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Friday, August 29, 2025

December 15, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, December 15, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (35 Across, 37 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.2 letters

December 15, 2023 Across Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Answers

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Yard, nautically 4
2A 5. Desire for a ski jumper 8
3A 13. ___ blue dot (Earth, in a famous photograph) 4
4A 14. "Knock it off!," in question form 9
5A 15. Since 4
6A 16. Classic airplane snack 10
7A 17. General term in a series 3
8A 18. Number in a count 5
9A 19. Change, as a lock 5
10A 20. One in a million, so to speak 7
11A 22. Journalism inits. since 1851 3
12A 23. One way to travel the world 5
13A 24. Lines from a rapper, in slang 4
14A 26. Milk option 3
15A 29. Earth-based pigment 5
16A 30. Likely hyperbole from a texter 4
17A 32. Equipment in hockey, lacrosse and pickleball 3
18A 34. What one might look at the night sky with 15
19A 38. ___ Lingus 3
20A 39. Badge holder 4
21A 40. Spanish geographical word that is an anagram of its English translation 5
22A 41. "Woo-hoo!," in online shorthand 3
23A 43. Pronoun functioning as an object (not a subject!) 4
24A 45. "Give me five!" 5
25A 46. Half full? 3
26A 48. "Dig in, everyone" 7
27A 50. Tropical vine 5
28A 53. Work from, as a desk 5
29A 54. Purple ___, Hawaiian crop 3
30A 56. Bookie? 10
31A 58. ___ bottles (popular gummy candy) 4
32A 59. Bad press, say 9
33A 60. Event at high noon 4
34A 61. Occasion to recite the Pledge of Allegiance 8
35A 62. Button usually held down by a pinkie 4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. Yard, nautically"

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 any of various nonmetallic minerals (calcite or feldspar) that are light in color and transparent or translucent and cleavable
  • Words that mean the same thing: sparring
  • 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: SPAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Desire for a ski jumper"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: HANGTIME

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "13. ___ blue dot (Earth, in a famous photograph)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a wooden strip forming part of a fence
  • Words that mean the same thing: pallid, wan, blench
  • 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: PALE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. "Knock it off!," in question form"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: CANYOUNOT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Since"

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: ASOF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Classic airplane snack"

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: SALTEDNUTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. General term in a series"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that last or greatest in an indefinitely large series
  • Words that mean the same thing: n-th
  • 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: NTH

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Number in a count"

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 round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
  • Words that mean the same thing: orchis, orb, glob
  • 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: BALLS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Change, as a lock"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: REKEY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. One in a million, so to speak"

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: RAREGEM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Journalism inits. since 1851"

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: NYT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. One way to travel the world"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: BYSEA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "24. Lines from a rapper, in slang"

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 gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
  • Words that mean the same thing: stop, relegate, legal community
  • The opposite would be: unbar
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BARS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "26. Milk option"

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 annual grass of europe and north africa; grains used as food and fodder (referred to primarily in the plural: `oats')
  • 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: OAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "29. Earth-based pigment"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a moderate yellow-orange to orange color
  • Words that mean the same thing: ochre
  • 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: OCHER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "30. Likely hyperbole from a texter"

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: ROFL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. Equipment in hockey, lacrosse and pickleball"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the tcp/ip network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
  • Words that mean the same thing: nett, meshwork, web
  • The opposite would be: gross
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. What one might look at the night sky with"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: CHILDLIKEWONDER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. ___ Lingus"

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: AER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "39. Badge holder"

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 framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
  • Words that mean the same thing: waistband, cincture, girdle
  • 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: SASH

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. Spanish geographical word that is an anagram of its English translation"

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 riblike part of a plant or animal (such as a middle rib of a leaf or a thickened vein of an insect wing)
  • Words that mean the same thing: rib
  • 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: COSTA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. "Woo-hoo!," in online shorthand"

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: FTW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "43. Pronoun functioning as an object (not a subject!)"

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: WHOM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "45. "Give me five!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: UPTOP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "46. Half full?"

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 angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
  • Words that mean the same thing: el, ALT, elevated railway
  • 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: ELS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "48. "Dig in, everyone""

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: LETSEAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "50. Tropical vine"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a woody climbing usually tropical plant
  • 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: LIANA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. Work from, as a desk"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: SITAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "54. Purple ___, Hawaiian crop"

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 edible tuber of any of several yams
  • Words that mean the same thing: yam plant
  • 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: YAM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "56. Bookie?"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about literature.

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: AVIDREADER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "58. ___ bottles (popular gummy candy)"

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: genus Cola, El Salvadoran colon, colon
  • 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 32 Across: "59. Bad press, say"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: MEDIABIAS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "60. Event at high noon"

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 prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
  • Words that mean the same thing: affaire d'honneur
  • 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: DUEL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "61. Occasion to recite the Pledge of Allegiance"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
  • Words that mean the same thing: meeting place, assemblage, gathering
  • The opposite would be: disassembly
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ASSEMBLY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "62. Button usually held down by a pinkie"

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: CTRL

    Great job if you got it right!

December 15, 2023 Down Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Guide

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Word after life or C 4
2D 2. One whose work might be a piece of cake? 10
3D 3. Bit of attire seldom worn with a jacket 10
4D 4. One you might beseech to get glasses 3
5D 5. Term for an overly commercialized celebration 15
6D 6. At any one time, roughly 10,000 trillion of them roam the earth 4
7D 7. Bill concerned with science communication 3
8D 8. Become barren 5
9D 9. Synchronize with 6
10D 10. Arctic native 4
11D 11. Speck 4
12D 12. Handmade goods site 4
13D 14. One on the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land 5
14D 16. Lose tautness 3
15D 18. What stubbles may become 6
16D 21. Lurch 4
17D 22. Warning letters with a Reddit link 4
18D 23. ___ Juniors, soccer team for which Diego Maradona once played 4
19D 25. CanapΓ© topper 3
20D 27. "Don't even think of coming back!" 10
21D 28. Nephalist 10
22D 31. Part of a biblical plague 6
23D 33. Trick question, e.g. 4
24D 35. Housework? 4
25D 36. There or thereabouts 3
26D 37. 2022 Jordan Peele film 4
27D 42. Actress Malick 6
28D 44. Hands (out) 5
29D 47. West Coast N.F.L.'er 5
30D 49. Damage the reputation of 3
31D 50. Tibetan title 4
32D 51. Experimental composer Charles 4
33D 52. Supports 4
34D 53. Set ___ 4
35D 55. Common place to see Santa 4
36D 57. Fade away 3
37D 58. Public health org. 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. Word after life or C"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the complete duration of something
  • Words that mean the same thing: couple, yoke, distich
  • 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: SPAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. One whose work might be a piece of cake?"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: PASTRYCHEF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Bit of attire seldom worn with a jacket"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ALOHASHIRT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. One you might beseech to get glasses"

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 (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or american football) who is expected to ensure fair play
  • Words that mean the same thing: referee
  • 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: REF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Term for an overly commercialized celebration"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: HALLMARKHOLIDAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. At any one time, roughly 10,000 trillion of them roam the earth"

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 social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
  • Words that mean the same thing: emmet, ant, pismire
  • 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: ANTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Bill concerned with science communication"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about science/technology.

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: NYE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Become barren"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: GODRY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Synchronize with"

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: TUNETO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Arctic native"

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: INUK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Speck"

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 (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
  • Words that mean the same thing: particle, speck, molecule
  • 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: MOTE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Handmade goods site"

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: ETSY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. One on the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: CALEB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "16. Lose tautness"

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 shape that sags
  • Words that mean the same thing: swag, sag down, flag
  • 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: SAG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "18. What stubbles may become"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
  • Words that mean the same thing: whiskers, byssus, beard
  • 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: BEARDS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "21. Lurch"

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 a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
  • Words that mean the same thing: swag, spin around, gyrate
  • 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: REEL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "22. Warning letters with a Reddit link"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard 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: NSFW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "23. ___ Juniors, soccer team for which Diego Maradona once played"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: BOCA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "25. CanapΓ© topper"

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 fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
  • Words that mean the same thing: hard roe
  • 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: ROE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. "Don't even think of coming back!""

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ANDSTAYOUT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. Nephalist"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a total abstainer
  • Words that mean the same thing: teetotalist, teetotaller
  • 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: TEETOTALER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. Part of a biblical plague"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that migratory grasshoppers of warm regions having short antennae
  • Words that mean the same thing: locust tree
  • 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: LOCUST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Trick question, e.g."

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 device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
  • Words that mean the same thing: sand trap, pin down, bunker
  • 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: TRAP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Housework?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the first of three divisions of the hebrew scriptures comprising the first five books of the hebrew bible considered as a unit
  • Words that mean the same thing: law of nature, natural law, police force
  • 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: LAWS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. There or thereabouts"

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: ISH

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. 2022 Jordan Peele film"

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

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: NOPE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Actress Malick"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium 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: WENDIE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Hands (out)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a line that indicates a boundary
  • Words that mean the same thing: border, delimitation, mete
  • 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: METES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. West Coast N.F.L.'er"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: LARAM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. Damage the reputation of"

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 any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
  • Words that mean the same thing: sea dog, mariner, gob
  • 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: TAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Tibetan title"

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 tibetan or mongolian priest of lamaism
  • Words that mean the same thing: genus Lama
  • 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: LAMA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. Experimental composer Charles"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that united states composer noted for his innovative use of polytonality (1874-1954)
  • Words that mean the same thing: James Merritt Ives, James Ives, Charles Edward Ives
  • 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: IVES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. Supports"

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 a serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles
  • Words that mean the same thing: financial aid, aid, assist
  • 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: AIDS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. Set ___"

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 large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
  • Words that mean the same thing: voyage, canvas, sheet
  • 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: SAIL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. Common place to see Santa"

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 public area set aside as a pedestrian walk
  • Words that mean the same thing: center, shopping centre, shopping mall
  • 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: MALL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "57. Fade 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 a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
  • Words that mean the same thing: ebbing, ebb off, ebb down
  • The opposite would be: tide
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EBB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "58. Public health org."

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 federal agency in the department of health and human services; located in atlanta; investigates and diagnoses and tries to control or prevent diseases (especially new and unusual diseases)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • 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: CDC

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 50 69.4%
Short Answer 14 19.4%
History 2 2.8%
Literature 1 1.4%
Science/Technology 1 1.4%
Sports 1 1.4%
Movies/Film 1 1.4%
Celebrity/Entertainment 1 1.4%
Music 1 1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 35
Down Clues 37
Total Clues 72
Average Answer Length 5.2 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

  • Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
  • Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
  • When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
  • Today is Friday, 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: August 28, 2025 at 10:19 PM

Friday, October 10, 2025

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 10, 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: Moderate

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. Viking of cartoon fame 5
2A 6. Claustrophobe's desire 9
3A 15. Best-selling singer whose album titles are all Arabic numerals 5
4A 16. Cosmetic injection 9
5A 17. Charge 5
6A 18. Key ingredients in cong you bing, a savory Chinese pancake 9
7A 19. Cry after a reappearing act 8
8A 21. Christopher Nolan movie with a palindromic name 5
9A 22. Hard-to-miss shot 5
10A 23. It's pitched 4
11A 24. Took 6
12A 26. Someone who spends a lot of time baking? 8
13A 30. The emperor and his subjects in Disney's "The Emperor's New Groove" 5
14A 31. Barrage with insults, in online lingo 5
15A 32. Sch. that's home to Mike the Tiger (and his 15,000-square-foot habitat) 3
16A 33. Mirthless 4
17A 34. We're booked! 5
18A 35. The Yankees and the Red Sox, e.g. 4
19A 36. 12 pgs., maybe 3
20A 37. Tempo between lento and adagio 5
21A 38. Ecological community 5
22A 39. Colonial homes? 8
23A 41. Packs of zombies 6
24A 42. Preceding periods 4
25A 43. Verbally threw tomatoes at 5
26A 44. Star 5
27A 46. The Beatles' "The End" has one at the beginning 8
28A 49. Where all of your knowledge might be wasted? 9
29A 51. Excessive enthusiasm 5
30A 52. Bit of a fast-food side order 9
31A 53. Blunt recap of a disappointing match 5
32A 54. Was totally awesome 9
33A 55. Longtime alternative to Altoids 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Viking of cartoon fame"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Claustrophobe's desire"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPENSPACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. Best-selling singer whose album titles are all Arabic numerals"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Cosmetic injection"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIPFILLER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Charge"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Key ingredients in cong you bing, a savory Chinese pancake"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that plant having a large slender white bulb and flat overlapping dark green leaves; used in cooking; believed derived from the wild allium ampeloprasum
  • Similar words include: green onion, Allium porrum, leek
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCALLIONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Cry after a reappearing act"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a game played with young children; you hide your face and suddenly reveal it as you say boo!
  • Similar words include: bopeep
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEEKABOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. Christopher Nolan movie with a palindromic name"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
  • Similar words include: dogma
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Hard-to-miss shot"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. It's pitched"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
  • Similar words include: camp, collapsible shelter, camp out
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Took"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take hold of; grab
  • Similar words include: grab, prehend, conquer
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEIZED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. Someone who spends a lot of time baking?"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. The emperor and his subjects in Disney's "The Emperor's New Groove""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ruler of the incas (or a member of his family)
  • Similar words include: Inka, Inca, Incan
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Barrage with insults, in online lingo"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
  • Similar words include: fire, flaming, flare
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Sch. that's home to Mike the Tiger (and his 15,000-square-foot habitat)"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Mirthless"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
  • Similar words include: black, dour, blue
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. We're booked!"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
  • Similar words include: suite, elbow room, room
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. The Yankees and the Red Sox, e.g."

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
  • Similar words include: opposition, enemy, foe
  • Opposite of: friend
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. 12 pgs., maybe"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an indefinitely short time
  • Similar words include: Mo, atomic number 42, bit
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. Tempo between lento and adagio"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (music) a composition or passage that is to be performed in a slow and dignified manner
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LARGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "38. Ecological community"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a major biotic community characterized by the dominant forms of plant life and the prevailing climate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIOME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. Colonial homes?"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "41. Packs of zombies"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vast multitude
  • Similar words include: host, horde, drove
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HORDES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "42. Preceding periods"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) adam's wife in judeo-christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; god created eve from adam's rib and placed adam and eve in the garden of eden
  • Similar words include: Eve, eventide, evening
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "43. Verbally threw tomatoes at"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that show displeasure, as after a performance or speech
  • Similar words include: hiss, boo
  • Opposite of: applaud
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOOED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "44. Star"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "46. The Beatles' "The End" has one at the beginning"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "49. Where all of your knowledge might be wasted?"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BARTRIVIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. Excessive enthusiasm"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action
  • Similar words include: passion, cacoethes, manic disorder
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "52. Bit of a fast-food side order"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONIONRING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "53. Blunt recap of a disappointing match"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "54. Was totally awesome"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KICKEDASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "55. Longtime alternative to Altoids"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an absolute certainty
  • Similar words include: cert
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CERTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Instrument in the emblem of Ireland 4
2D 2. Together, musically 4
3D 3. Expert on inheritance 10
4D 4. Magician's cry 8
5D 5. Treats again, in a way, as a sprain 7
6D 6. Kaitlin of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" 5
7D 7. One-trillionth: Prefix 4
8D 8. A.Q.I. measurer 3
9D 9. Eagles and Ravens 8
10D 10. Hush 7
11D 11. Base for a bust 6
12D 12. Source of relief 4
13D 13. One out of a hundred? 4
14D 14. Locales for some residents, in brief 3
15D 20. Offered 3
16D 23. Sentiment during el dΓ­a de San ValentΓ­n 5
17D 24. Greek letter that refers to a lone wolf, in Gen-Z slang 5
18D 25. Company whose stock price cratered in the early 2000s 5
19D 26. Not-so-private diaries 5
20D 27. A+ giver? 10
21D 28. Volunteer's suggestion 5
22D 29. Nonet of Greek mythology 5
23D 31. Creates 5
24D 34. One-of-a-kind individual 8
25D 35. Something you might have while trying to move quickly 8
26D 37. Actress/activist Cox 7
27D 38. Part of a film studio's overhead? 7
28D 40. Was no longer under the weather 6
29D 41. The Rockets, on a scoreboard 3
30D 43. Shares a big fish story, say 5
31D 44. "Pretty please?" 4
32D 45. Rams legend Dickerson 4
33D 46. Rackets 4
34D 47. One might be ticked off 4
35D 48. Common parfait toppings 4
36D 49. ___ choy 3
37D 50. By 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Instrument in the emblem of Ireland"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chordophone that has a triangular frame consisting of a sounding board and a pillar and a curved neck; the strings stretched between the neck and the soundbox are plucked with the fingers
  • Similar words include: harmonica, mouth harp, dwell
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Together, musically"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Expert on inheritance"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a biologist who specializes in genetics
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENETICIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Magician's cry"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Treats again, in a way, as a sprain"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RETAPES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Kaitlin of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia""

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. One-trillionth: Prefix"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. A.Q.I. measurer"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment
  • Similar words include: Environmental Protection Agency
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Eagles and Ravens"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Hush"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
  • Similar words include: hush, quiet, still
  • Opposite of: sound, louden
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SILENCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Base for a bust"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue)
  • Similar words include: pedestal, footstall
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLINTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Source of relief"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. One out of a hundred?"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fractional monetary unit of several countries
  • Similar words include: penny, centime
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Locales for some residents, in brief"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
  • Similar words include: erbium, Er, emergency room
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. Offered"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
  • Similar words include: press, adjure, beseech
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Sentiment during el dΓ­a de San ValentΓ­n"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Greek letter that refers to a lone wolf, in Gen-Z slang"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 18th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIGMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Company whose stock price cratered in the early 2000s"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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19D: "26. Not-so-private diaries"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies
  • Similar words include: web log, blog
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOGS

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20D: "27. A+ giver?"

10 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOODDONOR

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21D: "28. Volunteer's suggestion"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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22D: "29. Nonet of Greek mythology"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in ancient greek mythology any of 9 daughters of zeus and mnemosyne; protector of an art or science
  • Similar words include: speculate, genus Mus, chew over
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MUSES

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23D: "31. Creates"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
  • Similar words include: manakin, constitute, course
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORMS

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24D: "34. One-of-a-kind individual"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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25D: "35. Something you might have while trying to move quickly"

8 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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26D: "37. Actress/activist Cox"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAVERNE

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27D: "38. Part of a film studio's overhead?"

7 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOOMMIC

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28D: "40. Was no longer under the weather"

6 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "41. The Rockets, on a scoreboard"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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30D: "43. Shares a big fish story, say"

5 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an instance of boastful talk
  • Similar words include: swash, vaunt, bluster
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRAGS

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31D: "44. "Pretty please?""

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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32D: "45. Rams legend Dickerson"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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33D: "46. Rackets"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud harsh or strident noise
  • Similar words include: ruckus, rumpus, clamor
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DINS

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34D: "47. One might be ticked off"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
  • Similar words include: tilt, inclination, name
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIST

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35D: "48. Common parfait toppings"

4 letters πŸ’­ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that annual grass of europe and north africa; grains used as food and fodder (referred to primarily in the plural: `oats')
  • Similar words include: oat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OATS

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36D: "49. ___ choy"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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37D: "50. By"

3 letters πŸ’­ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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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

33 Across Clues
37 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

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Last updated: October 10, 2025 at 03:48 AM