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

Thursday, July 2, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 02, 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. Flying high 5
2A 6. Romulus and Remus, e.g., for short 4
3A 10. "Hey ...!" 4
4A 14. Skateboarding trick 5
5A 15. "There is nothing on earth so powerful as an ___ whose time has come" (proverb) 4
6A 16. Bird related to the 46-Down 4
7A 17. City center, often 5
8A 18. Groups at the First Continental Congress in 1774 11
9A 20. "Les ___" 3
10A 21. Open mic performer, often 4
11A 22. Setting of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" 4
12A 23. 10 Hamiltons 8
13A 25. American Revolution heroes 8
14A 27. Fig. at a bus depot 3
15A 28. Defeats convincingly 7
16A 31. Fancy Dan 3
17A 32. Daiquiri flavor 6
18A 34. Bit of lore 4
19A 35. Overdo it at the beach, say 3
20A 36. George Washington's presidential status on February 4, 1789 5
21A 37. Chrome alternative 6
22A 39. Simple wooden shoes 6
23A 42. Last full year of John Adams's presidency 5
24A 46. Heart chart, for short 3
25A 49. Fail to engage 4
26A 50. Jewish mysticism 6
27A 52. "Nixon in China" tenor 3
28A 53. Periodic survey started under Secy. of State Thomas Jefferson 8
29A 55. Trunk part 3
30A 56. Disunites 6
31A 58. "Father of the Constitution" and his family 8
32A 60. Like the Revolutionary War battles led by John Paul Jones 5
33A 61. Apple Store offerings 4
34A 63. Show of friendliness 3
35A 64. First signer of the Declaration of Independence 11
36A 66. "The Divine ___" (showbiz nickname) 5
37A 68. Conglomeration 4
38A 69. Regarding, on a memo 4
39A 70. Soul singer Adams 5
40A 71. Angler's hope 4
41A 72. TV programmer's slate, in brief 4
42A 73. American settlement until 1776 ... or a hint to 13 squares in this puzzle 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Flying high"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
  • Similar words include: glad, well-chosen, felicitous
  • Opposite of: unhappy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAPPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Romulus and Remus, e.g., for short"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person's brother or sister
  • Similar words include: sibling, cognate, sib
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. "Hey ...!""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Skateboarding trick"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. "There is nothing on earth so powerful as an ___ whose time has come" (proverb)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
  • Similar words include: theme, estimation, musical theme
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Bird related to the 46-Down"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fertility goddess in ancient greek mythology; wife of cronus and mother of zeus; identified with roman ops and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Similar words include: Rhea americana, Pterocnemia pennata, nandu
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. City center, often"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public square with room for pedestrians
  • Similar words include: place, mall, shopping mall
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLAZA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Groups at the First Continental Congress in 1774"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of representatives or delegates
  • Similar words include: commission, delegacy, relegation
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELEGATIONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. "Les ___""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Open mic performer, often"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Setting of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in iowa and minnesota and missouri
  • Similar words include: Ioway, IA, Hawkeye State
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOWA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. 10 Hamiltons"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation
  • Similar words include: benzoin, gum benjamin, asa dulcis
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BENJAMIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. American Revolution heroes"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who loves and defends his or her country
  • Similar words include: nationalist, patriot
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PATRIOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Fig. at a bus depot"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
  • Similar words include: Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Basque Homeland and Freedom
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Defeats convincingly"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Fancy Dan"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
  • Similar words include: fashion plate, clotheshorse, swell
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Daiquiri flavor"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of several tropical and subtropical treelike herbs of the genus musa having a terminal crown of large entire leaves and usually bearing hanging clusters of elongated fruits
  • Similar words include: banana tree
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BANANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Bit of lore"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
  • Similar words include: narrative, fib, story
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. Overdo it at the beach, say"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english painter and art critic (1866-1934)
  • Similar words include: nipper, electrocute, Roger Fry
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "36. George Washington's presidential status on February 4, 1789"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an exclusive group of people
  • Similar words include: chosen, elite
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "37. Chrome alternative"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an overland journey by hunters (especially in africa)
  • Similar words include: hunting expedition, campaign
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAFARI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. Simple wooden shoes"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shoe carved from a single block of wood
  • Similar words include: patten, wooden shoe, geta
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SABOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Last full year of John Adams's presidency"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Heart chart, for short"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph
  • Similar words include: EKG, cardiogram, electrocardiogram
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. Fail to engage"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who evokes boredom
  • Similar words include: tire, digest, have a bun in the oven
  • Opposite of: interest
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Jewish mysticism"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an esoteric or occult matter resembling the kabbalah that is traditionally secret
  • Similar words include: kabbalah, kabala, qabala
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CABALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. "Nixon in China" tenor"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of many body compounds (e.g., epinephrine and norepinephrine and serotonin)
  • Similar words include: Mao Zedong, Mao Tsetung, monoamine oxidase
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Periodic survey started under Secy. of State Thomas Jefferson"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Trunk part"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that support resembling the rib of an animal
  • Similar words include: make fun, blackguard, roast
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Disunites"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that undo the ties of
  • Similar words include: unbrace, untie, loosen
  • Opposite of: tie
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNTIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. "Father of the Constitution" and his family"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that 4th president of the united states; member of the continental congress and rapporteur at the constitutional convention in 1776; helped frame the bill of rights (1751-1836)
  • Similar words include: President Madison, capital of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MADISONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Like the Revolutionary War battles led by John Paul Jones"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that connected with or belonging to or used in a navy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. Apple Store offerings"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
  • Similar words include: mack, macintosh, mackintosh
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MACS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "63. Show of friendliness"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tight or amorous embrace
  • Similar words include: squeeze, bosom, clinch
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. First signer of the Declaration of Independence"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. "The Divine ___" (showbiz nickname)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. Conglomeration"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "69. Regarding, on a memo"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "70. Soul singer Adams"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "71. Angler's hope"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wound resulting from biting by an animal or a person
  • Similar words include: chomp, seize with teeth, morsel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "72. TV programmer's slate, in brief"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "73. American settlement until 1776 ... or a hint to 13 squares in this puzzle"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
  • Similar words include: settlement, dependency
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COLONY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Word with bar or bunny 3
2D 2. Unadulterated by plastic, say 8
3D 3. Ordinary 9
4D 4. You knead dough to make it 5
5D 5. A word of support 3
6D 6. Location of "Sloop John B" on the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" album 7
7D 7. Just chillaxing 4
8D 8. Salad ingredient often paired with goat cheese 4
9D 9. Long account 4
10D 10. A ___ 6
11D 11. Hot dog on a roll? 7
12D 12. One whose qualifications are enumerated in Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution 7
13D 13. Some coll. instructors 3
14D 19. Uneasy giggle 6
15D 21. Printing size 4
16D 23. Two-time Tony winner Neuwirth 4
17D 24. "Yowza!" 3
18D 25. Comedian Poundstone 5
19D 26. Bug exterminator? 3
20D 29. ___ Island 6
21D 30. Graceless ones 4
22D 33. Gets going 4
23D 37. Ticked off 4
24D 38. Website that added podcast info in 2021 4
25D 40. Granada grandma 6
26D 41. Pears used for cooking 5
27D 43. Musical with the song "What's the Use of Wond'rin'?" 8
28D 44. Doesn't let go of 8
29D 45. Street fleet 4
30D 46. World's second-tallest bird 3
31D 47. Trattoria treat in a shell 7
32D 48. Doubled, say 7
33D 50. Things to chew on 4
34D 51. Start to live and breathe? 3
35D 54. Kissed or whacked 7
36D 57. Rowena's love, in fiction 7
37D 59. 1970 Neil Diamond song about an imaginary childhood friend 5
38D 61. One living an orderly life? 4
39D 62. 4,840 square yards 4
40D 64. ZipRecruiter listing 3
41D 65. CBS drama starting in 2003 4
42D 66. Soft slip-on, for short 3
43D 67. Lots of 4

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Word with bar or bunny"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Unadulterated by plastic, say"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Ordinary"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. You knead dough to make it"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that italian open pie made of thin bread dough spread with a spiced mixture of e.g. tomato sauce and cheese
  • Similar words include: pizza pie
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIZZA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. A word of support"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an affirmative
  • Similar words include: yeah
  • Opposite of: nay
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Location of "Sloop John B" on the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" album"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Just chillaxing"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of an engine or other mechanism that is idling
  • Similar words include: slug, unused, light
  • Opposite of: busy, work
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Salad ingredient often paired with goat cheese"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that biennial eurasian plant usually having a swollen edible root; widely cultivated as a food crop
  • Similar words include: common beet, beetroot, Beta vulgaris
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Long account"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family; originally (12th to 14th centuries) a story of the families that settled iceland and their descendants but now any prose narrative that resembles such an account
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. A ___"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Hot dog on a roll?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. One whose qualifications are enumerated in Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a senate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENATOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Some coll. instructors"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hard grey lustrous metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion; occurs in niobite and fergusonite and tantalite
  • Similar words include: tantalum, Ta, atomic number 73
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "19. Uneasy giggle"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a nervous restrained laugh
  • Similar words include: giggle
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TITTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Printing size"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an eating disorder, frequent in children, in which non-nutritional objects are eaten persistently
  • Similar words include: pica em, em, genus Pica
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PICA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Two-time Tony winner Neuwirth"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. "Yowza!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
  • Similar words include: humankind, human race, valet
  • Opposite of: civilian, woman
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Comedian Poundstone"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Bug exterminator?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors
  • Similar words include: snoop, sight, spot
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. ___ Island"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Graceless ones"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward stupid person
  • Similar words include: gawk, lout, lummox
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Gets going"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
  • Similar words include: human activity, dissemble, do
  • Opposite of: refrain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Ticked off"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an open skin infection
  • Similar words include: mad, tender, painful
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Website that added podcast info in 2021"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Granada grandma"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Pears used for cooking"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that greenish-yellow pear
  • Similar words include: bosc
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOSCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "43. Musical with the song "What's the Use of Wond'rin'?""

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conveyer belt that carries luggage to be claimed by air travelers
  • Similar words include: whirligig, roundabout, carrousel
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAROUSEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Doesn't let go of"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Street fleet"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
  • Similar words include: hack, taxi, cab
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. World's second-tallest bird"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Trattoria treat in a shell"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Doubled, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Things to chew on"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food of a ruminant regurgitated to be chewed again
  • Similar words include: wad, chew, chaw
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Start to live and breathe?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Kissed or whacked"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that deliver a hard blow to
  • Similar words include: peck, thwack, smack
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMACKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "57. Rowena's love, in fiction"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "59. 1970 Neil Diamond song about an imaginary childhood friend"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "61. One living an orderly life?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
  • Similar words include: Thelonious Sphere Monk, Thelonious Monk, monastic
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MONK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "62. 4,840 square yards"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "64. ZipRecruiter listing"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
  • Similar words include: caper, line of work, line
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "65. CBS drama starting in 2003"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "66. Soft slip-on, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "67. Lots of"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `as' or `too' or `so' or `that'; amounting to a large but indefinite number
  • Opposite of: few
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANY

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

42 Across Clues
43 Down Clues
85 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 02, 2026 at 06:53 AM

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 04, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Indian megacity of 16+ million 5
2A 6. Talks too much 5
3A 11. Text initialism that's the name of a 2010 Usher hit 3
4A 14. Like some walls at Harvard and Dartmouth 5
5A 15. "Casablanca" actor's nickname 5
6A 16. Actress Long or Peeples 3
7A 17. Native American rite of passage 11
8A 19. Explosive item for Wile E. Coyote 3
9A 20. "I wish it were so" 6
10A 21. Behavioral quirk 3
11A 22. Clarified butter 4
12A 23. Roof type with removable panels 4
13A 25. Girl encouraged to wake up, in a 1957 #1 Everly Brothers hit 5
14A 27. Heartbeat tests, in brief 4
15A 30. Jewish rite of passage 10
16A 34. L.L.Bean competitor 3
17A 35. "___ of Dogs" (2018 film) 4
18A 36. Occurring at an appropriate moment 6
19A 37. N.F.L. player in a purple uniform 5
20A 39. What might help someone be loud and clear? 3
21A 41. Strong point 5
22A 42. "I'll be right with you" 6
23A 44. Screw up 4
24A 46. Lead-in to X, Y or Z 3
25A 47. Amish rite of passage 10
26A 49. More than giga-, less than peta- 4
27A 50. Really plague 5
28A 51. Each "point" of Taurus's horns, e.g. 4
29A 53. Stand up to 4
30A 55. Profs' aides 3
31A 57. Beethoven work originally titled "Bonaparte," after Napoleon 6
32A 61. Kimono sash 3
33A 62. "Seinfeld" catchphrase ... or, when parsed as three words, how a participant of 17-, 30- or 47-Across might be greeted? 11
34A 64. Dallas baller 3
35A 65. Kind of pipe or patch 5
36A 66. Like an Islay single malt, to Scotch enthusiasts 5
37A 67. Ball one or ball two? 3
38A 68. Great Plains nation 5
39A 69. Pittsburgh-based industrial giant 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Indian megacity of 16+ million"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in north central india
  • Similar words include: Old Delhi
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELHI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Talks too much"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that divulge confidential information or secrets
  • Similar words include: talk, blab, tittle-tattle
  • Opposite of: keep quiet
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Text initialism that's the name of a 2010 Usher hit"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Like some walls at Harvard and Dartmouth"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that overgrown with ivy
  • Similar words include: ivy-covered
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IVIED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. "Casablanca" actor's nickname"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an evil spirit
  • Similar words include: bogey, bogy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOGIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Actress Long or Peeples"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Native American rite of passage"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Explosive item for Wile E. Coyote"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

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!

9A: "20. "I wish it were so""

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Behavioral quirk"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a local and habitual twitching especially in the face
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Clarified butter"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that clarified butter used in indian cookery
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GHEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Roof type with removable panels"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Girl encouraged to wake up, in a 1957 #1 Everly Brothers hit"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Heartbeat tests, in brief"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph
  • Similar words include: EKG, ECG, cardiogram
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EKGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Jewish rite of passage"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. L.L.Bean competitor"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. "___ of Dogs" (2018 film)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small island
  • Similar words include: islet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Occurring at an appropriate moment"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that before a time limit expires
  • Similar words include: seasonably, well-timed, apropos
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIMELY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. N.F.L. player in a purple uniform"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large black bird with a straight bill and long wedge-shaped tail
  • Similar words include: prey, Corvus corax, pig
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAVEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. What might help someone be loud and clear?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Strong point"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an asset of special worth or utility
  • Similar words include: speciality, strength, loudly
  • Opposite of: weak point, piano
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. "I'll be right with you""

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Screw up"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a man who is a stupid incompetent fool
  • Similar words include: blunder, goofball, goose
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOOF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Lead-in to X, Y or Z"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal term for information
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Amish rite of passage"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. More than giga-, less than peta-"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a three-tone chadic language
  • Similar words include: Yamaltu, Pidlimdi
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. Really plague"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "51. Each "point" of Taurus's horns, e.g."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
  • Similar words include: headliner, asterisk, whizz
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "53. Stand up to"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that resist or confront with resistance
  • Similar words include: withstand, hold, refuse
  • Opposite of: lend oneself
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEFY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Profs' aides"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hard grey lustrous metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion; occurs in niobite and fergusonite and tantalite
  • Similar words include: tantalum, Ta, atomic number 73
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Beethoven work originally titled "Bonaparte," after Napoleon"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "61. Kimono sash"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (west indies) followers of a religious system involving witchcraft and sorcery
  • Similar words include: obeah
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. "Seinfeld" catchphrase ... or, when parsed as three words, how a participant of 17-, 30- or 47-Across might be greeted?"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Dallas baller"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Kind of pipe or patch"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that eurasian rose with prickly stems and fragrant leaves and bright pink flowers followed by scarlet hips
  • Similar words include: tree heath, sweetbriar, Rosa eglanteria
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Like an Islay single malt, to Scotch enthusiasts"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or pertaining to or of the nature of peat
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEATY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "67. Ball one or ball two?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the organ of sight
  • Similar words include: center, heart, centre
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "68. Great Plains nation"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in missouri in the valleys of the missouri and osage rivers; oil was found on osage lands early in the 20th century
  • Similar words include: Osage River
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "69. Pittsburgh-based industrial giant"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Melodramatic sort 4
2D 2. Like Cinderella's stepmother 4
3D 3. Rapper in K-pop's Blackpink 4
4D 4. Jobs in "Heat" and "Ocean's Eleven" 6
5D 5. Lead-in to know or care 5
6D 6. Potato chip flavor, informally 3
7D 7. Ruffian 4
8D 8. Workplace concern for seniors 6
9D 9. British cookie 7
10D 10. 10 squats at the gym, perhaps 3
11D 11. Facing an imminent prospect (of) 10
12D 12. "None for you!" 4
13D 13. Right out of the ___ 4
14D 18. Rookies, to gamers 5
15D 22. Doohickey 5
16D 24. Sources of lines for a reading, maybe 4
17D 26. Like some upper lips and drinks 5
18D 27. Unforced ___ (athlete's concern) 5
19D 28. Reeves of "Hardball" 5
20D 29. "Up top!" 10
21D 31. Ruler's length? 5
22D 32. Cuff or hem, say 5
23D 33. Any of Scar's underlings in "The Lion King" 5
24D 35. Unfit for the job 5
25D 38. Bar exam component 5
26D 40. Gear parts 4
27D 43. Completely collapses 7
28D 45. Like some Quaker products 5
29D 48. Where you are when in Roma 6
30D 49. Cement spreader 6
31D 52. Snack similar to a gordita 5
32D 53. Noggin 4
33D 54. Site for online bids 4
34D 56. Foundry waste 4
35D 58. Part of a line at an Apple Store 4
36D 59. Adversary of Julius Caesar 4
37D 60. Actress Taylor-Joy of "The Gorge" 4
38D 62. "The Penguin" airer 3
39D 63. Foundry material 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Melodramatic sort"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinguished female operatic singer; a female operatic star
  • Similar words include: prima donna
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Like Cinderella's stepmother"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that morally objectionable behavior
  • Similar words include: immorality, wickedness, vicious
  • Opposite of: goodness, good
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Rapper in K-pop's Blackpink"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Jobs in "Heat" and "Ocean's Eleven""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of stealing
  • Similar words include: rip-off, armed robbery, stickup
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEISTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Lead-in to know or care"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Potato chip flavor, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Ruffian"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward stupid person
  • Similar words include: lummox, lump, lubber
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Workplace concern for seniors"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that discrimination against middle-aged and elderly people
  • Similar words include: agism
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGEISM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. British cookie"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda
  • Similar words include: cooky, cookie
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BISCUIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. 10 squats at the gym, perhaps"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Facing an imminent prospect (of)"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "None for you!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Right out of the ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a movable barrier in a fence or wall
  • Similar words include: logic gate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Rookies, to gamers"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Doohickey"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something unspecified whose name is either forgotten or not known
  • Similar words include: whatchamacallum, gadget, gismo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIZMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Sources of lines for a reading, maybe"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
  • Similar words include: medal, thenar, decoration
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PALM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Like some upper lips and drinks"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ordinary man
  • Similar words include: strong, cockeyed, slopped
  • Opposite of: impotent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STIFF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Unforced ___ (athlete's concern)"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
  • Similar words include: mistake, erroneous belief, misplay
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERROR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Reeves of "Hardball""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. "Up top!""

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Ruler's length?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period during which something or somebody is dominant or powerful
  • Similar words include: sovereignty, rule, predominate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REIGN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Cuff or hem, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
  • Similar words include: neuter, vary, spay
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Any of Scar's underlings in "The Lion King""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that doglike nocturnal mammal of africa and southern asia that feeds chiefly on carrion
  • Similar words include: hyaena
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYENA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Unfit for the job"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not elegant or graceful in expression
  • Similar words include: cumbersome, ill-chosen, tactless
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INEPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Bar exam component"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Gear parts"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a subordinate who performs an important but routine function
  • Similar words include: cog, sprocket
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COGS

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27D: "43. Completely collapses"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a bowl-shaped geological formation at the top of a volcano
  • Similar words include: crater, volcanic crater, Crater
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRATERS

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28D: "45. Like some Quaker products"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or related to or derived from oats
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OATEN

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29D: "48. Where you are when in Roma"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in southern europe on the italian peninsula; was the core of the roman republic and the roman empire between the 4th century bc and the 5th century ad
  • Similar words include: Italy, Italian Republic
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITALIA

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30D: "49. Cement spreader"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small hand tool with a handle and flat metal blade; used for scooping or spreading plaster or similar materials
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROWEL

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31D: "52. Snack similar to a gordita"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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32D: "53. Noggin"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward
  • Similar words include: noggin, attic, covered stadium
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOME

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33D: "54. Site for online bids"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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34D: "56. Foundry waste"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals
  • Similar words include: scoria, dross
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAG

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35D: "58. Part of a line at an Apple Store"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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36D: "59. Adversary of Julius Caesar"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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37D: "60. Actress Taylor-Joy of "The Gorge""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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38D: "62. "The Penguin" airer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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39D: "63. Foundry material"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

39 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 04, 2026 at 04:54 AM