Tuesday NYT Down Solutions September 23, 2025 - Every Vertical Clue Decoded with Hints
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 41 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: June 17 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | October 01 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | Universal Crossword Guide Solving Tips |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 23, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Tuesday |
| Total Down Clues | 41 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 41 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. "Superman & Lois" airer |
| 2 Down | 2. Country that dropped "Western" from its name in 1997 |
| 3 Down | 3. Things that rain might ruin |
| 4 Down | 4. Doesn't give proper respect |
| 5 Down | 5. One of the Obama daughters |
| 6 Down | 6. Word before deck or hand |
| 7 Down | 7. Like generalizations |
| 8 Down | 8. Excommunicate, e.g. |
| 9 Down | 9. Flies off the handle |
| 10 Down | 10. Onetime nickname on the Yankees |
| 11 Down | 11. Bowl over |
| 12 Down | 12. "Bye!" |
| 13 Down | 14. Units of concrete |
| 14 Down | 19. Gem that's much mined in Australia |
| 15 Down | 24. Waikiki Beach locale |
| 16 Down | 25. Necklace or anklet bit |
| 17 Down | 28. Many a character on "The Big Bang Theory" |
| 18 Down | 29. Long-eared leaper |
| 19 Down | 30. Gym sight |
| 20 Down | 31. "Paradise Lost," e.g. |
| 21 Down | 32. Son of Adam |
| 22 Down | 34. Mayo ingredient |
| 23 Down | 35. Org. for the Knicks and Mavericks |
| 24 Down | 36. Fail to hold, in a way |
| 25 Down | 38. Gaping opening |
| 26 Down | 40. It's not said seriously |
| 27 Down | 41. Blue-skinned race in "Avatar" |
| 28 Down | 44. Decreases |
| 29 Down | 46. Camilla vis-à-vis William and Harry, informally |
| 30 Down | 48. Staple of vegan cooking |
| 31 Down | 50. ___ salt |
| 32 Down | 52. Humidifier's output |
| 33 Down | 53. Atlanta university |
| 34 Down | 54. British coins |
| 35 Down | 55. Emit, as a large sigh |
| 36 Down | 56. Hurt |
| 37 Down | 57. Peter the Great and others |
| 38 Down | 58. Goes down |
| 39 Down | 59. The Big Easy |
| 40 Down | 60. Burden |
| 41 Down | 64. Place for wallowing |
Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues
Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:
- September 01 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
- Universal Crossword Guide Solving Tips
- Ny Times Crossword Answers April 23
- June 16 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. "Superman & Lois" airer"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'W'
- Word pattern: T___W
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
THECW
2 Down: "2. Country that dropped "Western" from its name in 1997"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: S___A
- Similar words: Samoan Islands, Samoa i Sisifo
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SAMOA
3 Down: "3. Things that rain might ruin"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: P___S
- Similar words: plan, program
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PLANS
4 Down: "4. Doesn't give proper respect"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: S_____S
- Similar words: rebuff, slight
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SLIGHTS
5 Down: "5. One of the Obama daughters"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: S___A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SASHA
6 Down: "6. Word before deck or hand"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: U___R
- Similar words: speed, upper berth
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the higher of two berths
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
UPPER
7 Down: "7. Like generalizations"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: B___D
- Similar words: wide, blanket
- Opposite of: narrow
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: slang term for a woman
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BROAD
8 Down: "8. Excommunicate, e.g."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'N'
- Similar words: banning, forbidding
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a decree that prohibits something
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BAN
9 Down: "9. Flies off the handle"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: L_____T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LOSESIT
10 Down: "10. Onetime nickname on the Yankees"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: A__D
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AROD
11 Down: "11. Bowl over"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: S__N
- Similar words: bedaze, stupefy
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a blow
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STUN
12 Down: "12. "Bye!""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: T__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TATA
13 Down: "14. Units of concrete"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: S___S
- Similar words: slab
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: block consisting of a thick piece of something
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SLABS
14 Down: "19. Gem that's much mined in Australia"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: O__L
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OPAL
15 Down: "24. Waikiki Beach locale"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'U'
- Word pattern: O__U
- Similar words: Oahu Island
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OAHU
16 Down: "25. Necklace or anklet bit"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: B__D
- Similar words: pearl, drop
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a small ball with a hole through the middle
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BEAD
17 Down: "28. Many a character on "The Big Bang Theory""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: G__K
- Similar words: flake, oddball
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a carnival performer who does disgusting acts
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
GEEK
18 Down: "29. Long-eared leaper"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: H__E
- Similar words: rabbit
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HARE
19 Down: "30. Gym sight"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
- Similar words: matt, matte
- Opposite of: disentangle
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MAT
20 Down: "31. "Paradise Lost," e.g."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'C'
- Word pattern: E__C
- Similar words: epic poem, heroic poem
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EPIC
21 Down: "32. Son of Adam"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'H'
- Word pattern: S__H
- Similar words: Set
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SETH
22 Down: "34. Mayo ingredient"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'G'
- Similar words: ball, bollock
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EGG
23 Down: "35. Org. for the Knicks and Mavericks"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'A'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NBA
24 Down: "36. Fail to hold, in a way"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'G'
- Similar words: sag down, droop
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a shape that sags
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SAG
25 Down: "38. Gaping opening"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'W'
- Similar words: gob, hole
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: informal terms for the mouth
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MAW
26 Down: "40. It's not said seriously"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'J' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: J__T
- Similar words: jocularity, laugh
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
JEST
27 Down: "41. Blue-skinned race in "Avatar""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'I'
- Word pattern: N__I
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NAVI
28 Down: "44. Decreases"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: L_____S
- Similar words: lessen, subside
- Opposite of: increase
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: decrease in size
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LESSENS
29 Down: "46. Camilla vis-à-vis William and Harry, informally"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'M'
- Word pattern: S_____M
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STEPMOM
30 Down: "48. Staple of vegan cooking"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'U'
- Word pattern: T__U
- Similar words: bean curd
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: cheeselike food made of curdled soybean milk
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TOFU
31 Down: "50. ___ salt"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'M'
- Word pattern: E___M
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EPSOM
32 Down: "52. Humidifier's output"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'V' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: V___R
- Similar words: vaporization, vaporisation
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
VAPOR
33 Down: "53. Atlanta university"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: E___Y
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EMORY
34 Down: "54. British coins"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: P___E
- Similar words: penny, centime
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PENCE
35 Down: "55. Emit, as a large sigh"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: H___E
- Similar words: lift, pant
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HEAVE
36 Down: "56. Hurt"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: A___D
- Similar words: suffer, yen
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: feel physical pain
- This is Down clue number 36
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ACHED
37 Down: "57. Peter the Great and others"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: T___S
- Similar words: tzar, czar
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 37
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TSARS
38 Down: "58. Goes down"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: E__S
- Similar words: reflux, ebb
- Opposite of: tide
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
- This is Down clue number 38
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EBBS
39 Down: "59. The Big Easy"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: N__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 39
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NOLA
40 Down: "60. Burden"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: O__S
- Similar words: burden, encumbrance
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an onerous or difficult concern
- This is Down clue number 40
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ONUS
41 Down: "64. Place for wallowing"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
- Similar words: pigpen, pigsty
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
- This is Down clue number 41
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STY
Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues
Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:
Why Start with Down Clues?
- Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
- Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
- Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
- Down answers often help solve Across clues
Down Clue Patterns to Recognize
- Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
- Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
- Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
- Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
- Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically
Time-Saving Down Techniques
| Technique | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Scan all Down first | Get a mental map of the vertical flow |
| Fill short Down words | 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors |
| Use crossing letters | Across letters help confirm Down answers |
| Look for themes | Related Down answers often share a theme |
Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues
What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?
Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.
Should I solve Down or Across clues first?
Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.
How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?
Today's NYT crossword has 41 Down clues.
Are Down clues easier than Across clues?
Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.
How do Down clues interact with Across clues?
Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.
