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Tuesday, October 6, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 06, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. What a leaky faucet has 4
2A 5. Hands, informally ... or coverings for hands 5
3A 10. "Not another peep out of you!" 4
4A 14. Classical Persian poet 4
5A 15. Nebraska home of Creighton University 5
6A 16. Between cruise ports, say 4
7A 17. Intl. oil group 4
8A 18. Like streakers 5
9A 19. Deep blue 4
10A 20. Pale and sickly 5
11A 22. Have an "aha" moment about 3
12A 23. Urged (on) 5
13A 24. One of six, supposedly, for a seer 5
14A 25. "___ Were a Rich Man" 3
15A 26. Rear of a boat 5
16A 27. Lifeless 9
17A 30. Who said "Revolutions are the locomotives of history" 4
18A 33. Video game section 5
19A 34. Pen points 4
20A 38. Number on a dating profile 3
21A 39. Gallops into the sunset, say 7
22A 41. "I've seen better" 3
23A 42. Attend without a date 6
24A 44. Sound in polka music 6
25A 46. Strategic disk game played on a vertical board 11
26A 50. Music genre for James Brown 4
27A 51. Device once used with a Blockbuster rental 3
28A 52. Mission-driven grps., often 4
29A 54. "___ you listening?" 3
30A 55. Who said "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" 5
31A 57. May honoree 3
32A 59. Animal with a "mask" 7
33A 62. A step above amateur 7
34A 65. Peeved 7
35A 66. Like italic type 7
36A 67. With 68-Across, posable plaything ... or a verbal hint to each half of 4-, 7- and 10-Down and 46-Across 6
37A 68. See 67-Across 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. What a leaky faucet has"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that flowing in drops; the formation and falling of drops of liquid
  • Similar words include: drip mold, dripping, dribble
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Hands, informally ... or coverings for hands"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
  • Similar words include: baseball mitt, manus, glove
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MITTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. "Not another peep out of you!""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (poetic) tranquil silence
  • Similar words include: stillness, silence, shut up
  • Opposite of: louden
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUSH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Classical Persian poet"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Nebraska home of Creighton University"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in the missouri river valley in northeastern nebraska
  • Similar words include: Maha
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OMAHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Between cruise ports, say"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in the direction of the sea
  • Similar words include: seawards, seaward
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Intl. oil group"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the production and sale of petroleum
  • Similar words include: Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Like streakers"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that completely unclothed
  • Similar words include: au naturel, bare, defenseless
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Deep blue"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
  • Similar words include: US Navy, naval forces, United States Navy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAVY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Pale and sickly"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having or as if having especially high-pitched spots
  • Similar words include: spiky
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEAKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Have an "aha" moment about"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
  • Similar words include: beget, stimulate, puzzle
  • Opposite of: leave, take away
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Urged (on)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that throw eggs at
  • Similar words include: egg
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGGED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. One of six, supposedly, for a seer"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general conscious awareness
  • Similar words include: mother wit, signified, horse sense
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "25. "___ Were a Rich Man""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "26. Rear of a boat"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rear part of a ship
  • Similar words include: behind, keister, grim
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STERN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "27. Lifeless"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that belonging to the class of nouns denoting nonliving things
  • Similar words include: nonliving, non-living, pulseless
  • Opposite of: animate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INANIMATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "30. Who said "Revolutions are the locomotives of history""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states comedian; one of four brothers who made motion pictures together (1901-1979)
  • Similar words include: Julius Marx, Chico, Arthur Marx
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Video game section"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
  • Similar words include: plane, tier, level off
  • Opposite of: raise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Pen points"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the writing point of a pen
  • Similar words include: beak, pen nib, pecker
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Number on a dating profile"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how long something has existed
  • Similar words include: maturate, geezerhood, years
  • Opposite of: rejuvenate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Gallops into the sunset, say"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. "I've seen better""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Attend without a date"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Sound in polka music"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Strategic disk game played on a vertical board"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "50. Music genre for James Brown"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of nervous depression
  • Similar words include: cringe, recoil, Casimir Funk
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FUNK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Device once used with a Blockbuster rental"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a magnetic tape recorder for recording (and playing back) tv programs
  • Similar words include: videocassette recorder
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VCR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Mission-driven grps., often"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization that is not part of the local or state or federal government
  • Similar words include: NGO, nongovernmental organization
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. "___ you listening?""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
  • Similar words include: be, embody, ar
  • Opposite of: differ
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Who said "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a teacher and prophet born in bethlehem and active in nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for christianity (circa 4 bc - ad 29)
  • Similar words include: Savior, Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JESUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. May honoree"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for a mother
  • Similar words include: mommy, mama, mummy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. Animal with a "mask""

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fur of the north american racoon
  • Similar words include: racoon
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACCOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. A step above amateur"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an athlete who plays for pay on a part-time basis
  • Similar words include: semiprofessional
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEMIPRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "65. Peeved"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. Like italic type"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lie obliquely
  • Similar words include: biased, coloured, colored
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLANTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "67. With 68-Across, posable plaything ... or a verbal hint to each half of 4-, 7- and 10-Down and 46-Across"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something done (usually as opposed to something said)
  • Similar words include: carry through, activity, accomplish
  • Opposite of: inactivity, inactiveness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. See 67-Across"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
  • Similar words include: project, compute, work out
  • Opposite of: ground
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIGURE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Is released, as an album 5
2D 2. Currency in Mumbai 5
3D 3. Clarifying phrase 5
4D 4. Interception returned for a touchdown 7
5D 5. Start of the workweek: Abbr. 3
6D 6. Saw in one's mind's eye 8
7D 7. Break for a few minutes 8
8D 8. Newspaper in New York, L.A. or Seattle, colloquially 8
9D 9. Bummed out 3
10D 10. Surf with one's toes off the front of the board 7
11D 11. What an electric meter measures 5
12D 12. Cut completely 5
13D 13. Joseph called "Father of the Symphony" 5
14D 21. Coin dated with the year of its country's imperial era 3
15D 23. Latin "is" 3
16D 28. Put in a row 5
17D 29. Unapproachable 5
18D 30. Newsstand purchase, informally 3
19D 31. In the past 3
20D 32. Feline adoption option 9
21D 35. Spur-of-the-moment 9
22D 36. Arthur of "The Golden Girls" 3
23D 37. "Zip it!" 3
24D 39. Place in a hierarchy 4
25D 40. Midnight's opposite 4
26D 43. Suffix in the names of many U.S. cities 3
27D 45. Starbucks keepsake, perhaps 3
28D 47. Hurdles or high jump, e.g. 5
29D 48. Loops in, digitally 3
30D 49. Secure tightly 5
31D 50. Swiss currency 5
32D 53. How you may feel after a workout vis-à-vis before 5
33D 54. Operatic solo 4
34D 55. Become a member of 4
35D 56. Subject of introspection 4
36D 58. Preset camera option 4
37D 60. ___ effect (purported influence of police shows on juries' expectations for forensics) 3
38D 61. Yoko who participated in a bed-in 3
39D 63. ___ tai 3
40D 64. Bank with a lion in its logo 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Is released, as an album"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shape that is spherical and small
  • Similar words include: swing, degenerate, sink
  • Opposite of: sharpen, attend to
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DROPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Currency in Mumbai"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in sri lanka; equal to 100 cents
  • Similar words include: Indian rupee, Nepalese rupee, Pakistani rupee
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Clarifying phrase"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Interception returned for a touchdown"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Start of the workweek: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the second day of the week; the first working day
  • Similar words include: Monday
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Saw in one's mind's eye"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
  • Similar words include: envisage, opine, suppose
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMAGINED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Break for a few minutes"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Newspaper in New York, L.A. or Seattle, colloquially"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Bummed out"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness; ; - christina rossetti
  • Similar words include: pitiful, deplorable, lamentable
  • Opposite of: glad
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Surf with one's toes off the front of the board"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. What an electric meter measures"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of using
  • Similar words include: utilisation, custom, utilization
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Cut completely"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that set or keep apart
  • Similar words include: discerp, lop, break up
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Joseph called "Father of the Symphony""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prolific austrian composer who influenced the classical form of the symphony (1732-1809)
  • Similar words include: Franz Joseph Haydn, Joseph Haydn
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAYDN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Coin dated with the year of its country's imperial era"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Latin "is""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
  • Similar words include: Eastern Standard Time, Eastern Time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "28. Put in a row"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight
  • Similar words include: adjust, coordinate, ordinate
  • Opposite of: skew
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIGN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "29. Unapproachable"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remote in manner
  • Similar words include: upstage, distant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOOF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "30. Newsstand purchase, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
  • Similar words include: magazine
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. In the past"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gone by; or in the past
  • Similar words include: agone
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Feline adoption option"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "35. Spur-of-the-moment"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an extemporaneous speech or remark
  • Similar words include: off-the-cuff, extemporary, ad lib
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPROMPTU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "36. Arthur of "The Golden Girls""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. "Zip it!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Place in a hierarchy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
  • Similar words include: social station, glaring, social rank
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Midnight's opposite"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the middle of the day
  • Similar words include: twelve noon, high noon, noontide
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. Suffix in the names of many U.S. cities"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a united states unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds
  • Similar words include: long ton, net ton, short ton
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Starbucks keepsake, perhaps"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quantity that can be held in a mug
  • Similar words include: smiler, fool, patsy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "47. Hurdles or high jump, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "48. Loops in, digitally"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metric unit of volume equal to one thousandth of a liter
  • Similar words include: millilitre, cubic centimeter, milliliter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Secure tightly"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (medicine) a bandage consisting of a pad and belt; worn to hold a hernia in place by pressure
  • Similar words include: bind, tie up, tie down
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRUSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Swiss currency"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 centimes
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRANC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. How you may feel after a workout vis-à-vis before"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that causing misery or pain or distress
  • Similar words include: painful, mad, sensitive
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SORER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "54. Operatic solo"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an elaborate song for solo voice
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "55. Become a member of"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
  • Similar words include: link, junction, articulation
  • Opposite of: disjoin
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JOIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "56. Subject of introspection"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that your consciousness of your own identity
  • Similar words include: ego
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SELF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "58. Preset camera option"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how something is done or how it happens
  • Similar words include: modal value, manner, musical mode
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "60. ___ effect (purported influence of police shows on juries' expectations for forensics)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "61. Yoko who participated in a bed-in"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "63. ___ tai"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "64. Bank with a lion in its logo"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
40 Down Clues
77 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: October 06, 2026 at 10:34 AM

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 30, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Much-used pencil 4
2A 5. Composed 4
3A 9. A bit off 5
4A 14. Isle that's the traditional burial site of Scottish kings 4
5A 15. Mayberry kid on old TV 4
6A 16. Sharp increase 5
7A 17. Market! 9
8A 19. Walked while fraught with worry, say 5
9A 20. Like a moon that is not full but is more than half visible 7
10A 21. Administrative role 5
11A 23. Sign up 6
12A 24. Ticket! 8
13A 27. Nottingham-to-London dir. 3
14A 28. It was you 4
15A 30. Attributed writer of the third Gospel 6
16A 31. Culinary connoisseur 6
17A 33. GPS's guesses 4
18A 34. Planet! 13
19A 38. Desert landform 4
20A 39. San Francisco team, informally 6
21A 40. Best and most awesome, in slang 6
22A 43. Times Sq. squad 4
23A 44. Humanities degs. 3
24A 47. Packet! 8
25A 49. Person's bidding 6
26A 51. Need for a greedy Swede? 5
27A 52. Great flair 7
28A 53. Nail a test 5
29A 55. Locket! 9
30A 57. Pie-in-the-face sound 5
31A 58. Sized up 4
32A 59. Hightailed it 4
33A 60. How a trickster might behave 5
34A 61. Group in a gym routine 4
35A 62. Margarine 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Much-used pencil"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short piece remaining on a trunk or stem where a branch is lost
  • Similar words include: nub, check stub, butt
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Composed"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that steadiness of mind under stress
  • Similar words include: composure, tranquillise, cool off
  • Opposite of: stormy, stimulate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CALM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. A bit off"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that turned or twisted toward one side; - g.k.chesterton
  • Similar words include: wonky, lopsided, cockeyed
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASKEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Isle that's the traditional burial site of Scottish kings"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Mayberry kid on old TV"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Sharp increase"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a transient variation in voltage or current
  • Similar words include: empale, stiletto heel, spike out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPIKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Market!"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Walked while fraught with worry, say"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that walk with slow or fast paces
  • Similar words include: pace, step
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PACED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Like a moon that is not full but is more than half visible"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that characteristic of or suffering from kyphosis, an abnormality of the vertebral column
  • Similar words include: kyphotic, crookback, humpbacked
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIBBOUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Administrative role"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
  • Similar words include: salesclerk, shop clerk, shop assistant
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLERK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Sign up"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that join the military
  • Similar words include: draft, muster in, engage
  • Opposite of: discharge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENLIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Ticket!"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Nottingham-to-London dir."

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. It was you"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
  • Similar words include: K, M, chiliad
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THOU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Attributed writer of the third Gospel"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Culinary connoisseur"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)
  • Similar words include: epicurean, gastronome, epicure
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOODIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. GPS's guesses"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Planet!"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SURPRISEPARTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Desert landform"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans
  • Similar words include: sand dune
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. San Francisco team, informally"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
  • Similar words include: niner, 9, nine
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Best and most awesome, in slang"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
  • Similar words include: sick, inauspicious, ill
  • Opposite of: well
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILLEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Times Sq. squad"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Humanities degs."

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group; found in barite
  • Similar words include: Ba, Bachelor of Arts, AB
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Packet!"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a portable rectangular container for carrying clothes
  • Similar words include: travelling bag, bag, traveling bag
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUITCASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. Person's bidding"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an authoritative command or request
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEHEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Need for a greedy Swede?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money in sweden
  • Similar words include: Swedish krona, Icelandic krona
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KRONA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Great flair"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that distinctive and stylish elegance
  • Similar words include: flair, dash, style
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PANACHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Nail a test"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Locket!"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Pie-in-the-face sound"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a single splash
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPLAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. Sized up"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature especially as specified; often used in combination
  • Similar words include: eyeball, eye
  • Opposite of: eyeless
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. Hightailed it"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
  • Similar words include: pluck, bust, tear
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "60. How a trickster might behave"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in an artful manner
  • Similar words include: trickily, foxily, knavishly
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLYLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "61. Group in a gym routine"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: set up, lay, set
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "62. Margarine"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a spread made chiefly from vegetable oils and used as a substitute for butter
  • Similar words include: marge, margarine, oleomargarine
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Drawn-out attacks 6
2D 2. Things to be cleansed from the body 6
3D 3. Powerless 6
4D 4. Movie with the record for the longest time between its release and the release of its sequel (63 years) 5
5D 5. Writing partner 8
6D 6. Many tech start-up ideas 4
7D 7. Trust eroder 3
8D 8. Some concert gear, informally 5
9D 9. Feature 6
10D 10. They might get lit at a birthday celebration 9
11D 11. Be super-successful, in slang 8
12D 12. Scrape (by) 3
13D 13. Give a ring, say 3
14D 18. Surgery recovery period, in brief 6
15D 22. "___ Troyens" (five-hour French opera) 3
16D 24. Collection of dishes? 7
17D 25. Up to snuff 4
18D 26. Treasure map markings 3
19D 29. God whose name has one "I," fittingly 4
20D 31. Offer from many a streaming service 9
21D 32. Start of a counting rhyme 4
22D 34. "Star Trek" helmsman 4
23D 35. Doubtful 8
24D 36. Musical promoters of school spirit 8
25D 37. Impassioned 6
26D 38. Insult 3
27D 41. "Star Trek" engineer 6
28D 42. Trig function that can output every real number 3
29D 44. "Don't freak out, dude" 6
30D 45. Where landlubbers are at home 6
31D 46. It often features panels with speakers 6
32D 48. Targets of some heists 5
33D 50. Was out of other options 5
34D 52. Word found at the start of "Poe, to name one" 4
35D 53. Burro 3
36D 54. Rank below sgt. 3
37D 56. Bread choice 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Drawn-out attacks"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
  • Similar words include: military blockade, besieging, beleaguering
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIEGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Things to be cleansed from the body"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a poisonous substance produced during the metabolism and growth of certain microorganisms and some higher plant and animal species
  • Similar words include: toxin
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOXINS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Powerless"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (usually followed by `to') not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
  • Similar words include: ineffective, ineffectual
  • Opposite of: able
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNABLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Movie with the record for the longest time between its release and the release of its sequel (63 years)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Writing partner"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a writer who collaborates with others in writing something
  • Similar words include: joint author
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COAUTHOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Many tech start-up ideas"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Trust eroder"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
  • Similar words include: Trygve Halvden Lie, lie down, Trygve Lie
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Some concert gear, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Feature"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinct feature or element in a problem
  • Similar words include: facial expression, panorama, prospect
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASPECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. They might get lit at a birthday celebration"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a firework that burns slowly and throws out a shower of sparks
  • Similar words include: ice, sparkler
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPARKLERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Be super-successful, in slang"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Scrape (by)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Give a ring, say"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fourth day of the week; the third working day
  • Similar words include: tie, Wednesday, marry
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Surgery recovery period, in brief"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. "___ Troyens" (five-hour French opera)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
  • Similar words include: LE, lupus erythematosus
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Collection of dishes?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the practice or manner of preparing food or the food so prepared
  • Similar words include: culinary art
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUISINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Up to snuff"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an endorsement
  • Similar words include: hunky-dory, o.k., sanction
  • Opposite of: disapprove
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OKAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Treasure map markings"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless odorless inert gaseous element occurring in the earth's atmosphere in trace amounts
  • Similar words include: x, Adam, X
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: XES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. God whose name has one "I," fittingly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (norse mythology) ruler of the aesir; supreme god of war and poetry and knowledge and wisdom (for which he gave an eye) and husband of frigg; identified with the teutonic wotan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Offer from many a streaming service"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Start of a counting rhyme"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. "Star Trek" helmsman"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Doubtful"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred
  • Similar words include: unbelievable, unconvincing, improbable
  • Opposite of: likely, probable
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNLIKELY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Musical promoters of school spirit"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Impassioned"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that characterized by intense emotion
  • Similar words include: perfervid, fervent, impassioned
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARDENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Insult"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that god of the underworld; counterpart of greek pluto
  • Similar words include: Orcus
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. "Star Trek" engineer"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Trig function that can output every real number"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
  • Similar words include: suntan, topaz, tangent
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. "Don't freak out, dude""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. Where landlubbers are at home"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that towards the shore from the water
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASHORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "46. It often features panels with speakers"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reproducer in which two microphones feed two or more loudspeakers to give a three-dimensional effect to the sound
  • Similar words include: two-channel, stereoscopic picture, stereophony
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEREO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Targets of some heists"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that strongbox where valuables can be safely kept
  • Similar words include: rubber, safe, condom
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAFES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Was out of other options"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "52. Word found at the start of "Poe, to name one""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

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!

35D: "53. Burro"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "54. Rank below sgt."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Bread choice"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seed of the cereal grass
  • Similar words include: rye whisky, rye whiskey, Secale cereale
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RYE

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
37 Down Clues
72 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 30, 2026 at 09:51 AM