underact
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVERACTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Scrunchied hairstyle"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hair style that draws the hair back so that it hangs down in back of the head like a pony's tail
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PONYTAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "The ___" (final track listed on the original "Abbey Road")"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Audition"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that trying something to find out about it
  • Similar words include: audition, trial, trial run
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRYOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Word that can precede cry or baby"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Picky, picky, picky"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or related to the anus
  • Similar words include: anal retentive
  • Opposite of: oral
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Sch. attended by Steve Martin, James Dean and Jack Black (none of whom stayed to graduate)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Housemother"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATRON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. What cards with circles, stars, pluses, squares and wavy lines test for, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Day break?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIESTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Got it all off his chest?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Disc golf "hole"-in-one"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: genius, nail, Allied Command Europe
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Capital city known as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans""

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that capital and largest city of bosnia; scene of the assassination of francis ferdinand in 1914 which precipitated world war i
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARAJEVO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Consider"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
  • Similar words include: view as, hold, take for
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Disinclined"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
  • Similar words include: loath, loth, antipathetic
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVERSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Small bug with a strong-sounding name"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slight but appreciable amount
  • Similar words include: pinch, touch, soupcon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. "Well, let me think""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Herculean tasks"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
  • Similar words include: parturiency, trade union movement, drive
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LABORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Almost a quarter of the Super Bowl's run time"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public promotion of some product or service
  • Similar words include: ad, advertising, advertisement
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. Sometimes-uncredited appearances"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that engraving or carving in low relief on a stone (as in a brooch or ring)
  • Similar words include: cameo
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAMEOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, for example"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metrical unit with unstressed-stressed syllables
  • Similar words include: iamb, iambus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IAMBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Gift from a teacher's pet"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh
  • Similar words include: Malus pumila, orchard apple tree
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APPLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Free-for-all"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a noisy riotous fight
  • Similar words include: scrimmage, battle royal
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MELEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Result of a hot pursuit?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that salty fluid secreted by sweat glands
  • Similar words include: travail, sudate, swither
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWEAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Grand Ole ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. One leg press, say"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal abbreviation of `representative'
  • Similar words include: repp
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. Uncle ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "58. Minecraft resource"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. Command to a jumpy dog"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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

37 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
76 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 26, 2026 at 04:08 AM

Friday, August 21, 2026

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

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

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. Leader in a robe called a kasaya 4
2A 5. Some malty offerings 9
3A 14. Jejune 4
4A 15. Coupling rings? 10
5A 17. Come (together) 4
6A 18. One sharing gold 10
7A 19. Remy's brother in "Ratatouille" 5
8A 21. High tea treat 5
9A 22. Mathematician Terence, winner of the 2006 Fields Medal 3
10A 23. ___ Ball, 2021 N.B.A. Rookie of the Year 6
11A 25. Key for getting out 3
12A 26. Gave temporarily 4
13A 27. One-named pop star with Monkey Puzzle Records 3
14A 28. ___ tov (Jewish festival) 3
15A 30. Advantageous 5
16A 32. Losing control emotionally, in slang 11
17A 36. Drama club enthusiast 11
18A 38. Italian hero? 11
19A 40. Bold 5
20A 42. Étendue bleue 3
21A 43. Hindi for "reign" 3
22A 45. Focus of a concussion protocol 4
23A 46. N.L. East team, on scoreboards 3
24A 49. Especially ornate 6
25A 51. Mass. summer setting 3
26A 52. Jack up 5
27A 54. School units 5
28A 55. In place? 10
29A 58. Stuff in shakers 4
30A 59. "Aww!" 10
31A 60. Target of a search party 4
32A 61. Is canned 9
33A 62. Word repeated before "against the dying of the light" in a Dylan Thomas poem 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Leader in a robe called a kasaya"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tibetan or mongolian priest of lamaism
  • Similar words include: genus Lama
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Some malty offerings"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Jejune"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lacking sufficient water or rainfall
  • Similar words include: desiccated, desiccate, waterless
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Coupling rings?"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Come (together)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unofficial association of people or groups
  • Similar words include: banding, set, dance orchestra
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. One sharing gold"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Remy's brother in "Ratatouille""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the boy whose upbringing was described by jean-jacques rousseau
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. High tea treat"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small biscuit (rich with cream and eggs) cut into diamonds or sticks and baked in an oven or (especially originally) on a griddle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Mathematician Terence, winner of the 2006 Fields Medal"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

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!

10A: "23. ___ Ball, 2021 N.B.A. Rookie of the Year"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. Key for getting out"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. Gave temporarily"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period of 40 weekdays from ash wednesday to holy saturday
  • Similar words include: loan, impart, Lententide
  • Opposite of: borrow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. One-named pop star with Monkey Puzzle Records"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. ___ tov (Jewish festival)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Advantageous"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Losing control emotionally, in slang"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Drama club enthusiast"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. Italian hero?"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Bold"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that offensively bold
  • Similar words include: nervy, cheeky
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Étendue bleue"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that denoting a quantity consisting of 1,000 items or units
  • Similar words include: 1000, m, one thousand
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Hindi for "reign""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that british dominion over india (1757-1947)
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAJ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Focus of a concussion protocol"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
  • Similar words include: lead, manoeuvre, caput
  • Opposite of: foot, rear
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. N.L. East team, on scoreboards"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 21st letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. Especially ornate"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fanciful but graceful asymmetric ornamentation in art and architecture that originated in france in the 18th century
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROCOCO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Mass. summer setting"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "52. Jack up"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lifting device for raising heavy or cumbersome objects
  • Similar words include: wind, run up, lift
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "54. School units"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
  • Similar words include: desk
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DESKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. In place?"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "58. Stuff in shakers"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
  • Similar words include: common salt, salinity, saltiness
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "59. "Aww!""

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. Target of a search party"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who is away or absent without leave
  • Similar words include: truant
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWOL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "61. Is canned"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. Word repeated before "against the dying of the light" in a Dylan Thomas poem"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feeling of intense anger
  • Similar words include: ramp, fad, furor
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Names 6
2D 2. Language spoken by Jesus 7
3D 3. Place for a quick stop 8
4D 4. Puzzle 5
5D 5. La ti do, musically 3
6D 6. Bovine sounds 4
7D 7. Sport similar to pétanque 5
8D 8. Character 5
9D 9. "Sinners" director, 2025 11
10D 10. Apogee 4
11D 11. Where a serviette is laid 3
12D 12. Haut monde 6
13D 13. ___ Crosley, author of 2008's "I Was Told There'd Be Cake" 6
14D 16. Impudent sort 4
15D 20. Paris's Champs-___ 7
16D 24. Grand Canyon lookout whose name suggests visitors' reactions 11
17D 26. Some baroque instruments 5
18D 29. Diamond wear 4
19D 31. Metal tube in a nuclear reactor 7
20D 33. Jazz musician Jamal 5
21D 34. Neighbor of Colo. 3
22D 35. Mass unit 4
23D 37. First filmmaker to receive the Order of Culture in Japan 8
24D 39. Unprocessed inventory 7
25D 40. One might leave you unprotected at night 6
26D 41. What kid-friendly games typically are 6
27D 44. What big crowds do 6
28D 45. Fells 4
29D 47. Hang-up 5
30D 48. Something raised in a meeting 5
31D 50. Julio ___ Chávez (boxing legend) 5
32D 52. Possessive pronoun 4
33D 53. "Cheerio" 4
34D 56. Snitch 3
35D 57. Neighbor of Ark. 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Names"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brief description given for purposes of identification
  • Similar words include: tag, recording label, mark
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LABELS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Language spoken by Jesus"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a semitic language originally of the ancient arameans but still spoken by other people in southwestern asia
  • Similar words include: Aramaic script
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARAMAIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Place for a quick stop"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Puzzle"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mix up or confuse
  • Similar words include: puddle, muddle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADDLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. La ti do, musically"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Bovine sounds"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by a cow or bull
  • Similar words include: low, moo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Sport similar to pétanque"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that italian bowling played on a long narrow dirt court
  • Similar words include: bocci, boccie
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOCCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Character"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETHOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. "Sinners" director, 2025"

11 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Apogee"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Where a serviette is laid"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
  • Similar words include: lap covering, circuit, overlap
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Haut monde"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status
  • Similar words include: elite group, elite
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELITES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. ___ Crosley, author of 2008's "I Was Told There'd Be Cake""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "16. Impudent sort"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
  • Similar words include: snob, prig, snoot
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. Paris's Champs-___"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Grand Canyon lookout whose name suggests visitors' reactions"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Some baroque instruments"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a substance for packing a joint or coating a porous surface to make it impervious to gas or liquid
  • Similar words include: luting, lute
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Diamond wear"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
  • Similar words include: manus, baseball glove, paw
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MITT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. Metal tube in a nuclear reactor"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "33. Jazz musician Jamal"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "34. Neighbor of Colo."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long projecting or anterior elongation of an animal's head; especially the nose
  • Similar words include: bill, snout, beak
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Mass unit"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram
  • Similar words include: g, gramme, gm
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. First filmmaker to receive the Order of Culture in Japan"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that japanese filmmaker noted for blending japanese folklore with western styles of acting (1910-1998)
  • Similar words include: Akira Kurosawa
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KUROSAWA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Unprocessed inventory"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an accumulation of jobs not done or materials not processed that are yet to be dealt with (especially unfilled customer orders for products or services)
  • Similar words include: reserve, stockpile
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BACKLOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. One might leave you unprotected at night"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. What kid-friendly games typically are"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "44. What big crowds do"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of jostling (forcing your way by pushing)
  • Similar words include: shove, jostling
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JOSTLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Fells"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make or shape as with an axe
  • Similar words include: hew out, hew
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Hang-up"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period of time spent in military service
  • Similar words include: limp, tour of duty, preventive
  • Opposite of: unhitch
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HITCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Something raised in a meeting"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an important question that is in dispute and must be settled
  • Similar words include: topic, cut, issuance
  • Opposite of: recall
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISSUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Julio ___ Chávez (boxing legend)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. Possessive pronoun"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "53. "Cheerio""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "56. Snitch"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
  • Similar words include: blackleg, lowlife, give away
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "57. Neighbor of Ark."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

33 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
68 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 21, 2026 at 04:06 AM