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Monday, September 15, 2025

August 11, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 65 (30 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.2 letters

August 11, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions

Master Today's Across: NYT Wednesday Puzzle August 11, 2021

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Prefix with day or night 3
2A 4. "You can't possibly mean me?!" 3
3A 7. ___ Khan (Muslim title) 3
4A 8. "Malternative" beverage 7
5A 15. It's mostly nitrogen on Earth, but carbon dioxide on Mars 3
6A 16. Preschooler, say 3
7A 17. With 8-Down, light blue Monopoly property 7
8A 18. Jan. honoree 3
9A 19. Zoned out 15
10A 22. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's alma mater 4
11A 23. "Mamma ___!" 3
12A 24. Footnote abbr. 4
13A 25. Dude 6
14A 28. iPad Pro, for one 6
15A 31. With 48-Down, promotional phrase on some product packages 6
16A 32. 1996 double-platinum Beck album 6
17A 33. Regulator mechanism, for short 5
18A 34. Utter hell, say? 5
19A 35. N.B.A. great with five championship rings as a player and three as a head coach 9
20A 37. Fix, as loose laces 5
21A 38. Seemed confused, maybe 13
22A 46. One told to "Go get 'em!" 5
23A 47. Provider of a canyon trail ride 5
24A 49. Appeared poker-faced 15
25A 55. Whittle (down) 4
26A 56. Brand with the record for a single car driven the most miles (3+ million and counting) 5
27A 57. It's $550 for 17-Across/ 8-Down with a hotel on it 4
28A 58. Directive before "awake" or "woke" 4
29A 59. "Adorkable" one, maybe 5
30A 60. 20,310 ft., for Denali 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. Prefix with day or night"

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 used in combination to denote the middle
  • 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: MID

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "4. "You can't possibly mean me?!""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a hard 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: MOI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "7. ___ Khan (Muslim title)"

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 title for a civil or military leader (especially in turkey)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Agha
  • 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: AGA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "8. "Malternative" beverage"

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

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: ALCOPOP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. It's mostly nitrogen on Earth, but carbon dioxide on Mars"

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 mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
  • Words that mean the same thing: zephyr, bare, tune
  • 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: AIR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Preschooler, say"

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 a small amount (especially of a drink)
  • Words that mean the same thing: add up, bambino, sum up
  • 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: TOT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. With 8-Down, light blue Monopoly property"

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 a state in new england
  • Words that mean the same thing: VT, Green Mountain State
  • 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: VERMONT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Jan. honoree"

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: MLK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Zoned out"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: STAREDINTOSPACE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's alma mater"

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: UCLA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. "Mamma ___!""

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: MIA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Footnote abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium 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: IBID

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Dude"

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 an informal term for a youth or man
  • Words that mean the same thing: cat, guy, bozo
  • 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: HOMBRE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "28. iPad Pro, for one"

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 a slab of stone or wood suitable for bearing an inscription
  • Words that mean the same thing: pad of paper, tab, lozenge
  • 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: TABLET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. With 48-Down, promotional phrase on some product packages"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: ASSEEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. 1996 double-platinum Beck album"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard 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: ODELAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. Regulator mechanism, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that control system that converts a small mechanical motion into one requiring much greater power; may include a negative feedback system
  • Words that mean the same thing: servosystem, servomechanical, servomechanism
  • 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: SERVO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. Utter hell, say?"

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 utter obscenities or profanities
  • Words that mean the same thing: blaspheme, cuss, curse
  • The opposite would be: mistrust
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SWEAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "35. N.B.A. great with five championship rings as a player and three as a head coach"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: STEVEKERR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "37. Fix, as loose laces"

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 tie again or anew
  • 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: RETIE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "38. Seemed confused, maybe"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 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: HADABLANKLOOK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "46. One told to "Go get 'em!""

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 fierce or audacious person
  • Words that mean the same thing: Panthera tigris
  • 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: TIGER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "47. Provider of a canyon trail ride"

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 small donkey used as a pack animal
  • 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: BURRO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "49. Appeared poker-faced"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: SHOWEDNOEMOTION

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "55. Whittle (down)"

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 decrease gradually or bit by bit
  • Words that mean the same thing: whittle, trim, peel
  • 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: PARE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "56. Brand with the record for a single car driven the most miles (3+ million and counting)"

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: VOLVO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "57. It's $550 for 17-Across/ 8-Down with a hotel on it"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service
  • Words that mean the same thing: take, pull, rend
  • 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: RENT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "58. Directive before "awake" or "woke""

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 continuing or remaining in a place or state
  • Words that mean the same thing: stoppage, quell, remain
  • The opposite would be: move, change
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: STAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "59. "Adorkable" one, maybe"

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 an insignificant student who is ridiculed as being affected or boringly studious
  • Words that mean the same thing: grind, swot, nerd
  • 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: DWEEB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "60. 20,310 ft., for Denali"

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: ELEV

    Great job if you got it right!

NYT Wednesday Crossword Down Clues - August 11, 2021 Answers

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Taiwan Strait's ___ Islands 5
2D 2. "Roger that" 7
3D 3. Result of a damaged hard drive 8
4D 4. One whose porridge was too cold for Goldilocks 8
5D 5. Pennsylvania petroleum center, once 7
6D 6. Peeved 5
7D 8. See 17-Across: Abbr. 3
8D 9. Paved the way 3
9D 10. 1981's "Gorky Park" or 2012's "Gone Girl" 10
10D 11. Luxury hotel chain 4
11D 12. "Stuffed" food item at a pub 10
12D 13. Musician Yoko 3
13D 14. N.B.A. scoring stat: Abbr. 3
14D 20. Name of 11 pharaohs 6
15D 21. Support column 6
16D 26. Muppet with a unibrow 4
17D 27. Effect created by a guitar pedal, informally 6
18D 29. Magazine highlighting Clio winners 6
19D 30. It's been known to chase Wild Turkeys 4
20D 36. Letter before theta 3
21D 38. Pair of cymbals in a drum kit 5
22D 39. Ancient marketplace 5
23D 40. Loser to Truman in 1948 5
24D 41. "___ you for real?" 3
25D 42. Certain Wall Street takeover, in brief 3
26D 43. Highly unconventional 5
27D 44. Large bay window 5
28D 45. Danish coin 5
29D 46. Bakers' amts. 4
30D 48. See 31-Across 4
31D 50. Blu-ray forerunner 3
32D 51. Partner of then 3
33D 52. World Cup cheer 3
34D 53. "Killing ___" (Sandra Oh series) 3
35D 54. Swarm 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. Taiwan Strait's ___ Islands"

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: MATSU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. "Roger that""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: IGOTCHA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Result of a damaged hard drive"

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: DATALOSS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. One whose porridge was too cold for Goldilocks"

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: MAMABEAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Pennsylvania petroleum center, once"

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: OILCITY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Peeved"

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 irritate or vex
  • Words that mean the same thing: gall, irk
  • 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: IRKED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "8. See 17-Across: 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: AVE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "9. Paved the way"

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 diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
  • Words that mean the same thing: direct, extend, moderate
  • The opposite would be: follow
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "10. 1981's "Gorky Park" or 2012's "Gone Girl""

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: CRIMENOVEL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "11. Luxury hotel chain"

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: OMNI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "12. "Stuffed" food item at a pub"

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

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: POTATOSKIN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "13. Musician Yoko"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that united states musician (born in japan) who married john lennon and collaborated with him on recordings (born in 1933)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Yoko Ono
  • 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: ONO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. N.B.A. scoring stat: 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 a heavy precious metallic element; grey-white and resistant to corroding; occurs in some nickel and copper ores and is also found native in some deposits
  • Words that mean the same thing: platinum, Pt, atomic number 78
  • 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: PTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "20. Name of 11 pharaohs"

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 any of 12 kings of ancient egypt between 1315 and 1090 bc
  • Words that mean the same thing: Ramesses, Rameses
  • 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: RAMSES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Support column"

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 a fundamental principle or practice
  • Words that mean the same thing: tower, mainstay, column
  • 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: PILLAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "26. Muppet with a unibrow"

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: BERT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "27. Effect created by a guitar pedal, informally"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: REVERB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "29. Magazine highlighting Clio winners"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: ADWEEK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "30. It's been known to chase Wild Turkeys"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
  • 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: BEER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "36. Letter before theta"

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 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
  • Words that mean the same thing: Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Homeland and Freedom, Basque Fatherland and Liberty
  • 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: ETA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "38. Pair of cymbals in a drum kit"

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: HIHAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "39. Ancient marketplace"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that 100 agorot equal 1 shekel in israel
  • Words that mean the same thing: public square
  • 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: AGORA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "40. Loser to Truman in 1948"

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 united states librarian who founded the decimal system of classification (1851-1931)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Admiral Dewey, Melvil Dewey, Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey
  • 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: DEWEY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "41. "___ you for real?""

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
  • Words that mean the same thing: ar, comprise, embody
  • The opposite would be: differ
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ARE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "42. Certain Wall Street takeover, in brief"

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: LBO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "43. Highly unconventional"

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 conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
  • Words that mean the same thing: eccentric, freaky, flakey
  • 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: OUTRE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "44. Large bay window"

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 a projecting bay window corbeled or cantilevered out from a wall
  • Words that mean the same thing: oriel window
  • 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: ORIEL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "45. Danish coin"

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 the basic unit of money in norway
  • Words that mean the same thing: Norwegian krone, Danish krone
  • 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: KRONE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "46. Bakers' amts."

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: TSPS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "48. See 31-Across"

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: ONTV

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Blu-ray forerunner"

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 a digital recording (as of a movie) on an optical disk that can be played on a computer or a television set
  • Words that mean the same thing: videodisk, videodisc
  • 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: DVD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. Partner of then"

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 momentary present
  • Words that mean the same thing: forthwith, directly, straightaway
  • 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: NOW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. World Cup cheer"

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: OLE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. "Killing ___" (Sandra Oh series)"

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 (old testament) adam's wife in judeo-christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; god created eve from adam's rib and placed adam and eve in the garden of eden
  • Words that mean the same thing: even, evening, eventide
  • 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: EVE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "54. Swarm"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a disorderly crowd of people
  • Words that mean the same thing: syndicate, pack, throng
  • 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: MOB

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 39 60.0%
Short Answer 15 23.1%
Abbreviation 4 6.2%
History 3 4.6%
Music 2 3.1%
Sports 1 1.5%
Food & Drink 1 1.5%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 30
Down Clues 35
Total Clues 65
Average Answer Length 5.2 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 15 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!

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

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 15, 2025 at 05:17 PM

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Monday, February 23, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 23, 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

February 23, 2026 NYT Crossword Solutions

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. Buffoons 5
2A 6. Paula of "American Idol" 5
3A 11. Final use for an old T-shirt 3
4A 14. Enraged 5
5A 15. What "my guitar gently" does, in a classic George Harrison song 5
6A 16. Mesozoic or Paleozoic 3
7A 17. Home for a single guy 11
8A 19. Animation sheet 3
9A 20. Hole for threading a lace 6
10A 21. ___ fide (genuine) 4
11A 22. "Please like and subscribe" and the like, on YouTube videos 6
12A 25. Dr. Seuss book with the quote "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." 8
13A 28. ___ Today 3
14A 29. Kind of computer port 3
15A 31. Like the smell of trees 6
16A 32. Showed again 5
17A 34. Zoom past 6
18A 37. Psychotherapy switcheroos ... or what are hidden in 17-, 25-, 50- and 59-Across? 13
19A 41. Text on a red, white and blue sticker 6
20A 42. Gender-neutral possessive 5
21A 44. Ran after 6
22A 47. Opposite of WNW 3
23A 49. To and ___ 3
24A 50. Time machine car in "Back to the Future" 8
25A 53. Made a grand speech 6
26A 55. Brother of Abel 4
27A 56. Times between dusk and dawn 6
28A 58. Had lunch, say 3
29A 59. Fruit with a "bellybutton" 11
30A 64. What planets revolve around 3
31A 65. How often the time is 12:00 each day 5
32A 66. Decorate 5
33A 67. Mini-albums 3
34A 68. ___ of Troy 5
35A 69. Sat for a portrait 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Buffoons"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a man who is a stupid incompetent fool
  • Similar words include: cat, goose, goof
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOZOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Paula of "American Idol""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Final use for an old T-shirt"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Enraged"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feeling or showing extreme anger
  • Similar words include: ireful
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. What "my guitar gently" does, in a classic George Harrison song"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
  • Similar words include: cry, weep
  • Opposite of: laugh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEEPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Mesozoic or Paleozoic"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: epoch, geological era, earned run average
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Home for a single guy"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Animation sheet"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Hole for threading a lace"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small hole (usually round and finished around the edges) in cloth or leather for the passage of a cord or hook or bar
  • Similar words include: eyehole, grommet, grummet
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYELET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. ___ fide (genuine)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. "Please like and subscribe" and the like, on YouTube videos"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Dr. Seuss book with the quote "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.""

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. ___ Today"

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: the States, America, U.S.A.
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Kind of computer port"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Like the smell of trees"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that characteristic or suggestive of woods
  • Similar words include: arboreous, arboraceous, woody
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WOODSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Showed again"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that broadcast again, as of a film
  • Similar words include: rerun, rebroadcast
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RERAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Zoom past"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Psychotherapy switcheroos ... or what are hidden in 17-, 25-, 50- and 59-Across?"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Text on a red, white and blue sticker"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Gender-neutral possessive"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. Ran after"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is being chased
  • Similar words include: tail, chase, dog
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHASED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. Opposite of WNW"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "49. To and ___"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "50. Time machine car in "Back to the Future""

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "53. Made a grand speech"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that talk pompously
  • Similar words include: orate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "55. Brother of Abel"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) cain and abel were the first children of adam and eve born after the fall of man; cain killed abel out of jealousy and was exiled by god
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "56. Times between dusk and dawn"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
  • Similar words include: night, Night, dark
  • Opposite of: day
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIGHTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "58. Had lunch, say"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
  • Similar words include: corrode, rust, eat up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. Fruit with a "bellybutton""

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "64. What planets revolve around"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
  • Similar words include: sunbathe, Dominicus, solarise
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "65. How often the time is 12:00 each day"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to double the degree
  • Similar words include: doubly, double
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TWICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. Decorate"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
  • Similar words include: grace, clothe, invest
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADORN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Mini-albums"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. ___ of Troy"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of zeus and leda who was abducted by paris; the greek army sailed to troy to get her back which resulted in the trojan war
  • Similar words include: Helen of Troy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HELEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Sat for a portrait"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that assume a posture as for artistic purposes
  • Similar words include: beat, impersonate, put
  • Opposite of: unposed
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POSED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Accessory for a baby in a highchair 3
2D 2. British singer Rita 3
3D 3. Efron of "The Greatest Showman" 3
4D 4. Last multiple-choice option, often 5
5D 5. Rude goodbye to an enemy 11
6D 6. Soldier who has failed to report 4
7D 7. Military cap 5
8D 8. One of the three dimensions 5
9D 9. Kick ___ fuss 3
10D 10. Counterculture drug, in brief 3
11D 11. 4.75 seconds to assemble a Mr. Potato Head, per Guinness 6
12D 12. Concert venues 6
13D 13. Milky Way, e.g. 6
14D 18. Not as much 4
15D 21. "I crushed it!!!" 6
16D 22. Not just my 3
17D 23. ___-friendly 4
18D 24. Root used in making poi 4
19D 26. Large jug 4
20D 27. Cage for crustaceans 11
21D 30. "American Psycho" author ___ Easton Ellis 4
22D 33. Cartoonist Bechdel 6
23D 35. Mass ___ (Boston thoroughfare) 3
24D 36. Give up 4
25D 38. Was a passenger 4
26D 39. Democrats and Socialists, with "the" 4
27D 40. Father 4
28D 43. Axle, e.g. 3
29D 44. Jewel box 6
30D 45. Start to escalate 6
31D 46. Extraterrestrials 6
32D 48. London theater district 4
33D 51. Object hitting people's heads in old cartoons 5
34D 52. Sibling's daughter 5
35D 54. South American barbecue 5
36D 57. Valley 4
37D 59. High degree 3
38D 60. Response to seeing an aurora, maybe 3
39D 61. Rejections 3
40D 62. College sr.'s test 3
41D 63. 63-Down, in this puzzle 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Accessory for a baby in a highchair"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that top part of an apron; covering the chest
  • Similar words include: tipple
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. British singer Rita"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
  • Similar words include: bone, osmium, OS
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Efron of "The Greatest Showman""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Last multiple-choice option, often"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied; - the white queen
  • Similar words include: early, former
  • Opposite of: same
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTHER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Rude goodbye to an enemy"

11 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Soldier who has failed to report"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who is away or absent without leave
  • Similar words include: truant
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWOL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Military cap"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cap with no brim or bill; made of soft cloth
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BERET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. One of the three dimensions"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the extent downward or backward or inward
  • Similar words include: profundity, astuteness, deepness
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEPTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Kick ___ fuss"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Counterculture drug, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a powerful hallucinogenic drug manufactured from lysergic acid
  • Similar words include: lysergic acid diethylamide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LSD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. 4.75 seconds to assemble a Mr. Potato Head, per Guinness"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
  • Similar words include: read, immortalize, enter
  • Opposite of: erase
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RECORD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Concert venues"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular environment or walk of life
  • Similar words include: sphere, area, arena
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARENAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Milky Way, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a splendid assemblage (especially of famous people)
  • Similar words include: galax, beetleweed, wandflower
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GALAXY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Not as much"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree
  • Similar words include: to a lesser extent
  • Opposite of: more
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. "I crushed it!!!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Not just my"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. ___-friendly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who makes use of a thing; someone who uses or employs something
  • Similar words include: drug user, substance abuser, exploiter
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Root used in making poi"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that edible starchy tuberous root of taro plants
  • Similar words include: dalo, taro plant, eddo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TARO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Large jug"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an open vessel with a handle and a spout for pouring
  • Similar words include: pitcher
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EWER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Cage for crustaceans"

11 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. "American Psycho" author ___ Easton Ellis"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Cartoonist Bechdel"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Mass ___ (Boston thoroughfare)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Give up"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
  • Similar words include: concede, surrender, grant
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CEDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Was a passenger"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
  • Similar words include: bait, drive, depend on
  • Opposite of: walk
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Democrats and Socialists, with "the""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
  • Similar words include: forget, leave, will
  • Opposite of: right, arrive
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEFT

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27D: "40. Father"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a title of address formerly used for a man of rank and authority
  • Similar words include: bring forth, mother, get
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIRE

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28D: "43. Axle, e.g."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long thin implement made of metal or wood
  • Similar words include: rod cell, perch, gat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROD

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29D: "44. Jewel box"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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30D: "45. Start to escalate"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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31D: "46. Extraterrestrials"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
  • Similar words include: noncitizen, alienate, alien
  • Opposite of: acquaintance, citizen
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIENS

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32D: "48. London theater district"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a district in southwestern manhattan noted for its shops and restaurants and galleries and artist's lofts
  • Similar words include: South of Houston
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOHO

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33D: "51. Object hitting people's heads in old cartoons"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heavy block of iron or steel on which hot metals are shaped by hammering
  • Similar words include: incus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANVIL

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34D: "52. Sibling's daughter"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a daughter of your brother or sister
  • Opposite of: nephew
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIECE

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35D: "54. South American barbecue"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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36D: "57. Valley"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrow secluded valley (in the mountains)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLEN

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37D: "59. High degree"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that last or greatest in an indefinitely large series
  • Similar words include: n-th
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NTH

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38D: "60. Response to seeing an aurora, maybe"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
  • Similar words include: fear, reverence, veneration
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWE

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39D: "61. Rejections"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known
  • Similar words include: atomic number 102, nobelium, No
  • Opposite of: yes
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOS

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40D: "62. College sr.'s test"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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41D: "63. 63-Down, in this puzzle"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
  • Similar words include: destruction, oddment, goal
  • Opposite of: begin, beginning
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: END

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Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: February 23, 2026 at 05:13 AM

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