XWordHint Crossword Answers September 02, 2025 | 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
• Across Clues Table (37 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (41 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

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. Número to tango	3
2A	4. Sailboat's post	4
3A	8. Holiday Inn competitor	6
4A	14. Scrape (by)	3
5A	15. All over again	4
6A	16. "All ___!" (conductor's call)	6
7A	17. "Grey's Anatomy" network	3
8A	18. Surgical implant	11
9A	20. Line in a song	5
10A	22. Rejections	3
11A	23. Duolingo and DoorDash	4
12A	24. Soother for sore gums	12
13A	28. Smidgen	5
14A	29. "This is more than a want!"	7
15A	33. "Best Comeback Athlete," for one	4
16A	35. Brian of electronica	3
17A	37. Caribbean hot spot	5
18A	38. Eensy	3
19A	39. Salty snack whose varieties are found at the ends of 18-, 24-, 52- and 61-Across	7
20A	42. Relatives	3
21A	43. Astonished	5
22A	45. Khan of Khan Academy	3
23A	46. Loch ___ monster	4
24A	47. Ladies in Lima	7
25A	50. Flowers in a Valentine's Day bouquet	5
26A	52. Core-strengthening exercise	12
27A	56. Greenland native	4
28A	59. Anderson Cooper's channel	3
29A	60. River critter	5
30A	61. Travel blogger's gadget	11
31A	65. Countdown ender	3
32A	66. "This decision is hard!"	6
33A	67. Nobel laureate Wiesel	4
34A	68. Patriotic chant	3
35A	69. Rose quickly, as prices	6
36A	70. Its symbol is Pb	4
37A	71. Vietnamese New Year	3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Número to tango"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the federal department in the united states that sets and maintains foreign policies
• Similar words include: doh, get along, Doctor of Osteopathy
• Opposite of: unmake

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Sailboat's post"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a vertical spar for supporting sails
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Holiday Inn competitor"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAMADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Scrape (by)"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. All over again"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that again but in a new or different way
• Similar words include: afresh
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. "All ___!" (conductor's call)"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
• Similar words include: on base, on board, alongside
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABOARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. "Grey's Anatomy" network"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
• Similar words include: first principle, ABCs, rudiment
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Surgical implant"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TITANIUMROD

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9A: "20. Line in a song"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the text of a popular song or musical-comedy number
• Similar words include: lyric poem, words, lyrical
• Opposite of: dramatic

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LYRIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Rejections"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known
• Similar words include: nobelium, atomic number 102, no
• Opposite of: yes

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Duolingo and DoorDash"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Soother for sore gums"

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEETHINGRING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Smidgen"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a just detectable amount
• Similar words include: hint, hound, shadow
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. "This is more than a want!""

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INEEDIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. "Best Comeback Athlete," for one"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that catch sight of
• Similar words include: descry, spy, spot
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESPY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. Brian of electronica"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "37. Caribbean hot spot"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a popular island resort in the netherlands antilles
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARUBA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. Eensy"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Salty snack whose varieties are found at the ends of 18-, 24-, 52- and 61-Across"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that glazed and salted cracker typically in the shape of a loose knot
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PRETZEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Relatives"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person having kinship with another or others
• Similar words include: kin group, family, kinsperson
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Astonished"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INAWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Khan of Khan Academy"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Loch ___ monster"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a strip of land projecting into a body of water
• Similar words include: cape
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Ladies in Lima"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a spanish title or form of address for a married woman; similar to the english `mrs' or `madam'
• Similar words include: Senora
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SENORAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Flowers in a Valentine's Day bouquet"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of many shrubs of the genus rosa that bear roses
• Similar words include: rose wine, blush wine, rose
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "52. Core-strengthening exercise"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RUSSIANTWIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "56. Greenland native"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INUK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "59. Anderson Cooper's channel"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CNN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "60. River critter"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the fur of an otter
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OTTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Travel blogger's gadget"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SELFIESTICK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "65. Countdown ender"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Similar words include: ace, unrivaled, unity
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. "This decision is hard!""

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMTORN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Nobel laureate Wiesel"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Patriotic chant"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that north american republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in north america plus alaska in northwest north america and the hawaiian islands in the pacific ocean; achieved independence in 1776
• Similar words include: United States Army, U.S.A., United States
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Rose quickly, as prices"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that rise rapidly
• Similar words include: zoom, surge, soar upwards
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SOARED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "70. Its symbol is Pb"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an advantage held by a competitor in a race
• Similar words include: hint, steer, moderate
• Opposite of: deficit, follow

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "71. Vietnamese New Year"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the new year in vietnam; observed for three days after the first full moon after january 20th
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Passed out cards	5
2D	2. "I'm leaving now!"	5
3D	3. What a schemer schemes	10
4D	4. Green tea variety	6
5D	5. What makes a pan a pain?	3
6D	6. Bump, ___, spike (volleyball trio)	3
7D	7. Part of many Southern accents	5
8D	8. Granola morsel	6
9D	9. ___ Dhabi	3
10D	10. Certain parent overseeing a child's career, in showbiz lingo	7
11D	11. Org. for senior citizens	4
12D	12. Roller coaster element	4
13D	13. Does some math	4
14D	19. Seaweed for sushi	4
15D	21. "Just doing my best"	4
16D	25. Bakery worker	4
17D	26. Hawaiian goose	4
18D	27. Young adult novelist Shusterman	4
19D	30. Fights	10
20D	31. Long-legged wader	4
21D	32. Sunbathes	4
22D	33. Some Ivy Leaguers	4
23D	34. Kind of wave	4
24D	36. Tiebreaker periods, in brief	3
25D	39. Andean nation	4
26D	40. Fashion retailer headquartered in Spain	4
27D	41. North Carolina's ___ University	4
28D	44. Try earnestly to get	7
29D	46. Small salamander	4
30D	48. Climb	6
31D	49. IDs on W-2s	4
32D	51. Enthusiastic, informally	6
33D	53. Spy's gathering	5
34D	54. Perceive	5
35D	55. Reward for Rover	5
36D	56. Egyptian goddess of healing	4
37D	57. Dory's friend, in film	4
38D	58. Chain with in-store salons	4
39D	62. Rage	3
40D	63. Martinique, par exemple	3
41D	64. Org. that requires polygraph tests for all applicants	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Passed out cards"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
• Similar words include: cope, get by, deal
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "I'm leaving now!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OKBYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. What a schemer schemes"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SECRETPLAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Green tea variety"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MATCHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. What makes a pan a pain?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that black tropical american cuckoo
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Bump, ___, spike (volleyball trio)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
• Similar words include: exercise set, located, lot
• Opposite of: rise

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Part of many Southern accents"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sharp vibrating sound (as of a plucked string)
• Similar words include: nasal twang
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TWANG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Granola morsel"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that dried grape
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAISIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. ___ Dhabi"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Certain parent overseeing a child's career, in showbiz lingo"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOMAGER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Org. for senior citizens"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an association of people to promote the welfare of senior citizens
• Similar words include: Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AARP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Roller coaster element"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a shape that is spherical and small
• Similar words include: discharge, send packing, cast off
• Opposite of: sharpen, recuperate

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DROP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Does some math"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
• Similar words include: tote up, add up, lend
• Opposite of: take away, subtract

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "19. Seaweed for sushi"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NORI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. "Just doing my best""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ITRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Bakery worker"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that being nine more than ninety
• Similar words include: ic, 99, ninety-nine
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Hawaiian goose"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Young adult novelist Shusterman"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Fights"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DUKESITOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Long-legged wader"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that wading birds of warm regions having long slender down-curved bills
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IBIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Sunbathes"

4 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: bronze, suntan, sunburn
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Some Ivy Leaguers"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Kind of wave"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that ratio of the length of the side opposite the given angle to the length of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle
• Similar words include: sin
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Tiebreaker periods, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. Andean nation"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a republic in western south america; achieved independence from spain in 1821; was the heart of the inca empire from the 12th to 16th centuries
• Similar words include: Republic of Peru
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PERU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Fashion retailer headquartered in Spain"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ZARA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. North Carolina's ___ University"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Try earnestly to get"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WORKFOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. Small salamander"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that small usually bright-colored semiaquatic salamanders of north america and europe and northern asia
• Similar words include: triton
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEWT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Climb"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that go back in order of genealogical succession
• Similar words include: come up, go up, uprise
• Opposite of: descend, set

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASCEND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. IDs on W-2s"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SSNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Enthusiastic, informally"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that stir up or tend; of a fire
• Similar words include: stoke
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STOKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "53. Spy's gathering"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INTEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "54. Perceive"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a general conscious awareness
• Similar words include: common sense, gumption, smell out
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SENSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "55. Reward for Rover"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that something considered choice to eat
• Similar words include: deal, plow, dainty
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TREAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. Egyptian goddess of healing"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that egyptian goddess of fertility; daughter of geb; sister and wife of osiris
• Similar words include: ISI, Inter-Services Intelligence, Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. Dory's friend, in film"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "58. Chain with in-store salons"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ULTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "62. Rage"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
• Similar words include: choler, wrath, anger
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "63. Martinique, par exemple"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "64. Org. that requires polygraph tests for all applicants"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an independent agency of the united states government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest; headed by the director of central intelligence under the supervision of the president and national security council
• Similar words include: Central Intelligence Agency
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CIA

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

41 Down Clues

78 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 02, 2025 at 03:55 AM

May 31, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (37 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (35 Across, 37 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

May 31, 2023 Across Hints: NYT Wednesday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. [Wait until you're home to click this!]	4
2A	5. In which pictures of a bill + gates = a noted business executive	5
3A	10. "Quiet!"	3
4A	13. Shopify specialty	5
5A	15. Simply be	5
6A	16. Sweetheart	3
7A	17. Longtime host of CNN's "The Situation Room"	11
8A	19. One ___ time	3
9A	20. ___ Janney, Oscar winner for "I, Tonya"	7
10A	21. More up to the task	5
11A	23. What the "R" of AARP stands for: Abbr.	3
12A	24. 11-time P.G.A. Tour Player of the Year	10
13A	28. Widely recognized	5
14A	31. Ephron who directed "Sleepless in Seattle"	4
15A	32. Walk or trot	4
16A	33. Highball clinkers	3
17A	35. Grammy-winning singer St. ___	7
18A	37. Rap group with the classic 1986 album "Licensed to Ill" … or a description of 17-, 24-, 48- and 57-Across?	11
19A	39. Chamber member	7
20A	40. Start of a rodeo cry	3
21A	41. Toss in a chip, say	4
22A	42. Speedy horse breed	4
23A	44. Critical times	5
24A	48. The man in "Man vs. Wild"	10
25A	51. President pro ___	3
26A	52. "Midnight Cowboy" nickname	5
27A	53. Give the right	7
28A	56. Small thing to pluck	3
29A	57. Wild West showman who lent his name to an N.F.L. team	11
30A	61. Sherlock Holmes and Veronica Mars, for short	3
31A	62. Up to now	5
32A	63. Series opener	5
33A	64. Boom sticks	3
34A	65. Acquires	5
35A	66. Tools with teeth	4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. [Wait until you're home to click this!]"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NSFW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. In which pictures of a bill + gates = a noted business executive"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a puzzle where you decode a message consisting of pictures representing syllables and words
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REBUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. "Quiet!""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. Shopify specialty"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETAIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Simply be"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that have an existence, be extant
• Words that mean the same thing: live, be, survive
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Sweetheart"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BAE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Longtime host of CNN's "The Situation Room""

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WOLFBLITZER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. One ___ time"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. ___ Janney, Oscar winner for "I, Tonya""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about movies/film.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALLISON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. More up to the task"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
• Words that mean the same thing: capable, able-bodied, able
• The opposite would be: unable
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ABLER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. What the "R" of AARP stands for: Abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that place (flax, hemp, or jute) in liquid so as to promote loosening of the fibers from the woody tissue
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. 11-time P.G.A. Tour Player of the Year"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIGERWOODS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "28. Widely recognized"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
• Words that mean the same thing: cognise, bed, have it away
• The opposite would be: ignore, unknown
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KNOWN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. Ephron who directed "Sleepless in Seattle""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "32. Walk or trot"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
• Words that mean the same thing: pace
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GAIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "33. Highball clinkers"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that water frozen in the solid state
• Words that mean the same thing: icing, internal-combustion engine, chicken feed
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "35. Grammy-winning singer St. ___"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VINCENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Rap group with the classic 1986 album "Licensed to Ill" … or a description of 17-, 24-, 48- and 57-Across?"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about music.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEASTIEBOYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "39. Chamber member"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of a senate
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SENATOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "40. Start of a rodeo cry"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "41. Toss in a chip, say"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "42. Speedy horse breed"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of a semitic people originally from the arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks arabic and who inhabits much of the middle east and northern africa
• Words that mean the same thing: Arabian
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "44. Critical times"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DDAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. The man in "Man vs. Wild""

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEARGRYLLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "51. President pro ___"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "52. "Midnight Cowboy" nickname"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RATSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "53. Give the right"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that give the right to
• Words that mean the same thing: gentle, ennoble, title
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENTITLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "56. Small thing to pluck"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small guitar having four strings
• Words that mean the same thing: ukulele
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "57. Wild West showman who lent his name to an N.F.L. team"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BUFFALOBILL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "61. Sherlock Holmes and Veronica Mars, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle; approximately equal to 3.14159265358979323846...
• Words that mean the same thing: operative, sherlock, protease inhibitor
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "62. Up to now"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASYET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "63. Series opener"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight
• Words that mean the same thing: pilot burner, cowcatcher, original
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PILOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "64. Boom sticks"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that explosive consisting of a yellow crystalline compound that is a flammable toxic derivative of toluene
• Words that mean the same thing: trinitrotoluene
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TNT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "65. Acquires"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a quantity that is added
• Words that mean the same thing: make, gain, arrive at
• The opposite would be: loss, fall back
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GAINS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "66. Tools with teeth"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
• Words that mean the same thing: byword, adage, sawing machine
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SAWS

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Wednesday Crossword Down Clues - May 31, 2023 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Airport serving New York's tristate area	6
2D	2. Pinched	6
3D	3. Be defeated by	6
4D	4. Coffee shop freebie	4
5D	5. Bring under control	6
6D	6. No. after a phone number	3
7D	7. Industry, briefly	3
8D	8. Single-___ plastics (environmental concern)	3
9D	9. This sucks!	5
10D	10. Help for mom-and-pop shops, in brief	8
11D	11. Terse one-star review	7
12D	12. Newspaper tycoon who inspired "Citizen Kane"	6
13D	14. Dumbbell figs.	3
14D	18. Biblical figure with an unnamed wife	3
15D	22. Came in just over par	7
16D	25. Explode on the internet	7
17D	26. Spooky-sounding lake	4
18D	27. Shared with for feedback	5
19D	29. They're roasted at a roast	7
20D	30. Final Four inits.	4
21D	34. Spanish 101 infinitive	5
22D	36. Like most rec leagues	4
23D	37. Check for bugs	8
24D	38. Conservative	4
25D	39. Return after curfew, say	7
26D	41. Brusque	6
27D	43. Calls from a pasture	6
28D	45. Fifth-century conqueror	6
29D	46. Like lemons, but not oranges	6
30D	47. Gets the lead out?	6
31D	49. It's packed for a quick getaway	5
32D	50. Tina Fey was its first female head writer, in brief	3
33D	54. One-up	3
34D	55. Sacred bird of ancient Egypt	4
35D	58. Winningest team in the Women's World Cup	3
36D	59. Post-it note abbr.	3
37D	60. Bog	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. Airport serving New York's tristate area"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about geography.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the largest city in new jersey; located in northeastern new jersey
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEWARK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Pinched"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that take without the owner's consent
• Words that mean the same thing: steal, slip
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STOLEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Be defeated by"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FALLTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Coffee shop freebie"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a local area network that uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data over distances of a few hundred feet; uses ethernet protocol
• Words that mean the same thing: wireless local area network, wireless fidelity, WLAN
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WIFI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Bring under control"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REININ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. No. after a phone number"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Industry, briefly"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that your occupation or line of work
• Words that mean the same thing: game
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BIZ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Single-___ plastics (environmental concern)"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the act of using
• Words that mean the same thing: habituate, manipulation, use of goods and services
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: USE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. This sucks!"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
• Words that mean the same thing: stalk, stubble, drinking straw
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STRAW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Help for mom-and-pop shops, in brief"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SBALOANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Terse one-star review"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HATEDIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Newspaper tycoon who inspired "Citizen Kane""

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states newspaper publisher whose introduction of large headlines and sensational reporting changed american journalism (1863-1951)
• Words that mean the same thing: William Randolph Hearst
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HEARST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. Dumbbell figs."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that 16 ounces avoirdupois
• Words that mean the same thing: lb, pound
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LBS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Biblical figure with an unnamed wife"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
• Words that mean the same thing: batch, administer, pile
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Came in just over par"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that to shoot in one stroke over par
• Words that mean the same thing: bogey
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BOGEYED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "25. Explode on the internet"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GOVIRAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "26. Spooky-sounding lake"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of an iroquoian people formerly living on the south shore of lake erie in northern ohio and northwest pennsylvania and western new york
• Words that mean the same thing: Lake Erie
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. Shared with for feedback"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RANBY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "29. They're roasted at a roast"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states mathematician and founder of cybernetics (1894-1964)
• Words that mean the same thing: weenie, Wiener, hotdog
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WIENERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "30. Final Four inits."

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NCAA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "34. Spanish 101 infinitive"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ESTAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "36. Like most rec leagues"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "37. Check for bugs"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BETATEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "38. Conservative"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an american who favored the british side during the american revolution
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TORY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "39. Return after curfew, say"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNEAKIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "41. Brusque"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
• Words that mean the same thing: sharp, disconnected, precipitous
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ABRUPT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "43. Calls from a pasture"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the sound of sheep or goats (or any sound resembling this)
• Words that mean the same thing: baa, bleat, blate
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLEATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "45. Fifth-century conqueror"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that king of the huns; the most successful barbarian invader of the roman empire (406-453)
• Words that mean the same thing: Attila the Hun, Scourge of God, Scourge of the Gods
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATTILA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "46. Like lemons, but not oranges"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that yellow color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of sunflowers or ripe lemons
• Words that mean the same thing: icteric, xanthous, yellowed
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YELLOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "47. Gets the lead out?"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that small cold-water silvery fish; migrate between salt and fresh water
• Words that mean the same thing: smelt
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SMELTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "49. It's packed for a quick getaway"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GOBAG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "50. Tina Fey was its first female head writer, in brief"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about literature.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "54. One-up"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the upper part of anything
• Words that mean the same thing: meridian, go past, spinning top
• The opposite would be: bottom
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "55. Sacred bird of ancient Egypt"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that wading birds of warm regions having long slender down-curved bills
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IBIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "58. Winningest team in the Women's World Cup"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that north american republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in north america plus alaska in northwest north america and the hawaiian islands in the pacific ocean; achieved independence in 1776
• Words that mean the same thing: US, US Army, U.S.A.
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: USA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "59. Post-it note abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FYI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "60. Bog"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that 100 fen equal 1 yuan in china
• Words that mean the same thing: marsh, fenland, marshland
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	43	59.7%
Short Answer	13	18.1%
Abbreviation	4	5.6%
Sports	3	4.2%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	4.2%
History	2	2.8%
Movies/Film	1	1.4%
Music	1	1.4%
Geography	1	1.4%
Literature	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	37
Total Clues	72
Average Answer Length	5.1 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	11 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Wednesday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 5 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: September 02, 2025 at 03:51 AM