Search Clues

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

Monday, July 6, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 06, 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. Long, detailed tales 5
2A 6. Binds together 4
3A 10. Russia's Peter the Great, e.g. 4
4A 14. Hertz competitor 5
5A 15. Muppet with a noted feud with a pet rock 4
6A 16. Jane Austen title character 4
7A 17. Event that might include juggling, singing and magic tricks 10
8A 19. ___ wave (summer phenomenon) 4
9A 20. Northern neighbor of Namibia 6
10A 21. Eat, as cattle might 5
11A 22. Serpent seen on a sarcophagus 3
12A 24. Looks of total confusion 11
13A 27. Calm, as a lake 6
14A 29. Bard of ___, nickname for Shakespeare 4
15A 30. Intellectual thoroughness 5
16A 31. Olden days 4
17A 33. Texter's "If you ask me ..." 3
18A 36. Three-part fire safety technique 15
19A 40. Opposite of NNW 3
20A 41. Give the boot 4
21A 42. When farmers typically wake up 5
22A 43. Flatbread with a palindromic name 4
23A 45. Steve ___, 2003 N.F.L. M.V.P.-winning quarterback 6
24A 46. 2009 comedy about a bachelor party and its aftermath 11
25A 51. Golf ball holder 3
26A 52. Colorful glows 5
27A 53. Grapefruit relative 6
28A 55. Some urban pollution 4
29A 56. Sections of a choir .... as hinted at by this puzzle's circled letters 10
30A 60. It comes and goes each day 4
31A 61. "Frozen" princess 4
32A 62. Hall-of-Fame hoopster Thomas 5
33A 63. Where Eve reached for the forbidden fruit 4
34A 64. Grammy-winning singer Lisa 4
35A 65. Like the crying face emoji 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Long, detailed tales"

5 letters Category: Common Word

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
  • Similar words include: saga
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAGAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Binds together"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
  • Similar words include: tie-up, attach, wed
  • Opposite of: disconnect, untie
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Russia's Peter the Great, e.g."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male monarch or emperor (especially of russia prior to 1917)
  • Similar words include: tzar, czar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Hertz competitor"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a siege and massacre at a mission in san antonio in 1836; mexican forces under santa anna besieged and massacred american rebels who were fighting to make texas independent of mexico
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALAMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Muppet with a noted feud with a pet rock"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Jane Austen title character"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Event that might include juggling, singing and magic tricks"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. ___ wave (summer phenomenon)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
  • Similar words include: oestrus, heating system, estrus
  • Opposite of: anestrus, coldness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Northern neighbor of Namibia"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in southwestern africa on the atlantic ocean; achieved independence from portugal in 1975 and was the scene of civil war until 1990
  • Similar words include: Republic of Angola
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANGOLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Eat, as cattle might"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a superficial abrasion
  • Similar words include: browse, crease, rake
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Serpent seen on a sarcophagus"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of southern europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
  • Similar words include: Naja haje, asp viper, Egyptian cobra
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Looks of total confusion"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Calm, as a lake"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
  • Similar words include: tranquil, smooth, good-tempered
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLACID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Bard of ___, nickname for Shakespeare"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a river in southwestern england rising in gloucestershire and flowing through bristol to empty into the estuary of the severn
  • Similar words include: Upper Avon, River Avon, Upper Avon River
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Intellectual thoroughness"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something hard to endure
  • Similar words include: hardness, grimness, rigorousness
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIGOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Olden days"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that time long past
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Texter's "If you ask me ...""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the united nations agency concerned with international maritime activities
  • Similar words include: International Maritime Organization
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Three-part fire safety technique"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Opposite of NNW"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the compass point midway between south and southeast
  • Similar words include: south southeast, sou'-sou'-east
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Give the boot"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove from a position or office
  • Similar words include: expel, boot out, kick out
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. When farmers typically wake up"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
  • Similar words include: other, former, too soon
  • Opposite of: late, middle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EARLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Flatbread with a palindromic name"

4 letters Category: Common Word

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Steve ___, 2003 N.F.L. M.V.P.-winning quarterback"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. 2009 comedy about a bachelor party and its aftermath"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Golf ball holder"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "52. Colorful glows"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure
  • Similar words include: nimbus, aura, aureole
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AURAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Grapefruit relative"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that southeastern asian tree producing large fruits resembling grapefruits
  • Similar words include: pomelo tree, pummelo, Citrus decumana
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POMELO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Some urban pollution"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Sections of a choir .... as hinted at by this puzzle's circled letters"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. It comes and goes each day"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
  • Similar words include: surge, lunar time period
  • Opposite of: ebb
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. "Frozen" princess"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a former copper coin of pakistan and india
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Hall-of-Fame hoopster Thomas"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Where Eve reached for the forbidden fruit"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
  • Similar words include: paradise, nirvana, promised land
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Grammy-winning singer Lisa"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states physiologist (born in germany) who did research on parthenogenesis (1859-1924)
  • Similar words include: Jacques Loeb
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOEB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Like the crying face emoji"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that with eyes full of tears
  • Similar words include: teary-eyed, watery-eyed
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEARY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Used a chair 3
2D 2. In the manner of 3
3D 3. Archipelago that helped shape Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" 9
4D 4. Prayer ender 4
5D 5. Nuthatch or nightingale 8
6D 6. Cybertruck maker 5
7D 7. ___ Omar, first Somali American in Congress 5
8D 8. Angsty subculture 3
9D 9. Piglet's mother 3
10D 10. Capital city between Baghdad, Iraq, and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 10
11D 11. Negative attack on a political opponent 5
12D 12. Knock the socks off 5
13D 13. Parking garage listing 5
14D 18. Relayed, as a story 4
15D 21. 1960s Pontiac muscle car 3
16D 22. Auto loan figs. 4
17D 23. Cuts open, as an envelope 5
18D 25. 24-___ gold 5
19D 26. "Frozen" reindeer 4
20D 28. European capital that's home to the Little Mermaid statue 10
21D 31. Offspring 5
22D 32. Word after black or special 3
23D 34. Temporary suspensions 9
24D 35. Basic skateboarding jump 5
25D 37. Singer Chappell with the double-platinum album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" 4
26D 38. Dilapidated 8
27D 39. Instrument played by a Muse 4
28D 44. Some small batteries 3
29D 45. Modern lead-in to coin or stock 4
30D 46. One of the five senses 5
31D 47. Like sticky summer weather 5
32D 48. Wash away 5
33D 49. Express one's thoughts 5
34D 50. Words of interest to a language learner, informally 5
35D 54. Operate on using a beam 4
36D 56. Actor Kilmer 3
37D 57. The Yoko of "Dear Yoko" 3
38D 58. Paver's goop 3
39D 59. Like a shrinking violet 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Used a chair"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. In the manner of"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Archipelago that helped shape Darwin's "On the Origin of Species""

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of islands in the pacific off south america; owned by ecuador; known for unusual animal life
  • Similar words include: Galapagos Islands
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GALAPAGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Prayer ender"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a primeval egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at thebes
  • Similar words include: Amun, Amon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Nuthatch or nightingale"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any bird having a musical call
  • Similar words include: songster
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONGBIRD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Cybertruck maker"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of magnetic flux density equal to one weber per square meter
  • Similar words include: Nikola Tesla
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TESLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. ___ Omar, first Somali American in Congress"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Angsty subculture"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Piglet's mother"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adult female hog
  • Similar words include: sow in, inseminate, seed
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Capital city between Baghdad, Iraq, and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Negative attack on a political opponent"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slanderous defamation
  • Similar words include: blot, denigrate, besmirch
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Knock the socks off"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that affect with wonder
  • Similar words include: get, vex, astound
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Parking garage listing"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a local tax on property (usually used in the plural)
  • Similar words include: scab, stag, shit
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Relayed, as a story"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express in words
  • Similar words include: secernate, recite, say
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOLD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. 1960s Pontiac muscle car"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Auto loan figs."

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the month following march and preceding may
  • Similar words include: April, Apr
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Cuts open, as an envelope"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrow opening
  • Similar words include: prick, twat, scratch
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. 24-___ gold"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy; 18-karat gold is 75% gold; 24-karat gold is pure gold
  • Similar words include: carat, kt
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KARAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. "Frozen" reindeer"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. European capital that's home to the Little Mermaid statue"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of denmark; located on the island of zealand
  • Similar words include: Kobenhavn, Danish capital
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COPENHAGEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Offspring"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any immature animal
  • Similar words include: Whitney Young, untested, Pres Young
  • Opposite of: aged, old
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YOUNG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Word after black or special"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (roman mythology) goddess of abundance and fertility; wife of saturn; counterpart of greek rhea and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Temporary suspensions"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged
  • Similar words include: moratorium
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORATORIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Basic skateboarding jump"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Singer Chappell with the double-platinum album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a soft sheepskin leather that is colored and finished to resemble morocco; used in bookbinding
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Dilapidated"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that worn and broken down by hard use
  • Similar words include: creaky, sapless, weakly
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DECREPIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. Instrument played by a Muse"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a harp used by ancient greeks for accompaniment
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Some small batteries"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an associate degree in applied science
  • Similar words include: Associate in Arts, AA, Associate in Applied Science
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Modern lead-in to coin or stock"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. One of the five senses"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
  • Similar words include: savour, sample, try out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TASTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Like sticky summer weather"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that containing or characterized by a great deal of water vapor
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUMID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Wash away"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become ground down or deteriorate
  • Similar words include: wear away, eat away, gnaw
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "49. Express one's thoughts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
  • Similar words include: speak out, suppose, guess
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Words of interest to a language learner, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Operate on using a beam"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. Actor Kilmer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. The Yoko of "Dear Yoko""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states musician (born in japan) who married john lennon and collaborated with him on recordings (born in 1933)
  • Similar words include: Yoko Ono
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "58. Paver's goop"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
  • Similar words include: mariner, seafarer, gob
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. Like a shrinking violet"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quick throw
  • Similar words include: unsure, diffident, timid
  • Opposite of: confident
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHY

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
39 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: July 06, 2026 at 07:59 AM

Friday, May 22, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 22, 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. Guns, so to speak 6
2A 7. Prefix with American 4
3A 11. Charcuterie spread 4
4A 15. Footnote phrase 6
5A 16. Sherwood, e.g. 9
6A 18. Qualifier to an embarrassing question 16
7A 20. Location for some osteoarthritis 4
8A 21. ___-Saint-Michel (French commune on a tidal island) 4
9A 22. Saps 5
10A 23. Sign of desperation 3
11A 24. Consider as one's residence 8
12A 27. Mrs. Addams, to Mr. Addams 4
13A 29. Val who played Iceman in "Top Gun" 6
14A 30. Guimarães greeting 3
15A 33. "Neato!" 6
16A 35. "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" character ___ Linetti 4
17A 36. Genre for Blackpink and Twice 4
18A 37. Counteract negativity using lavish generosity 16
19A 40. Former boy band with the members Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall and Zayn, familiarly 4
20A 41. Bit of marginalia 4
21A 42. Dealt with 6
22A 43. Weight plate units: Abbr. 3
23A 44. Place to get "pawmpered," say 6
24A 46. Case for military police 4
25A 47. Like the Millennium Problems of the Clay Mathematics Institute 8
26A 49. Suffix with peace but not war 3
27A 51. Philosopher William of ___ 5
28A 55. Product for manscaping 4
29A 56. Assuming that 4
30A 57. More sizzle than steak 16
31A 61. Infamous chess trap that ends the game in two moves 9
32A 62. Contents of a kitchen rack 6
33A 63. Bump on a lid 4
34A 64. Thin board 4
35A 65. What some streakers are charged with? 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Guns, so to speak"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any skeletal muscle having two origins (but especially the muscle that flexes the forearm)
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BICEPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Prefix with American"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Charcuterie spread"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that soft creamy white cheese; milder than camembert
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Footnote phrase"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Sherwood, e.g."

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Qualifier to an embarrassing question"

16 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASKINGFORAFRIEND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "20. Location for some osteoarthritis"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. ___-Saint-Michel (French commune on a tidal island)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Saps"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is not very bright
  • Similar words include: stupe, stupid person, pudding head
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOLTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. Sign of desperation"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Consider as one's residence"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "27. Mrs. Addams, to Mr. Addams"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. Val who played Iceman in "Top Gun""

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. Guimarães greeting"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm used in india for writing paper
  • Similar words include: olla
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. "Neato!""

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" character ___ Linetti"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Genre for Blackpink and Twice"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Counteract negativity using lavish generosity"

16 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KILLWITHKINDNESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Former boy band with the members Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall and Zayn, familiarly"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Bit of marginalia"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brief written record
  • Similar words include: short letter, notation, musical note
  • Opposite of: ignore
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. Dealt with"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Weight plate units: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one thousand grams; the basic unit of mass adopted under the systeme international d'unites
  • Similar words include: kilogram, kg, kilo
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Place to get "pawmpered," say"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Case for military police"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who is away or absent without leave
  • Similar words include: truant
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWOL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Like the Millennium Problems of the Clay Mathematics Institute"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: unresolved
  • Opposite of: solved
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNSOLVED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Suffix with peace but not war"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a family of languages of the fulani of west africa and used as a lingua franca in the sub-saharan regions from senegal to chad; the best known of the west african languages
  • Similar words include: Fulani, Peul, Fula
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FUL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Philosopher William of ___"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english scholastic philosopher and assumed author of occam's razor (1285-1349)
  • Similar words include: Ockham, William of Occam, William of Ockham
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OCCAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Product for manscaping"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Assuming that"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. More sizzle than steak"

16 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLBARKANDNOBITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. Infamous chess trap that ends the game in two moves"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Contents of a kitchen rack"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that aromatic substances of vegetable origin used as a preservative
  • Similar words include: zest, spice up, spicery
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPICES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Bump on a lid"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Thin board"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thin strip (wood or metal)
  • Similar words include: spline
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. What some streakers are charged with?"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Woodpeckers' peckers 5
2D 2. "Really, my pleasure" 10
3D 3. "Sticky" birthday treats? 10
4D 4. Tahari or Saab of fashion 4
5D 5. Blame (on) 3
6D 6. Symbol used in summation 5
7D 7. Classical piece said to be the inspiration for Chopin's "Fantaisie-Impromptu" 15
8D 8. Kepler-22b or Kepler-186f, e.g. 15
9D 9. Calypso cousin 3
10D 10. Flat, say 3
11D 11. Zest 4
12D 12. Highlight ___ 4
13D 13. ___ fussy (can be very flexible) 4
14D 14. Some airport data, in brief 4
15D 17. Carnivora or Lagomorpha 5
16D 19. Word with rock or medicine 4
17D 24. When doubled, a fluffy Chinese dog 4
18D 25. Hilton competitor 4
19D 26. Is 5
20D 28. Went (for) 4
21D 30. Workplace with few barriers 10
22D 31. Became tarnished 10
23D 32. Lhasa ___ 4
24D 33. "I heard you the first time! Geez!" 4
25D 34. Wrapping material in mummification 5
26D 36. Had no doubt 4
27D 38. Deep-fried side dish, familiarly 4
28D 39. Unexciting, as a party 4
29D 44. Catamounts 5
30D 45. Like some readers 4
31D 48. Young's partner in accounting 5
32D 50. Rich soil deposit 5
33D 51. Saps 4
34D 52. Stop the bleeding, say 4
35D 53. Sicken with sweetness 4
36D 54. Fit 4
37D 56. Sacred bird to the Egyptians 4
38D 58. Info on Zillow: Abbr. 3
39D 59. ___-El (Superman) 3
40D 60. Shout at a Greek wedding 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Woodpeckers' peckers"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)
  • Similar words include: bill, neb, schnozzle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEAKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Really, my pleasure""

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. "Sticky" birthday treats?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Tahari or Saab of fashion"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Blame (on)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of jewelry that is pinned onto the wearer's garment
  • Similar words include: tholepin, peg, bowling pin
  • Opposite of: unpin
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Symbol used in summation"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 18th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIGMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Classical piece said to be the inspiration for Chopin's "Fantaisie-Impromptu""

15 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Kepler-22b or Kepler-186f, e.g."

15 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Calypso cousin"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Flat, say"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that kill intentionally and with premeditation
  • Similar words include: polish off, murder, cancelled
  • Opposite of: on
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OFF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Zest"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that quality of being active or spirited or alive and vigorous
  • Similar words include: vivification, spiritedness, invigoration
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Highlight ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
  • Similar words include: stagger, bobbin, whirl
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. ___ fussy (can be very flexible)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Some airport data, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a system for screening luggage in airports; an agent passes a swab around or inside luggage and then runs the swab through a machine that can detect trace amounts of explosives
  • Similar words include: explosive trace detection, ETD
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "17. Carnivora or Lagomorpha"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
  • Similar words include: rules of order, prescribe, ordain
  • Opposite of: disorderliness, disorder
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "19. Word with rock or medicine"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people in general (often used in the plural)
  • Similar words include: common people, family line, sept
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOLK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. When doubled, a fluffy Chinese dog"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the imperial dynasty of china from 1122 to 221 bc; notable for the rise of confucianism and taoism
  • Similar words include: eats, grub, Chow dynasty
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Hilton competitor"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Is"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how a result is obtained or an end is achieved
  • Similar words include: entail, think, substance
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. Went (for)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
  • Similar words include: sell, trade, deal
  • Opposite of: buy, unsold
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOLD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Workplace with few barriers"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Became tarnished"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Lhasa ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. "I heard you the first time! Geez!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "34. Wrapping material in mummification"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
  • Similar words include: linen paper
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LINEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. Had no doubt"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
  • Similar words include: know, do it, roll in the hay
  • Opposite of: ignore
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "38. Deep-fried side dish, familiarly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small amount (especially of a drink)
  • Similar words include: tot, yearling, bambino
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "39. Unexciting, as a party"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people who are no longer living
  • Similar words include: short, bushed, all in
  • Opposite of: alive, living
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Catamounts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large american feline resembling a lion
  • Similar words include: mountain lion, Felis concolor, catamount
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUMAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. Like some readers"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `for') ardently or excessively desirous
  • Similar words include: devouring, esurient, zealous
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "48. Young's partner in accounting"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that painter (born in germany, resident of france and the united states) who was a cofounder of dadaism; developed the technique of collage (1891-1976)
  • Similar words include: Max Ernst
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERNST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Rich soil deposit"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fine-grained unstratified accumulation of clay and silt deposited by the wind
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "51. Saps"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "52. Stop the bleeding, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
  • Similar words include: coagulate, coagulum, clabber
  • Opposite of: homogenize
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "53. Sicken with sweetness"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that supply or feed to surfeit
  • Similar words include: pall, surfeit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLOY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "54. Fit"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
  • Similar words include: able-bodied, capable
  • Opposite of: unable
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Sacred bird to the Egyptians"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wading birds of warm regions having long slender down-curved bills
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IBIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "58. Info on Zillow: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. ___-El (Superman)"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "60. Shout at a Greek wedding"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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
40 Down Clues
75 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: May 22, 2026 at 07:00 AM