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
- Across Clues Table (58 clues)
- Across Clues - Detailed Hints
- Down Clues Table (80 clues)
- Down Clues - Detailed Hints
- Expert Solving Strategies
- Today's Puzzle Statistics
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. Spanish nibbles | 5 |
| 2A | 6. Do great | 7 |
| 3A | 13. "Silly me!" | 7 |
| 4A | 20. Letter in the Hebrew spelling of "Adonai" | 5 |
| 5A | 21. Closest area to a movie theater projector, maybe | 7 |
| 6A | 22. Noteworthy | 7 |
| 7A | 23.  |
21 |
| 8A | 26. Loudmouth's lack, perhaps | 4 |
| 9A | 27. Director Lee | 3 |
| 10A | 28. Taylor-Joy of "Dune: Part Three" | 4 |
| 11A | 29. Word after B or bucket | 4 |
| 12A | 30. "Rock of Ages" or "Stand by Me" | 4 |
| 13A | 32. Advantage | 4 |
| 14A | 36. White of the eye | 6 |
| 15A | 39.  |
20 |
| 16A | 45. "Yeah, I know them" | 5 |
| 17A | 46. Burrowing rodent | 7 |
| 18A | 47. "So-o-o, as I was saying ..." | 6 |
| 19A | 49. "Mr. Blue Sky" band, for short | 3 |
| 20A | 50. Banger of a song | 3 |
| 21A | 51. "Fortnight" singer, to fans | 3 |
| 22A | 52. Directed | 4 |
| 23A | 54. "That is ... I mean ..." | 3 |
| 24A | 55. "Fifty Shades of Grey" author | 7 |
| 25A | 58. Dog hybrid with thick, low-shedding fur | 7 |
| 26A | 60. Mr. Knightley's love interest, in classic literature | 4 |
| 27A | 61. Embed with a hammer | 6 |
| 28A | 62.  |
14 |
| 29A | 65. Operatic pop group formed by Simon Cowell | 6 |
| 30A | 67. Sort of person who brings people together | 6 |
| 31A | 68.  |
14 |
| 32A | 74. Arab chiefs | 6 |
| 33A | 78. Fruit whose name has three syllables in four letters | 4 |
| 34A | 79. Panameñas y puertorriqueñas | 7 |
| 35A | 80. "A.S.A.P.!" | 7 |
| 36A | 81. Someone who exercises out of habit? | 3 |
| 37A | 82. Bird store supply | 4 |
| 38A | 84. "Starter" starter | 3 |
| 39A | 85. Word combined with "-fetti" in a portmanteau | 3 |
| 40A | 86. Onetime British Olympian/politician Sebastian | 3 |
| 41A | 87. Counterparts of troughs | 6 |
| 42A | 89. ___ Finch, lawyer in "To Kill a Mockingbird" | 7 |
| 43A | 91. [waving the white flag] | 5 |
| 44A | 93.  |
20 |
| 45A | 97. ChatGPT's company | 6 |
| 46A | 98. They never start with 9: Abbr. | 4 |
| 47A | 99. Word after news or line | 4 |
| 48A | 100. Famous last words | 4 |
| 49A | 103. Partner of rave | 4 |
| 50A | 105. Quite the head-turner? | 3 |
| 51A | 107. Live broadcast | 4 |
| 52A | 110.  |
21 |
| 53A | 117. Pushing off | 7 |
| 54A | 118. Rectangular baking container | 7 |
| 55A | 119. Give it a twirl! | 5 |
| 56A | 120. Follows the first rule of improv | 7 |
| 57A | 121. All together | 7 |
| 58A | 122. Obdurate | 5 |
Across Clues - Strategic Hints
1A: "1. Spanish nibbles"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry and pipturus albidus
- Similar words include: tappa bark, tapa, tappa
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAPAS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2A: "6. Do great"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRUSHIT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3A: "13. "Silly me!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMAFOOL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4A: "20. Letter in the Hebrew spelling of "Adonai""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the 1st letter of the hebrew alphabet
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALEPH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5A: "21. Closest area to a movie theater projector, maybe"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LASTROW
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6A: "22. Noteworthy"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAMABLE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7A: "23. "
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLASHDANCESWITHWOLVES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
8A: "26. Loudmouth's lack, perhaps"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
- Similar words include: tactfulness
- Opposite of: tactlessness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TACT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
9A: "27. Director Lee"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a civilian reserve component of the united states air force that provides prompt mobilization during war and assistance during national emergencies
- Similar words include: Air National Guard
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10A: "28. Taylor-Joy of "Dune: Part Three""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANYA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11A: "29. Word after B or bucket"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
- Similar words include: lean, inclination, heel
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIST
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12A: "30. "Rock of Ages" or "Stand by Me""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a song of praise (to god or to a saint or to a nation)
- Similar words include: anthem
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYMN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13A: "32. Advantage"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the boundary of a surface
- Similar words include: bound, butt, border
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14A: "36. White of the eye"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the whitish fibrous membrane (albuginea) that with the cornea forms the outer covering and protection of the eyeball
- Similar words include: sclerotic coat
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCLERA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15A: "39. "
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THELIGHTHOUSEOFGUCCI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16A: "45. "Yeah, I know them""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEMET
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17A: "46. Burrowing rodent"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOLERAT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18A: "47. "So-o-o, as I was saying ...""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANYHOO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19A: "49. "Mr. Blue Sky" band, for short"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20A: "50. Banger of a song"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the law enforcement agency of the justice department that operates a nationwide system of prisons and detention facilities to incarcerate inmates sentenced to imprisonment for federal crimes
- Similar words include: bonk, whop, Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21A: "51. "Fortnight" singer, to fans"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a branch of the tai languages
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22A: "52. Directed"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a chadic language spoken in northern nigeria
- Similar words include: wish, entreat, offer
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BADE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23A: "54. "That is ... I mean ...""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UMM
Remember this word for future puzzles!
24A: "55. "Fifty Shades of Grey" author"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELJAMES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
25A: "58. Dog hybrid with thick, low-shedding fur"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHIHPOO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
26A: "60. Mr. Knightley's love interest, in classic literature"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMMA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
27A: "61. Embed with a hammer"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAILIN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
28A: "62. "
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THELIONKINGPIN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
29A: "65. Operatic pop group formed by Simon Cowell"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILDIVO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
30A: "67. Sort of person who brings people together"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNITER
Remember this word for future puzzles!
31A: "68. "
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BADBOYSDONTCRY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
32A: "74. Arab chiefs"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the leader of an arab village or family
- Similar words include: sheikh, dude, Arab chief
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHEIKS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
33A: "78. Fruit whose name has three syllables in four letters"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACAI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
34A: "79. Panameñas y puertorriqueñas"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LATINAS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
35A: "80. "A.S.A.P.!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOITNOW
Remember this word for future puzzles!
36A: "81. Someone who exercises out of habit?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a woman religious
- Similar words include: conical buoy, nun buoy
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NUN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
37A: "82. Bird store supply"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a small hard fruit
- Similar words include: germ, semen, source
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
38A: "84. "Starter" starter"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that negation of a word or group of words
- Similar words include: not
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NON
Remember this word for future puzzles!
39A: "85. Word combined with "-fetti" in a portmanteau"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that activities that are enjoyable or amusing
- Similar words include: sport, merriment, play
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FUN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
40A: "86. Onetime British Olympian/politician Sebastian"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
41A: "87. Counterparts of troughs"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
- Similar words include: tip, crown, crest
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRESTS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
42A: "89. ___ Finch, lawyer in "To Kill a Mockingbird""
Solving Hints:
- Similar words include: genus Atticus
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATTICUS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
43A: "91. [waving the white flag]"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILOSE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
44A: "93. "
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASHOTINTHEDARKKNIGHT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
45A: "97. ChatGPT's company"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPENAI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
46A: "98. They never start with 9: Abbr."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SSNS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
47A: "99. Word after news or line"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
- Similar words include: point, particular, detail
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITEM
Remember this word for future puzzles!
48A: "100. Famous last words"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETTU
Remember this word for future puzzles!
49A: "103. Partner of rave"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
- Similar words include: mouth off, rave, blah
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
50A: "105. Quite the head-turner?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
- Similar words include: bird of night, bird of Minerva, hooter
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWL
Remember this word for future puzzles!
51A: "107. Live broadcast"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that food for domestic livestock
- Similar words include: prey, feast, tip
- Opposite of: starve
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEED
Remember this word for future puzzles!
52A: "110. "
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWELVEANGRYMENINBLACK
Remember this word for future puzzles!
53A: "117. Pushing off"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
- Similar words include: charge, send out, institutionalize
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENDING
Remember this word for future puzzles!
54A: "118. Rectangular baking container"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOAFPAN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
55A: "119. Give it a twirl!"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a thin tapered rod used by a conductor to lead an orchestra or choir
- Similar words include: truncheon, billy club, wand
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BATON
Remember this word for future puzzles!
56A: "120. Follows the first rule of improv"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YESANDS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
57A: "121. All together"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENMASSE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
58A: "122. Obdurate"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that abounding in rocks or stones
- Similar words include: obdurate, granitic, rocklike
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STONY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
Down Clues - Complete List
| No. | Clue | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | 1. Chief justice who remarked "I don't remember that I ever was president" | 4 |
| 2D | 2. Mozart's "Rondo ___ Turca" | 4 |
| 3D | 3. Sext symbol? | 10 |
| 4D | 4. Newsroom writing standard, in brief | 7 |
| 5D | 5. "Just listen ..." | 3 |
| 6D | 6. Group of families | 4 |
| 7D | 7. Cooking surface | 8 |
| 8D | 8. Sch. with the second-most N.F.L. draft picks of all time, after Notre Dame | 3 |
| 9D | 9. Sault ___ Marie, Mich. | 3 |
| 10D | 10. 9-5, say: Abbr. | 3 |
| 11D | 11. State that's the setting for "American Gothic" | 4 |
| 12D | 12. Pullover/cardigan combo | 7 |
| 13D | 13. Down the middle, say | 6 |
| 14D | 14. "Gaping" feature | 3 |
| 15D | 15. Latin 101 verb | 3 |
| 16D | 16. Reasoning that doesn't hold up | 7 |
| 17D | 17. Texter's "Duh!" | 4 |
| 18D | 18. Cheers for the Spanish national team? | 4 |
| 19D | 19. For fear that | 4 |
| 20D | 24. Minced oath | 4 |
| 21D | 25. Toymaker behind Tickle Me Elmo | 4 |
| 22D | 31. Lincoln Laboratory operator, in brief | 3 |
| 23D | 33. Co. with red-and-yellow trucks | 3 |
| 24D | 34. One of Ralph Waldo Emerson's six "Representative Men" | 6 |
| 25D | 35. Offerer of a 33-country train pass | 6 |
| 26D | 37. "Good heavens!" | 4 |
| 27D | 38. Arcane letter | 4 |
| 28D | 39. Many a middle schooler | 5 |
| 29D | 40. Slangy "very" | 5 |
| 30D | 41. Kaiser Permanente and others, in brief | 4 |
| 31D | 42. Initiate small talk, say | 5 |
| 32D | 43. ___ change | 5 |
| 33D | 44. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony | 5 |
| 34D | 48. Desert country popular for whale watching | 4 |
| 35D | 50. Like some novelty straws | 5 |
| 36D | 52. Lovely, as a lass | 5 |
| 37D | 53. D.J. and record producer Steve ___ | 4 |
| 38D | 56. Clearing account? | 5 |
| 39D | 57. ___ Minderbinder from "Catch-22" | 4 |
| 40D | 58. Minced oath | 5 |
| 41D | 59. Comes down hard | 5 |
| 42D | 60. Long-feathered flier | 5 |
| 43D | 62. Jason Seaver or Ward Cleaver, notably | 5 |
| 44D | 63. These are fighting words | 5 |
| 45D | 64. Classic drink brand sold in tall bottles | 4 |
| 46D | 66. Castaway's setting | 4 |
| 47D | 68. En ___ (legal phrase) | 4 |
| 48D | 69. Lexus rival | 5 |
| 49D | 70. People with no word for "please" in their native language | 5 |
| 50D | 71. Last in the batting order | 5 |
| 51D | 72. Govt. instruments | 6 |
| 52D | 73. Coyotes, foxes et al. | 6 |
| 53D | 75. Vegan brand with the logo of a cow wearing a fake mustache | 10 |
| 54D | 76. ___ ball (rubbery toy) | 5 |
| 55D | 77. "Awesome" | 5 |
| 56D | 80. When many parks close | 4 |
| 57D | 82. Sign of the cross? | 4 |
| 58D | 83. 90° del norte | 4 |
| 59D | 85. Fandom identities often with fluffy tails and ears | 8 |
| 60D | 88. Part of a three-word phrase expressing regret | 7 |
| 61D | 89. Quivering with excitement | 7 |
| 62D | 90. John | 3 |
| 63D | 91. Percentage at a bank: Abbr. | 3 |
| 64D | 92. Be perfectly supine, say | 7 |
| 65D | 94. Like Cinderella, initially | 6 |
| 66D | 95. Aloo gobi go-with | 4 |
| 67D | 96. Burn unit? | 4 |
| 68D | 100. Vintage goods e-tailer | 4 |
| 69D | 101. Overly sentimental, to Brits | 4 |
| 70D | 102. Hamiltons | 4 |
| 71D | 104. Ending with Jumbo or beta | 4 |
| 72D | 106. Fortified stuff, maybe | 4 |
| 73D | 108. Milton Friedman's field, familiarly | 4 |
| 74D | 109. Big Apple fashion house | 4 |
| 75D | 111. Info on auto documents, for short | 3 |
| 76D | 112. Wrap up | 3 |
| 77D | 113. It has a thick skin | 3 |
| 78D | 114. Deg. for some writers | 3 |
| 79D | 115. Mini-albums, for short | 3 |
| 80D | 116. Cheap shot? | 3 |
Down Clues - Strategic Hints
1D: "1. Chief justice who remarked "I don't remember that I ever was president""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that united states sculptor (1860-1936)
- Similar words include: William Howard Taft, President Taft, Lorado Taft
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAFT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
2D: "2. Mozart's "Rondo ___ Turca""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
3D: "3. Sext symbol?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEACHEMOJI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
4D: "4. Newsroom writing standard, in brief"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APSTYLE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
5D: "5. "Just listen ...""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHH
Remember this word for future puzzles!
6D: "6. Group of families"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that group of people related by blood or marriage
- Similar words include: kindred, kin group, tribe
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLAN
Remember this word for future puzzles!
7D: "7. Cooking surface"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANGETOP
Remember this word for future puzzles!
8D: "8. Sch. with the second-most N.F.L. draft picks of all time, after Notre Dame"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USC
Remember this word for future puzzles!
9D: "9. Sault ___ Marie, Mich."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STE
Remember this word for future puzzles!
10D: "10. 9-5, say: Abbr."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
- Similar words include: 60 minutes, hour, hr
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HRS
Remember this word for future puzzles!
11D: "11. State that's the setting for "American Gothic""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in iowa and minnesota and missouri
- Similar words include: IA, Hawkeye State, Ioway
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOWA
Remember this word for future puzzles!
12D: "12. Pullover/cardigan combo"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWINSET
Remember this word for future puzzles!
13D: "13. Down the middle, say"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INHALF
Remember this word for future puzzles!
14D: "14. "Gaping" feature"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that informal terms for the mouth
- Similar words include: trap, hole, cakehole
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAW
Remember this word for future puzzles!
15D: "15. Latin 101 verb"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
16D: "16. Reasoning that doesn't hold up"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning
- Similar words include: false belief
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FALLACY
Remember this word for future puzzles!
17D: "17. Texter's "Duh!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBVI
Remember this word for future puzzles!
18D: "18. Cheers for the Spanish national team?"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLES
Remember this word for future puzzles!
19D: "19. For fear that"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that being ten more than forty
- Similar words include: l, 50, fifty
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEST
Remember this word for future puzzles!
20D: "24. Minced oath"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DANG
Remember this word for future puzzles!
21D: "25. Toymaker behind Tickle Me Elmo"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TYCO
Remember this word for future puzzles!
22D: "31. Lincoln Laboratory operator, in brief"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that an engineering university in cambridge
- Similar words include: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIT
Remember this word for future puzzles!
23D: "33. Co. with red-and-yellow trucks"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DHL
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24D: "34. One of Ralph Waldo Emerson's six "Representative Men""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that german poet and novelist and dramatist who lived in weimar (1749-1832)
- Similar words include: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOETHE
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25D: "35. Offerer of a 33-country train pass"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EURAIL
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26D: "37. "Good heavens!""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGAD
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27D: "38. Arcane letter"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any character from an ancient germanic alphabet used in scandinavia from the 3rd century to the middle ages
- Similar words include: runic letter
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUNE
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28D: "39. Many a middle schooler"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWEEN
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29D: "40. Slangy "very""
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HELLA
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30D: "41. Kaiser Permanente and others, in brief"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that group insurance that entitles members to services of participating hospitals and clinics and physicians
- Similar words include: health maintenance organization, HMO
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HMOS
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31D: "42. Initiate small talk, say"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAYHI
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32D: "43. ___ change"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
- Similar words include: fool, patsy, gull
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHUMP
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33D: "44. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOMMI
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34D: "48. Desert country popular for whale watching"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a strategically located monarchy on the southern and eastern coasts of the arabian peninsula; the economy is dominated by oil
- Similar words include: Muscat and Oman, Sultanate of Oman
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMAN
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35D: "50. Like some novelty straws"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BENDY
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36D: "52. Lovely, as a lass"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that very pleasing to the eye
- Similar words include: bonnie, comely, sightly
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BONNY
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37D: "53. D.J. and record producer Steve ___"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AOKI
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38D: "56. Clearing account?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that (law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
- Similar words include: exculpation, excuse, self-justification
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIBI
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39D: "57. ___ Minderbinder from "Catch-22""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that small drought-resistant sorghums having large yellow or whitish grains
- Similar words include: milo maize
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MILO
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40D: "58. Minced oath"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a new branch
- Similar words include: burgeon forth, charge, scoot
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOOT
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41D: "59. Comes down hard"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that cause to run
- Similar words include: pelt, stream, pour out
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POURS
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42D: "60. Long-feathered flier"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any of various usually white herons having long plumes during breeding season
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGRET
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43D: "62. Jason Seaver or Ward Cleaver, notably"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TVDAD
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44D: "63. These are fighting words"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITSON
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45D: "64. Classic drink brand sold in tall bottles"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEHI
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46D: "66. Castaway's setting"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a small island
- Similar words include: islet
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLE
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47D: "68. En ___ (legal phrase)"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BANC
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48D: "69. Lexus rival"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACURA
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49D: "70. People with no word for "please" in their native language"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a native or inhabitant of denmark
- Similar words include: Dane
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DANES
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50D: "71. Last in the batting order"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that position nine in a countable series of things
- Similar words include: one-ninth, 9th
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINTH
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51D: "72. Govt. instruments"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TNOTES
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52D: "73. Coyotes, foxes et al."
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that any of various fissiped mammals with nonretractile claws and typically long muzzles
- Similar words include: canid, canine
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANIDS
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53D: "75. Vegan brand with the logo of a cow wearing a fake mustache"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCOGMEATO
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54D: "76. ___ ball (rubbery toy)"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KOOSH
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55D: "77. "Awesome""
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that english phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)
- Similar words include: gratifying, scented, odoriferous
- Opposite of: dry, sour
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWEET
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56D: "80. When many parks close"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the time of day immediately following sunset
- Similar words include: gloaming, twilight, gloam
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUSK
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57D: "82. Sign of the cross?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the event of something ending
- Similar words include: break off, turn back, halt
- Opposite of: start, continuant consonant
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STOP
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58D: "83. 90° del norte"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESTE
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59D: "85. Fandom identities often with fluffy tails and ears"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FURSONAS
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60D: "88. Part of a three-word phrase expressing regret"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOULDA
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61D: "89. Quivering with excitement"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATINGLE
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62D: "90. John"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.
- Similar words include: fanny, force out, commode
- Opposite of: hire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAN
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63D: "91. Percentage at a bank: Abbr."
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INT
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64D: "92. Be perfectly supine, say"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIEFLAT
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65D: "94. Like Cinderella, initially"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INRAGS
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66D: "95. Aloo gobi go-with"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that leavened bread baked in a clay oven in india; usually shaped like a teardrop
- Similar words include: nan
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAAN
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67D: "96. Burn unit?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a furnace for firing or burning or drying such things as porcelain or bricks
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KILN
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68D: "100. Vintage goods e-tailer"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETSY
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69D: "101. Overly sentimental, to Brits"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that affectedly dainty or refined
- Similar words include: dainty, niminy-piminy, prim
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWEE
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70D: "102. Hamiltons"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
- Similar words include: X, decade, tenner
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENS
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71D: "104. Ending with Jumbo or beta"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRON
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72D: "106. Fortified stuff, maybe"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that fermented juice (of grapes especially)
- Similar words include: wine-coloured, wine-colored, vino
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WINE
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73D: "108. Milton Friedman's field, familiarly"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECON
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74D: "109. Big Apple fashion house"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DKNY
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75D: "111. Info on auto documents, for short"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VIN
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76D: "112. Wrap up"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
- Similar words include: cease, final stage, remnant
- Opposite of: begin, beginning
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: END
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77D: "113. It has a thick skin"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that edible tuber of any of several yams
- Similar words include: yam plant
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YAM
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78D: "114. Deg. for some writers"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a master's degree in fine arts
- Similar words include: Master of Fine Arts
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MFA
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79D: "115. Mini-albums, for short"
Solving Hints:
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPS
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80D: "116. Cheap shot?"
Solving Hints:
- Think of something that a computer that is running software that allows users to leave messages and access information of general interest
- Similar words include: bulletin board, bulletin board system, BB shot
- Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BBS
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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
58 Across Clues
80 Down Clues
138 Total Clues
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