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Thursday, July 30, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 30, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Change entirely 5
2A 6. Like former secrets 6
3A 12. Make like a frog 3
4A 15. One who doesn't speak while in a cast 5
5A 16. Balkan state that's been independent since 2008 6
6A 17. Like the name of former soccer star Mark De Man 3
7A 18. Cluster 12
8A 20. Density symbol 3
9A 21. Go for gold? 3
10A 22. It may be padded or slapped 4
11A 23. Do you read me? 5
12A 25. Veteran 6
13A 27. Agent 9
14A 31. Change logos, maybe 7
15A 33. "Bravo!" 3
16A 34. Dour 4
17A 35. Unnatural, in a way 4
18A 36. H.S. course covering integrals 6
19A 39. ___ trading 3
20A 40. Steam 10
21A 43. Sow, e.g. 3
22A 46. Black-and-orange bird 6
23A 47. Bob who painted "happy little trees" 4
24A 50. Jackie who co-starred in "Rush Hour" 4
25A 52. Top halves of centaurs 3
26A 53. They may be lifted ... or downed 7
27A 56. Gambit 9
28A 59. City with red buses 6
29A 60. Big or bad follower 5
30A 61. So-called "Land of a Million Elephants" 4
31A 63. Fripp & ___ (musical duo) 3
32A 64. ___ culpa 3
33A 65. Communication aid that helps make sense of the italicized clues 12
34A 70. Subj. for immigrants, maybe 3
35A 71. Training aids for a lab, say 6
36A 72. Plain 5
37A 73. ___ pad 3
38A 74. What headphones often play in 6
39A 75. Shark's mark 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Change entirely"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that device for resetting instruments or controls
  • Similar words include: readjust
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Like former secrets"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that have in common
  • Similar words include: apportion, divided up, share
  • Opposite of: unshared
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHARED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "12. Make like a frog"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. One who doesn't speak while in a cast"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Balkan state that's been independent since 2008"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a serbian province in southern serbia and montenegro populated predominantly by albanians
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KOSOVO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Like the name of former soccer star Mark De Man"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward
  • Similar words include: minded, tending, given
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Cluster"

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Density symbol"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Go for gold?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
  • Similar words include: tangent, suntan, topaz
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. It may be padded or slapped"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
  • Similar words include: articulatio genus, human knee, stifle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Do you read me?"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
  • Similar words include: new, refreshing, fresh
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Veteran"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Agent"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Change logos, maybe"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. "Bravo!""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Dour"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
  • Similar words include: dreary, downcast, dismal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Unnatural, in a way"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that color with dye
  • Similar words include: colored, bleached, dye
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DYED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. H.S. course covering integrals"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. ___ trading"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that time for earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
  • Similar words include: daytime, 24-hour interval, mean solar day
  • Opposite of: night
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Steam"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Sow, e.g."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that domestic swine
  • Similar words include: grunter, Sus scrofa, bull
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "46. Black-and-orange bird"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mostly tropical songbird; the male is usually bright orange and black
  • Similar words include: Old World oriole, American oriole, New World oriole
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORIOLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "47. Bob who painted "happy little trees""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that scottish explorer who led arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the northwest passage (1777-1856)
  • Similar words include: Betsy Ross, Sir John Ross, Nellie Ross
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "50. Jackie who co-starred in "Rush Hour""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "52. Top halves of centaurs"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the force of workers available
  • Similar words include: work force, manpower, man
  • Opposite of: woman, civilian
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "53. They may be lifted ... or downed"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
  • Similar words include: flavour, smell, liveliness
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPIRITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "56. Gambit"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "59. City with red buses"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of england; located on the thames in southeastern england; financial and industrial and cultural center
  • Similar words include: British capital, John Griffith Chaney, capital of the United Kingdom
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LONDON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "60. Big or bad follower"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. So-called "Land of a Million Elephants""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mountainous landlocked communist state in southeastern asia; achieved independence from france in 1949
  • Similar words include: Lao, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Laotian
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Fripp & ___ (musical duo)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. ___ culpa"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Communication aid that helps make sense of the italicized clues"

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "70. Subj. for immigrants, maybe"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "71. Training aids for a lab, say"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something considered choice to eat
  • Similar words include: delicacy, goody, kickshaw
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "72. Plain"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that open and observable; not secret or hidden
  • Similar words include: open
  • Opposite of: covert
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "73. ___ pad"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an internationally recognized distress signal in radio code
  • Similar words include: soh, so, sol
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "74. What headphones often play in"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reproducer in which two microphones feed two or more loudspeakers to give a three-dimensional effect to the sound
  • Similar words include: stereophonic system, stereoscopic picture, stereoscopic photograph
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEREO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "75. Shark's mark"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
  • Similar words include: mark, gull, soft touch
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PATSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Church leader 6
2D 2. Took one's breath away? 7
3D 3. Remain loyal to 7
4D 4. Pronounce "aisle" as it's spelled, e.g. 3
5D 5. It often leans left or right 9
6D 6. ___-Ball 4
7D 7. Joel follows it 5
8D 8. Flame's remains 3
9D 9. Lumpsucker eggs 3
10D 10. Biblical second coming? 3
11D 11. Prima ___ 5
12D 12. University of Cambridge 7
13D 13. "Hamlet" noblewoman 7
14D 14. Developer of a geocentric model of the universe 7
15D 19. Words after cash or zero 4
16D 24. [Horrors!] 3
17D 26. Org. leader 4
18D 28. One who knows all the shortcuts, maybe 5
19D 29. Puts down 6
20D 30. Where Dante's path to paradise begins 4
21D 32. Panama's ___ National Park 6
22D 37. That's the whole point! 5
23D 38. Seller of knickknacks 9
24D 41. Gospel singer Franklin 4
25D 42. Like a zoomer after 1997 4
26D 43. Minecraft and World of Warcraft 7
27D 44. "If we're lucky!" 7
28D 45. Rhyming name for a certain group of friends 7
29D 48. It's not the main part of the action 7
30D 49. High achievers? 7
31D 51. Notable org. with 32 members 3
32D 54. Sit (down) heavily 4
33D 55. Arrogant 6
34D 57. Lets 5
35D 58. Really please 5
36D 62. Plus 4
37D 66. It might be left hanging 3
38D 67. Most common letter in this clue 3
39D 68. Boat propeller 3
40D 69. Director DuVernay 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Church leader"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person authorized to conduct religious worship
  • Similar words include: curate, parson, minister
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RECTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Took one's breath away?"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give out (breath or an odor)
  • Similar words include: emanate, expire, give forth
  • Opposite of: inhale
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXHALED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Remain loyal to"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that can be relied on when needed
  • Similar words include: understudy
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STANDBY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Pronounce "aisle" as it's spelled, e.g."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. It often leans left or right"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. ___-Ball"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Joel follows it"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a minor hebrew prophet (8th century bc)
  • Similar words include: Book of Hosea
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOSEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Flame's remains"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Lumpsucker eggs"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
  • Similar words include: hard roe
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Biblical second coming?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) adam's wife in judeo-christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; god created eve from adam's rib and placed adam and eve in the garden of eden
  • Similar words include: evening, even, eventide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Prima ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an italian woman of rank
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DONNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. University of Cambridge"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a university in massachusetts
  • Similar words include: John Harvard, Harvard University
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARVARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "Hamlet" noblewoman"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Developer of a geocentric model of the universe"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that alexandrian astronomer (of the 2nd century) who proposed a geocentric system of astronomy that was undisputed until the late renaissance
  • Similar words include: Claudius Ptolemaeus, Ptolemaic dynasty
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PTOLEMY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Words after cash or zero"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. [Horrors!]"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Org. leader"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. One who knows all the shortcuts, maybe"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that public transport consisting of a bus or train that stops at all stations or stops
  • Similar words include: topical anaesthetic, topical anesthetic, local anaesthetic
  • Opposite of: general, national
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOCAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Puts down"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a point located with respect to surface features of some region
  • Similar words include: billet, rate, office
  • Opposite of: divest
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLACES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Where Dante's path to paradise begins"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any place of pain and turmoil
  • Similar words include: netherworld, sin, underworld
  • Opposite of: Heaven
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Panama's ___ National Park"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "37. That's the whole point!"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pointed projection
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRONG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "38. Seller of knickknacks"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "41. Gospel singer Franklin"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "42. Like a zoomer after 1997"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that british nuclear physicist (born in germany) honored for his contributions to quantum mechanics (1882-1970)
  • Similar words include: endure, innate, have a bun in the oven
  • Opposite of: unborn
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BORN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. Minecraft and World of Warcraft"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "44. "If we're lucky!""

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Rhyming name for a certain group of friends"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. It's not the main part of the action"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. High achievers?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an attacker who pelts the victim with stones (especially with intent to kill)
  • Similar words include: lapidator, stoner
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STONERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "51. Notable org. with 32 members"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "54. Sit (down) heavily"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the noise of a rounded object dropping into a liquid without a splash
  • Similar words include: plunk, plank, plump down
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "55. Arrogant"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used colloquially) overly conceited or arrogant; -laurent le sage
  • Similar words include: persnickety, bigheaded, uppish
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNOTTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "57. Lets"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service
  • Similar words include: rip, engage, take
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RENTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "58. Really please"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
  • Similar words include: lift up, uplift, pick up
  • Opposite of: depress
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "62. Plus"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "66. It might be left hanging"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the products of human creativity; works of art collectively
  • Similar words include: artistry, artwork, graphics
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "67. Most common letter in this clue"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the starting place for each hole on a golf course
  • Similar words include: teeing ground, football tee, tee up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "68. Boat propeller"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an implement used to propel or steer a boat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "69. Director DuVernay"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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
40 Down Clues
79 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: July 30, 2026 at 06:03 AM

Sunday, July 19, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 19, 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. Teacher's summons 5
2A 11. Bench press muscle, for short 3
3A 18. ___ Basin (D.C. attraction) 5
4A 19. Progeny 5
5A 20. Didn't turn away 9
6A 22. Texas A&M athlete 5
7A 23. Prefix with media 5
8A 24. Person providing a sworn account 9
9A 25. "I really, really appreciate it!" 14
10A 27. Unspoken communication syst. 3
11A 28. After-the-fact discount 12
12A 29. Not fresh 5
13A 30. Big movie theater chain 3
14A 31. Website that calls itself "the heart of the internet" 6
15A 32. Paramedic's skill 3
16A 35. Reward for a good puppy 5
17A 37. Harbingers 5
18A 39. One-named singer with the 1994 hit "You Gotta Be" 6
19A 41. Score usually resulting from an error, in baseball 11
20A 44. Like sheep, so to speak 8
21A 46. Degree holder, informally 4
22A 47. Displayed audacity 5
23A 48. The Psychedelic ___ (rock band) 4
24A 49. Poet ___ St. Vincent Millay 4
25A 50. Explosive stuff 3
26A 53. Dancing hippo's wear in Disney's "Fantasia" 4
27A 55. Actress Shirley of "The Apartment" 8
28A 59. "Nice idea!" 5
29A 61. Beethoven's Third 6
30A 62. David Foster Wallace's "Tense Present," e.g. 5
31A 63. Conspiring cliques 6
32A 65. Judge of diamond value? 5
33A 66. Grab (onto) 4
34A 67. Word order 8
35A 69. Britain's most prestigious military decoration 13
36A 71. Fantasizes about 10
37A 73. Block someone's passage, say 13
38A 74. Scribble on, say 3
39A 75. Egyptian symbol of life 4
40A 76. Exits 4
41A 77. Allow to enroll 5
42A 79. Brand seen on the U.S. World Cup jerseys 4
43A 80. Gets more expensive 8
44A 82. Vague approximation 11
45A 85. Restrictive undergarment 6
46A 86. Word employment 5
47A 88. Pia ___ (brain covering) 5
48A 89. Pained yelps 3
49A 90. Linings of nautilus shells 6
50A 92. Hired detectives, for short 3
51A 94. Slow ___ (Asian primate) 5
52A 98. Prefix with -bar 3
53A 101. Stayed somewhere temporarily 9
54A 104. Peak of religion? 5
55A 106. "No worries!" 5
56A 107. Number ones 9
57A 108. You're doing it every day 5
58A 109. "I'll pass" 5
59A 110. Bank offering for a property buyer 12
60A 111. Roommate who doesn't pay rent? 3
61A 112. 2000 Christina Aguilera #1 hit 14
62A 113. "T-bone steak, cheese eggs and Welch's ___" (Notorious B.I.G.'s breakfast in "Big Poppa") 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Teacher's summons"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "11. Bench press muscle, for short"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "18. ___ Basin (D.C. attraction)"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to or caused by tides
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIDAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "19. Progeny"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "20. Didn't turn away"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "22. Texas A&M athlete"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "23. Prefix with media"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "24. Person providing a sworn account"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "25. "I really, really appreciate it!""

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "27. Unspoken communication syst."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sign language used in the united states
  • Similar words include: American sign language
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "28. After-the-fact discount"

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "29. Not fresh"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
  • Similar words include: stock, threadbare, shopworn
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Big movie theater chain"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Website that calls itself "the heart of the internet""

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Paramedic's skill"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an emergency procedure consisting of external cardiac massage and artificial respiration; the first treatment for a person who has collapsed and has no pulse and has stopped breathing; attempts to restore circulation of the blood and prevent death or brain damage due to lack of oxygen
  • Similar words include: kiss of life, cardiac resuscitation, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CPR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. Reward for a good puppy"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something considered choice to eat
  • Similar words include: regale, dainty, handle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "37. Harbingers"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sign of something about to happen
  • Similar words include: prognostication, portent, bode
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. One-named singer with the 1994 hit "You Gotta Be""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Score usually resulting from an error, in baseball"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "44. Like sheep, so to speak"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that dutifully complying with the commands or instructions of those in authority; ; ; ; - edmund burke
  • Opposite of: disobedient
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBEDIENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "46. Degree holder, informally"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. Displayed audacity"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
  • Similar words include: defy, dare, presume
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DARED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. The Psychedelic ___ (rock band)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
  • Similar words include: pelt, fur
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FURS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. Poet ___ St. Vincent Millay"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Explosive stuff"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that explosive consisting of a yellow crystalline compound that is a flammable toxic derivative of toluene
  • Similar words include: trinitrotoluene
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "53. Dancing hippo's wear in Disney's "Fantasia""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that south african prelate and leader of the antiapartheid struggle (born in 1931)
  • Similar words include: Desmond Tutu, ballet skirt
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUTU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "55. Actress Shirley of "The Apartment""

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "59. "Nice idea!""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore
  • Similar words include: hurt, saucy, fresh
  • Opposite of: stupid
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "61. Beethoven's Third"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "62. David Foster Wallace's "Tense Present," e.g."

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an analytic or interpretive literary composition
  • Similar words include: try out, attempt, test
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESSAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Conspiring cliques"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
  • Similar words include: camarilla, junto, conspiracy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CABALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "65. Judge of diamond value?"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states professional baseball player who hit more home runs than babe ruth (born in 1934)
  • Similar words include: Hank Aaron, Henry Louis Aaron
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AARON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "66. Grab (onto)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take by theft
  • Similar words include: snitch, thieve, hook
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "67. Word order"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the grouping of musical phrases in a melodic line
  • Similar words include: word, phrase, choice of words
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHRASING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Britain's most prestigious military decoration"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "71. Fantasizes about"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "73. Block someone's passage, say"

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "74. Scribble on, say"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

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!

39A: "75. Egyptian symbol of life"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "76. Exits"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
  • Similar words include: function, exit, rifle
  • Opposite of: come, be born
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "77. Allow to enroll"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
  • Similar words include: acknowledge, let in, accommodate
  • Opposite of: exclude, reject
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADMIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "79. Brand seen on the U.S. World Cup jerseys"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) winged goddess of victory; identified with roman victoria
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "80. Gets more expensive"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become steeper
  • Similar words include: steepen
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEEPENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "82. Vague approximation"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an estimate that combines reasoning with guessing
  • Similar words include: guestimate
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUESSTIMATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "85. Restrictive undergarment"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woman's close-fitting foundation garment
  • Similar words include: girdle, stays
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CORSET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "86. Word employment"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of using
  • Similar words include: custom, usance, exercise
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "88. Pia ___ (brain covering)"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an informal use of the latin word for mother; sometimes used by british schoolboys or used facetiously
  • Similar words include: matt, mat, matted
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "89. Pained yelps"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "90. Linings of nautilus shells"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell
  • Similar words include: nacre, mother-of-pearl
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NACRES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "92. Hired detectives, for short"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle; approximately equal to 3.14159265358979323846...
  • Similar words include: sherlock, pi, private detective
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "94. Slow ___ (Asian primate)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "98. Prefix with -bar"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "101. Stayed somewhere temporarily"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that spend a certain length of time; reside temporarily
  • Similar words include: sojourn
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOJOURNED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "104. Peak of religion?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mountain peak in the southern sinai peninsula (7,500 feet high); it is believed to be the peak on which moses received the ten commandments
  • Similar words include: Sinai Desert, Sinai Peninsula, Mount Sinai
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SINAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "106. "No worries!""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "107. Number ones"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who has won first place in a competition
  • Similar words include: ace, champ, star
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHAMPIONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "108. You're doing it every day"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that acquiring desirable qualities by being left undisturbed for some time
  • Similar words include: get on, age, senescent
  • Opposite of: rejuvenate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "109. "I'll pass""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "110. Bank offering for a property buyer"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "111. Roommate who doesn't pay rent?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
  • Similar words include: favored, best-loved, dearie
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "112. 2000 Christina Aguilera #1 hit"

14 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "113. "T-bone steak, cheese eggs and Welch's ___" (Notorious B.I.G.'s breakfast in "Big Poppa")"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various juicy fruit of the genus vitis with green or purple skins; grow in clusters
  • Similar words include: grape vine, grapevine, grapeshot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. "Right now!" 4
2D 2. This clue's number, cubed 5
3D 3. Hairstyle similar to a bowl cut 5
4D 4. Top priority on the agenda 8
5D 5. Strauss opera inspired by a Sophocles tragedy 7
6D 6. [See title] 4
7D 7. Baton Rouge institution, familiarly 3
8D 8. Five Pillars religion 5
9D 9. Defeat in competition 8
10D 10. Mötley Crüe frontman Vince ___ 4
11D 11. Accepts a deal from the D.A., say 9
12D 12. Spanish folk hero 5
13D 13. Meets head-on? 8
14D 14. [See title] 4
15D 15. Nabokov novel 3
16D 16. Whitesmith's material 3
17D 17. Doc using an otoscope 3
18D 20. TV's Don Draper and his co-workers 5
19D 21. Took orders, say 6
20D 26. Fortuneteller 4
21D 30. Calm 6
22D 31. "Star Wars" character Kylo ___ 3
23D 32. Plastic cap? 11
24D 33. Tube-shaped pasta 5
25D 34. Do some road maintenance on 5
26D 36. Et cetera 10
27D 38. Clear as ___ (not clear) 3
28D 40. Western mountain range, informally 7
29D 41. Arm bones 5
30D 42. Christmas display pieces 11
31D 43. E.R. V.I.P.s 3
32D 45. Classic Italian appetizer 10
33D 46. Paper source? 3
34D 48. Rage 4
35D 51. [See title] 5
36D 52. Puerto ___ 4
37D 53. Player's club 4
38D 54. [See title] 5
39D 56. Despises 7
40D 57. [See title] 4
41D 58. Brandy letters 3
42D 60. Artist Chagall 4
43D 62. Big heads 4
44D 64. Travel a winding route 5
45D 67. They're at the ends of some rainbows 6
46D 68. Test for M.A. seekers 3
47D 69. Explorer da Gama 5
48D 70. Following behind 5
49D 72. Making a comeback 9
50D 73. Ambulance initials 3
51D 76. "Keep it together!" 8
52D 77. Summer mo. 3
53D 78. Expression of frustration 8
54D 79. Sam Elliott's role in "The Big Lebowski" 8
55D 81. Suppressed, as emotions 6
56D 82. It's in the pipeline 3
57D 83. "___ never fly" 4
58D 84. Asking for a human's attention, perhaps 7
59D 87. They're often covered with dirt 5
60D 91. ___ slalom (event at the Summer Olympics) 5
61D 93. Coastal region of ancient Greece 5
62D 95. The 'gram 5
63D 96. Pound the pavement? 5
64D 97. [See title] 4
65D 98. "You don't need to tell me" 4
66D 99. [See title] 4
67D 100. ___-Ball 4
68D 101. Any of the U.C.s 3
69D 102. Cry of playful discovery 3
70D 103. Q: Why was the road sticky? A: Traffic ___ 3
71D 105. Kitchen intruder 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. "Right now!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. This clue's number, cubed"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one
  • Similar words include: ogdoad, octad, 8
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Hairstyle similar to a bowl cut"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the younger brother of edwy who became king of northumbria when it renounced edwy; on edwy's death he succeeded to the throne of england (944-975)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Top priority on the agenda"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Strauss opera inspired by a Sophocles tragedy"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. [See title]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Baton Rouge institution, familiarly"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Five Pillars religion"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the civilization of muslims collectively which is governed by the muslim religion
  • Similar words include: Mohammedanism, Islamism, Muslimism
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLAM

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9D: "9. Defeat in competition"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that score more points than one's opponents
  • Similar words include: outpoint
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUTSCORE

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10D: "10. Mötley Crüe frontman Vince ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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11D: "11. Accepts a deal from the D.A., say"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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12D: "12. Spanish folk hero"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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13D: "13. Meets head-on?"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be incompatible; be or come into conflict
  • Similar words include: jar, collide, clash
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COLLIDES

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14D: "14. [See title]"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital of switzerland; located in western switzerland
  • Similar words include: Berne, capital of Switzerland
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BERN

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15D: "15. Nabokov novel"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an enzyme found in mammals that can catalyze the deamination of adenosine into inosine and ammonia
  • Similar words include: adenosine deaminase
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "16. Whitesmith's material"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
  • Similar words include: tin can, put up, can
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIN

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17D: "17. Doc using an otoscope"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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18D: "20. TV's Don Draper and his co-workers"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone whose business is advertising
  • Similar words include: adman, advertizer, advertiser
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADMEN

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19D: "21. Took orders, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
  • Similar words include: wait, await, waitress
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAITED

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20D: "26. Fortuneteller"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person with unusual powers of foresight
  • Similar words include: prophet, vaticinator, prophesier
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEER

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21D: "30. Calm"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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22D: "31. "Star Wars" character Kylo ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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23D: "32. Plastic cap?"

11 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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24D: "33. Tube-shaped pasta"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pasta in short tubes with diagonally cut ends
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PENNE

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25D: "34. Do some road maintenance on"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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26D: "36. Et cetera"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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27D: "38. Clear as ___ (not clear)"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water soaked soil; soft wet earth
  • Similar words include: mire, muck up, muck
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "40. Western mountain range, informally"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)
  • Similar words include: sierra, Scomberomorus sierra
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIERRAS

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29D: "41. Arm bones"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the inner and longer of the two bones of the human forearm
  • Similar words include: elbow bone, ulna
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ULNAE

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30D: "42. Christmas display pieces"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a compound lever used to crack nuts open
  • Similar words include: nutcracker, nuthatch
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NUTCRACKERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "43. E.R. V.I.P.s"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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32D: "45. Classic Italian appetizer"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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33D: "46. Paper source?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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34D: "48. Rage"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feeling of intense anger
  • Similar words include: ferocity, vehemence, frenzy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FURY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "51. [See title]"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a town at the southern tip of illinois at the confluence of the ohio and mississippi rivers
  • Similar words include: capital of Egypt, Al Qahira, El Qahira
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAIRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "52. Puerto ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that law intended to eradicate organized crime by establishing strong sanctions and forfeiture provisions
  • Similar words include: Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, anti-racketeering law, RICO Act
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "53. Player's club"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "54. [See title]"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital of morocco; located in the northwestern on the atlantic coast
  • Similar words include: capital of Morocco
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RABAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "56. Despises"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that find repugnant
  • Similar words include: loathe, abominate, execrate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOATHES

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40D: "57. [See title]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of norway; the country's main port; located at the head of a fjord on norway's southern coast
  • Similar words include: Christiania, capital of Norway
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "58. Brandy letters"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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42D: "60. Artist Chagall"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that made from residue of grapes or apples after pressing
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "62. Big heads"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
  • Similar words include: self, self-importance, egotism
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "64. Travel a winding route"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
  • Similar words include: Snake River, ophidian, serpent
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "67. They're at the ends of some rainbows"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46D: "68. Test for M.A. seekers"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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47D: "69. Explorer da Gama"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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48D: "70. Following behind"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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49D: "72. Making a comeback"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rising again as to new life and vigor
  • Similar words include: renascent
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESURGENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50D: "73. Ambulance initials"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quad with a square body
  • Similar words include: pica, pica em, mutton quad
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51D: "76. "Keep it together!""

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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52D: "77. Summer mo."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following july and preceding september
  • Similar words include: August
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AUG

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53D: "78. Expression of frustration"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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54D: "79. Sam Elliott's role in "The Big Lebowski""

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who tells a story
  • Similar words include: storyteller, teller
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NARRATOR

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55D: "81. Suppressed, as emotions"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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56D: "82. It's in the pipeline"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity; relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature; the ability to diffuse readily; and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container
  • Similar words include: brag, accelerator, gaseous state
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57D: "83. "___ never fly""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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58D: "84. Asking for a human's attention, perhaps"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cry like a cat
  • Similar words include: meow, mew
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEOWING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59D: "87. They're often covered with dirt"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small hard fruit
  • Similar words include: cum, come, germ
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60D: "91. ___ slalom (event at the Summer Olympics)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61D: "93. Coastal region of ancient Greece"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that region of western asia minor colonized by ancient greeks
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IONIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62D: "95. The 'gram"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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63D: "96. Pound the pavement?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dance involving a rhythmical stamping step
  • Similar words include: stump, stamp
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64D: "97. [See title]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that capital and largest city of italy; on the tiber; seat of the roman catholic church; formerly the capital of the roman republic and the roman empire
  • Similar words include: Italian capital, Eternal City, Roma
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65D: "98. "You don't need to tell me""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66D: "99. [See title]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a port city on the gulf of riga that is the capital and largest city of latvia; formerly a member of the hanseatic league
  • Similar words include: capital of Latvia
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67D: "100. ___-Ball"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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68D: "101. Any of the U.C.s"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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69D: "102. Cry of playful discovery"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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70D: "103. Q: Why was the road sticky? A: Traffic ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that preserve of crushed fruit
  • Similar words include: muddle, electronic jamming, fix
  • Opposite of: free
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71D: "105. Kitchen intruder"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
  • Similar words include: pismire, emmet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANT

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

62 Across Clues
71 Down Clues
133 Total Clues

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Last updated: July 19, 2026 at 06:11 AM