March 30, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (31 clues)
• Down Clues (43 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 74 (31 Across, 43 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Wednesday Puzzle March 30, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. They may be switched while cycling	5
2A	6. Shorthand pro	5
3A	11. Crossword solver's cry	3
4A	14. Deity with 99 names	5
5A	15. Raphael, Gabriel or Michael	9
6A	17. Cradlin' a Salinger protagonist?	15
7A	19. Preserve, as ashes	5
8A	20. Vodka brand, informally	5
9A	21. "Footloose" star cookin' a fresh batch of brownies?	10
10A	26. "Need an ark? I Noah guy," and others	4
11A	27. Blond at the bar, say	3
12A	28. Letters on a luxury handbag	3
13A	29. Chips brand	7
14A	31. Sentence ... or something found in a sentence	4
15A	33. Did so-so at school	5
16A	34. The Great Emancipator sharin' URLs on his blog?	13
17A	40. Cover for illicit activity	5
18A	41. "Right on!"	4
19A	43. "I don't want to hear the gory details"	7
20A	46. ___-C.I.O.	3
21A	49. Strands in a cell	3
22A	50. Four-time Grammy winner India.___	4
23A	51. Bein' in debt to a "Wedding Crashers" co-star?	10
24A	54. Some burrowing mouselike rodents	5
25A	56. One-point Scrabble draw	5
26A	57. Massachusetts senator wagin' conflict?	15
27A	63. Houseplant that some think brings luck and prosperity	9
28A	64. One in 1,000?	5
29A	65. Beat it!	3
30A	66. Bee teem?	5
31A	67. Internet admin	5

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. They may be switched while cycling"

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 toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
• Words that mean the same thing: gear wheel, geared wheel, pitch
• 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: GEARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Shorthand pro"

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: STENO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "11. Crossword solver's cry"

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: AHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Deity with 99 names"

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 muslim name for the one and only god
• 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: ALLAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Raphael, Gabriel or Michael"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an angel ranked above the highest rank in the celestial hierarchy
• Words that mean the same thing: Angelica Archangelica, garden angelica
• 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: ARCHANGEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. Cradlin' a Salinger protagonist?"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: HOLDINCAULFIELD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. Preserve, as ashes"

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: INURN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Vodka brand, informally"

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: STOLI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. "Footloose" star cookin' a fresh batch of brownies?"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert 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: KEVINBAKIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "26. "Need an ark? I Noah guy," and others"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a humorous play on words
• Words that mean the same thing: pun, paronomasia, wordplay
• 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: PUNS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "27. Blond at the bar, say"

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 general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
• 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: ALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "28. Letters on a luxury handbag"

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: YSL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "29. Chips brand"

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: DORITOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. Sentence ... or something found in a sentence"

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 word or expression used for some particular thing
• Words that mean the same thing: terminal figure, full term, condition
• 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: TERM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "33. Did so-so at school"

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: GOTAC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. The Great Emancipator sharin' URLs on his blog?"

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: ABRAHAMLINKIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "40. Cover for illicit activity"

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 side that is forward or prominent
• Words that mean the same thing: straw man, strawman, presence
• The opposite would be: rear, back
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FRONT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "41. "Right on!""

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 not only so, but
• Words that mean the same thing: yea
• 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: YEAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "43. "I don't want to hear the gory details""

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: SPAREME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "46. ___-C.I.O."

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 federation of north american labor unions that merged with the congress of industrial organizations in 1955
• Words that mean the same thing: American Federation of Labor
• 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: AFL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "49. Strands in a cell"

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 (biochemistry) a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix; associated with the transmission of genetic information
• Words that mean the same thing: desoxyribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid
• 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: DNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "50. Four-time Grammy winner India.___"

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: ARIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "51. Bein' in debt to a "Wedding Crashers" co-star?"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert 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: OWINWILSON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "54. Some burrowing mouselike rodents"

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 any of various small mouselike rodents of the family cricetidae (especially of genus microtus) having a stout short-tailed body and inconspicuous ears and inhabiting fields or meadows
• Words that mean the same thing: vole, field mouse
• 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: VOLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "56. One-point Scrabble draw"

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: NTILE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "57. Massachusetts senator wagin' conflict?"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: ELIZABETHWARRIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "63. Houseplant that some think brings luck and prosperity"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: MONEYTREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "64. One in 1,000?"

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 punctuation mark (,) used to indicate the separation of elements within the grammatical structure of a sentence
• Words that mean the same thing: Polygonia comma, comma butterfly
• 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: COMMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "65. Beat it!"

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 animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
• Words that mean the same thing: eggs, bollock, testicle
• 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: EGG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "66. Bee teem?"

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 moving crowd
• Words that mean the same thing: teem, cloud, horde
• 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: SWARM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "67. Internet admin"

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: SYSOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Wednesday NYT Crossword March 30, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Cry of frustration	3
2D	2. Chess rating system	3
3D	3. ___ fours	3
4D	4. Minute hands, essentially	5
5D	5. Climb (up), as a pole	6
6D	6. Related to religious rites	6
7D	7. Sedative in a blowgun dart, informally	5
8D	8. Old French coin	3
9D	9. Org. for Ducks and Penguins	3
10D	10. Bunglers	4
11D	11. Get too old to qualify	6
12D	12. "Over my dead body!"	6
13D	13. Hugo-winning "Hothouse" author Brian	6
14D	16. Particularly particular	8
15D	18. Pencil remnants	4
16D	21. Actress Dennings	3
17D	22. Philosopher Zeno's birthplace	4
18D	23. Crow, but not magpie	4
19D	24. "American ___"	4
20D	25. "Moi? Never!"	4
21D	30. Went on, as an errand	3
22D	32. Gotham City supervillain in a cryogenic suit	8
23D	33. Intl. standard used by many astrologers	3
24D	35. Amount to	3
25D	36. Our genus	4
26D	37. Freshly	4
27D	38. Roadside bombs, for short	4
28D	39. One-billionth: Prefix	4
29D	42. Solo in spaceflight?	3
30D	43. "I need a hero!"	6
31D	44. Computer language that sounds like a literary intro	6
32D	45. Under the weather	6
33D	46. "Ode to Joy," for the European Union	6
34D	47. Texter's "I think"	4
35D	48. New Hampshire state flowers	6
36D	52. Bury	5
37D	53. The "L" of Samuel L. Jackson	5
38D	55. Declares	4
39D	58. As an aside, in a text	3
40D	59. The "E" of B.C.E.	3
41D	60. Info in an apt. listing	3
42D	61. Texter's "I think"	3
43D	62. Catch some Z's	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. Cry of frustration"

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: GAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Chess rating system"

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: ELO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. ___ fours"

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 quantifier; used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
• Words that mean the same thing: whole, totally, completely
• The opposite would be: some, partly
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Minute hands, essentially"

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 length of a line segment between the center and circumference of a circle or sphere
• Words that mean the same thing: spoke, wheel spoke, r
• 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: RADII

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Climb (up), as a pole"

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 simple version of hockey played by children on the streets (or on ice or on a field) using a ball or can as the puck
• Words that mean the same thing: sputter, skin, struggle
• 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: SHINNY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Related to religious rites"

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 of or relating to or near the sacrum
• 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: SACRAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Sedative in a blowgun dart, informally"

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: TRANK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Old French coin"

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: ECU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Org. for Ducks and Penguins"

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: NHL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Bunglers"

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 awkward stupid person
• Words that mean the same thing: oaf, clod, stumblebum
• 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: OAFS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Get too old to qualify"

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: AGEOUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. "Over my dead body!""

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: HELLNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Hugo-winning "Hothouse" author Brian"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: ALDISS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "16. Particularly particular"

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: NITPICKY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "18. Pencil remnants"

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 small lump or protuberance
• Words that mean the same thing: centre, essence, heart and soul
• 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: NUBS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "21. Actress Dennings"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the leaves of the shrub catha edulis which are chewed like tobacco or used to make tea; has the effect of a euphoric stimulant
• Words that mean the same thing: khat, cat, qat
• 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: KAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "22. Philosopher Zeno's birthplace"

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: ELEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "23. Crow, but not magpie"

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 word class that serves as the predicate of a sentence
• 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: VERB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "24. "American ___""

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 material effigy that is worshipped
• Words that mean the same thing: graven image, perfection, beau ideal
• 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: IDOL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "25. "Moi? Never!""

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: NOTI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Went on, as an errand"

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 move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
• Words that mean the same thing: pass, die hard, bleed
• The opposite would be: malfunction, idle
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Gotham City supervillain in a cryogenic suit"

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

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: MRFREEZE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Intl. standard used by many astrologers"

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 local time at the 0 meridian passing through greenwich, england; it is the same everywhere
• Words that mean the same thing: UT, Greenwich Mean Time, UT1
• 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: GMT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Amount to"

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 unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
• Words that mean the same thing: represent, constitute, be
• 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: "36. Our genus"

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 someone who practices homosexuality; having a sexual attraction to persons of the same sex
• Words that mean the same thing: human being, homophile, human
• 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: HOMO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. Freshly"

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 again but in a new or different way
• Words that mean the same thing: afresh
• 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: ANEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "38. Roadside bombs, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an explosive device that is improvised
• Words that mean the same thing: I.E.D., IED, improvised explosive device
• 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: IEDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "39. One-billionth: Prefix"

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: NANO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "42. Solo in spaceflight?"

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 imperial dynasty that ruled china (most of the time from 206 bc to ad 220) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of chinese civilization
• Words that mean the same thing: Han dynasty
• 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: HAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "43. "I need a hero!""

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: SAVEME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "44. Computer language that sounds like a literary intro"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a computer language designed in europe to support natural language processing
• Words that mean the same thing: logic programing, logic programming
• 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: PROLOG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "45. Under the weather"

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 be ill or unwell
• Words that mean the same thing: ail, trouble, unwell
• 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: AILING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "46. "Ode to Joy," for the European Union"

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 song of devotion or loyalty (as to a nation or school)
• Words that mean the same thing: hymn
• 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: ANTHEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "47. Texter's "I think""

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: FWIW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "48. New Hampshire state flowers"

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 any of various plants of the genus syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
• Words that mean the same thing: lilac
• 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: LILACS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "52. Bury"

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 place in a grave or tomb
• Words that mean the same thing: bury, entomb, inhume
• 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: INTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "53. The "L" of Samuel L. Jackson"

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: LEROY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "55. Declares"

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 the chance to speak
• Words that mean the same thing: aver, sound out, say
• 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: SAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "58. As an aside, in a text"

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: BTW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "59. The "E" of B.C.E."

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 period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Words that mean the same thing: epoch, geological era, earned run average
• 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: ERA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "60. Info in an apt. listing"

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: RMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 42 Down: "61. Texter's "I think""

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 united nations agency concerned with international maritime activities
• Words that mean the same thing: International Maritime Organization
• 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: IMO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 43 Down: "62. Catch some Z's"

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 period of time spent sleeping
• Words that mean the same thing: sleep, pile, cat sleep
• 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: NAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	46	62.2%
Short Answer	20	27.0%
Celebrity/Entertainment	4	5.4%
Geography	2	2.7%
Abbreviation	1	1.4%
History	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	31
Down Clues	43
Total Clues	74
Average Answer Length	5.1 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!

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 10, 2025 at 11:18 PM

XWordHint Crossword Answers December 16, 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 (39 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (39 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Library acquisition	4
2A	5. Insta and Snap	4
3A	9. Start	5
4A	14. Roughly equivalent (to)	4
5A	15. Homie	4
6A	16. Maine-to-Florida hwy.	5
7A	17. What shares a key with "(" on a keyboard	4
8A	18. Reason to buy a magazine, perhaps	10
9A	20. Hockey feints	5
10A	22. Like someone who knows everything about a niche subject, maybe	5
11A	23. Prefix with cache or tag	3
12A	24. Person in hot pants?	4
13A	26. Name on a prestigious award	5
14A	28. It may be blond or pale	3
15A	31. Disgusting	5
16A	33. C-suite types	5
17A	36. Last stop before security, often	8
18A	38. Words of communal support	6
19A	39. Texter's "Then again ..."	4
20A	40. Groundbreaking 1988 Japanese animated action film	5
21A	42. Orchestra-tuning instrument	4
22A	43. Negligent	6
23A	45. Turnabout, they say	8
24A	47. Tiny amount	5
25A	48. Pay taxes via the internet	5
26A	49. Air traveler's info	3
27A	50. Drinks served at fountains	5
28A	52. Govt. IDs	4
29A	54. Down Under land: Abbr.	3
30A	56. Computer acronym since the 1960s	5
31A	58. Inventor Nikola	5
32A	62. The IBM Simon Personal Communicator is considered the world's first one	10
33A	65. Couple, in gossip	4
34A	66. "Aw, shucks!"	5
35A	67. Decorative pitcher	4
36A	68. Wacky	4
37A	69. Lords' lands	5
38A	70. Tells (on)	4
39A	71. After 1-Across, shelf accessories ... or what can be placed "around" the halves of 18-, 36-, 45- and 62-Across to make new phrases?	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Library acquisition"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
• Similar words include: Word of God, leger, al-Qur'an
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BOOK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Insta and Snap"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Start"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that israeli statesman (born in russia) who (as prime minister of israel) negotiated a peace treaty with anwar sadat (then the president of egypt) (1913-1992)
• Similar words include: lead off, commence, Menachem Begin
• Opposite of: end

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEGIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Roughly equivalent (to)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that similar in quality or character
• Similar words include: kindred, kin, blood-related
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AKIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Homie"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BRAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Maine-to-Florida hwy."

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. What shares a key with "(" on a keyboard"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
• Similar words include: ix, ennead, nine-spot
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Reason to buy a magazine, perhaps"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COVERSTORY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Hockey feints"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEKES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Like someone who knows everything about a niche subject, maybe"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GEEKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Prefix with cache or tag"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Person in hot pants?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person who has lied or who lies repeatedly
• Similar words include: prevaricator
• Opposite of: square shooter

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Name on a prestigious award"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that swedish chemist remembered for his invention of dynamite and for the bequest that created the nobel prizes (1833-1896)
• Similar words include: Alfred Bernhard Nobel, Alfred Nobel
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOBEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. It may be blond or pale"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Disgusting"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that twelve dozen
• Similar words include: vulgar, stark, crude
• Opposite of: net

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GROSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. C-suite types"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the chief executive department of the united states government
• Similar words include: EXEC, White House
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EXECS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Last stop before security, often"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BAGCHECK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. Words of communal support"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WECARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Texter's "Then again ...""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OTOH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Groundbreaking 1988 Japanese animated action film"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AKIRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. Orchestra-tuning instrument"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a slender double-reed instrument; a woodwind with a conical bore and a double-reed mouthpiece
• Similar words include: hautboy, hautbois
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OBOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Negligent"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that failing in what duty requires
• Similar words include: delinquent, derelict, neglectful
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REMISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Turnabout, they say"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FAIRPLAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Tiny amount"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a just detectable amount
• Similar words include: vestige, line, retrace
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Pay taxes via the internet"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EFILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Air traveler's info"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
• Similar words include: Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Basque Homeland and Freedom, Euskadi ta Askatasuna
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ETA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. Drinks served at fountains"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sodium salt of carbonic acid; used in making soap powders and glass and paper
• Similar words include: sal soda, tonic, pop
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SODAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Govt. IDs"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SSNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Down Under land: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent and univalent) metallic element; occurs mainly as nuggets in rocks and alluvial deposits; does not react with most chemicals but is attacked by chlorine and aqua regia
• Similar words include: gold, AU, Au
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Computer acronym since the 1960s"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (computer science) a code for information exchange between computers made by different companies; a string of 7 binary digits represents each character; used in most microcomputers
• Similar words include: American Standard Code for Information Interchange
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASCII

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. Inventor Nikola"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of magnetic flux density equal to one weber per square meter
• Similar words include: Nikola Tesla
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TESLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. The IBM Simon Personal Communicator is considered the world's first one"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SMARTPHONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Couple, in gossip"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
• Similar words include: point, detail, token
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ITEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. "Aw, shucks!""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OHGEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Decorative pitcher"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

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!

36A: "68. Wacky"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a buffoon in one of the old comedies; imitates others for ludicrous effect
• Similar words include: goofball, fathead, cockamamy
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ZANY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "69. Lords' lands"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a piece of land held under the feudal system
• Similar words include: feoff, fief
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FIEFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "70. Tells (on)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
• Similar words include: strikebreaker, blabber, shit
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "71. After 1-Across, shelf accessories ... or what can be placed "around" the halves of 18-, 36-, 45- and 62-Across to make new phrases?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
• Similar words include: cease, finish, final stage
• Opposite of: beginning, begin

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Genesis or Yes	4
2D	2. Many a character in "The Grapes of Wrath"	4
3D	3. Barnyard sound	4
4D	4. Prepare to be knighted	5
5D	5. Epitome of simplicity	3
6D	6. Genre for Genesis or Yes, informally	8
7D	7. Lead (the way)	4
8D	8. Glossy finishes	6
9D	9. Active and enthusiastic sort	7
10D	10. Approx.	3
11D	11. Easily found on the internet, say	10
12D	12. Memo heading	4
13D	13. Grammy-winning R&B artist whose stage name is said to have been inspired by "The Matrix"	4
14D	19. Golden Age studio known for many Astaire/Rogers films	3
15D	21. You might heave a big one	4
16D	25. Places	5
17D	27. Mike in "Breaking Bad," for example	5
18D	28. Cancel, as a space launch	5
19D	29. Procrastinator's mantra	5
20D	30. What someone seeking validation might need	10
21D	32. Shallow boat with a square stern	5
22D	34. Neighbor of a Slovene	5
23D	35. "Take it easy!"	5
24D	37. Brother to Groucho	5
25D	38. Mournful cries	5
26D	41. One in a box at the theater?	8
27D	44. Tranquilizes	7
28D	46. Penalty in Monopoly	4
29D	48. Artist known for his "impossible staircases"	6
30D	51. Symbol of divine authority in hieroglyphics	3
31D	53. Grab control of	5
32D	54. Words before a date	4
33D	55. Tentative greeting	4
34D	57. The Hawkeye State	4
35D	59. Show extreme fandom for, in slang	4
36D	60. Give temporarily	4
37D	61. Ryan and Adams of Hollywood	4
38D	63. Whistle blower or flag thrower	3
39D	64. Hosp. hot spots	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Genesis or Yes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an unofficial association of people or groups
• Similar words include: banding, lot, dance orchestra
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Many a character in "The Grapes of Wrath""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OKIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Barnyard sound"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs
• Similar words include: squeal, grunt
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Prepare to be knighted"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that supporting yourself on your knees
• Similar words include: kneeling
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KNEEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Epitome of simplicity"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Genre for Genesis or Yes, informally"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PROGROCK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Lead (the way)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a setting with precious stones so closely set that no metal shows
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAVE

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8D: "8. Glossy finishes"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the visual property of something that shines with reflected light
• Similar words include: lustre, sheen, luster
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHEENS

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9D: "9. Active and enthusiastic sort"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BUSYBEE

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10D: "10. Approx."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
• Similar words include: Eastern Standard Time, Eastern Time
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EST

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11D: "11. Easily found on the internet, say"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOOGLEABLE

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12D: "12. Memo heading"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INRE

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13D: "13. Grammy-winning R&B artist whose stage name is said to have been inspired by "The Matrix""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEYO

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14D: "19. Golden Age studio known for many Astaire/Rogers films"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RKO

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15D: "21. You might heave a big one"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an utterance made by exhaling audibly
• Similar words include: suspiration, suspire
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SIGH

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16D: "25. Places"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
• Similar words include: area, surface area, field
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AREAS

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17D: "27. Mike in "Breaking Bad," for example"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EXCOP

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18D: "28. Cancel, as a space launch"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of terminating a project or procedure before it is completed
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABORT

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19D: "29. Procrastinator's mantra"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that coming at a subsequent time or stage
• Similar words include: after, afterwards, posterior
• Opposite of: early

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LATER

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20D: "30. What someone seeking validation might need"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EGOMASSAGE

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21D: "32. Shallow boat with a square stern"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SKIFF

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22D: "34. Neighbor of a Slovene"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a member of the slavic people living in croatia
• Similar words include: Croatian
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CROAT

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23D: "35. "Take it easy!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEEYA

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24D: "37. Brother to Groucho"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states comedian; one of four brothers who made motion pictures together (1891-1961)
• Similar words include: Leonard Marx, Marx
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHICO

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25D: "38. Mournful cries"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a cry of sorrow and grief
• Similar words include: yaup, roar, ululate
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WAILS

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26D: "41. One in a box at the theater?"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAISINET

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27D: "44. Tranquilizes"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cause to be calm or quiet as by administering a sedative to
• Similar words include: tranquilize, sedate, calm
• Opposite of: stimulate

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEDATES

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28D: "46. Penalty in Monopoly"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service
• Similar words include: pull, rend, take
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RENT

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29D: "48. Artist known for his "impossible staircases""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESCHER

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30D: "51. Symbol of divine authority in hieroglyphics"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of southern europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
• Similar words include: Naja haje, asp viper, Vipera aspis
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASP

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31D: "53. Grab control of"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that take hold of; grab
• Similar words include: capture, attach, sequester
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEIZE

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32D: "54. Words before a date"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASOF

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33D: "55. Tentative greeting"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UMHI

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34D: "57. The Hawkeye State"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in iowa and minnesota and missouri
• Similar words include: Hawkeye State, Ioway, IA
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IOWA

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35D: "59. Show extreme fandom for, in slang"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STAN

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36D: "60. Give temporarily"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that bestow a quality on
• Similar words include: contribute, add, impart
• Opposite of: borrow

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEND

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37D: "61. Ryan and Adams of Hollywood"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMYS

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38D: "63. Whistle blower or flag thrower"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or american football) who is expected to ensure fair play
• Similar words include: referee
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REF

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39D: "64. Hosp. hot spots"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
• Similar words include: Er, ER, erbium
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERS

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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

39 Across Clues

39 Down Clues

78 Total Clues

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Last updated: December 16, 2025 at 04:10 AM