27458 Tue Jan 14, 2025 NY Times Crossword Clues Hints

Break down the NYT Crosswords: January 14, 2025

Let's go into the puzzle, starting with the across clues and answers, followed by the down clues and answers.

27458 Tue Jan 14, 2025 NY Times Crossword Clues Hints

Across Clues with Answers:

• The clue is 1. Ruling from a tennis line judge. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: ITSIN




• The clue is 6. Spelled-out chant at the World Cup. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: USA

  Possible Answer : America, US_Army, US, U._S._Army, USA, U.S.A., U.S., Army, United_States, United_States_of_America, the_States, United_States_Army




• The clue is 9. Home for Shrek. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: SWAMP

  Possible Answer : drench, flood, swamp, deluge, inundate, swampland




• The clue is 14. For the first time. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: NEWLY

  Possible Answer : new, fresh, newly, freshly




• The clue is 15. ___ Beta Kappa. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: PHI

  Possible Answer : phi




• The clue is 16. Signature Caitlin Clark shot, informally. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: THREE

  Possible Answer : tierce, triad, tercet, ternary, III, trine, iii, triplet, trio, threesome, ternion, deuce-ace, trinity, leash, trey, 3, troika, three, terzetto




• The clue is 17. One in charge of a sting operation?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: BEEKEEPER

  Possible Answer : beekeeper, apiculturist, apiarist




• The clue is 19. Vessel in a slip. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: YACHT

  Possible Answer : yacht, racing_yacht




• The clue is 20. Individuals. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ONES

  Possible Answer : ace, I, one, 1, single, unity




• The clue is 21. It locks locks into place. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: GEL

  Possible Answer : mousse, colloidal_gel, gelatin, gel




• The clue is 22. Lead-in to rock or weekly. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: ALT

  Possible Answer : ALT, EL, elevation, altitude




• The clue is 23. Like a birthday candle prior to your making a wish. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: LIT

  Possible Answer : well-lighted, lit, get_down, perch, illuminate, light, illume, unhorse, get_off, light_up, lighted, fall, illumine, illuminated, fire_up, alight, literature, ignite, dismount

  Possible Opposite Answer : unlighted, extinguish




• The clue is 24. Absolute champion. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: WORLDBEATER




• The clue is 29. Head off. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: DEPART

  Possible Answer : sidetrack, take_leave, set_forth, take_off, go_away, digress, deviate, set_out, start, pull_up_stakes, go, depart, part, vary, quit, start_out, straggle, diverge, leave, set_off

  Possible Opposite Answer : conform, stay, come




• The clue is 31. Make good as new. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: RESTORE

  Possible Answer : restore, bushel, restitute, rejuvenate, mend, reestablish, doctor, furbish_up, reinstate, touch_on, repair, fix, reconstruct, regenerate

  Possible Opposite Answer : break




• The clue is 32. Cheer after a gooooooal!. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: OLE




• The clue is 33. Poorly behaved child. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: BRAT

  Possible Answer : holy_terror, little_terror, bratwurst, brat, terror




• The clue is 35. Parks who sparked a bus boycott. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ROSA

  Possible Answer : Rosa, genus_Rosa




• The clue is 36. Publicity hound. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (15 letters)

  The answer: ATTENTIONSEEKER




• The clue is 40. News of an alien landing, probably. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: HOAX

  Possible Answer : humbug, put-on, play_a_joke_on, dupery, fraudulence, fraud, pull_someone's_leg, hoax




• The clue is 41. "Milk's favorite cookie" brand. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: OREO

  Possible Answer : oreo_cookie, oreo




• The clue is 42. Barnyard sound. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: MAA




• The clue is 43. Challenge for a person drawing lots?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: ARTTEST




• The clue is 45. Piece of equipment seen at the Paralympics. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: SITSKI




• The clue is 48. Person often flirting with disaster. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: STORMCHASER




• The clue is 51. Response in the game of Battleship. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: HIT

  Possible Answer : strike, come_to, dispatch, tally, impinge_on, reach, polish_off, off, shoot, bump_off, gain, run_into, smash, murder, remove, collision, score, smasher, stumble, collide_with, slay, pip, hit, arrive_at, make, hitting, attain, rack_up, bang, striking

  Possible Opposite Answer : miss




• The clue is 52. Org. that helped phase out CFCs. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: EPA

  Possible Answer : Environmental_Protection_Agency, EPA




• The clue is 53. Jost's "S.N.L." Weekend Update co-host. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: CHE




• The clue is 54. Hardy and Petty. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: TOMS

  Possible Answer : tomcat, Tom, tom, Uncle_Tom, tom_turkey, gobbler, turkey_cock




• The clue is 55. Friend of Flower and Thumper. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: BAMBI




• The clue is 58. Game that ends when the snitch is caught … and whose positions end 17-, 24-, 36- and 48-Across. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: QUIDDITCH




• The clue is 60. Handbill. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: FLIER

  Possible Answer : broadsheet, aviator, handbill, aeronaut, flyer, bill, broadside, flier, airman, throwaway, circular




• The clue is 61. Chilly remark?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: BRR




• The clue is 62. Home of the Craters of the Moon National Monument. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: IDAHO

  Possible Answer : Gem_State, Idaho, ID




• The clue is 63. Bit of snow. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: FLAKE

  Possible Answer : bit, flake, eccentric, geek, peel, oddball, chip, snowflake, eccentric_person, peel_off, fleck, scrap, flake_off




• The clue is 64. Posed. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: SAT

  Possible Answer : posture, baby-sit, Saturday, sit_around, model, Sabbatum, sit, ride, pose, Sat, sit_down, seat

  Possible Opposite Answer : arise, stand




• The clue is 65. Question after a joke bombs. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: GETIT

Down Clues and Answers:

• The clue is 1. Emphasized, textwise. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: INBOLD

• The clue is 2. Like the yellow polka dot bikini, in a 1960 #1 novelty song. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: TEENIE

• The clue is 3. Popular Thanksgiving item. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: SWEETPOTATO

• The clue is 4. Types. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ILKS

  Possible Answer: ilk, like

• The clue is 5. Scientific Bill. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: NYE

• The clue is 6. Word before deck or hand. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: UPPER

  Possible Answer: upper, speed, upper_berth, amphetamine, pep_pill

• The clue is 7. Prominent part of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: SHELL

  Possible Answer: cuticle, shell, beat_out, beat, casing, trounce, racing_shell, shield, case, plate, eggshell, vanquish, carapace, husk, crush, scale, blast

• The clue is 8. The "A" of A/C. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: AIR

  Possible Answer: melodic_phrase, atmosphere, tune, bare, aura, aerate, transmit, publicise, gentle_wind, air, ventilate, melodic_line, melody, zephyr, air_out, beam, strain, air_travel, publicize, line, airwave, send, aviation, broadcast, vent, breeze

• The clue is 9. Choices at salons. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: STYLES

  Possible Answer: dash, fashion, flair, way, panache, expressive_style, manner, stylus, trend, vogue, title, elan, mode, style

• The clue is 10. "I like this so much!". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: WHATATREAT

• The clue is 11. ___ de Triomphe. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: ARC

  Possible Answer: bow, arch, electric_arc, spark, curve, discharge, arc, electric_discharge

• The clue is 12. "I wasn't impressed". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: MEH

• The clue is 13. Rescue animal, maybe. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: PET

  Possible Answer: favorite, positron_emission_tomography, deary, ducky, favored, best-loved, preferent, dearie, favourite, preferred, darling, pet, PET

• The clue is 18. Quadruple award achievement, informally. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: EGOT

• The clue is 22. Supports illegally, in a way. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: ABETS

  Possible Answer: abet

• The clue is 24. Small brown songbird. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: WREN

  Possible Answer: jenny_wren, Wren, wren, Sir_Christopher_Wren

• The clue is 25. Liquid-Plumr alternative. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: DRANO

• The clue is 26. Attempted. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: TOOKASHOTAT

• The clue is 27. Gaelic language. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ERSE

  Possible Answer: Goidelic, Erse, Gaelic

• The clue is 28. Back end. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: REAR

  Possible Answer: buns, tail_end, prat, ass, back, arse, nurture, buttocks, can, bottom, rear_end, lift, bring_up, derriere, rise, stern, rear, hindquarters, seat, keister, tail, tooshie, parent, put_up, erect, rearward, hind_end, behind, bum, fundament, posterior, back_end, raise, set_up, nates, tush, butt, rump, rise_up, fanny, backside

  Possible Opposite Answer : front, head, level

• The clue is 30. TV host who got asked a lot of questions. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: ALEXTREBEK

• The clue is 33. Labor day event. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: BIRTH

  Possible Answer: birth, giving_birth, nascency, nativity, deliver, have, give_birth, nascence, bear, birthing, parentage, parturition

  Possible Opposite Answer : death

• The clue is 34. Pseudonym in a landmark legal case. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: ROE

  Possible Answer: roe, hard_roe

• The clue is 36. Cries of understanding. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: AHAS

• The clue is 37. Cause for a lawsuit. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: TORT

  Possible Answer: tort, civil_wrong

• The clue is 38. "Vissi d'arte" opera. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: TOSCA

• The clue is 39. Qatari leader. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: EMIR

  Possible Answer: emeer, emir, ameer, amir

• The clue is 44. Enemy of the Rebel Alliance. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: EMPIRE

  Possible Answer: empire, Empire, imperium, conglomerate

• The clue is 45. Tournament ranking. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: SEED

  Possible Answer: source, semen, germ, cum, ejaculate, seeded_player, seminal_fluid, come, seed, sow

• The clue is 46. Korean fermented cabbage. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: KIMCHI

• The clue is 47. Remark while fanning oneself, maybe. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: ITSHOT

• The clue is 49. Integra maker. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: ACURA

• The clue is 50. Polo, e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: SHIRT

  Possible Answer: shirt

• The clue is 54. It washes a shore. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: TIDE

  Possible Answer: tide, surge, lunar_time_period

  Possible Opposite Answer : ebb

• The clue is 55. Closest pal, informally. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: BFF

• The clue is 56. Not just some. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: ALL

  Possible Answer: totally, entirely, altogether, all, completely, wholly, whole

  Possible Opposite Answer : partly, some

• The clue is 57. Hamm of soccer fame. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: MIA

• The clue is 58. Ones trying not to be sacked, in brief. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: QBS

• The clue is 59. Fossil hunters' project. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: DIG

  Possible Answer: excavation, grok, excavate, grasp, barb, gibe, dig_out, jab, drudge, slam, get_the_picture, savvy, dig, cut_into, travail, comprehend, poke, dig_up, delve, stab, turn_over, shot, moil, shaft, toil, grind, fag, prod, compass, labour, archeological_site, digging, labor, hollow, apprehend, jibe

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 17, 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 (36 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (32 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. What a comment might be made in	4
2A	5. Plant often confused with algae	4
3A	9. "The Craft"	5
4A	14. Pulitzer-winning historian and journalist Applebaum	4
5A	15. Understanding response	4
6A	16. Amazon smart speakers	5
7A	17. British singer with the top 10 albums "Crash" and "Brat"	9
8A	19. Some suitors	5
9A	20. Sets in motion	6
10A	21. Sake, for one	8
11A	23. Not fixed, as a stone	5
12A	24. Drinking game with projectiles	9
13A	25. Sign of healing	4
14A	26. New service member	7
15A	27. Mental image, for short?	3
16A	28. Fun-size, so to speak	4
17A	29. Stalk	4
18A	31. First releases	6
19A	33. Taking out the trash and others	6
20A	35. Lab liquids	4
21A	36. Max ___, boxer nicknamed "Madcap Maxie"	4
22A	37. Corn ___ (snack misnomer)	3
23A	39. Longtime Nestlé candy brand	7
24A	41. Arizona tribe with matrilineal clans	4
25A	42. 1992 Whoopi Goldberg comedy	9
26A	45. Survived, so to speak	5
27A	46. Portmanteau for evidence based solely on personal accounts	8
28A	47. Popular name of the 1958 Italian hit "Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu"	6
29A	48. ___ month	5
30A	49. Act of writing down whatever comes to mind in order to clear mental clutter	9
31A	51. Wipe	5
32A	52. Biblical locale in a Steinbeck title	4
33A	53. Golfer Aoki	4
34A	54. Rationed (out)	5
35A	55. Bleak	4
36A	56. Gravitate	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. What a comment might be made in"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
• Similar words include: jape, gag, joke
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Plant often confused with algae"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. "The Craft""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a community of followers of the wicca religion
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WICCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Pulitzer-winning historian and journalist Applebaum"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that queen of england and scotland and ireland; daughter if james ii and the last of the stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last english ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Understanding response"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Amazon smart speakers"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
• Similar words include: reverberation, repeat, recall
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ECHOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. British singer with the top 10 albums "Crash" and "Brat""

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHARLIXCX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Some suitors"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a man who is the lover of a girl or young woman
• Similar words include: swell, dude, fashion plate
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEAUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Sets in motion"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
• Similar words include: get, causal agent, stimulate
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAUSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Sake, for one"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RICEWINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Not fixed, as a stone"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNSET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Drinking game with projectiles"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEERDARTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Sign of healing"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mark left (usually on the skin) by the healing of injured tissue
• Similar words include: scrape, cicatrice, pit
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. New service member"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a recently enlisted soldier
• Similar words include: enroll, military recruit, enter
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RECRUIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "27. Mental image, for short?"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a graphical record of electrical activity of the brain; produced by an electroencephalograph
• Similar words include: electroencephalogram, encephalogram
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EEG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "28. Fun-size, so to speak"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Similar words include: bantam, petite, midget
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TINY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "29. Stalk"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
• Similar words include: prow, halt, radical
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "31. First releases"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of beginning something new
• Similar words include: introduction, first appearance, launching
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEBUTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "33. Taking out the trash and others"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee
• Similar words include: job, chore, task
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Lab liquids"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an amber, watery fluid, rich in proteins, that separates out when blood coagulates
• Similar words include: blood serum, serum
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "36. Max ___, boxer nicknamed "Madcap Maxie""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BAER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "37. Corn ___ (snack misnomer)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that usually large hard-shelled seed
• Similar words include: bollock, fruitcake, freak
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "39. Longtime Nestlé candy brand"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SNOCAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "41. Arizona tribe with matrilineal clans"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a member of the shoshonean people of northeastern arizona
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOPI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "42. 1992 Whoopi Goldberg comedy"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SISTERACT

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26A: "45. Survived, so to speak"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that come to terms with
• Similar words include: make do, contend, get by
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COPED

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27A: "46. Portmanteau for evidence based solely on personal accounts"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANECDATA

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28A: "47. Popular name of the 1958 Italian hit "Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VOLARE

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29A: "48. ___ month"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of or relating to or associated with the moon
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LUNAR

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30A: "49. Act of writing down whatever comes to mind in order to clear mental clutter"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BRAINDUMP

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31A: "51. Wipe"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that remove from memory or existence
• Similar words include: delete, wipe off, rub out
• Opposite of: record

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERASE

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32A: "52. Biblical locale in a Steinbeck title"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
• Similar words include: Garden of Eden, Shangri-la, promised land
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EDEN

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33A: "53. Golfer Aoki"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISAO

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34A: "54. Rationed (out)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: METED

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35A: "55. Bleak"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless; ; - g.c.marshall
• Similar words include: horrendous, desperate, dreaded
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DIRE

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36A: "56. Gravitate"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
• Similar words include: run, lean, be given
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEND

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Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Historic Émile Zola letter of 1898	7
2D	2. Improved	8
3D	3. Meaty dog treats "in a blanket"	9
4D	4. Less prolix	6
5D	5. Customizable Nintendo avatars	4
6D	6. Mac platform renamed in 2016	3
7D	7. Condition of discretion	7
8D	8. More seductive	6
9D	9. One managing online content	9
10D	10. Drink that comes with free refills	8
11D	11. Word with easy or high	5
12D	12. Matter	5
13D	13. Insufferable sorts	5
14D	18. Court call	3
15D	22. Handles beautifully, in slang	7
16D	24. Bills worth 100 buckaroos	4
17D	26. British singer with the hits "R.I.P." and "Radioactive"	7
18D	28. Showed embarrassment, say	9
19D	30. Event typically occurring in one's late 40s or early 50s	9
20D	32. Hoped-for scenario	8
21D	33. America, for one: Abbr.	4
22D	34. DC figure since 1938	8
23D	36. Brand of rum mentioned in Hemingway novels	7
24D	38. Certain unit of detergent	7
25D	40. Pet gear often eschewed in favor of someone's lap	6
26D	41. "Stop the presses!"	6
27D	42. Capital that's home to the oldest university in the Western U.S. (1842)	5
28D	43. Habituate	5
29D	44. Upper house of the French parliament	5
30D	45. With, in Spanish	3
31D	47. Plant on a pergola	4
32D	50. ___ Lingus	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Historic Émile Zola letter of 1898"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JACCUSE

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2D: "2. Improved"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that make better or more attractive
• Similar words include: enhance, raise, heighten
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENHANCED

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3D: "3. Meaty dog treats "in a blanket""

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SNAUSAGES

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4D: "4. Less prolix"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that brief and to the point; effectively cut short
• Similar words include: terse, laconic, curt
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TERSER

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5D: "5. Customizable Nintendo avatars"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MIIS

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6D: "6. Mac platform renamed in 2016"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OSX

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7D: "7. Condition of discretion"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the trait of keeping things secret
• Similar words include: concealment, secretiveness, privateness
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SECRECY

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8D: "8. More seductive"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that marked by or tending to arouse sexual desire or interest
• Similar words include: aphrodisiacal, aphrodisiac, sexy
• Opposite of: anaphrodisiac, unsexy

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEXIER

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9D: "9. One managing online content"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WEBEDITOR

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10D: "10. Drink that comes with free refills"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICEWATER

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11D: "11. Word with easy or high"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a seat for one person, with a support for the back
• Similar words include: chairperson, chairwoman, president
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHAIR

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12D: "12. Matter"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the total number counted
• Similar words include: weigh, look, number
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COUNT

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13D: "13. Insufferable sorts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Similar words include: bottom, ass, fuck
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASSES

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14D: "18. Court call"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a brutal terrorist group active in kashmir; fights against india with the goal of restoring islamic rule of india
• Similar words include: Army of the Righteous, countenance, Army of the Pure
• Opposite of: disallow, forbid

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LET

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15D: "22. Handles beautifully, in slang"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that leather that has had its grain pattern accentuated
• Similar words include: squeeze, trounce, compaction
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CRUSHES

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16D: "24. Bills worth 100 buckaroos"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mountain or tall hill
• Similar words include: ben
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BENS

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17D: "26. British singer with the hits "R.I.P." and "Radioactive""

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RITAORA

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18D: "28. Showed embarrassment, say"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TURNEDRED

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19D: "30. Event typically occurring in one's late 40s or early 50s"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the time in a woman's life in which the menstrual cycle ends
• Similar words include: change of life, climacteric
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MENOPAUSE

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20D: "32. Hoped-for scenario"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BESTCASE

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21D: "33. America, for one: Abbr."

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAPT

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22D: "34. DC figure since 1938"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person with great powers and abilities
• Similar words include: Lucy in the sky with diamonds, loony toons, demigod
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUPERMAN

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23D: "36. Brand of rum mentioned in Hemingway novels"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BACARDI

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24D: "38. Certain unit of detergent"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIDEPOD

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25D: "40. Pet gear often eschewed in favor of someone's lap"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CATBED

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26D: "41. "Stop the presses!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOLDIT

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27D: "42. Capital that's home to the oldest university in the Western U.S. (1842)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that capital of the state of oregon in the northwestern part of the state on the willamette river
• Similar words include: capital of Oregon
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SALEM

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28D: "43. Habituate"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cause to accept or become hardened to; habituate
• Similar words include: indurate, harden
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INURE

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29D: "44. Upper house of the French parliament"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SENAT

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30D: "45. With, in Spanish"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an argument opposed to a proposal
• Similar words include: goldbrick, bunko game, hornswoggle
• Opposite of: pro

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CON

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31D: "47. Plant on a pergola"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VINE

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32D: "50. ___ Lingus"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AER

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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

36 Across Clues

32 Down Clues

68 Total Clues

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Last updated: October 17, 2025 at 03:49 AM