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Thursday, April 16, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 16, 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: Medium

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. Ventricle suppliers 5
2A 6. Accepted unquestioningly 5
3A 11. Rx for a root canal 7
4A 14. ___ Moshfegh, "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" novelist 7
5A 16. Performer known for her runs 7
6A 17. Sommeliers' assets 7
7A 18. Like some gins and cleaning products 5
8A 19. Wipe clean 5
9A 20. Fast fliers 7
10A 22. Insect nicknamed for its small size 7
11A 25. "Midsommar" director Aster 3
12A 26. "Nova" network 3
13A 28. Sport that takes place in an octagon, in brief 3
14A 29. Ilk 4
15A 31. Risks it 5
16A 33. Leaning 4
17A 34. Upper hand 4
18A 35. "I, Robot" author Asimov 5
19A 36. Big deals 4
20A 37. Facilities, informally 3
21A 39. Booking, for short 3
22A 41. Torah writers 7
23A 45. Unit for ultra-high-speed internet 7
24A 49. This isn't working! 7
25A 50. Fault line? 7
26A 51. Home security co. 3
27A 52. Wail 3
28A 54. Word seen between here and there 3
29A 55. Joel's smuggling partner on "The Last of Us" 4
30A 57. Bouquet 5
31A 59. Tzatziki scooper 4
32A 60. Big payroll service co. 4
33A 61. Number of Super Bowl rings for Tom Brady 5
34A 62. Abbr. seen before a person's name 4
35A 63. With 65-Across, with extreme precision ... or a hint to reading 15 of this puzzle's answers 4
36A 64. Serious 5
37A 65. See 63-Across 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Ventricle suppliers"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any chamber that is connected to other chambers or passageways (especially one of the two upper chambers of the heart)
  • Similar words include: atrium
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATRIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Accepted unquestioningly"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Rx for a root canal"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. ___ Moshfegh, "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" novelist"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Performer known for her runs"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Sommeliers' assets"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the upper surface of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities
  • Similar words include: palate, roof of the mouth
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PALATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Like some gins and cleaning products"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Wipe clean"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove from memory or existence
  • Similar words include: score out, wipe off, efface
  • Opposite of: record
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Fast fliers"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that diurnal birds of prey having long pointed powerful wings adapted for swift flight
  • Similar words include: falcon
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FALCONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Insect nicknamed for its small size"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. "Midsommar" director Aster"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. "Nova" network"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a solution containing a phosphate buffer
  • Similar words include: Pbit, Pb, PiB
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Sport that takes place in an octagon, in brief"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Ilk"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
  • Similar words include: form, variety, tolerant
  • Opposite of: unkind
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KIND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Risks it"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
  • Similar words include: daring, defy, presume
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DARES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Leaning"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
  • Similar words include: crumpled, dead set, turn away
  • Opposite of: straighten, unbend
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Upper hand"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the boundary of a surface
  • Similar words include: butt on, sharpness, adjoin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. "I, Robot" author Asimov"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) the second patriarch; son of abraham and sarah who was offered by abraham as a sacrifice to god; father of jacob and esau
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISAAC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Big deals"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rapid active commotion
  • Similar words include: ado, bustle, fuss
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. Facilities, informally"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
  • Similar words include: bathroom, toilet, lavatory
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Booking, for short"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a widely distributed system consisting of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal particles etc, except for certain white blood cells
  • Similar words include: re, Ra, reticuloendothelial system
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. Torah writers"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french playwright (1791-1861)
  • Similar words include: scrivener, copyist, scratch awl
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCRIBES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Unit for ultra-high-speed internet"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of information equal to 1000 megabits or 10^9 (1,000,000,000) bits
  • Similar words include: Gb, Gbit
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIGABIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. This isn't working!"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that time available for ease and relaxation
  • Similar words include: leisure time
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEISURE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Fault line?"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
  • Similar words include: apologia, excuse
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APOLOGY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Home security co."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ester of adenosine that is converted to atp for energy storage
  • Similar words include: automatic data processing, adenosine diphosphate
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Wail"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
  • Similar words include: holler, cry out, outcry
  • Opposite of: laugh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Word seen between here and there"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Joel's smuggling partner on "The Last of Us""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Bouquet"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any property detected by the olfactory system
  • Similar words include: scent, odour, olfactory property
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AROMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "59. Tzatziki scooper"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that usually small round bread that can open into a pocket for filling
  • Similar words include: pocket bread
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PITA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Big payroll service co."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. Number of Super Bowl rings for Tom Brady"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
  • Similar words include: vii, septenary, VII
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEVEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "62. Abbr. seen before a person's name"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "63. With 65-Across, with extreme precision ... or a hint to reading 15 of this puzzle's answers"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that soft fine feathers
  • Similar words include: gloomy, refine, John L. H. Down
  • Opposite of: upwardly, upwards
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOWN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "64. Serious"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rear part of a ship
  • Similar words include: Isaac Stern, severe, hind end
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STERN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "65. See 63-Across"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. X, for one 3
2D 2. Fields medalist Terence 3
3D 3. Like a lake on a breezy day 8
4D 4. Charge 6
5D 5. Question from someone seeking reassurance 6
6D 6. "Finally!" 6
7D 7. Service with cups and saucers 6
8D 8. Dear 8
9D 9. Exercise 3
10D 10. Negation word in French 3
11D 12. Occasion 5
12D 13. Previous times 8
13D 14. Welcome sight in musical chairs 8
14D 15. Source of a deal with The Devil? 5
15D 20. Sham 4
16D 21. Like most of Nevada 4
17D 23. "Yeah, nice try" 4
18D 24. Gymnasts' rolls? 4
19D 27. Kid who might get grounded 4
20D 30. Take off the market 6
21D 31. Reroute 6
22D 32. Something a reality show lacks 6
23D 33. Igneous rock that composes most of Venus's surface 6
24D 38. Be against, in a way 4
25D 40. Achievement for Whoopi Goldberg and Rita Moreno, in brief 4
26D 41. Planned 6
27D 42. Officially give 6
28D 43. Tool with coarse teeth 6
29D 44. "It's a ___!" 6
30D 45. Portmanteau for a queer Fortnite player, say 6
31D 46. Fish whose name is Spanish for "pretty" 6
32D 47. "There's no stopping me!" 6
33D 48. Ruler with an iron fist 6
34D 53. Meander 4
35D 56. Fig. with two hyphens 3
36D 57. Modern intensifying suffix 3
37D 58. Journalist Curry 3
38D 59. Glib 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. X, for one"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Fields medalist Terence"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adherent of any branch of taoism
  • Similar words include: Taoist
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Like a lake on a breezy day"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small wave on the surface of a liquid
  • Similar words include: ripple, cockle, ruffle
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIPPLING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Charge"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that accuse formally of a crime
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INDICT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Question from someone seeking reassurance"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. "Finally!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Service with cups and saucers"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Dear"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that regard highly; think much of
  • Similar words include: esteem, respect, value
  • Opposite of: disesteem, disrespect
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESTEEMED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Exercise"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of using
  • Similar words include: use of goods and services, employ, habituate
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Negation word in French"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)
  • Similar words include: dada, pappa, P.A.
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "12. Occasion"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that happens at a given place and time
  • Similar words include: consequence, result, case
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "13. Previous times"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Welcome sight in musical chairs"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Source of a deal with The Devil?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of a set of (usually 72) cards that include 22 cards representing virtues and vices and death and fortune etc.; used by fortunetellers
  • Similar words include: tarot card
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. Sham"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
  • Similar words include: impostor, imposter, manipulate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "21. Like most of Nevada"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lacking sufficient water or rainfall
  • Similar words include: desiccate, waterless, desiccated
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. "Yeah, nice try""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Gymnasts' rolls?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
  • Similar words include: matting, matte, tangle
  • Opposite of: disentangle, unsnarl
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Kid who might get grounded"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a very troublesome child
  • Similar words include: holy terror, little terror, bratwurst
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Take off the market"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove (a security) from listing at a stock exchange
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Reroute"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that turn aside; turn away from
  • Similar words include: disport, hive off, deviate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIVERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Something a reality show lacks"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance
  • Similar words include: book, hand, playscript
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCRIPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Igneous rock that composes most of Venus's surface"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the commonest type of solidified lava; a dense dark grey fine-grained igneous rock that is composed chiefly of plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Be against, in a way"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
  • Similar words include: butt on, edge, adjoin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Achievement for Whoopi Goldberg and Rita Moreno, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Planned"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that designate or schedule
  • Similar words include: slate, slat
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Officially give"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Tool with coarse teeth"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a handsaw for cutting with the grain of the wood
  • Similar words include: splitsaw
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIPSAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. "It's a ___!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
  • Similar words include: private, surreptitious, hole-and-corner
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SECRET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. Portmanteau for a queer Fortnite player, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "46. Fish whose name is Spanish for "pretty""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that flesh of mostly pacific food fishes of the genus sarda of the family scombridae; related to but smaller than tuna
  • Similar words include: Katsuwonus pelamis, oceanic bonito
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BONITO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "47. "There's no stopping me!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "48. Ruler with an iron fist"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cruel and oppressive dictator
  • Similar words include: autocrat, despot
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TYRANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Meander"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
  • Similar words include: roam, reeve, wander
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "56. Fig. with two hyphens"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "57. Modern intensifying suffix"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: hind end, arse, nates
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "58. Journalist Curry"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Glib"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by a gentle blow
  • Similar words include: rap, slick, dab
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAT

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

37 Across Clues
38 Down Clues
75 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: April 16, 2026 at 05:41 AM

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Wednesday NYT Down Solutions December 31, 2025 - Every Vertical Clue Decoded with Hints

NYT Down Today December 31, 2025: Complete Vertical Clues Walkthrough

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 37 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: February 19 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | July 20 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | Todays NYT Crossword Across Clues |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for December 31, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 31, 2025
Day of Week Wednesday
Total Down Clues 37 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Tricky

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 37 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. Engine stat, in brief
2 Down 2. Sports star who said "It's not bragging if you can back it up"
3 Down 3. Engaged in some grooming
4 Down 4. Fairy tale character with a hard bed
5 Down 5. Arab leaders
6 Down 6. Wander aimlessly
7 Down 7. Needles, maybe
8 Down 8. Try to catch someone with guile
9 Down 9. Cry of loyalty in old France
10 Down 10. "___ crazy?"
11 Down 11. Williams in the Baseball Hall of Fame
12 Down 13. Veil worn by Muslim women
13 Down 15. Colorful parrot
14 Down 20. Certain address, for short
15 Down 21. Lead-in to liberalism
16 Down 22. Ending for many a 20-Down
17 Down 23. How drinks may be stored at a summer gathering
18 Down 25. Site of a historic council
19 Down 26. Channel similar to QVC
20 Down 31. Lies down on the couch, say
21 Down 32. Nueve menos uno
22 Down 33. Began to withdraw mail from a mailbox, say
23 Down 36. One-named performer known as "Mr. Showmanship"
24 Down 37. Most August babies
25 Down 38. Word fittingly evoked by the phrase "Together everyone achieves more"
26 Down 39. Small talk
27 Down 44. Mark, as an option on a questionnaire
28 Down 45. Apple device letters
29 Down 46. Not very much
30 Down 47. Prefix meaning "one-thousandth"
31 Down 48. Ideas that don't work out
32 Down 50. Supply with more weaponry
33 Down 51. Condo building's inventory
34 Down 52. Hardly
35 Down 55. Straw, e.g.
36 Down 58. Squeak (out)
37 Down 60. Book reviewer, for short

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues

Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:

Complete Down Solutions:


1 Down: "1. Engine stat, in brief"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'M'
  • Similar words: rev
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: rate of revolution of a motor
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RPM


2 Down: "2. Sports star who said "It's not bragging if you can back it up""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'I'
  • Similar words: Cassius Clay, Muhammad Ali
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ALI


3 Down: "3. Engaged in some grooming"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: M_______D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MANSCAPED


4 Down: "4. Fairy tale character with a hard bed"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: P______R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PAPABEAR


5 Down: "5. Arab leaders"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: E___S
  • Similar words: amir, emeer
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EMIRS


6 Down: "6. Wander aimlessly"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: R__E
  • Similar words: reeve, swan
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: move about aimlessly or without any destination
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ROVE


7 Down: "7. Needles, maybe"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P___S
  • Similar words: spurring, incite
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PRODS


8 Down: "8. Try to catch someone with guile"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: S______P
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SETATRAP


9 Down: "9. Cry of loyalty in old France"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: V_______I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer VIVELEROI


10 Down: "10. "___ crazy?""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'I'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AMI


11 Down: "11. Williams in the Baseball Hall of Fame"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'D'
  • Similar words: Teddy boy
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TED


12 Down: "13. Veil worn by Muslim women"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'B'
  • Word pattern: N___B
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NIQAB


13 Down: "15. Colorful parrot"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: M___W
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MACAW


14 Down: "20. Certain address, for short"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'L'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the address of a web page on the world wide web
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer URL


15 Down: "21. Lead-in to liberalism"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: (used as a combining form) recent or new
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NEO


16 Down: "22. Ending for many a 20-Down"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'T'
  • Similar words: meshing, final
  • Opposite of: gross
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NET


17 Down: "23. How drinks may be stored at a summer gathering"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ONICE


18 Down: "25. Site of a historic council"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: T___T
  • Similar words: River Trent, Trent River
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TRENT


19 Down: "26. Channel similar to QVC"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'N'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HSN


20 Down: "31. Lies down on the couch, say"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: G_______Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GETSCOMFY


21 Down: "32. Nueve menos uno"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: O__O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OCHO


22 Down: "33. Began to withdraw mail from a mailbox, say"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: R_______N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer REACHEDIN


23 Down: "36. One-named performer known as "Mr. Showmanship""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: L______E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LIBERACE


24 Down: "37. Most August babies"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: L__S
  • Similar words: Lion, Leo the Lion
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Leo
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LEOS


25 Down: "38. Word fittingly evoked by the phrase "Together everyone achieves more""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: T__M
  • Similar words: squad, team up
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TEAM


26 Down: "39. Small talk"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: I______T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IDLECHAT


27 Down: "44. Mark, as an option on a questionnaire"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'X' and ends with 'N'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer XIN


28 Down: "45. Apple device letters"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: Io
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IOS


29 Down: "46. Not very much"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'B'
  • Word pattern: A__B
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ADAB


30 Down: "47. Prefix meaning "one-thousandth""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: M___I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MILLI


31 Down: "48. Ideas that don't work out"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: N___S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NOGOS


32 Down: "50. Supply with more weaponry"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: R___M
  • Similar words: re-arm
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: arm again
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer REARM


33 Down: "51. Condo building's inventory"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: U___S
  • Similar words: unit, social unit
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer UNITS


34 Down: "52. Hardly"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: N__Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NARY


35 Down: "55. Straw, e.g."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T__E
  • Similar words: underground, pipe
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TUBE


36 Down: "58. Squeak (out)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EKE


37 Down: "60. Book reviewer, for short"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CPA

Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues

Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Down Clues?

  • Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
  • Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
  • Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
  • Down answers often help solve Across clues

Down Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically

Time-Saving Down Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Down first Get a mental map of the vertical flow
Fill short Down words 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors
Use crossing letters Across letters help confirm Down answers
Look for themes Related Down answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues

What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?

Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.

Should I solve Down or Across clues first?

Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 37 Down clues.

Are Down clues easier than Across clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.

How do Down clues interact with Across clues?

Down and Across 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.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 31, 2025 at 05:23 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, December 31 2025 down clues