Search Clues

Showing posts sorted by date for query shooter. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query shooter. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Monday, July 13, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 13, 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. Similar (to) 4
2A 5. Taters 5
3A 10. Whole bunch 4
4A 14. Titillating 4
5A 15. Over-the-top enthusiasm 5
6A 16. Ice cream holder 4
7A 17. Meccano offering for budding builders 10
8A 19. Taj Mahal city 4
9A 20. Catch red-handed 3
10A 21. Fairy tale fiend 4
11A 22. Ancient inhabitants of the Andes 5
12A 23. Ring-shaped coral reef 5
13A 25. Human's earliest phase, according to Freud 9
14A 28. Like the man on an annual People magazine cover 7
15A 30. Crimebuster 3
16A 31. Ann Patchett novel "___ Canto" 3
17A 32. Suffix with lemon or orange 3
18A 33. "Of course!" 3
19A 34. Relieves (of) 4
20A 35. Metaphorical Cold War barrier 11
21A 38. "Deadly" transgressions 4
22A 40. Structure for hydroelectric power 3
23A 41. Hypotheticals 3
24A 42. PC exit key 3
25A 43. No-good dog 3
26A 44. Watches on Hulu, say 7
27A 48. Small aircraft for short flights 9
28A 51. Beauty maven Lauder 5
29A 52. Three-note chord 5
30A 53. Christmas Eve service 4
31A 55. Laudatory verse 3
32A 56. Not as much 4
33A 57. Toys ... or the ends of 17-, 25-, 35- and 48-Across? 10
34A 60. Polish for publishing 4
35A 61. Treat for Winnie-the-Pooh 5
36A 62. "Begone!" 4
37A 63. Spoonful of medicine, maybe 4
38A 64. Water or rust, chemically 5
39A 65. One who saves the day 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Similar (to)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that similar in quality or character
  • Similar words include: blood-related, consanguineal, cognate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AKIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Taters"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edible tuber native to south america; a staple food of ireland
  • Similar words include: white potato, potato, Irish potato
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPUDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Whole bunch"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
  • Similar words include: plenty, hatful, veer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Titillating"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that full of zest or vigor
  • Similar words include: rich, full-bodied, gamey
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Over-the-top enthusiasm"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action
  • Similar words include: manic disorder, passion, cacoethes
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Ice cream holder"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any cone-shaped artifact
  • Similar words include: conoid, retinal cone, strobile
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Meccano offering for budding builders"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Taj Mahal city"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in northern india; former capital of the mogul empire; site of the taj mahal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Catch red-handed"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tag the base runner to get him out
  • Similar words include: nail, apprehend, collar
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Fairy tale fiend"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cruel wicked and inhuman person
  • Similar words include: monster, fiend, demon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OGRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Ancient inhabitants of the Andes"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ruler of the incas (or a member of his family)
  • Similar words include: Inka, Incan, Inca
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Ring-shaped coral reef"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Human's earliest phase, according to Freud"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Like the man on an annual People magazine cover"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by or tending to arouse sexual desire or interest
  • Similar words include: aphrodisiac, sexy, aphrodisiacal
  • Opposite of: anaphrodisiac, unsexy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEXIEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Crimebuster"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that uncomplimentary terms for a policeman
  • Similar words include: copper, fuzz, thieve
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Ann Patchett novel "___ Canto""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a logarithmic unit of sound intensity equal to 10 decibels
  • Similar words include: B
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Suffix with lemon or orange"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice
  • Similar words include: fruit drink
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. "Of course!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Relieves (of)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that relieve from
  • Similar words include: free, disembarrass, rid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Metaphorical Cold War barrier"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "38. "Deadly" transgressions"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that estrangement from god
  • Similar words include: goof, Sin, boob
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SINS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Structure for hydroelectric power"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
  • Similar words include: decameter, dyke, dam up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "41. Hypotheticals"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "42. PC exit key"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "43. No-good dog"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inferior dog or one of mixed breed
  • Similar words include: mongrel, mutt
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "44. Watches on Hulu, say"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
  • Similar words include: well out, current, pelt
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STREAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "48. Small aircraft for short flights"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an airplane with an external propeller that is driven by a turbojet engine
  • Similar words include: propjet, turbo-propeller plane
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TURBOPROP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "51. Beauty maven Lauder"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "52. Three-note chord"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
  • Similar words include: tierce, leash, three
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "53. Christmas Eve service"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
  • Similar words include: plenty, hatful, slew
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "55. Laudatory verse"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "56. Not as much"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree
  • Similar words include: to a lesser extent
  • Opposite of: more
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "57. Toys ... or the ends of 17-, 25-, 35- and 48-Across?"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an artifact designed to be played with
  • Similar words include: toy, plaything
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLAYTHINGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "60. Polish for publishing"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting
  • Similar words include: delete, blue-pencil, redact
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "61. Treat for Winnie-the-Pooh"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sweet yellow liquid produced by bees
  • Similar words include: love, dear, dearest
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HONEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "62. "Begone!""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that singing jazz; the singer substitutes nonsense syllables for the words of the song and tries to sound like a musical instrument
  • Similar words include: take to the woods, break away, scarper
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "63. Spoonful of medicine, maybe"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measured portion of medicine taken at any one time
  • Similar words include: dot, sexually transmitted disease, dosage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "64. Water or rust, chemically"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any compound of oxygen with another element or a radical
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OXIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "65. One who saves the day"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
  • Similar words include: zep, Cuban sandwich, hero sandwich
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Large venues 6
2D 2. Martial art in which folks get their kicks 6
3D 3. Refrigerator, quaintly 6
4D 4. Home of the Empire State Bldg. 3
5D 5. Unhealthy haze 4
6D 6. Mimic 6
7D 7. Indy racer Al or Bobby 5
8D 8. Yahtzee cube 3
9D 9. Was successful in musical chairs 3
10D 10. Minimal 5
11D 11. Woodsy abode 8
12D 12. Furious 7
13D 13. Sneaky types 7
14D 18. Ohio port on Lake Erie 6
15D 22. Co. with a lot of connections? 3
16D 24. Tall tale tellers 5
17D 26. Taiwanese computer giant 4
18D 27. Went ballistic 6
19D 29. Humorous parody 6
20D 33. "Dee-lish!" 3
21D 34. Expands, as dough with yeast 5
22D 35. Experiencing great difficulty 8
23D 36. Singer Vikki with three Grammys 4
24D 37. With a clean slate 6
25D 38. Avoided a trial, say 7
26D 39. Emphatic affirmative 7
27D 43. Common fish-and-chips fish 3
28D 44. Fixed at the vet 6
29D 45. Immediately 6
30D 46. Brooklyn's ___ Evers College 6
31D 47. Looks after 6
32D 49. Sew loosely 5
33D 50. Saudi neighbor 5
34D 54. Eyelid affliction 4
35D 57. Vietnamese soup with rice noodles 3
36D 58. Salmon on a bagel 3
37D 59. Suffix with bull or bear 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Large venues"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular environment or walk of life
  • Similar words include: arena, stadium, sphere
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARENAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Martial art in which folks get their kicks"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a traditional japanese system of unarmed combat; sharp blows and kicks are given to pressure-sensitive points on the body of the opponent
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KARATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Refrigerator, quaintly"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that white goods in which food can be stored at low temperatures
  • Similar words include: refrigerator
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICEBOX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Home of the Empire State Bldg."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Unhealthy haze"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
  • Similar words include: smogginess
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Mimic"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that usually brightly colored zygodactyl tropical birds with short hooked beaks and the ability to mimic sounds
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Indy racer Al or Bobby"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Yahtzee cube"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers
  • Similar words include: decease, break, break down
  • Opposite of: be born
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Was successful in musical chairs"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the sabbath by jews and some christians
  • Similar words include: model, sit down, Sabbatum
  • Opposite of: arise, stand
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Minimal"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that work hastily or carelessly; deal with inadequately and superficially
  • Similar words include: light, skimp, stint
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Woodsy abode"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Furious"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that put into a rage; make violently angry
  • Similar words include: enrage, infuriated, angered
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENRAGED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Sneaky types"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is regarded as treacherous or sneaky
  • Similar words include: weasel
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEASELS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Ohio port on Lake Erie"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an industrial city in northwestern ohio on lake erie
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOLEDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Co. with a lot of connections?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Tall tale tellers"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who has lied or who lies repeatedly
  • Similar words include: prevaricator, liar
  • Opposite of: square shooter
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Taiwanese computer giant"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that type genus of the aceraceae; trees or shrubs having winged fruit
  • Similar words include: genus Acer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Went ballistic"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Humorous parody"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
  • Similar words include: parody, mockery, put-on
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENDUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "33. "Dee-lish!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "34. Expands, as dough with yeast"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a growth in strength or number or importance
  • Similar words include: raise, wage increase, rising
  • Opposite of: turn in, descent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RISES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Experiencing great difficulty"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Singer Vikki with three Grammys"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. With a clean slate"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that again but in a new or different way
  • Similar words include: anew
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFRESH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Avoided a trial, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
  • Similar words include: locate, reconcile, settle
  • Opposite of: float, unsettled
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SETTLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Emphatic affirmative"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "43. Common fish-and-chips fish"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the vessel that contains the seeds of a plant (not the seeds themselves)
  • Similar words include: put on, codfish, tantalise
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Fixed at the vet"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove the ovaries of
  • Similar words include: neuter, spay, castrate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAYED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Immediately"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Brooklyn's ___ Evers College"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Looks after"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "49. Sew loosely"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loose temporary sewing stitch to hold layers of fabric together
  • Similar words include: batter, basting stitch, tack
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Saudi neighbor"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of oman
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMANI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "54. Eyelid affliction"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
  • Similar words include: hordeolum, sty, eye infection
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "57. Vietnamese soup with rice noodles"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "58. Salmon on a bagel"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bluish translucent magnetic liquid obtained by compressing gaseous oxygen and then cooling it below its boiling point; used as an oxidizer in rocket propellants
  • Similar words include: liquid oxygen
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "59. Suffix with bull or bear"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

39 Across Clues
37 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: July 13, 2026 at 06:35 AM

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

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

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. "Put a sock ___!" 4
2A 5. Bottomless pit 5
3A 10. Home of the W.N.B.A.'s Fever, informally 4
4A 14. Viral phenomenon 4
5A 15. Curse word cover-up 5
6A 16. Singer Del Rey 4
7A 17. Very impressed 4
8A 18. Echolocation technology 5
9A 19. One who can't handle the truth? 4
10A 20. Sport in an octagon, for short 3
11A 21. Chafes excessively 7
12A 23. Acid 3
13A 24. "The door's open!" 5
14A 26. Elasticized part of sweatpants 5
15A 28. Nearly unique 15
16A 33. Assists, in basketball slang 5
17A 34. Headed for the hills 3
18A 35. Romaine course 5
19A 36. Influential individual 4
20A 37. Collection of photographs or songs 5
21A 39. Broadway award 4
22A 40. Lump in one's throat 6
23A 42. Modifies 6
24A 44. Org. with Orioles, Blue Jays and Cardinals 3
25A 46. City with Carnival samba parades, informally 3
26A 47. Compromise that, ideally, leaves both parties satisfied 11
27A 52. Take to the skies 4
28A 54. English soccer star ___ James 5
29A 55. Sonic boom generator? 4
30A 58. Prediction of a negative outcome that is true of 21-, 28- and 47-Across 15
31A 61. "We feel the same way" 5
32A 62. Airport raced through in "Home Alone," in brief 3
33A 63. Info collected by a spy 5
34A 64. Sound of a cartoon hit 5
35A 65. Deep sorrow 3
36A 66. Cruising the Caribbean, say 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "Put a sock ___!""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Bottomless pit"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
  • Similar words include: abysm
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABYSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Home of the W.N.B.A.'s Fever, informally"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Viral phenomenon"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cultural unit (an idea or value or pattern of behavior) that is passed from one person to another by non-genetic means (as by imitation)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Curse word cover-up"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short high tone produced as a signal or warning
  • Similar words include: beep
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Singer Del Rey"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Very impressed"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that inspire awe in
  • Similar words include: awe, awestricken, awestruck
  • Opposite of: unawed
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Echolocation technology"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measuring instrument that sends out an acoustic pulse in water and measures distances in terms of the time for the echo of the pulse to return
  • Similar words include: asdic, echo sounder
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. One who can't handle the truth?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who has lied or who lies repeatedly
  • Similar words include: prevaricator
  • Opposite of: square shooter
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Sport in an octagon, for short"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "21. Chafes excessively"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Acid"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a powerful hallucinogenic drug manufactured from lysergic acid
  • Similar words include: lysergic acid diethylamide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LSD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. "The door's open!""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Elasticized part of sweatpants"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
  • Similar words include: waistline, shank
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Nearly unique"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Assists, in basketball slang"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a united states coin worth one tenth of a dollar
  • Similar words include: dime bag, slur, dim
  • Opposite of: focus
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Headed for the hills"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
  • Similar words include: bunk, ladder, pass
  • Opposite of: malfunction, idle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Romaine course"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food mixtures either arranged on a plate or tossed and served with a moist dressing; usually consisting of or including greens
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Influential individual"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (computer science) a graphic symbol (usually a simple picture) that denotes a program or a command or a data file or a concept in a graphical user interface
  • Similar words include: ikon, image, picture
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. Collection of photographs or songs"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one or more recordings issued together; originally released on 12-inch phonograph records (usually with attractive record covers) and later on cassette audiotape and compact disc
  • Similar words include: record album
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALBUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Broadway award"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Lump in one's throat"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either of two masses of lymphatic tissue one on each side of the oral pharynx
  • Similar words include: palatine tonsil, tonsilla, faucial tonsil
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TONSIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Modifies"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
  • Similar words include: indemnity, reparation, ameliorate
  • Opposite of: worsen
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMENDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Org. with Orioles, Blue Jays and Cardinals"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. City with Carnival samba parades, informally"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Compromise that, ideally, leaves both parties satisfied"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Take to the skies"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of rising upward into the air
  • Similar words include: soar up, soar upwards, hang glide
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. English soccer star ___ James"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Sonic boom generator?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. Prediction of a negative outcome that is true of 21-, 28- and 47-Across"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. "We feel the same way""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Airport raced through in "Home Alone," in brief"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Info collected by a spy"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Sound of a cartoon hit"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Deep sorrow"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that misery resulting from affliction
  • Similar words include: suffering, woefulness
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Cruising the Caribbean, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Spiritual leader at a mosque 4
2D 2. State that's home to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum 9
3D 3. "Sheesh, gimme a break!" 9
4D 4. ___ talk 3
5D 5. Really ridiculous 6
6D 6. Carnivorous cinematic alien 4
7D 7. Deep desires 4
8D 8. Cook in a very hot cast-iron pan, say 4
9D 9. Be a bed hog, maybe 6
10D 10. Under the weather 3
11D 11. Where employees work on tips and receive tips 9
12D 12. Half of a biological helix 9
13D 13. Spot for a swing set 4
14D 21. Dee who directed 2017's "Mudbound" 4
15D 22. Methods 4
16D 25. Decade after the aughts 5
17D 27. Steaming mad 5
18D 28. Make some alterations 4
19D 29. Not online, for short 3
20D 30. Snatch up 3
21D 31. Wildebeest 3
22D 32. Ice cream brand with an apostrophe in its name 4
23D 37. Football standout 6
24D 38. Word with name or voyage 6
25D 41. Little pest 3
26D 43. "Little old me?" 3
27D 45. "Toodle-oo!" 6
28D 46. Fall back 6
29D 47. Western half of Hispaniola 5
30D 48. Activity that may prompt burning questions? 5
31D 49. Parisian subway 5
32D 50. Squad captained by Lindsey Horan to win Olympic gold in '24, for short 5
33D 51. Gets together with 5
34D 52. Bit of concert memorabilia, once 4
35D 53. Very, very much 4
36D 56. Utter delight 4
37D 57. Penne ___ vodka 4
38D 59. Stir-frying vessel 3
39D 60. Part of una semana 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Spiritual leader at a mosque"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (islam) the man who leads prayers in a mosque; for shiites an imam is a recognized authority on islamic theology and law and a spiritual guide
  • Similar words include: imaum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. State that's home to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. "Sheesh, gimme a break!""

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. ___ talk"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing edwardian style clothes
  • Similar words include: Teddy boy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Really ridiculous"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a situation in which life seems irrational and meaningless; --albert camus
  • Similar words include: laughable, derisory, ludicrous
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABSURD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Carnivorous cinematic alien"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an indistinct shapeless form
  • Similar words include: blot, spot, fleck
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Deep desires"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a yearning for something or to do something
  • Similar words include: yen, languish, pine
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Cook in a very hot cast-iron pan, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make very hot and dry
  • Similar words include: singe, scorch, withered
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Be a bed hog, maybe"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities
  • Similar words include: conurbation, sprawling, urban sprawl
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPRAWL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Under the weather"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
  • Similar words include: sick, ominous, badly
  • Opposite of: well
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Where employees work on tips and receive tips"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Half of a biological helix"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Spot for a swing set"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
  • Similar words include: K, railyard, curtilage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Dee who directed 2017's "Mudbound""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Methods"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
  • Similar words include: shipway, means, agency
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Decade after the aughts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time of life between the ages of 12 and 20
  • Similar words include: adolescent, stripling, teenager
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Steaming mad"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Make some alterations"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting
  • Similar words include: edit out, blue-pencil, cut
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Not online, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Snatch up"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tag the base runner to get him out
  • Similar words include: collar, apprehend, pick up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Wildebeest"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large african antelope having a head with horns like an ox and a long tufted tail
  • Similar words include: wildebeest
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GNU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Ice cream brand with an apostrophe in its name"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Football standout"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Word with name or voyage"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
  • Similar words include: maiden over, inaugural, initiative
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAIDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "41. Little pest"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
  • Similar words include: hob, scamp, gremlin
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. "Little old me?""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. "Toodle-oo!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. Fall back"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pull back or move away or backward
  • Similar words include: pull back, drop off, draw back
  • Opposite of: gain, advance
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RECEDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Western half of Hispaniola"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in the west indies on the western part of the island of hispaniola; achieved independence from france in 1804; the poorest and most illiterate nation in the western hemisphere
  • Similar words include: Hayti, Hispaniola, Republic of Haiti
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAITI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Activity that may prompt burning questions?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that malicious burning to destroy property
  • Similar words include: incendiarism, fire-raising
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARSON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Parisian subway"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an electric railway operating below the surface of the ground (usually in a city)
  • Similar words include: underground, subway, subway system
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: METRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Squad captained by Lindsey Horan to win Olympic gold in '24, for short"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "51. Gets together with"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held
  • Similar words include: forgather, run into, adjoin
  • Opposite of: diverge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "52. Bit of concert memorabilia, once"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short piece remaining on a trunk or stem where a branch is lost
  • Similar words include: butt, nub, counterfoil
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "53. Very, very much"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. Utter delight"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that great merriment
  • Similar words include: hilarity, gloating, gleefulness
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. Penne ___ vodka"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Stir-frying vessel"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pan with a convex bottom; used for frying in chinese cooking
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WOK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "60. Part of una semana"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an intelligence agency of the united states in the department of defense; is responsible for providing intelligence in support of military planning and operations and weapons acquisition
  • Similar words include: Defense Intelligence Agency
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIA

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

36 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
75 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: June 09, 2026 at 07:02 AM