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Thursday, September 3, 2026

Trivia Week 1 Manual for NYT Mini September 03, 2026

Quick NYT Mini Crossword September 03, 2026 (Trivia Week 1) - Solutions

Today's Mini has 20 clues to get through. Hints and answers for all of them are below.

Popular Puzzles: April 01 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | November 20 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | NYT Down Today October 07 2025 Complete |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for September 03, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Thursday, September 03, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date September 03, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week 1 NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

Today's layout is the usual 5x5: five columns, five rows.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This One Fast

  1. Skim every clue once before you write anything — your brain keeps chewing on the ones you don't solve right away.
  2. Knock out the short answers (3 letters or under) first.
  3. Lean on the crossing letters once a couple of words are in.
  4. A question mark in a clue usually means there's a pun coming.
  5. THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT — these little words show up constantly, keep them in your back pocket.

Quick Facts

  • Squares in the grid: 25
  • How long it takes: usually under a minute once you're warmed up
  • Best moment for it: any short break
  • Overall difficulty: easy-going by design

Across Clues - 10 Total

These run left to right across the grid.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 5. She's possessive
2 Across 69. Emmy-winning role for Tina Fey
3 Across 1. Things that have icons
4 Across 17. Show with the classic episodes "The Puffy Shirt" and "The Little Kicks"
5 Across 59. Luxuriates outdoors, in a way
6 Across 23. Successes for sluggers, for short
7 Across 36. "Please give this high priority!"
8 Across 34. Reached a payment date
9 Across 21. On, in French
10 Across 13. She can speak more than 20 languages

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Stuck on one? Hints and answers for each clue are below. A few other guides worth a look:

1 Across: "5. She's possessive"

Hints:

  • Starts with 'H', ends with 'R'.
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • It's a 3-letter word.

Answer:

Click to reveal HER

2 Across: "69. Emmy-winning role for Tina Fey"

Hints:

  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • First letter's a 'L', last letter's a 'Z'.
  • This one runs 3 letters long.

Answer:

Click to reveal LIZ

3 Across: "1. Things that have icons"

Hints:

  • Pattern-wise it looks like: A__S
  • This one runs 4 letters long.
  • First letter's a 'A', last letter's a 'S'.

Answer:

Click to reveal APPS

4 Across: "17. Show with the classic episodes "The Puffy Shirt" and "The Little Kicks""

Hints:

  • Starts with 'S', ends with 'D'.
  • You're looking for 8 letters.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: S______D

Answer:

Click to reveal SEINFELD

5 Across: "59. Luxuriates outdoors, in a way"

Hints:

  • Count on 6 letters here.
  • Kicks off with 'G' and wraps up with 'S'.

Answer:

Click to reveal GLAMPS

6 Across: "23. Successes for sluggers, for short"

Hints:

  • You could also think of it as "rbi."
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • Count on 4 letters here.

Answer:

Click to reveal RBIS

7 Across: "36. "Please give this high priority!""

Hints:

  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • It's a 4-letter word.
  • First letter's a 'A', last letter's a 'P'.

Answer:

Click to reveal ASAP

8 Across: "34. Reached a payment date"

Hints:

  • Blank it out and you get: C_____E
  • Kicks off with 'C' and wraps up with 'E'.
  • You're looking for 7 letters.

Answer:

Click to reveal CAMEDUE

9 Across: "21. On, in French"

Hints:

  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • Kicks off with 'S' and wraps up with 'R'.
  • Close enough in meaning: Tyre.

Answer:

Click to reveal SUR

10 Across: "13. She can speak more than 20 languages"

Hints:

  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • First letter's a 'S', last letter's a 'I'.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: S__I

Answer:

Click to reveal SIRI

Down Clues - 10 Total

These run top to bottom in the grid.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 26. Sketches
2 Down 53. Polyhymnia or Clio
3 Down 46. Skilled performer
4 Down 47. 2, 4, 6 and 8, e.g.
5 Down 12. Cause of a squeaky voice, maybe
6 Down 63. Skeleton, say
7 Down 4. Confess, say
8 Down 11. Place for storing belongings in a 32-Across
9 Down 28. Leave a mark
10 Down 18. Factor in a clothing purchase

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Same deal here — hints then answers. You might also like:

1 Down: "26. Sketches"

Hints:

  • 'tipple' points in the same direction.
  • First letter's a 'D', last letter's a 'S'.
  • Count on 6 letters here.

Answer:

Click to reveal DRAFTS

2 Down: "53. Polyhymnia or Clio"

Hints:

  • 'mull' points in the same direction.
  • You're looking for 4 letters.
  • Starts with 'M', ends with 'E'.

Answer:

Click to reveal MUSE

3 Down: "46. Skilled performer"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'A' and wraps up with 'E'.
  • If that helps, the shape is: A_____E
  • This one runs 7 letters long.

Answer:

Click to reveal ARTISTE

4 Down: "47. 2, 4, 6 and 8, e.g."

Hints:

  • Basically, how long something has existed.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: A__S
  • Short form / acronym territory here.

Answer:

Click to reveal AGES

5 Down: "12. Cause of a squeaky voice, maybe"

Hints:

  • You're looking for 6 letters.
  • Starts with 'H', ends with 'M'.
  • You could also think of it as "He."

Answer:

Click to reveal HELIUM

6 Down: "63. Skeleton, say"

Hints:

  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • Starts with 'S', ends with 'D'.
  • Close enough in meaning: sleigh.

Answer:

Click to reveal SLED

7 Down: "4. Confess, say"

Hints:

  • Basically, deliver by singing.
  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • Close enough in meaning: tattle.

Answer:

Click to reveal SING

8 Down: "11. Place for storing belongings in a 32-Across"

Hints:

  • Close enough in meaning: snug.
  • Think of it this way — a small compartment.
  • It's a 9-letter word.

Answer:

Click to reveal CUBBYHOLE

9 Down: "28. Leave a mark"

Hints:

  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • You're looking for 4 letters.
  • Kicks off with 'S' and wraps up with 'R'.

Answer:

Click to reveal SCAR

10 Down: "18. Factor in a clothing purchase"

Hints:

  • 'outfit' points in the same direction.
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • Basically, a display of bad temper.

Answer:

Click to reveal FIT

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

A few things that actually help once you've been doing these a while:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Scan before you solve: One quick read-through of all the clues before you commit to anything usually pays off.
  2. Short words first: The 2-3 letter answers are almost always the low-hanging fruit.
  3. Let crossings guide you: Harder answers get much easier once a couple of crossing letters are locked in.
  4. Puns hide behind question marks: If a clue ends in "?", expect wordplay, not a straight answer.
  5. A few words repeat a lot: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE show up more than you'd expect — keep them in mind.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • E is the most common letter in English, so it's worth guessing early.
  • Words ending in S are usually plurals.
  • Blanks ("___") in a clue mean the answer fits exactly into those spaces.
  • An abbreviation in the clue is a signal the answer's abbreviated too.

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You've clearly got the puzzle's patterns down.
30-60 seconds Advanced Solid pace — you're solving quickly.
1-2 minutes Good Right where most regular solvers land.
Over 2 minutes Learning Totally fine — speed comes with reps.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25
Average Time: 58 seconds
Difficulty: Medium

More Puzzle Help

If today's Mini hit the spot, here are a few more you might enjoy:

Common Questions About Trivia Week 1

When does the Trivia Week 1 Mini go live?

Typically drops the evening before, around 10 PM ET.

How long should Trivia Week 1 take me?

Anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple of minutes is typical. Don't stress if you're on the slower end at first.

Is Trivia Week 1 free to play?

It's free to play, unlike the main NYT Crossword which sits behind a paywall.

What actually makes someone good at Trivia Week 1?

Knowing the common short words, spotting wordplay quickly, and reading crossing letters well — that combination gets you most of the way there.

Does Trivia Week 1 get harder as the week goes on?

Difficulty shifts through the week; expect Monday to be gentle and Saturday to bite a bit more.

About This Page: We put together hints and answers for the NYT Mini to help you learn the ropes and get faster over time. This site isn't affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: September 03, 2026 at 08:10 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, September 03 2026 mini crossword

on No comments:

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

NYT Mini Trivia Week 1 September 01, 2026 - Hints & Answers

NYT Mini Puzzle Trivia Week 1 September 01, 2026 - Solved

Here's today's NYT Mini — 20 clues in total, and we've got hints plus answers for every one of them.

Popular Puzzles: August 21 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | October 24 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | September 10 2019 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for September 01, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Tuesday, September 01, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date September 01, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week 1 NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

Today's layout is the usual 5x5: five columns, five rows.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This One Fast

  1. Skim every clue once before you write anything — your brain keeps chewing on the ones you don't solve right away.
  2. Knock out the short answers (3 letters or under) first.
  3. Lean on the crossing letters once a couple of words are in.
  4. A question mark in a clue usually means there's a pun coming.
  5. THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT — these little words show up constantly, keep them in your back pocket.

Quick Facts

  • Squares in the grid: 25
  • How long it takes: usually under a minute once you're warmed up
  • Best moment for it: any short break
  • Overall difficulty: easy-going by design

Across Clues - 10 Total

These run left to right across the grid.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 6. Informed
2 Across 33. Shakespearean father of three
3 Across 16. Burden to bear
4 Across 60. Secluded valley
5 Across 36. Out of patience, with "up"
6 Across 49. Dabble in
7 Across 26. https://www.hot-dog.org?
8 Across 44. Plants that have been around on Earth for 375+ million years
9 Across 25. Noted magnate on the Titanic
10 Across 45. O'Hare posting, for short

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Stuck on one? Hints and answers for each clue are below. A few other guides worth a look:

1 Across: "6. Informed"

Hints:

  • Close enough in meaning: narrate.
  • It's a 4-letter word.
  • Kicks off with 'T' and wraps up with 'D'.

Answer:

Click to reveal TOLD

2 Across: "33. Shakespearean father of three"

Hints:

  • Blank it out and you get: L__R
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • Starts with 'L', ends with 'R'.

Answer:

Click to reveal LEAR

3 Across: "16. Burden to bear"

Hints:

  • In plain terms: an onerous or difficult concern.
  • You could also think of it as "burden."
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.

Answer:

Click to reveal ONUS

4 Across: "60. Secluded valley"

Hints:

  • Starts with 'D', ends with 'L'.
  • In plain terms: a small wooded hollow.
  • You could also think of it as "dingle."

Answer:

Click to reveal DELL

5 Across: "36. Out of patience, with "up""

Hints:

  • 'flow' points in the same direction.
  • It's a 3-letter word.
  • Basically, any federal law-enforcement officer.

Answer:

Click to reveal FED

6 Across: "49. Dabble in"

Hints:

  • Pattern-wise it looks like: P____T
  • Kicks off with 'P' and wraps up with 'T'.
  • You're looking for 6 letters.

Answer:

Click to reveal PLAYAT

7 Across: "26. https://www.hot-dog.org?"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'S' and wraps up with 'K'.
  • It's a 11-letter word.

Answer:

Click to reveal SAUSAGELINK

8 Across: "44. Plants that have been around on Earth for 375+ million years"

Hints:

  • Starts with 'F', ends with 'S'.
  • Blank it out and you get: F___S
  • You're looking for 5 letters.

Answer:

Click to reveal FERNS

9 Across: "25. Noted magnate on the Titanic"

Hints:

  • This one runs 5 letters long.
  • First letter's a 'A', last letter's a 'R'.
  • If that helps, the shape is: A___R

Answer:

Click to reveal ASTOR

10 Across: "45. O'Hare posting, for short"

Hints:

  • This one runs 3 letters long.
  • First letter's a 'E', last letter's a 'A'.
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.

Answer:

Click to reveal ETA

Down Clues - 10 Total

These run top to bottom in the grid.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 42. Distinct stretch of years
2 Down 7. Andy Taylor's boy on old TV
3 Down 8. Cry on a tennis court
4 Down 30. Wife of Jacob
5 Down 43. Think back on
6 Down 55. Preceding night
7 Down 34. Fishing pole
8 Down 22. Locale of Coca-Cola's headquarters: Abbr.
9 Down 48. "Norma" or "Tosca"
10 Down 2. Dracula, for one

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Same deal here — hints then answers. You might also like:

1 Down: "42. Distinct stretch of years"

Hints:

  • Count on 3 letters here.
  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • 'epoch' points in the same direction.

Answer:

Click to reveal ERA

2 Down: "7. Andy Taylor's boy on old TV"

Hints:

  • First letter's a 'O', last letter's a 'E'.
  • It's a 4-letter word.
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.

Answer:

Click to reveal OPIE

3 Down: "8. Cry on a tennis court"

Hints:

  • First letter's a 'L', last letter's a 'T'.
  • 'permit' points in the same direction.
  • This one runs 3 letters long.

Answer:

Click to reveal LET

4 Down: "30. Wife of Jacob"

Hints:

  • If that helps, the shape is: L__H
  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • It's a 4-letter word.

Answer:

Click to reveal LEAH

5 Down: "43. Think back on"

Hints:

  • Count on 6 letters here.
  • 'think' points in the same direction.
  • Kicks off with 'R' and wraps up with 'L'.

Answer:

Click to reveal RECALL

6 Down: "55. Preceding night"

Hints:

  • You could also think of it as "evening."
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • First letter's a 'E', last letter's a 'E'.

Answer:

Click to reveal EVE

7 Down: "34. Fishing pole"

Hints:

  • You're looking for 3 letters.
  • 'pole' points in the same direction.
  • Short form / acronym territory here.

Answer:

Click to reveal ROD

8 Down: "22. Locale of Coca-Cola's headquarters: Abbr."

Hints:

  • This one runs 3 letters long.
  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • Kicks off with 'A' and wraps up with 'L'.

Answer:

Click to reveal ATL

9 Down: "48. "Norma" or "Tosca""

Hints:

  • Blank it out and you get: O___A
  • Starts with 'O', ends with 'A'.
  • You're looking for 5 letters.

Answer:

Click to reveal OPERA

10 Down: "2. Dracula, for one"

Hints:

  • It's a 5-letter word.
  • Basically, the total number counted.
  • You could also think of it as "bet."

Answer:

Click to reveal COUNT

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

A few things that actually help once you've been doing these a while:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Scan before you solve: One quick read-through of all the clues before you commit to anything usually pays off.
  2. Short words first: The 2-3 letter answers are almost always the low-hanging fruit.
  3. Let crossings guide you: Harder answers get much easier once a couple of crossing letters are locked in.
  4. Puns hide behind question marks: If a clue ends in "?", expect wordplay, not a straight answer.
  5. A few words repeat a lot: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE show up more than you'd expect — keep them in mind.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • E is the most common letter in English, so it's worth guessing early.
  • Words ending in S are usually plurals.
  • Blanks ("___") in a clue mean the answer fits exactly into those spaces.
  • An abbreviation in the clue is a signal the answer's abbreviated too.

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You've clearly got the puzzle's patterns down.
30-60 seconds Advanced Solid pace — you're solving quickly.
1-2 minutes Good Right where most regular solvers land.
Over 2 minutes Learning Totally fine — speed comes with reps.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25
Average Time: 58 seconds
Difficulty: Normal

More Puzzle Help

If today's Mini hit the spot, here are a few more you might enjoy:

Common Questions About Trivia Week 1

When does the Trivia Week 1 Mini go live?

It usually goes live around 10 PM Eastern the night before.

How long should Trivia Week 1 take me?

Most people land somewhere between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Slower than that is completely normal too — it gets faster with practice.

Is Trivia Week 1 free to play?

It's free to play, unlike the main NYT Crossword which sits behind a paywall.

What actually makes someone good at Trivia Week 1?

It mostly comes down to recognizing common short answers and catching puns fast. The rest is just reps.

Does Trivia Week 1 get harder as the week goes on?

It varies day to day — Saturdays tend to be the toughest, Mondays the easiest.

About This Page: We put together hints and answers for the NYT Mini to help you learn the ropes and get faster over time. This site isn't affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: September 01, 2026 at 08:47 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, September 01 2026 mini crossword

on No comments:

Sunday, August 30, 2026

NYT Mini Trivia Week 4 August 30, 2026 - Hints & Answers

Trivia Week 4 August 30, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Hints

Today's Mini has 20 clues to get through. Hints and answers for all of them are below.

Popular Puzzles: March 18 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | Todays NYT Mini Crossword October 01 | NYT Down Today November 15 2025 |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for August 30, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Sunday, August 30, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date August 30, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week 4 NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

It's a 5 by 5 grid today — five boxes across, five boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This One Fast

  1. Skim every clue once before you write anything — your brain keeps chewing on the ones you don't solve right away.
  2. Knock out the short answers (3 letters or under) first.
  3. Lean on the crossing letters once a couple of words are in.
  4. A question mark in a clue usually means there's a pun coming.
  5. THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT — these little words show up constantly, keep them in your back pocket.

Quick Facts

  • Total squares: 25 (5 × 5)
  • Typical solve time: well under a minute for most regulars
  • Good time to play: on a coffee break
  • Difficulty: built to be approachable

Across Clues - 10 Total

These run left to right across the grid.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 26. Discount Chinese e-tailer
2 Across 64. Friar with a famous "razor"
3 Across 100. Join, as two metal surfaces
4 Across 93. Discontinued Swedish cars
5 Across 31. Pink-slips
6 Across 126. Instants
7 Across 24. LIAM NEESON
8 Across 122. Submitted by the deadline
9 Across 68. Turns on the waterworks
10 Across 124. Musician/actress Haim

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Stuck on one? Hints and answers for each clue are below. A few other guides worth a look:

1 Across: "26. Discount Chinese e-tailer"

Hints:

  • Starts with 'T', ends with 'U'.
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • Blank it out and you get: T__U

Answer:

Click to reveal TEMU

2 Across: "64. Friar with a famous "razor""

Hints:

  • You could also think of it as "Ockham."
  • This one runs 5 letters long.
  • First letter's a 'O', last letter's a 'M'.

Answer:

Click to reveal OCCAM

3 Across: "100. Join, as two metal surfaces"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'S' and wraps up with 'R'.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: S____R
  • It's a 6-letter word.

Answer:

Click to reveal SOLDER

4 Across: "93. Discontinued Swedish cars"

Hints:

  • Starts with 'S', ends with 'S'.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: S___S
  • This one runs 5 letters long.

Answer:

Click to reveal SAABS

5 Across: "31. Pink-slips"

Hints:

  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • You could also think of it as "fire."
  • First letter's a 'C', last letter's a 'S'.

Answer:

Click to reveal CANS

6 Across: "126. Instants"

Hints:

  • Starts with 'S', ends with 'S'.
  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • Count on 4 letters here.

Answer:

Click to reveal SECS

7 Across: "24. LIAM NEESON"

Hints:

  • This one runs 8 letters long.
  • First letter's a 'S', last letter's a 'O'.

Answer:

Click to reveal SALMINEO

8 Across: "122. Submitted by the deadline"

Hints:

  • If that helps, the shape is: I______E
  • You're looking for 8 letters.
  • First letter's a 'I', last letter's a 'E'.

Answer:

Click to reveal INONTIME

9 Across: "68. Turns on the waterworks"

Hints:

  • Think of it this way — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition.
  • Count on 5 letters here.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: C___S

Answer:

Click to reveal CRIES

10 Across: "124. Musician/actress Haim"

Hints:

  • Pattern-wise it looks like: A___A
  • Kicks off with 'A' and wraps up with 'A'.
  • This one runs 5 letters long.

Answer:

Click to reveal ALANA

Down Clues - 10 Total

These run top to bottom in the grid.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 67. Christmas presence?
2 Down 95. Withdraw from a union
3 Down 23. Mineral that makes cosmetics shimmer
4 Down 29. Clear
5 Down 6. Like 666, popularly
6 Down 94. Periods of 730 days
7 Down 1. God, to Bob Marley
8 Down 32. Hit a ___
9 Down 58. Diva's time to shine
10 Down 86. Hostile manner, informally

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Same deal here — hints then answers. You might also like:

1 Down: "67. Christmas presence?"

Hints:

  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • Blank it out and you get: M__I
  • Close enough in meaning: magus.

Answer:

Click to reveal MAGI

2 Down: "95. Withdraw from a union"

Hints:

  • First letter's a 'S', last letter's a 'E'.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: S____E
  • Basically, withdraw from an organization or communion.

Answer:

Click to reveal SECEDE

3 Down: "23. Mineral that makes cosmetics shimmer"

Hints:

  • Blank it out and you get: M__A
  • You're looking for 4 letters.
  • Kicks off with 'M' and wraps up with 'A'.

Answer:

Click to reveal MICA

4 Down: "29. Clear"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'E' and wraps up with 'E'.
  • It's a 5-letter word.
  • If that helps, the shape is: E___E

Answer:

Click to reveal ERASE

5 Down: "6. Like 666, popularly"

Hints:

  • It's a 7-letter word.
  • You could also think of it as "demonic."
  • Starts with 'S', ends with 'C'.

Answer:

Click to reveal SATANIC

6 Down: "94. Periods of 730 days"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'B' and wraps up with 'A'.
  • Count on 7 letters here.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: B_____A

Answer:

Click to reveal BIENNIA

7 Down: "1. God, to Bob Marley"

Hints:

  • This one runs 3 letters long.
  • First letter's a 'J', last letter's a 'H'.
  • Short form / acronym territory here.

Answer:

Click to reveal JAH

8 Down: "32. Hit a ___"

Hints:

  • Pattern-wise it looks like: S__G
  • It's a 4-letter word.
  • Close enough in meaning: hang-up.

Answer:

Click to reveal SNAG

9 Down: "58. Diva's time to shine"

Hints:

  • Think of it this way — an elaborate song for solo voice.
  • You're looking for 4 letters.
  • First letter's a 'A', last letter's a 'A'.

Answer:

Click to reveal ARIA

10 Down: "86. Hostile manner, informally"

Hints:

  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • Starts with 'T', ends with 'E'.
  • This one runs 4 letters long.

Answer:

Click to reveal TUDE

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

A few things that actually help once you've been doing these a while:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Scan before you solve: One quick read-through of all the clues before you commit to anything usually pays off.
  2. Short words first: The 2-3 letter answers are almost always the low-hanging fruit.
  3. Let crossings guide you: Harder answers get much easier once a couple of crossing letters are locked in.
  4. Puns hide behind question marks: If a clue ends in "?", expect wordplay, not a straight answer.
  5. A few words repeat a lot: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE show up more than you'd expect — keep them in mind.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • E is the most common letter in English, so it's worth guessing early.
  • Words ending in S are usually plurals.
  • Blanks ("___") in a clue mean the answer fits exactly into those spaces.
  • An abbreviation in the clue is a signal the answer's abbreviated too.

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You've clearly got the puzzle's patterns down.
30-60 seconds Advanced Solid pace — you're solving quickly.
1-2 minutes Good Right where most regular solvers land.
Over 2 minutes Learning Totally fine — speed comes with reps.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25
Average Time: 45 seconds
Difficulty: Normal

More Puzzle Help

If today's Mini hit the spot, here are a few more you might enjoy:

Common Questions About Trivia Week 4

When does the Trivia Week 4 Mini go live?

It usually goes live around 10 PM Eastern the night before.

How long should Trivia Week 4 take me?

Most people land somewhere between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Slower than that is completely normal too — it gets faster with practice.

Is Trivia Week 4 free to play?

It's free to play, unlike the main NYT Crossword which sits behind a paywall.

What actually makes someone good at Trivia Week 4?

Knowing the common short words, spotting wordplay quickly, and reading crossing letters well — that combination gets you most of the way there.

Does Trivia Week 4 get harder as the week goes on?

It varies day to day — Saturdays tend to be the toughest, Mondays the easiest.

About This Page: We put together hints and answers for the NYT Mini to help you learn the ropes and get faster over time. This site isn't affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: August 30, 2026 at 09:21 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, August 30 2026 mini crossword

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Friday, August 28, 2026

Trivia Week 4 Manual for NYT Mini August 28, 2026

Trivia Week 4 NYT Mini August 28, 2026 Solutions & Guide

Today's Mini has 20 clues to get through. Hints and answers for all of them are below.

Popular Puzzles: September 02 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | Xwordhint Crossword Answers November 19 | Todays NYT Mini Crossword October 29 |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for August 28, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Friday, August 28, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date August 28, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week 4 NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

It's a 5 by 5 grid today — five boxes across, five boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This One Fast

  1. Skim every clue once before you write anything — your brain keeps chewing on the ones you don't solve right away.
  2. Knock out the short answers (3 letters or under) first.
  3. Lean on the crossing letters once a couple of words are in.
  4. A question mark in a clue usually means there's a pun coming.
  5. THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT — these little words show up constantly, keep them in your back pocket.

Quick Facts

  • Total squares: 25 (5 × 5)
  • Typical solve time: well under a minute for most regulars
  • Good time to play: on a coffee break
  • Difficulty: built to be approachable

Across Clues - 10 Total

These run left to right across the grid.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 26. "Ignorance is bliss," e.g.
2 Across 36. Asteroids system
3 Across 22. "Would ya look at that ..."
4 Across 58. Kim Cattrall's role on "Sex and the City"
5 Across 39. ___ collar
6 Across 35. ___ polo (sport played in Pakistan)
7 Across 38. Flame proof?
8 Across 25. Milieu for bathyspheres, with "the"
9 Across 16. Politician's response, maybe
10 Across 13. Worrier's words

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Stuck on one? Hints and answers for each clue are below. A few other guides worth a look:

1 Across: "26. "Ignorance is bliss," e.g."

Hints:

  • You're looking for 6 letters.
  • Kicks off with 'O' and wraps up with 'W'.

Answer:

Click to reveal OLDSAW

2 Across: "36. Asteroids system"

Hints:

  • It's a 5-letter word.
  • Kicks off with 'A' and wraps up with 'I'.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: A___I

Answer:

Click to reveal ATARI

3 Across: "22. "Would ya look at that ...""

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'W' and wraps up with 'L'.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: W__________L
  • You're looking for 12 letters.

Answer:

Click to reveal WELLWELLWELL

4 Across: "58. Kim Cattrall's role on "Sex and the City""

Hints:

  • It's a 8-letter word.
  • First letter's a 'S', last letter's a 'A'.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: S______A

Answer:

Click to reveal SAMANTHA

5 Across: "39. ___ collar"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'E' and wraps up with 'N'.
  • If that helps, the shape is: E__N
  • This one runs 4 letters long.

Answer:

Click to reveal ETON

6 Across: "35. ___ polo (sport played in Pakistan)"

Hints:

  • Basically, noisy talk.
  • Close enough in meaning: yack.
  • This one runs 3 letters long.

Answer:

Click to reveal YAK

7 Across: "38. Flame proof?"

Hints:

  • Think of it this way — the residue that remains when something is burned.
  • Starts with 'A', ends with 'H'.
  • It's a 3-letter word.

Answer:

Click to reveal ASH

8 Across: "25. Milieu for bathyspheres, with "the""

Hints:

  • In plain terms: the central and most intense or profound part.
  • You could also think of it as "trench."
  • First letter's a 'D', last letter's a 'S'.

Answer:

Click to reveal DEEPS

9 Across: "16. Politician's response, maybe"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'N' and wraps up with 'R'.
  • You're looking for 9 letters.

Answer:

Click to reveal NONANSWER

10 Across: "13. Worrier's words"

Hints:

  • First letter's a 'I', last letter's a 'T'.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: I______T
  • It's a 8-letter word.

Answer:

Click to reveal IHOPENOT

Down Clues - 10 Total

These run top to bottom in the grid.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 10. Screen capture?
2 Down 35. "The thing is ..."
3 Down 3. Brazilian soccer star known for his dribbling flair
4 Down 27. Blend
5 Down 43. Jazz aficionado, e.g.
6 Down 31. Outlaw
7 Down 51. Star turns at a concert
8 Down 44. Spirit seen on el Día de los Muertos
9 Down 4. Org. that might do some spring cleaning?
10 Down 17. Overhaul

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Same deal here — hints then answers. You might also like:

1 Down: "10. Screen capture?"

Hints:

  • Count on 4 letters here.
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • In plain terms: fine ravellings of cotton or linen fibers.

Answer:

Click to reveal LINT

2 Down: "35. "The thing is ...""

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'Y' and wraps up with 'E'.
  • It's a 6-letter word.

Answer:

Click to reveal YOUSEE

3 Down: "3. Brazilian soccer star known for his dribbling flair"

Hints:

  • First letter's a 'R', last letter's a 'O'.
  • It's a 10-letter word.
  • If that helps, the shape is: R________O

Answer:

Click to reveal RONALDINHO

4 Down: "27. Blend"

Hints:

  • If that helps, the shape is: A________E
  • You could also think of it as "commix."
  • Kicks off with 'A' and wraps up with 'E'.

Answer:

Click to reveal AMALGAMATE

5 Down: "43. Jazz aficionado, e.g."

Hints:

  • Starts with 'N', ends with 'N'.
  • Count on 6 letters here.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: N____N

Answer:

Click to reveal NBAFAN

6 Down: "31. Outlaw"

Hints:

  • Close enough in meaning: shun.
  • Count on 3 letters here.
  • Kicks off with 'B' and wraps up with 'N'.

Answer:

Click to reveal BAN

7 Down: "51. Star turns at a concert"

Hints:

  • Starts with 'S', ends with 'I'.
  • You could also think of it as "solo."
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.

Answer:

Click to reveal SOLI

8 Down: "44. Spirit seen on el Día de los Muertos"

Hints:

  • This one runs 6 letters long.
  • Kicks off with 'M' and wraps up with 'L'.
  • You could also think of it as "mescal."

Answer:

Click to reveal MEZCAL

9 Down: "4. Org. that might do some spring cleaning?"

Hints:

  • First letter's a 'E', last letter's a 'A'.
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • This one runs 3 letters long.

Answer:

Click to reveal EPA

10 Down: "17. Overhaul"

Hints:

  • It's a 6-letter word.
  • Starts with 'R', ends with 'K'.
  • Think of it this way — use again in altered form.

Answer:

Click to reveal REWORK

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Some habits that speed things up over time:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Read it all first: Go through every clue once before writing anything down — it primes your brain even on the ones you skip.
  2. Grab the short ones: Two and three letter answers (things like "IT" or "ON") are usually the easiest place to start.
  3. Use the crossings: Once a couple of words are in, the crossing letters do a lot of the work for you on the harder ones.
  4. Watch for question marks: A "?" at the end of a clue almost always signals a pun rather than a literal answer.
  5. Keep the regulars in mind: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE — these turn up often enough that it's worth remembering them.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • E is the most common letter in English, so it's worth guessing early.
  • Words ending in S are usually plurals.
  • Blanks ("___") in a clue mean the answer fits exactly into those spaces.
  • An abbreviation in the clue is a signal the answer's abbreviated too.

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You've clearly got the puzzle's patterns down.
30-60 seconds Advanced Solid pace — you're solving quickly.
1-2 minutes Good Right where most regular solvers land.
Over 2 minutes Learning Totally fine — speed comes with reps.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25
Average Time: 52 seconds
Difficulty: Normal

More Puzzle Help

If today's Mini hit the spot, here are a few more you might enjoy:

Common Questions About Trivia Week 4

When does the Trivia Week 4 Mini go live?

Typically drops the evening before, around 10 PM ET.

How long should Trivia Week 4 take me?

Anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple of minutes is typical. Don't stress if you're on the slower end at first.

Is Trivia Week 4 free to play?

Nope, it's free — no subscription needed like the full-size crossword.

What actually makes someone good at Trivia Week 4?

Knowing the common short words, spotting wordplay quickly, and reading crossing letters well — that combination gets you most of the way there.

Does Trivia Week 4 get harder as the week goes on?

It varies day to day — Saturdays tend to be the toughest, Mondays the easiest.

About This Page: We put together hints and answers for the NYT Mini to help you learn the ropes and get faster over time. This site isn't affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: August 28, 2026 at 03:31 PM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, August 28 2026 mini crossword

on No comments:

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 18, 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

August 18, 2026 NYT Crossword Solutions

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. Assistance 4
2A 5. Dickens villain ___ Heep 5
3A 10. Bears' lairs 4
4A 14. Plant with many topical uses 4
5A 15. Downright unpleasant 5
6A 16. Meaning of "vidi," in Caesar's boast 4
7A 17. Classic Beethoven piano piece 15
8A 20. Fed. agency overseeing the stock market 3
9A 21. To blame 7
10A 22. Online Q&A 3
11A 25. ___ ex machina 4
12A 28. Home to Kosovo and Monaco: Abbr. 3
13A 29. Academy Award-winning tune from "La La Land" 11
14A 32. "Chiseled" muscles 3
15A 35. Of yore 5
16A 36. Snippet in a film review show 9
17A 38. "Looper" director Johnson 4
18A 39. Sarcastic title girl of 1990s-2000s MTV 5
19A 40. Utah skiing destination 4
20A 41. Coverers of current events 9
21A 43. Boss (around) 5
22A 44. Phoenix basketball player 3
23A 45. 1983 Eurythmics hit whose full title includes "(Are Made of This)" 11
24A 47. Popular fantasy role-playing game, in brief 3
25A 48. Spies 4
26A 49. "___-haw!" 3
27A 50. It has its x's and y's 7
28A 54. T-shirt or blouse 3
29A 56. Iconic number from "The Phantom of the Opera" ... or an apt title for this puzzle 15
30A 62. Story of one's life? 4
31A 63. Beforehand 5
32A 64. Singer Kahan with the 2026 #1 album "The Great Divide" 4
33A 65. Hot 4
34A 66. 17-, 29-, 45- and 56-Across 5
35A 67. Person regularly sought out for advice 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Assistance"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
  • Similar words include: service, serve, assistance
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HELP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Dickens villain ___ Heep"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) the husband of bathsheba and a soldier who was sent to die in battle so that king david could marry his wife (circa 10th century bc)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: URIAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Bears' lairs"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Similar words include: hideout, hideaway, den
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Plant with many topical uses"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Downright unpleasant"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that offensive or even (of persons) malicious; ; ; ; ; ; - ezra pound
  • Similar words include: tight, awful, smutty
  • Opposite of: nice
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NASTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Meaning of "vidi," in Caesar's boast"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Classic Beethoven piano piece"

15 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Fed. agency overseeing the stock market"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the systeme international d'unites
  • Similar words include: secant, unsweet, Securities and Exchange Commission
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. To blame"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Online Q&A"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. ___ ex machina"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "28. Home to Kosovo and Monaco: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. Academy Award-winning tune from "La La Land""

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. "Chiseled" muscles"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of a class of composite plastics used to make car bodies and cases for computers and other appliances
  • Similar words include: Bachelor of Arts, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, group AB
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "35. Of yore"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "36. Snippet in a film review show"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "38. "Looper" director Johnson"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Sarcastic title girl of 1990s-2000s MTV"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Utah skiing destination"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Coverers of current events"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Boss (around)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Phoenix basketball player"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
  • Similar words include: Lord's Day, sunlight, insolate
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. 1983 Eurythmics hit whose full title includes "(Are Made of This)""

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Popular fantasy role-playing game, in brief"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Spies"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
  • Similar words include: discover, realize, meet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. "___-haw!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. It has its x's and y's"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the mathematics of generalized arithmetical operations
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALGEBRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. T-shirt or blouse"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the upper part of anything
  • Similar words include: tip, pinnacle, circus tent
  • Opposite of: bottom
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Iconic number from "The Phantom of the Opera" ... or an apt title for this puzzle"

15 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "62. Story of one's life?"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a notice of someone's death; usually includes a short biography
  • Similar words include: necrology, obituary
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Beforehand"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the head of a religious order; in an abbey the prior is next below the abbot
  • Similar words include: anterior
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRIOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. Singer Kahan with the 2026 #1 album "The Great Divide""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the hebrew patriarch who saved himself and his family and the animals by building an ark in which they survived 40 days and 40 nights of rain; the story of noah and the flood is told in the book of genesis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Hot"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by or tending to arouse sexual desire or interest
  • Similar words include: aphrodisiac, aphrodisiacal
  • Opposite of: unsexy, anaphrodisiac
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEXY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. 17-, 29-, 45- and 56-Across"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short musical composition with words
  • Similar words include: vocal, birdsong, Sung
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Person regularly sought out for advice"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Scene stealer 3
2D 2. Eponym of a chess rating system 3
3D 3. British bathroom 3
4D 4. Writes 4
5D 5. International aid org. 6
6D 6. Cloth covered in dust, say 3
7D 7. "... or so" 3
8D 8. Lead-in to "boy!" or "girl!" 4
9D 9. Madness 8
10D 10. Kuwaiti currency 5
11D 11. The elder of a pair of biblical twins 4
12D 12. The "N" of N.A.A.C.P.: Abbr. 4
13D 13. Smack, as flies 4
14D 18. Gave false hopes 5
15D 19. Coming in handy 5
16D 22. Nuts whose shells look like they have little berets 6
17D 23. Environs 6
18D 24. When Hamilton and Burr had their duel 6
19D 26. Manufactured in America 6
20D 27. What gossipers and tall buildings are full of 7
21D 30. Desires 4
22D 31. Fly in the sky 6
23D 32. Like some theme park passes 6
24D 33. "Oh, buzz off" 6
25D 34. Thin on the ground 6
26D 37. Give a hoot 4
27D 39. Morning condensation 8
28D 42. Channel that rebranded with "NOW" in its name in 2025 5
29D 43. "Citizen Kane" director Welles 5
30D 46. Forfends 6
31D 47. Part of a pantheon 5
32D 50. "Famous" cookie baker 4
33D 51. Anti-friction fluid 4
34D 52. High-end private jet, familiarly 4
35D 53. Hairstyle associated with Jimi Hendrix and Angela Davis 4
36D 55. Send an instant message 4
37D 57. Sardine container 3
38D 58. Refuse to share 3
39D 59. Glop 3
40D 60. Mario has a red "M" on his 3
41D 61. Howe'er 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Scene stealer"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)
  • Similar words include: gammon, overplay, jambon
  • Opposite of: underact
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAM

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2D: "2. Eponym of a chess rating system"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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3D: "3. British bathroom"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a toilet in britain
  • Similar words include: W.C., closet, water closet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOO

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4D: "4. Writes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
  • Similar words include: pen, compose, write
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PENS

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5D: "5. International aid org."

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an agency of the united nations responsible for programs to aid education and the health of children and mothers in developing countries
  • Similar words include: United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNICEF

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6D: "6. Cloth covered in dust, say"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece of cloth or paper
  • Similar words include: annoy, nettle, bawl out
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAG

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7D: "7. "... or so""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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8D: "8. Lead-in to "boy!" or "girl!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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9D: "9. Madness"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that state of violent mental agitation
  • Similar words include: hysterical neurosis, fury, craze
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYSTERIA

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10D: "10. Kuwaiti currency"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that 100 dinars equal 1 rial in iran
  • Similar words include: Tunisian dinar, Libyan dinar, Yugoslavian dinar
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DINAR

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11D: "11. The elder of a pair of biblical twins"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) the eldest son of isaac who would have inherited the covenant that god made with abraham and that abraham passed on to isaac; he traded his birthright to his twin brother jacob for a mess of pottage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESAU

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12D: "12. The "N" of N.A.A.C.P.: Abbr."

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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13D: "13. Smack, as flies"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sharp blow
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWAT

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14D: "18. Gave false hopes"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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15D: "19. Coming in handy"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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16D: "22. Nuts whose shells look like they have little berets"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fruit of the oak tree: a smooth thin-walled nut in a woody cup-shaped base
  • Similar words include: acorn
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACORNS

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17D: "23. Environs"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the environmental condition
  • Similar words include: surroundings
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MILIEU

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18D: "24. When Hamilton and Burr had their duel"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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19D: "26. Manufactured in America"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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20D: "27. What gossipers and tall buildings are full of"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

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: narration, storey, tale
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STORIES

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21D: "30. Desires"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a yearning for something or to do something
  • Similar words include: hankering, yen, yearn
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YENS

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22D: "31. Fly in the sky"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that operate an airplane
  • Similar words include: pilot, fly
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVIATE

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23D: "32. Like some theme park passes"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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24D: "33. "Oh, buzz off""

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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25D: "34. Thin on the ground"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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26D: "37. Give a hoot"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
  • Similar words include: maintenance, wish, worry
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARE

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27D: "39. Morning condensation"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a drop of dew
  • Similar words include: dewdrop
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEWDROPS

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28D: "42. Channel that rebranded with "NOW" in its name in 2025"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "43. "Citizen Kane" director Welles"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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30D: "46. Forfends"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that try to prevent; show opposition to
  • Similar words include: dissuade, discourage, deter
  • Opposite of: persuade
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DETERS

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31D: "47. Part of a pantheon"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force
  • Similar words include: immortal, divinity, god
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEITY

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32D: "50. "Famous" cookie baker"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hebrew shepherd and minor prophet
  • Similar words include: Book of Amos
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMOS

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33D: "51. Anti-friction fluid"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a substance capable of reducing friction by making surfaces smooth or slippery
  • Similar words include: lubricating substance, lubricator, lubricate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "52. High-end private jet, familiarly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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35D: "53. Hairstyle associated with Jimi Hendrix and Angela Davis"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rounded thickly curled hairdo
  • Similar words include: Afro hairdo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Send an instant message"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a river in western thailand; a major tributary of the chao phraya
  • Similar words include: pink, Ping River, knock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. Sardine container"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
  • Similar words include: can, atomic number 50, canister
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIN

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38D: "58. Refuse to share"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person regarded as greedy and pig-like
  • Similar words include: hogget, grunter, squealer
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "59. Glop"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any thick, viscous matter
  • Similar words include: ooze, gunk, gook
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "60. Mario has a red "M" on his"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
  • Similar words include: chapeau, lid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "61. Howe'er"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a branch of the tai languages
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

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Last updated: August 18, 2026 at 04:03 AM

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