NYT Crossword Across January 02, 2026: All 33 Horizontal Answers & Strategic Tips
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 33 Across clues. We have all the horizontal answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: November 30 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | August 19 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | September 14 2021 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Across Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | January 02, 2026 |
| Day of Week | Friday |
| Total Across Clues | 33 clues |
| Direction | Horizontal (Left to Right) |
| Difficulty | Medium |
All Across Clues - Complete List
Here are all 33 Across clues for today's puzzle. These go horizontally from left to right.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Across | 1. Havanese greeting |
| 2 Across | 4. Tolstoy book whose title asks a question |
| 3 Across | 13. Reluctantly stoop |
| 4 Across | 16. They rate up to 350,000 on the Scoville scale |
| 5 Across | 17. H.S. class for tough life lessons? |
| 6 Across | 18. "Just tell me when it's over" |
| 7 Across | 19. Dance move also known as a backslide |
| 8 Across | 21. Skims, as soup stock |
| 9 Across | 22. Fig. that cannot start with 9 |
| 10 Across | 23. Org. for The Rock and Brock Lesnar |
| 11 Across | 24. Tunnel-making machine |
| 12 Across | 25. Not many |
| 13 Across | 27. Windfalls |
| 14 Across | 28. Keep coming up |
| 15 Across | 30. One might lead to pay back |
| 16 Across | 34. Make some introductions, say |
| 17 Across | 35. The Cowboys of the N.C.A.A. |
| 18 Across | 36. Word from the Lakota for "they dwell" |
| 19 Across | 37. Emotional manipulation tactic |
| 20 Across | 39. Meaty meal |
| 21 Across | 40. Attraction on the western side of Carson Range |
| 22 Across | 41. "Oof!" |
| 23 Across | 42. Seems less impressive, so to speak |
| 24 Across | 43. Spray in the kitchen |
| 25 Across | 44. German stock market index |
| 26 Across | 47. Cumbrous |
| 27 Across | 49. One-to-one relationship |
| 28 Across | 51. Exchanges blows? |
| 29 Across | 53. Up to |
| 30 Across | 54. Eggless bread spread |
| 31 Across | 55. "A-a-a-and ___!" (improv show ender) |
| 32 Across | 56. High-carb snack |
| 33 Across | 57. May day celebrant |
Detailed Hints and Answers for All Across Clues
Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Across clue. Also check these helpful guides:
- September 22 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
- Todays Down Crossword NYT November 09
- June 25 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
- NYT Down Clues Answers November 18 2025
Complete Across Solutions:
1 Across: "1. Havanese greeting"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'F'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ARF
2 Across: "4. Tolstoy book whose title asks a question"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 9 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'W' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: W_______T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
WHATISART
3 Across: "13. Reluctantly stoop"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: D___N
- Similar words: descend, condescend
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
- This is Across clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
DEIGN
4 Across: "16. They rate up to 350,000 on the Scoville scale"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 9 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: H_______S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
HABANEROS
5 Across: "17. H.S. class for tough life lessons?"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: A___O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
APBIO
6 Across: "18. "Just tell me when it's over""
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 9 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: I_______K
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ICANTLOOK
7 Across: "19. Dance move also known as a backslide"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 8 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: M______K
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MOONWALK
8 Across: "21. Skims, as soup stock"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: D____S
- Similar words: defat
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: remove the fat from
- This is Across clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
DEFATS
9 Across: "22. Fig. that cannot start with 9"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
SSN
10 Across: "23. Org. for The Rock and Brock Lesnar"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'W' and ends with 'E'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
WWE
11 Across: "24. Tunnel-making machine"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: B___R
- Similar words: bore bit, woodborer
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a drill for penetrating rock
- This is Across clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
BORER
12 Across: "25. Not many"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'W'
- Word pattern: A__W
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
AFEW
13 Across: "27. Windfalls"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: B___S
- Similar words: blessing, boon
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a desirable state
- This is Across clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
BOONS
14 Across: "28. Keep coming up"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: R___R
- Similar words: resort, repeat
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: happen or occur again
- This is Across clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
RECUR
15 Across: "30. One might lead to pay back"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 9 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: T_______N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
TAXRETURN
16 Across: "34. Make some introductions, say"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: E___E
- Similar words: host, compere
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
EMCEE
17 Across: "35. The Cowboys of the N.C.A.A."
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'U'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
OSU
18 Across: "36. Word from the Lakota for "they dwell""
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: T___E
- Similar words: tipi, teepee
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a Native American tent; usually of conical shape
- This is Across clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
TEPEE
19 Across: "37. Emotional manipulation tactic"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 9 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: G_______P
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
GUILTTRIP
20 Across: "39. Meaty meal"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'F' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: F___T
- Similar words: banquet, fiesta
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a ceremonial dinner party for many people
- This is Across clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
FEAST
21 Across: "40. Attraction on the western side of Carson Range"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: T___E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
TAHOE
22 Across: "41. "Oof!""
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: D__N
- Similar words: curse, all-fired
- Opposite of: bless
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: something of little value
- This is Across clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
DAMN
23 Across: "42. Seems less impressive, so to speak"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: P___S
- Similar words: pale, picket
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a wooden strip forming part of a fence
- This is Across clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
PALES
24 Across: "43. Spray in the kitchen"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'M'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
PAM
25 Across: "44. German stock market index"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'X'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
DAX
26 Across: "47. Cumbrous"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: C____Y
- Similar words: unwieldy, clumsy
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: lacking grace in movement or posture
- This is Across clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CLUNKY
27 Across: "49. One-to-one relationship"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 8 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: M______Y
- Similar words: monogamousness
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: having only one spouse at a time
- This is Across clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MONOGAMY
28 Across: "51. Exchanges blows?"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 9 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A_______S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
AIRKISSES
29 Across: "53. Up to"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: U___L
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
UNTIL
30 Across: "54. Eggless bread spread"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 9 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'V' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: V_______E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
VEGENAISE
31 Across: "55. "A-a-a-and ___!" (improv show ender)"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S___E
- Similar words: fit, vista
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the place where some action occurs
- This is Across clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
SCENE
32 Across: "56. High-carb snack"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 9 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: E_______R
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ENERGYBAR
33 Across: "57. May day celebrant"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'M'
- Similar words: mammy, momma
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: informal terms for a mother
- This is Across clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MOM
Expert Strategies for Solving Across Clues
Master the horizontal clues with these professional tips:
Why Start with Across Clues?
- Across clues often provide more letter intersections
- Reading left to right feels more natural
- Many common phrases run horizontally
- Across answers often help solve Down clues
Across Clue Patterns to Recognize
- Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Across entries
- Common phrases: Many idioms run horizontally
- Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
- Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Across
- Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear horizontally
Time-Saving Across Techniques
| Technique | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Scan all Across first | Get a mental map of the horizontal flow |
| Fill short Across words | 3-4 letter words are often articles or prepositions |
| Use crossing letters | Down letters help confirm Across answers |
| Look for themes | Related Across answers often share a theme |
Frequently Asked Questions About Across Clues
What are Across clues in crossword puzzles?
Across clues are the horizontal entries in a crossword puzzle that read from left to right. They're numbered and correspond to specific rows in the grid.
Should I solve Across or Down clues first?
Many solvers prefer starting with Across clues because reading left-to-right feels more natural. However, the best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.
How many Across clues are in today's puzzle?
Today's NYT crossword has 33 Across clues.
Are Across clues easier than Down clues?
Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Across clues often contain more common phrases and expressions.
How do Across clues interact with Down clues?
Across and Down clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.
