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

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers June 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: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Capital located on a fjord 4
2A 5. Battling militarily 5
3A 10. State with the highest Mormon population 4
4A 14. Snow clearer 4
5A 15. Selected 5
6A 16. ___ minimum 4
7A 17. "You missed your chance!" 10
8A 19. Silver weapon brandished by one hoping for gold 4
9A 20. Huge 7
10A 21. "It's legit!" 7
11A 23. ___ Rica 5
12A 24. One with special access, in brief 3
13A 25. Gets a pooch to attack 12
14A 33. One who might call you out if you get home late? 3
15A 36. Hindi term meaning "master"... or "mister" 5
16A 37. "My apologies!" 5
17A 38. Part of a house or a mouth 4
18A 40. Obstetrician's specialty 5
19A 42. Part of a shoe or many a bra 4
20A 43. Setting for Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" 5
21A 45. Dance for flexible people 5
22A 47. It might say "Home Sweet Home" 3
23A 48. Picked at one's food, in an avian metaphor 12
24A 51. Baton Rouge sch. 3
25A 52. Wash with a glycol spray, as an airplane wing 5
26A 56. With 63-Across, question hinted at by the beginnings of 17-, 21-, 25- and 48-Across 7
27A 60. Marsupial whose name sometimes omits its first letter 7
28A 62. Tony ___, former Cowboys QB 4
29A 63. See 56-Across 10
30A 65. All over again 4
31A 66. "No bid from me" 5
32A 67. Bad forecast for a parade 4
33A 68. Ivy in Philadelphia, familiarly 4
34A 69. Letter-shaped groove for a fastener 5
35A 70. Barely made, with "out" 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Capital located on a fjord"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Battling militarily"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. State with the highest Mormon population"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in the western united states; settled in 1847 by mormons led by brigham young
  • Similar words include: UT, Beehive State, Mormon State
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Snow clearer"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a farm tool having one or more heavy blades to break the soil and cut a furrow prior to sowing
  • Similar words include: handle, deal, cover
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Selected"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
  • Similar words include: pick out, take, choose
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. ___ minimum"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make public
  • Similar words include: stark, strip, stripped
  • Opposite of: sheathed, covered
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. "You missed your chance!""

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Silver weapon brandished by one hoping for gold"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Huge"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; - w.r.inge
  • Similar words include: Brobdingnagian, vast, huge
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMMENSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. "It's legit!""

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. ___ Rica"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a riblike part of a plant or animal (such as a middle rib of a leaf or a thickened vein of an insect wing)
  • Similar words include: rib
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COSTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. One with special access, in brief"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an important or influential (and often overbearing) person
  • Similar words include: high muckamuck, dignitary, high-up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Gets a pooch to attack"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "33. One who might call you out if you get home late?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an official at a baseball game
  • Similar words include: umpire
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "36. Hindi term meaning "master"... or "mister""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that formerly a term of respect for important white europeans in colonial india; used after the name
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAHIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "37. "My apologies!""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
  • Similar words include: grim, no-account, disconsolate
  • Opposite of: unregretful
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SORRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "38. Part of a house or a mouth"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
  • Similar words include: ceiling, cap
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "40. Obstetrician's specialty"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
  • Similar words include: undertaking, drudge, dig
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LABOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "42. Part of a shoe or many a bra"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment)
  • Similar words include: entwine, enlace, spike
  • Opposite of: untwine
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "43. Setting for Arthur Miller's "The Crucible""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that capital of the state of oregon in the northwestern part of the state on the willamette river
  • Similar words include: capital of Oregon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "45. Dance for flexible people"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of being disregarded or forgotten
  • Similar words include: oblivion
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIMBO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. It might say "Home Sweet Home""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
  • Similar words include: matt, lustrelessness, felt up
  • Opposite of: disentangle, unsnarl
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. Picked at one's food, in an avian metaphor"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "51. Baton Rouge sch."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "52. Wash with a glycol spray, as an airplane wing"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make or become free of frost or ice
  • Similar words include: de-ice, defrost
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "56. With 63-Across, question hinted at by the beginnings of 17-, 21-, 25- and 48-Across"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "60. Marsupial whose name sometimes omits its first letter"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small furry australian arboreal marsupials having long usually prehensile tails
  • Similar words include: possum, phalanger
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPOSSUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "62. Tony ___, former Cowboys QB"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "63. See 56-Across"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that recognize with gratitude; be grateful for
  • Similar words include: treasure, take account, prize
  • Opposite of: depreciate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APPRECIATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "65. All over again"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "66. "No bid from me""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "67. Bad forecast for a parade"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
  • Similar words include: rain down, pelting, rainfall
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "68. Ivy in Philadelphia, familiarly"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that englishman and quaker who founded the colony of pennsylvania (1644-1718)
  • Similar words include: William Penn, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PENN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "69. Letter-shaped groove for a fastener"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "70. Barely made, with "out""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Kind of nerve that connects to the eye 5
2D 2. Manner in which sports replays are shown, familiarly 5
3D 3. Hangs (over) 5
4D 4. Babies that are supposed to be up all night? 6
5D 5. Five things in each of Shakespeare's plays 4
6D 6. "My country, 'tis of ___ ..." 4
7D 7. Was victorious 3
8D 8. Since 4
9D 9. Fixed, as a tapestry or a tatami 6
10D 10. Original name of a popular shared-ride service 8
11D 11. Word after video or Scotch 4
12D 12. About 8,100 square feet, for a baseball infield 4
13D 13. What helps you get a leg up? 4
14D 18. Eroticist Nin 5
15D 22. Purges, with "of" 4
16D 26. Baseball Hall-of-Famer ___ Ripken 3
17D 27. Rock that's fracked to release oil 5
18D 28. Bone in the lower leg 5
19D 29. Fusion weapon, familiarly 5
20D 30. Weight unit at British markets 4
21D 31. Sea sight in black and white 4
22D 32. The decline of Russia? 4
23D 33. Lead-in to Major or Minor in the night sky 4
24D 34. What a drawbridge might cross 4
25D 35. Word with vault or position 4
26D 39. Collapsed 8
27D 41. One of four generated by a grand slam, for short 3
28D 44. Kind of soup often served with sushi 4
29D 46. Surgeon, informally 5
30D 49. Emirate that was the site of Operation Desert Storm 6
31D 50. Longing 6
32D 53. Chris with the 1991 hit "Wicked Game" 5
33D 54. One who's "adorbs" 5
34D 55. Revise, as text 5
35D 56. Prepare for gifting 4
36D 57. Sharpen 4
37D 58. Finding a penny with the tails side up is said to be a bad one 4
38D 59. Actor/rapper Omar 4
39D 60. "In that neighborhood" 4
40D 61. Gnat or nit 4
41D 64. Bud 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Kind of nerve that connects to the eye"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the organ of sight
  • Similar words include: visual, opthalmic, optical
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPTIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Manner in which sports replays are shown, familiarly"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Hangs (over)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile
  • Similar words include: loom, brood, hover
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Babies that are supposed to be up all night?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: owlet
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWLETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Five things in each of Shakespeare's plays"

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: number, routine, represent
  • Opposite of: refrain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. "My country, 'tis of ___ ...""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Was victorious"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in south korea
  • Similar words include: come through, North Korean won, gain ground
  • Opposite of: lose, fall back
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Since"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Fixed, as a tapestry or a tatami"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Original name of a popular shared-ride service"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Word after video or Scotch"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long thin piece of cloth or paper as used for binding or fastening
  • Similar words include: tape recording, magnetic tape, tapeline
  • Opposite of: erase
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. About 8,100 square feet, for a baseball infield"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
  • Similar words include: orbit, country, region
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. What helps you get a leg up?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
  • Similar words include: list, cad, dog
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Eroticist Nin"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Purges, with "of""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Baseball Hall-of-Famer ___ Ripken"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Rock that's fracked to release oil"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sedimentary rock formed by the deposition of successive layers of clay
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Bone in the lower leg"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the inner and thicker of the two bones of the human leg between the knee and ankle
  • Similar words include: shin, shinbone, shin bone
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIBIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Fusion weapon, familiarly"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Weight unit at British markets"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Sea sight in black and white"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas
  • Similar words include: killer whale, killer, Orcinus orca
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. The decline of Russia?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Lead-in to Major or Minor in the night sky"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. What a drawbridge might cross"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water
  • Similar words include: fosse
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Word with vault or position"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
  • Similar words include: perch, magnetic pole, terminal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Collapsed"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. One of four generated by a grand slam, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a run that is the result of the batter's performance
  • Similar words include: run batted in
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RBI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Kind of soup often served with sushi"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thick paste made from fermented soybeans and barley or rice malt; used in japanese cooking to make soups or sauces
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MISO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. Surgeon, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Emirate that was the site of Operation Desert Storm"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a seaport on the persian gulf and capital of kuwait
  • Similar words include: Koweit, Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KUWAIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Longing"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
  • Similar words include: trust, want, hope
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DESIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. Chris with the 1991 hit "Wicked Game""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "54. One who's "adorbs""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "55. Revise, as text"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make improvements or corrections to
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMEND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "56. Prepare for gifting"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cloak that is folded or wrapped around a person
  • Similar words include: enwrap, enfold, wrapping
  • Opposite of: unwrap, unwind
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WRAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "57. Sharpen"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a whetstone made of fine gritstone; used for sharpening razors
  • Similar words include: perfect
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "58. Finding a penny with the tails side up is said to be a bad one"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sign of something about to happen
  • Similar words include: presage, Muscat and Oman, foretell
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Actor/rapper Omar"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "60. "In that neighborhood""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "61. Gnat or nit"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal
  • Similar words include: cuss, blighter, pesterer
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "64. Bud"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
  • Similar words include: chum, brother, sidekick
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAL

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

35 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: June 02, 2026 at 08:12 AM

Thursday, February 26, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 26, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: 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. 8' 4" 7
2A 8. 250,000 sheets 6
3A 14. Short piece of classical music 8
4A 15. Accessory for SpongeBob SquarePants 6
5A 16. Long-tongued animal 8
6A 17. Laudanum, e.g. 6
7A 18. Calif. M.L.B. team, on scoreboards 3
8A 19. Happening 5
9A 21. Collectively, the reigns of all English monarchs named George 11
10A 26. Grill, informally 3
11A 29. Bit of mining equipment 7
12A 30. It's not pretty 7
13A 32. Walt Disney's middle name 5
14A 34. Like a plane, informally 4
15A 35. System in which XL is smaller than L ... or a hint to interpreting
the answers to the italicized clues
13
16A 40. Malarkey 4
17A 41. "Stompin' at the ___" (Benny Goodman standard) 5
18A 42. "Based on my research ..." 7
19A 46. ___ Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow 7
20A 50. Vibe (with) 3
21A 51. Superhuman strength, mind-reading, invisibility and four dozen other powers 11
22A 53. Vexing 5
23A 54. Title for a certain union member? 3
24A 55. Like cats and dogs 6
25A 58. Stall, e.g. 8
26A 63. Charge, in a way 6
27A 64. Loose, as floorboards 8
28A 65. ☐☐☐☐☐
☐☐☐☐☐
6
29A 66. Total on a chiliagon 7

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. 8' 4""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any undertaking that is easy to do
  • Similar words include: cinch, girth, picnic
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CINCHES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "8. 250,000 sheets"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
  • Similar words include: aspiration, dream, pipe dream
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DREAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Short piece of classical music"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short and simple sonata
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONATINA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Accessory for SpongeBob SquarePants"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Long-tongued animal"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that toothless mammal of southern africa and asia having a body covered with horny scales and a long snout for feeding on ants and termites
  • Similar words include: aardvark, echidna, pangolin
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTEATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Laudanum, e.g."

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narcotic drug that contains opium or an opium derivative
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPIATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Calif. M.L.B. team, on scoreboards"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Happening"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that traveling by foot
  • Similar words include: underway
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Collectively, the reigns of all English monarchs named George"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "26. Grill, informally"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "29. Bit of mining equipment"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "30. It's not pretty"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something very ugly and offensive
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYESORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "32. Walt Disney's middle name"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english essayist (1775-1834)
  • Similar words include: Elia, Lamb, Charles Lamb
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELIAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "34. Like a plane, informally"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "35. System in which XL is smaller than L ... or a hint to interpreting
the answers to the italicized clues"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "40. Malarkey"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz
  • Similar words include: swing, swing music
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "41. "Stompin' at the ___" (Benny Goodman standard)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a geographical region of historical importance; a former duchy in what is now southwestern france, western switzerland, and northwestern italy
  • Similar words include: savoy cabbage
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAVOY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "42. "Based on my research ...""

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "46. ___ Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "50. Vibe (with)"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colloid in a more solid form than a sol
  • Similar words include: colloidal gel, mousse, gelatin
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "51. Superhuman strength, mind-reading, invisibility and four dozen other powers"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that anything that is owed to someone else
  • Similar words include: indebtedness, liability, financial obligation
  • Opposite of: asset
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIABILITIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "53. Vexing"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that causing irritation or annoyance
  • Similar words include: pestiferous, vexatious, plaguey
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PESKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "54. Title for a certain union member?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a form of address for a married woman
  • Similar words include: Mrs., Mister, Mr
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "55. Like cats and dogs"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the form of a word that is used to denote more than one
  • Similar words include: plural form
  • Opposite of: singular
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLURAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "58. Stall, e.g."

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "63. Charge, in a way"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become converted into ions
  • Similar words include: ionise
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IONIZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "64. Loose, as floorboards"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "65. ☐☐☐☐☐
☐☐☐☐☐
"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "66. Total on a chiliagon"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that clothes dryer for drying and ironing laundry by passing it between two heavy heated rollers
  • Similar words include: mangle, maul, cut up
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANGLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Nicolas Cage film set on a plane 6
2D 2. Amount measured in calories 6
3D 3. Highland refusal 3
4D 4. Org. that runs the "L" 3
5D 5. Alternative to a walk 3
6D 6. 67.5 deg. on a compass 3
7D 7. ___ Connor, the Terminator's target in "The Terminator" 5
8D 8. Wilted 6
9D 9. Peaceful state 6
10D 10. Make some alterations 4
11D 11. ___ minimum 3
12D 12. Cambridge sch. 3
13D 13. Get 3
14D 14. Sudden attack 5
15D 20. "Bah!" 3
16D 22. Workers who sing the opening number in "Frozen" 6
17D 23. Queen of the Pride Lands 4
18D 24. Friendly look 4
19D 25. Ending of seven country names 4
20D 26. Poke ___ 4
21D 27. Dudes 4
22D 28. End of a proof 3
23D 31. Patronize, as an Airbnb 6
24D 33. Questionable, in slang 3
25D 35. Side dish eaten with curry 4
26D 36. Roundish, say 4
27D 37. Salon job, informally 4
28D 38. Assessment, informally 4
29D 39. Side dish eaten with curry 4
30D 40. Some fancy footwork 3
31D 43. Dirtbag 6
32D 44. Parts of naves 6
33D 45. Animal in some traditional Tibetan races 3
34D 47. Like a fish out of water, e.g. 6
35D 48. Mercury's mythological counterpart 6
36D 49. Half-___ (subpar, in slang) 5
37D 52. "Dagnabbit!" 5
38D 53. Grand ___ 4
39D 55. Shots, informally 3
40D 56. Toss up? 3
41D 57. One, south of the border 3
42D 59. "Ballerina" star ___ de Armas 3
43D 60. You can stop right there! 3
44D 61. Remind too often 3
45D 62. Up to 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Nicolas Cage film set on a plane"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Amount measured in calories"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
  • Similar words include: breathing in, inlet, uptake
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INTAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Highland refusal"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Org. that runs the "L""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Alternative to a walk"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)
  • Similar words include: hitting, bump off, off
  • Opposite of: miss
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. 67.5 deg. on a compass"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the compass point midway between northeast and east
  • Similar words include: east northeast
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. ___ Connor, the Terminator's target in "The Terminator""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) the wife of abraham and mother of isaac
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Wilted"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)
  • Similar words include: sagging, drooping
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DROOPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Peaceful state"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
  • Similar words include: recumb, reside, lay
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REPOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Make some alterations"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. ___ minimum"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Cambridge sch."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

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!

13D: "13. Get"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Sudden attack"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an outburst resembling the discharge of firearms or the release of bombs
  • Similar words include: burst, fusillade, volley
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALVO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. "Bah!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Workers who sing the opening number in "Frozen""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who cuts and delivers ice
  • Similar words include: hatchet man, iceman
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICEMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Queen of the Pride Lands"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Friendly look"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
  • Similar words include: smiling, smile, grinning
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "25. Ending of seven country names"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "26. Poke ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
  • Similar words include: stadium, bowling ball, pipe bowl
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOWL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "27. Dudes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "28. End of a proof"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a relativistic quantum theory of the electromagnetic interactions of photons and electrons and muons
  • Similar words include: quantum electrodynamics
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: QED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "31. Patronize, as an Airbnb"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Questionable, in slang"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that type genus of the suidae
  • Similar words include: genus Sus
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Side dish eaten with curry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished
  • Similar words include: Elmer Reizenstein, Sir Tim Rice, Elmer Rice
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. Roundish, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
  • Similar words include: ovoid, oviform, prolate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "37. Salon job, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "38. Assessment, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "39. Side dish eaten with curry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "40. Some fancy footwork"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that music in three-four time for dancing a jig
  • Similar words include: gigue
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "43. Dirtbag"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
  • Similar words include: cheapness, tat, tackiness
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "44. Parts of naves"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
  • Similar words include: gangway, aisle
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AISLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "45. Animal in some traditional Tibetan races"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large long-haired wild ox of tibet often domesticated
  • Similar words include: yakety-yak, yack, chatter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "47. Like a fish out of water, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with `like' or `as')
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIMILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "48. Mercury's mythological counterpart"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) messenger and herald of the gods; god of commerce and cunning and invention and theft; identified with roman mercury
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "49. Half-___ (subpar, in slang)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "52. "Dagnabbit!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "53. Grand ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "55. Shots, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chest in which coins from the mint are held to await assay
  • Similar words include: pyx, pyx chest, pix chest
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "56. Toss up?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an easy return of a tennis ball in a high arc
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "57. One, south of the border"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "59. "Ballerina" star ___ de Armas"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mother of the ancient irish gods; sometimes identified with danu
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "60. You can stop right there!"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
  • Similar words include: lodge, auberge, hostel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "61. Remind too often"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone (especially a woman) who annoys people by constantly finding fault
  • Similar words include: hen-peck, scold, jade
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "62. Up to"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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

29 Across Clues
45 Down Clues
74 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: February 26, 2026 at 05:06 AM