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

Thursday, July 2, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 02, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Flying high 5
2A 6. Romulus and Remus, e.g., for short 4
3A 10. "Hey ...!" 4
4A 14. Skateboarding trick 5
5A 15. "There is nothing on earth so powerful as an ___ whose time has come" (proverb) 4
6A 16. Bird related to the 46-Down 4
7A 17. City center, often 5
8A 18. Groups at the First Continental Congress in 1774 11
9A 20. "Les ___" 3
10A 21. Open mic performer, often 4
11A 22. Setting of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" 4
12A 23. 10 Hamiltons 8
13A 25. American Revolution heroes 8
14A 27. Fig. at a bus depot 3
15A 28. Defeats convincingly 7
16A 31. Fancy Dan 3
17A 32. Daiquiri flavor 6
18A 34. Bit of lore 4
19A 35. Overdo it at the beach, say 3
20A 36. George Washington's presidential status on February 4, 1789 5
21A 37. Chrome alternative 6
22A 39. Simple wooden shoes 6
23A 42. Last full year of John Adams's presidency 5
24A 46. Heart chart, for short 3
25A 49. Fail to engage 4
26A 50. Jewish mysticism 6
27A 52. "Nixon in China" tenor 3
28A 53. Periodic survey started under Secy. of State Thomas Jefferson 8
29A 55. Trunk part 3
30A 56. Disunites 6
31A 58. "Father of the Constitution" and his family 8
32A 60. Like the Revolutionary War battles led by John Paul Jones 5
33A 61. Apple Store offerings 4
34A 63. Show of friendliness 3
35A 64. First signer of the Declaration of Independence 11
36A 66. "The Divine ___" (showbiz nickname) 5
37A 68. Conglomeration 4
38A 69. Regarding, on a memo 4
39A 70. Soul singer Adams 5
40A 71. Angler's hope 4
41A 72. TV programmer's slate, in brief 4
42A 73. American settlement until 1776 ... or a hint to 13 squares in this puzzle 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Flying high"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
  • Similar words include: glad, well-chosen, felicitous
  • Opposite of: unhappy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAPPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Romulus and Remus, e.g., for short"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person's brother or sister
  • Similar words include: sibling, cognate, sib
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. "Hey ...!""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Skateboarding trick"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. "There is nothing on earth so powerful as an ___ whose time has come" (proverb)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
  • Similar words include: theme, estimation, musical theme
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Bird related to the 46-Down"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fertility goddess in ancient greek mythology; wife of cronus and mother of zeus; identified with roman ops and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Similar words include: Rhea americana, Pterocnemia pennata, nandu
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. City center, often"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public square with room for pedestrians
  • Similar words include: place, mall, shopping mall
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLAZA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Groups at the First Continental Congress in 1774"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of representatives or delegates
  • Similar words include: commission, delegacy, relegation
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELEGATIONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. "Les ___""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Open mic performer, often"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Setting of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in iowa and minnesota and missouri
  • Similar words include: Ioway, IA, Hawkeye State
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOWA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. 10 Hamiltons"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation
  • Similar words include: benzoin, gum benjamin, asa dulcis
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BENJAMIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. American Revolution heroes"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who loves and defends his or her country
  • Similar words include: nationalist, patriot
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PATRIOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Fig. at a bus depot"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

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: Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Basque Homeland and Freedom
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Defeats convincingly"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Fancy Dan"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
  • Similar words include: fashion plate, clotheshorse, swell
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Daiquiri flavor"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of several tropical and subtropical treelike herbs of the genus musa having a terminal crown of large entire leaves and usually bearing hanging clusters of elongated fruits
  • Similar words include: banana tree
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BANANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Bit of lore"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
  • Similar words include: narrative, fib, story
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. Overdo it at the beach, say"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english painter and art critic (1866-1934)
  • Similar words include: nipper, electrocute, Roger Fry
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "36. George Washington's presidential status on February 4, 1789"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an exclusive group of people
  • Similar words include: chosen, elite
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "37. Chrome alternative"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an overland journey by hunters (especially in africa)
  • Similar words include: hunting expedition, campaign
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAFARI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. Simple wooden shoes"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shoe carved from a single block of wood
  • Similar words include: patten, wooden shoe, geta
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SABOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Last full year of John Adams's presidency"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Heart chart, for short"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph
  • Similar words include: EKG, cardiogram, electrocardiogram
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. Fail to engage"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who evokes boredom
  • Similar words include: tire, digest, have a bun in the oven
  • Opposite of: interest
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Jewish mysticism"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an esoteric or occult matter resembling the kabbalah that is traditionally secret
  • Similar words include: kabbalah, kabala, qabala
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CABALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. "Nixon in China" tenor"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of many body compounds (e.g., epinephrine and norepinephrine and serotonin)
  • Similar words include: Mao Zedong, Mao Tsetung, monoamine oxidase
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Periodic survey started under Secy. of State Thomas Jefferson"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Trunk part"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that support resembling the rib of an animal
  • Similar words include: make fun, blackguard, roast
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Disunites"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that undo the ties of
  • Similar words include: unbrace, untie, loosen
  • Opposite of: tie
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNTIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. "Father of the Constitution" and his family"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that 4th president of the united states; member of the continental congress and rapporteur at the constitutional convention in 1776; helped frame the bill of rights (1751-1836)
  • Similar words include: President Madison, capital of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MADISONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Like the Revolutionary War battles led by John Paul Jones"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that connected with or belonging to or used in a navy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. Apple Store offerings"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
  • Similar words include: mack, macintosh, mackintosh
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MACS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "63. Show of friendliness"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tight or amorous embrace
  • Similar words include: squeeze, bosom, clinch
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. First signer of the Declaration of Independence"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. "The Divine ___" (showbiz nickname)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. Conglomeration"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "69. Regarding, on a memo"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "70. Soul singer Adams"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "71. Angler's hope"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wound resulting from biting by an animal or a person
  • Similar words include: chomp, seize with teeth, morsel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "72. TV programmer's slate, in brief"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "73. American settlement until 1776 ... or a hint to 13 squares in this puzzle"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
  • Similar words include: settlement, dependency
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COLONY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Word with bar or bunny 3
2D 2. Unadulterated by plastic, say 8
3D 3. Ordinary 9
4D 4. You knead dough to make it 5
5D 5. A word of support 3
6D 6. Location of "Sloop John B" on the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" album 7
7D 7. Just chillaxing 4
8D 8. Salad ingredient often paired with goat cheese 4
9D 9. Long account 4
10D 10. A ___ 6
11D 11. Hot dog on a roll? 7
12D 12. One whose qualifications are enumerated in Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution 7
13D 13. Some coll. instructors 3
14D 19. Uneasy giggle 6
15D 21. Printing size 4
16D 23. Two-time Tony winner Neuwirth 4
17D 24. "Yowza!" 3
18D 25. Comedian Poundstone 5
19D 26. Bug exterminator? 3
20D 29. ___ Island 6
21D 30. Graceless ones 4
22D 33. Gets going 4
23D 37. Ticked off 4
24D 38. Website that added podcast info in 2021 4
25D 40. Granada grandma 6
26D 41. Pears used for cooking 5
27D 43. Musical with the song "What's the Use of Wond'rin'?" 8
28D 44. Doesn't let go of 8
29D 45. Street fleet 4
30D 46. World's second-tallest bird 3
31D 47. Trattoria treat in a shell 7
32D 48. Doubled, say 7
33D 50. Things to chew on 4
34D 51. Start to live and breathe? 3
35D 54. Kissed or whacked 7
36D 57. Rowena's love, in fiction 7
37D 59. 1970 Neil Diamond song about an imaginary childhood friend 5
38D 61. One living an orderly life? 4
39D 62. 4,840 square yards 4
40D 64. ZipRecruiter listing 3
41D 65. CBS drama starting in 2003 4
42D 66. Soft slip-on, for short 3
43D 67. Lots of 4

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Word with bar or bunny"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of hopping; jumping upward or forward (especially on one foot)
  • Similar words include: hop-skip, skip, hops
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Unadulterated by plastic, say"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Ordinary"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. You knead dough to make it"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that italian open pie made of thin bread dough spread with a spiced mixture of e.g. tomato sauce and cheese
  • Similar words include: pizza pie
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIZZA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. A word of support"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an affirmative
  • Similar words include: yeah
  • Opposite of: nay
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Location of "Sloop John B" on the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" album"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Just chillaxing"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of an engine or other mechanism that is idling
  • Similar words include: slug, unused, light
  • Opposite of: busy, work
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Salad ingredient often paired with goat cheese"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that biennial eurasian plant usually having a swollen edible root; widely cultivated as a food crop
  • Similar words include: common beet, beetroot, Beta vulgaris
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Long account"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. A ___"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Hot dog on a roll?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. One whose qualifications are enumerated in Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a senate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENATOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Some coll. instructors"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hard grey lustrous metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion; occurs in niobite and fergusonite and tantalite
  • Similar words include: tantalum, Ta, atomic number 73
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "19. Uneasy giggle"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a nervous restrained laugh
  • Similar words include: giggle
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TITTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Printing size"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an eating disorder, frequent in children, in which non-nutritional objects are eaten persistently
  • Similar words include: pica em, em, genus Pica
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PICA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Two-time Tony winner Neuwirth"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. "Yowza!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
  • Similar words include: humankind, human race, valet
  • Opposite of: civilian, woman
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Comedian Poundstone"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Bug exterminator?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors
  • Similar words include: snoop, sight, spot
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. ___ Island"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Graceless ones"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Gets going"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
  • Similar words include: human activity, dissemble, do
  • Opposite of: refrain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Ticked off"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an open skin infection
  • Similar words include: mad, tender, painful
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Website that added podcast info in 2021"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Granada grandma"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Pears used for cooking"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that greenish-yellow pear
  • Similar words include: bosc
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOSCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "43. Musical with the song "What's the Use of Wond'rin'?""

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conveyer belt that carries luggage to be claimed by air travelers
  • Similar words include: whirligig, roundabout, carrousel
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAROUSEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Doesn't let go of"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Street fleet"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
  • Similar words include: hack, taxi, cab
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. World's second-tallest bird"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various systems of units for measuring electricity and magnetism
  • Similar words include: Emu novaehollandiae, electromagnetic unit, Dromaius novaehollandiae
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Trattoria treat in a shell"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Doubled, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Things to chew on"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that food of a ruminant regurgitated to be chewed again
  • Similar words include: wad, chew, chaw
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. Start to live and breathe?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Kissed or whacked"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that deliver a hard blow to
  • Similar words include: peck, thwack, smack
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMACKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "57. Rowena's love, in fiction"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "59. 1970 Neil Diamond song about an imaginary childhood friend"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "61. One living an orderly life?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
  • Similar words include: Thelonious Sphere Monk, Thelonious Monk, monastic
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MONK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "62. 4,840 square yards"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in english-speaking countries
  • Similar words include: Akko, Akka, Accho
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "64. ZipRecruiter listing"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
  • Similar words include: caper, line of work, line
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "65. CBS drama starting in 2003"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "66. Soft slip-on, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "67. Lots of"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `as' or `too' or `so' or `that'; amounting to a large but indefinite number
  • Opposite of: few
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANY

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

42 Across Clues
43 Down Clues
85 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 02, 2026 at 06:53 AM

Monday, December 15, 2025

All NYT Across Clues December 15, 2025 - 36 Horizontal Answers with Hints

Today's NYT Crossword Across Clues December 15, 2025 - Complete Left-to-Right Answers

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 36 Across clues. We have all the horizontal answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: All NYT Across Clues October 02 2025 39 | December 29 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | May 06 2022 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Across Clues

NYT Across clues solutions for December 15, 2025
NYT Across Clues - Monday, December 15, 2025
Across Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 15, 2025
Day of Week Monday
Total Across Clues 36 clues
Direction Horizontal (Left to Right)
Difficulty Challenging

All Across Clues - Complete List

Here are all 36 Across clues for today's puzzle. These go horizontally from left to right.

Complete Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 1. ___ Nicholas
2 Across 6. Judge's seat, from the French
3 Across 10. N.Y.C. airport
4 Across 13. "Star Wars" droid, familiarly
5 Across 14. Side's length squared, for a square
6 Across 15. Thrilla in Manila boxer
7 Across 16. Recharge one's batteries
8 Across 18. Prepared to bathe
9 Across 20. Cool ___ cucumber
10 Across 21. "Balderdash!"
11 Across 23. Filled in (for), for short
12 Across 24. Schmoozed (with)
13 Across 27. Good, long bath
14 Across 28. Slight injury from tripping
15 Across 30. Bridge support
16 Across 32. Karl Marx's "___ Kapital"
17 Across 33. Do one better than
18 Across 36. President Hoover
19 Across 39. "You take credit cards?" response
20 Across 42. Unconventional
21 Across 43. Alternative to the pill, in brief
22 Across 45. Dog-___ (like the pages in some books)
23 Across 46. Foreign-language movie that you don't have to read subtitles for
24 Across 50. Location for a goatee or soul patch
25 Across 52. Enchanted
26 Across 55. Big-beaked tropical bird
27 Across 57. One-named Brazilian soccer star
28 Across 58. "If you ask me ...," to texters
29 Across 59. Camp sleeping spots ... or a hint to this puzzle's circled letters
30 Across 61. Sci-fi writer Isaac
31 Across 63. Suitable, as a unit in a bldg.?
32 Across 64. Tales of yore
33 Across 65. Join in marriage
34 Across 66. Lo-___ graphics
35 Across 67. One-named Grammy winner from Ireland
36 Across 68. ___ Cottontail

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:

Complete Across Solutions:


1 Across: "1. ___ Nicholas"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: S___T
  • Similar words: nonesuch, angel
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SAINT


2 Across: "6. Judge's seat, from the French"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'C'
  • Word pattern: B__C
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer BANC


3 Across: "10. N.Y.C. airport"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'J' and ends with 'K'
  • Similar words: Kennedy, Jack Kennedy
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer JFK


4 Across: "13. "Star Wars" droid, familiarly"

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 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ARTOO


5 Across: "14. Side's length squared, for a square"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: A__A
  • Similar words: expanse, domain
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer AREA


6 Across: "15. Thrilla in Manila boxer"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'I'
  • Similar words: Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ALI


7 Across: "16. Recharge one's batteries"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: R____P
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer RESTUP


8 Across: "18. Prepared to bathe"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: D______D
  • Similar words: uncase, undress
  • Opposite of: dress
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: get undressed
  • This is Across clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DISROBED


9 Across: "20. Cool ___ cucumber"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ASA


10 Across: "21. "Balderdash!""

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: L__S
  • Similar words: lie in, lie down
  • Opposite of: stand
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
  • This is Across clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer LIES


11 Across: "23. Filled in (for), for short"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: S____D
  • Similar words: stand in, substitute
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: be a substitute
  • This is Across clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SUBBED


12 Across: "24. Schmoozed (with)"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: H_______D
  • Similar words: hobnob
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: rub elbows with
  • This is Across clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer HOBNOBBED


13 Across: "27. Good, long bath"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: S__K
  • Similar words: dowse, sop
  • Opposite of: undercharge
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer SOAK


14 Across: "28. Slight injury from tripping"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 10 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S________E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer STUBBEDTOE


15 Across: "30. Bridge support"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: T___S
  • Similar words: tie up, corbel
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer TRUSS


16 Across: "32. Karl Marx's "___ Kapital""

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: cony, hyrax
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DAS


17 Across: "33. Do one better than"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'P'
  • Similar words: whirligig, elevation
  • Opposite of: bottom
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the upper part of anything
  • This is Across clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer TOP


18 Across: "36. President Hoover"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: H_____T
  • Similar words: Victor Herbert
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer HERBERT


19 Across: "39. "You take credit cards?" response"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: Y_____O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer YESWEDO


20 Across: "42. Unconventional"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'D'
  • Similar words: peculiar, unexpended
  • Opposite of: even
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: not divisible by two
  • This is Across clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ODD


21 Across: "43. Alternative to the pill, in brief"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'D'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer IUD


22 Across: "45. Dog-___ (like the pages in some books)"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: E___D
  • Similar words: dog-eared
  • Opposite of: earless
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer EARED


23 Across: "46. Foreign-language movie that you don't have to read subtitles for"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 10 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: D________M
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer DUBBEDFILM


24 Across: "50. Location for a goatee or soul patch"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: C__N
  • Similar words: Kuki, chin up
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the protruding part of the lower jaw
  • This is Across clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer CHIN


25 Across: "52. Enchanted"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: B_______D
  • Similar words: daze, bedazzle
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: to cause someone to lose clear vision
  • This is Across clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer BEDAZZLED


26 Across: "55. Big-beaked tropical bird"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 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 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer TOUCAN


27 Across: "57. One-named Brazilian soccer star"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer PELE


28 Across: "58. "If you ask me ...," to texters"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer IMO


29 Across: "59. Camp sleeping spots ... or a hint to this puzzle's circled letters"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: B______S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer BUNKBEDS


30 Across: "61. Sci-fi writer Isaac"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'V'
  • Word pattern: A____V
  • Similar words: Isaac Asimov
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ASIMOV


31 Across: "63. Suitable, as a unit in a bldg.?"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
  • Similar words: liable, tending
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: (usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward
  • This is Across clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer APT


32 Across: "64. Tales of yore"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: L__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: knowledge gained through tradition or anecdote
  • This is Across clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer LORE


33 Across: "65. Join in marriage"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: U___E
  • Similar words: join, connect
  • Opposite of: divide
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: act in concert or unite in a common purpose or belief
  • This is Across clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer UNITE


34 Across: "66. Lo-___ graphics"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: Re, rhenium
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer RES


35 Across: "67. One-named Grammy winner from Ireland"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: E__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer ENYA


36 Across: "68. ___ Cottontail"

Helpful hints for this Across clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going left to right
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: P___R
  • Similar words: St. Peter, putz
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Across clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Across answer PETER

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

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Across entries
  2. Common phrases: Many idioms run horizontally
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Across
  5. 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 36 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.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Across 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 15, 2025 at 04:57 AM

Search terms: NYT Across, Across clues, horizontal, crossword answers, left to right, December 15 2025 across clues