December 15, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (39 clues)
• Down Clues (42 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, December 15, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 81 (39 Across, 42 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.0 letters

December 15, 2022 Thursday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Pulling up pots in Chesapeake Bay, say	6
2A	7. Nobel Institute city	4
3A	11. Like some suspects in lineups, informally	4
4A	15. Start of a classic question in Shakespeare	6
5A	16. "What a relief!"	4
6A	17. Singer/activist ___ Simone	4
7A	18. Two pounds, peeled and chopped	11
8A	20. Riga resident	4
9A	21. ___ souci (carefree)	4
10A	22. Mythical figure often pictured holding a book	4
11A	23. Oils, watercolors and acrylics, for artists	5
12A	24. Hubbub	3
13A	25. Five cups, after lengthy simmering	12
14A	28. Lose	7
15A	30. Don't lose	3
16A	31. Teeny-tiny	3
17A	32. Mountain nymph	5
18A	33. Daily nourishment	4
19A	35. "Toy Story" boy	4
20A	36. One cup, after cooling	10
21A	40. ___ Houdini, co-star in her husband Harry's act	4
22A	43. Stead	4
23A	44. Missionary work?	5
24A	48. Spanish article	3
25A	49. Poet who wrote the line "But we loved with a love that was more than love"	3
26A	50. Keeper of some official documents	7
27A	52. Four cups, cleaned and sliced	12
28A	56. Home shopping channel	3
29A	57. Steerable electronic toy, for short	5
30A	58. ___ Reader (digital digest)	4
31A	59. Plains language	4
32A	60. Words repeated in "___ what ___"	4
33A	61. Soup made with this puzzle's ingredients	11
34A	64. Bad impression?	4
35A	65. Part of the "back forty"	4
36A	66. Onion-shaped	6
37A	67. Tense	4
38A	68. Villain's look	4
39A	69. Baking needs	6

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. Pulling up pots in Chesapeake Bay, say"

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: EELING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "7. Nobel Institute city"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the capital and largest city of norway; the country's main port; located at the head of a fjord on norway's southern coast
• Words that mean the same thing: Christiania, capital of Norway
• 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: OSLO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "11. Like some suspects in lineups, informally"

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: IDED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "15. Start of a classic question in Shakespeare"

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: OROMEO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. "What a relief!""

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: PHEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. Singer/activist ___ Simone"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the babylonian goddess of the watery deep and daughter of ea
• 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: NINA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Two pounds, peeled and chopped"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NEWPOTATOES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Riga resident"

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: LETT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. ___ souci (carefree)"

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: SANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Mythical figure often pictured holding a book"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (greek mythology) the muse of history
• 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: CLIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Oils, watercolors and acrylics, for artists"

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 means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
• Words that mean the same thing: metier, medium, spiritualist
• 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: MEDIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Hubbub"

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 rapid active commotion
• Words that mean the same thing: hustle, bustle, fuss
• 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: ADO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Five cups, after lengthy simmering"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 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: CHICKENSTOCK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "28. Lose"

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: GETBEAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "30. Don't lose"

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 victory (as in a race or other competition)
• Words that mean the same thing: gain, advance, pull ahead
• The opposite would be: fall back, losings
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "31. Teeny-tiny"

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 short time
• Words that mean the same thing: piddle, weeny, itty-bitty
• 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: WEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. Mountain nymph"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (greek mythology) one of the mountain nymphs
• 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: OREAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "33. Daily nourishment"

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 prescribed selection of foods
• Words that mean the same thing: dieting
• 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: DIET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "35. "Toy Story" boy"

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: ANDY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "36. One cup, after cooling"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: HEAVYCREAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. ___ Houdini, co-star in her husband Harry's act"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: BESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "43. Stead"

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 post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
• Words that mean the same thing: position, stead, place
• 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: LIEU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "44. Missionary work?"

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 the sacred writings of the christian religions
• Words that mean the same thing: Scripture, Holy Writ, Book
• 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: BIBLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. Spanish article"

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: UNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "49. Poet who wrote the line "But we loved with a love that was more than love""

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 united states writer and poet (1809-1849)
• Words that mean the same thing: Edgar Allan Poe
• 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: POE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "50. Keeper of some official documents"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a strongly made box for holding money or valuables; can be locked
• Words that mean the same thing: strongbox
• 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: DEEDBOX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "52. Four cups, cleaned and sliced"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 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: SAUTEEDLEEKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "56. Home shopping channel"

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: QVC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "57. Steerable electronic toy, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RCCAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "58. ___ Reader (digital digest)"

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: UTNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "59. Plains language"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of an algonquian people living in central canada
• 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: CREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "60. Words repeated in "___ what ___""

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: ITIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "61. Soup made with this puzzle's ingredients"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a creamy potato soup flavored with leeks and onions; usually served cold
• 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: VICHYSSOISE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "64. Bad impression?"

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 an appreciable consequence (especially a lessening)
• Words that mean the same thing: gouge, prick, slit
• 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: DENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "65. Part of the "back forty""

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 unit of area (4840 square yards) used in english-speaking countries
• Words that mean the same thing: Akka, Accho, Akko
• 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: ACRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "66. Onion-shaped"

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 having a bulb
• 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: BULBED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "67. Tense"

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 being in a tense state
• Words that mean the same thing: overstrung, jumpy, nervy
• 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: EDGY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "68. Villain's look"

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 facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls
• Words that mean the same thing: sneer
• 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: LEER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "69. Baking needs"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a commercial leavening agent containing yeast cells; used to raise the dough in making bread and for fermenting beer or whiskey
• Words that mean the same thing: barm, yeast
• 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: YEASTS

  Great job if you got it right!

December 15, 2022 Down Hints: NYT Thursday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Way back when	7
2D	2. Nook, e.g.	7
3D	3. Bummer	7
4D	4. Little rascals	4
5D	5. ___-Latin (Renaissance language)	3
6D	6. "April Fools!"	6
7D	7. ___ nerve	5
8D	8. Agitated	5
9D	9. Surname derived from the Chinese word for "plum"	3
10D	10. Pained shrieks	3
11D	11. Harbor opening	5
12D	12. Subside	7
13D	13. Tempted	7
14D	14. Tool for a cryptographer	7
15D	19. Came down	4
16D	23. Yahoo rival	3
17D	25. Relinquish	4
18D	26. Pitcher	4
19D	27. Time of day in commercials	4
20D	29. Cries of disgust	4
21D	33. Some food coloring	3
22D	34. Post-op stop	3
23D	35. In	4
24D	37. Soothing application	4
25D	38. Locked horns (with)	4
26D	39. Fivers	4
27D	40. One means of commuting	7
28D	41. Put into law	7
29D	42. Pouring gravy on, say	7
30D	45. Cookout entree, in brief	7
31D	46. Court shutout	7
32D	47. Tops	7
33D	49. Each	3
34D	50. Declare not to be so	4
35D	51. Barely makes it	6
36D	53. Delicious	5
37D	54. Ill-gotten gains	5
38D	55. Anesthetic since the 1840s	5
39D	59. Cherry ___	4
40D	61. Kilmer of "Batman Forever"	3
41D	62. Put away	3
42D	63. Seek damages	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. Way back when"

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: EONSAGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Nook, e.g."

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: EREADER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Bummer"

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: LOWNOTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Little rascals"

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 (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
• Words that mean the same thing: imp, monkey, scallywag
• 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: IMPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. ___-Latin (Renaissance language)"

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 (used as a combining form) recent or new
• 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: NEO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. "April Fools!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: GOTCHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. ___ nerve"

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 organ of sight
• Words that mean the same thing: visual, opthalmic, oculus
• 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: OPTIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Agitated"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
• Words that mean the same thing: rock, shake off, stimulate
• 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: SHOOK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Surname derived from the Chinese word for "plum""

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 united states filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in america (born in 1957)
• Words that mean the same thing: Shelton Jackson Lee, Spike Lee, Bruce Lee
• The opposite would be: windward
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Pained shrieks"

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: OWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Harbor opening"

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 an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)
• Words that mean the same thing: intake, recess
• 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: INLET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Subside"

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: DIEDOWN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Tempted"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
• Words that mean the same thing: entice, tempt, lure
• 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: ENTICED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Tool for a cryptographer"

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: DATAKEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "19. Came down"

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: ALIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Yahoo rival"

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: MSN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Relinquish"

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 give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
• Words that mean the same thing: deliver, grant, surrender
• 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: CEDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. Pitcher"

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 open vessel with a handle and a spout for pouring
• Words that mean the same thing: pitcher
• 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: EWER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "27. Time of day in commercials"

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: NITE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. Cries of disgust"

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: BAHS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "33. Some food coloring"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a usually soluble substance for staining or coloring e.g. fabrics or hair
• Words that mean the same thing: dyestuff
• 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: DYE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "34. Post-op stop"

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 hospital unit staffed and equipped to provide intensive care
• Words that mean the same thing: intensive care unit
• 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: ICU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. In"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy 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: AMID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "37. Soothing application"

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 succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
• 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: ALOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. Locked horns (with)"

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 compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
• Words that mean the same thing: contend, compete, vie
• 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: VIED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Fivers"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy 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: ABES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. One means of commuting"

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: BUSRIDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "41. Put into law"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that order by virtue of superior authority; decree
• Words that mean the same thing: enact, ordain, act out
• 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: ENACTED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "42. Pouring gravy on, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that behave saucily or impudently towards
• Words that mean the same thing: sauce
• 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: SAUCING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "45. Cookout entree, in brief"

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: BBQRIBS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "46. Court shutout"

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: LOVESET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "47. Tops"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that be greater in scope or size than some standard
• Words that mean the same thing: surpass, pass, exceed
• 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: EXCEEDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "49. Each"

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: PER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "50. Declare not to be so"

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 declare untrue; contradict
• Words that mean the same thing: traverse, refuse, abnegate
• The opposite would be: admit, allow
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DENY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "51. Barely makes it"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EKESBY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "53. Delicious"

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 pleasing to the sense of taste
• The opposite would be: tasteless
• 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: TASTY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "54. Ill-gotten gains"

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 informal terms for money
• Words that mean the same thing: net income, dough, pelf
• 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: LUCRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "55. Anesthetic since the 1840s"

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 fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies
• Words that mean the same thing: diethyl ether, divinyl ether, ethyl ether
• 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: ETHER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "59. Cherry ___"

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 large genus of african trees bearing kola nuts
• Words that mean the same thing: Costa Rican colon, El Salvadoran colon, genus Cola
• 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: COLA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "61. Kilmer of "Batman Forever""

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: VAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "62. Put away"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 42 Down: "63. Seek damages"

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 french writer whose novels described the sordid side of city life (1804-1857)
• Words that mean the same thing: Eugene Sue, litigate, process
• 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: SUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	58	71.6%
Short Answer	15	18.5%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	3.7%
Geography	2	2.5%
Literature	1	1.2%
History	1	1.2%
Food & Drink	1	1.2%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	39
Down Clues	42
Total Clues	81
Average Answer Length	5.0 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	12 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 Thursday, 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 05, 2025 at 02:19 PM

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 25, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (37 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: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. [Taps casino table]	5
2A	6. Signs of treble?	5
3A	11. ___ hair (edgy 2000s trend)	3
4A	14. Longtime "Inside the NBA" analyst opposite Barkley	5
5A	15. Deck in divination	5
6A	16. Mil. authority	3
7A	17. Failing to pay bills on time may affect this	11
8A	19. Possessed	3
9A	20. Lotto-like casino game	4
10A	21. Summer treats in small cups	4
11A	22. Sounds of sudden vanishing	5
12A	24. Zero	4
13A	26. Inverse of kilo-	5
14A	27. "Self-Portrait With Bandaged Ear" painter, 1889	14
15A	32. Pair of cymbals in a drum kit	5
16A	33. Tribal home, maybe, informally	3
17A	34. Reason to take a painkiller	4
18A	35. So-called "melting pot," in brief	3
19A	36. E-bike alternative	7
20A	40. One ___ time	3
21A	41. Bubbles in a bubble bath	4
22A	43. A QR code might access one	3
23A	44. Purplish perennial	5
24A	46. Villain ranked #1 on A.F.I.'s "100 Years ... 100 Heroes & Villains" list	14
25A	50. Ransacks	5
26A	51. Retail chain with ready-to-assemble products	4
27A	52. Stays in line, say	5
28A	53. Hawaiian goose	4
29A	55. Thumbs-down votes	4
30A	59. Buried	3
31A	60. Emulates the three figures in this puzzle ... or what the figures do within the answers to 17-, 27- and 46-Across?	11
32A	63. Fruit drink	3
33A	64. On a higher level	5
34A	65. Second-chance show	5
35A	66. Org. with metal detectors	3
36A	67. Supped	5
37A	68. Paradises	5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. [Taps casino table]"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HITME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Signs of treble?"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a musical notation written on a staff indicating the pitch of the notes following it
• Similar words include: clef
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLEFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. ___ hair (edgy 2000s trend)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Longtime "Inside the NBA" analyst opposite Barkley"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Deck in divination"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of a set of (usually 72) cards that include 22 cards representing virtues and vices and death and fortune etc.; used by fortunetellers
• Similar words include: tarot card
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TAROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Mil. authority"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CMD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Failing to pay bills on time may affect this"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CREDITSCORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Possessed"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
• Similar words include: ingest, receive, sustain
• Opposite of: refuse, abstain

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Lotto-like casino game"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a game in which numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards
• Similar words include: bingo, lotto, beano
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KENO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Summer treats in small cups"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
• Similar words include: ice, frost, deoxyephedrine
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Sounds of sudden vanishing"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that offensive term for an openly homosexual man
• Similar words include: pouf, poof, pansy
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POOFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Zero"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a quantity of no importance
• Similar words include: cipher, zip, zippo
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Inverse of kilo-"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MILLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. "Self-Portrait With Bandaged Ear" painter, 1889"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VINCENTVANGOGH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Pair of cymbals in a drum kit"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HIHAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Tribal home, maybe, informally"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REZ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Reason to take a painkiller"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
• Similar words include: languish, smart, hurt
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. So-called "melting pot," in brief"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. E-bike alternative"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a motorboat resembling a motor scooter
• Similar words include: motor scooter, sea scooter, water scooter
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCOOTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. One ___ time"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Bubbles in a bubble bath"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the froth produced by soaps or detergents
• Similar words include: spume, froth, lather
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. A QR code might access one"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the address of a web page on the world wide web
• Similar words include: universal resource locator, uniform resource locator
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: URL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Purplish perennial"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of various chiefly fall-blooming herbs of the genus aster with showy daisylike flowers
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Villain ranked #1 on A.F.I.'s "100 Years ... 100 Heroes & Villains" list"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HANNIBALLECTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Ransacks"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that goods or money obtained illegally
• Similar words include: sugar, swag, despoil
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Retail chain with ready-to-assemble products"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IKEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Stays in line, say"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that time during which some action is awaited
• Similar words include: await, waiting, hold off
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WAITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Hawaiian goose"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Thumbs-down votes"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Similar words include: nay
• Opposite of: yea
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "59. Buried"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that prevent from being seen or discovered
• Similar words include: hide out, obliterate, obscure
• Opposite of: show

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. Emulates the three figures in this puzzle ... or what the figures do within the answers to 17-, 27- and 46-Across?"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BREAKDANCES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "63. Fruit drink"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice
• Similar words include: fruit drink
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "64. On a higher level"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an earlier section of a written text
• Similar words include: supra, higher up, to a higher place
• Opposite of: below

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABOVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "65. Second-chance show"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a program that is broadcast again
• Similar words include: rebroadcast
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RERUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. Org. with metal detectors"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an agency established in 2001 to safeguard united states transportation systems and insure safe air travel
• Similar words include: Transportation Security Administration
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "67. Supped"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that have supper; eat dinner
• Similar words include: boom, din, dine
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DINED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. Paradises"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

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: EDENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Pawn	4
2D	2. Concerning	4
3D	3. One subject to a curfew, maybe	4
4D	4. So-called "Queen of Pop"	7
5D	5. Former Giant Manning	3
6D	6. Healthy self-image?	6
7D	7. Tie up	4
8D	8. God depicted with a bow	4
9D	9. Word between "word" and "word"	3
10D	10. Intervene	6
11D	11. Sound-track?	10
12D	12. Combatant in an octagon-shaped cage	10
13D	13. Calculated ratios	4
14D	18. Era competitor	4
15D	23. Gymnast Korbut dubbed the "Sparrow from Minsk"	4
16D	25. Behaves	4
17D	26. Where you might lose your way	4
18D	27. Demo graphics, maybe	10
19D	28. "This is news to me!"	10
20D	29. Cyber punk?	5
21D	30. Tick doc	3
22D	31. When repeated, "Preach!"	4
23D	32. When repeated, secret	4
24D	37. Bear's heirs?	4
25D	38. 60 minuti	3
26D	39. Pulse quickly, as the heart	4
27D	42. Bratty kid	4
28D	45. Was a fangirl of, say	7
29D	47. "Really awful"	6
30D	48. Connected	6
31D	49. Scraped (by)	4
32D	52. "Huh?"	4
33D	53. Like the sign for Radio City Music Hall	4
34D	54. Roof projection	4
35D	56. Farming area	4
36D	57. Actor Steven of "Beef" and "Nope"	4
37D	58. Tax IDs	4
38D	61. Result of a solo homer, for short	3
39D	62. "There you ___!"	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Pawn"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of several white wines from the rhine river valley in germany (`hock' is british usage)
• Similar words include: Rhine wine, pawn, hock-joint
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOCK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Concerning"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. One subject to a curfew, maybe"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity
• Similar words include: teenage, adolescent, teenaged
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. So-called "Queen of Pop""

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the mother of jesus; christians refer to her as the virgin mary; she is especially honored by roman catholics
• Similar words include: Madonna Louise Ciccone, Blessed Virgin, Mary
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MADONNA

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5D: "5. Former Giant Manning"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELI

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6D: "6. Healthy self-image?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CTSCAN

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7D: "7. Tie up"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment)
• Similar words include: entwine, braid, interlace
• Opposite of: untwine

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LACE

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8D: "8. God depicted with a bow"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (greek mythology) god of love; son of aphrodite; identified with roman cupid
• Similar words include: physical attraction, concupiscence, sexual desire
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EROS

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9D: "9. Word between "word" and "word""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FOR

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10D: "10. Intervene"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STEPIN

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11D: "11. Sound-track?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ECHOLOCATE

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12D: "12. Combatant in an octagon-shaped cage"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MMAFIGHTER

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13D: "13. Calculated ratios"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
• Similar words include: betting odds
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ODDS

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14D: "18. Era competitor"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
• Similar words include: surge, lunar time period
• Opposite of: ebb

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIDE

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15D: "23. Gymnast Korbut dubbed the "Sparrow from Minsk""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLGA

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16D: "25. Behaves"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
• Similar words include: dissemble, play, routine
• Opposite of: refrain

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACTS

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17D: "26. Where you might lose your way"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
• Similar words include: labyrinth, tangle, snarl
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAZE

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18D: "27. Demo graphics, maybe"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VISUALAIDS

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19D: "28. "This is news to me!""

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IHADNOIDEA

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20D: "29. Cyber punk?"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (scandanavian folklore) a supernatural creature (either a dwarf or a giant) that is supposed to live in caves or in the mountains
• Similar words include: round, trolling
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TROLL

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21D: "30. Tick doc"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a doctor who practices veterinary medicine
• Similar words include: veteran, veterinary surgeon, veterinarian
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VET

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22D: "31. When repeated, "Preach!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
• Similar words include: try, see, find out
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HEAR

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23D: "32. When repeated, secret"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (poetic) tranquil silence
• Similar words include: shut up, quieten, quiet down
• Opposite of: louden

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUSH

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24D: "37. Bear's heirs?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an awkward and inexperienced youth
• Similar words include: sonny boy, sonny, rookie
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CUBS

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25D: "38. 60 minuti"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
• Similar words include: os, bone, oculus sinister
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORA

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26D: "39. Pulse quickly, as the heart"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any competition
• Similar words include: hasten, cannonball along, hotfoot
• Opposite of: linger

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RACE

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27D: "42. Bratty kid"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
• Similar words include: snob, snoot, prig
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SNOT

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28D: "45. Was a fangirl of, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STANNED

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29D: "47. "Really awful""

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ITSBAD

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30D: "48. Connected"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that make a logical or causal connection
• Similar words include: colligate, joined, link up
• Opposite of: disconnect, dissociate

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LINKED

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31D: "49. Scraped (by)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EKED

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32D: "52. "Huh?""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WHAT

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33D: "53. Like the sign for Radio City Music Hall"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
• Similar words include: Ne, atomic number 10
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEON

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34D: "54. Roof projection"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EAVE

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35D: "56. Farming area"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in english-speaking countries
• Similar words include: Accho, Akko, Akka
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACRE

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36D: "57. Actor Steven of "Beef" and "Nope""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEUN

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37D: "58. Tax IDs"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SSNS

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38D: "61. Result of a solo homer, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a run that is the result of the batter's performance
• Similar words include: run batted in
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RBI

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39D: "62. "There you ___!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
• Similar words include: equal, comprise, follow
• Opposite of: differ

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARE

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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

37 Across Clues

39 Down Clues

76 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 25, 2026 at 05:09 AM