27426 Fri Dec 13, 2024 nyt by Ryan Patrick Smith

Across Clues :

1. Put a lid on it!, 8. To which a "To/From" label might be attached, 15. Chance meeting greeting, 16. Away for a while, 17. Question after an untimely joke, 18. Attacked from the sides, 19. Pronouncing "pronunciation" as "pronounciation," e.g., 20. Drift, 21. Dorothea who documented the Great Depression, 22. Lodge, 23. What Han Solo never wants to be told, 25. Stars are big ones, 27. Open, as a compressed file, 28. Sexually charged title track of a hit 1973 album, 33. Title princess in a Gilbert and Sullivan opera, 34. Spanish pronoun, 35. Something to show for a tow, 36. Recurring quirk, 37. Contribute to a company, say, 38. Hallmark of a hypocrite, 40. Trig ratio, 42. ___ shock (Japan's term for the video game crash of 1983), 43. Place for an ornament, 44. Cornmeal cake, 46. "My heart is like a singing bird / ___ nest is in a water'd shoot": Christina Rossetti, 50. Features of work boots, 52. Elevated pitches, 53. Main course?, 54. "The Fault in Our Stars" genre, informally, 55. Touchdown, e.g., 56. Without exception, 57. Slack alternative, in brief, 58. Major product of Jordan

Down Clues :

1. W, for one, 2. Now, in Spanish, 3. Garden-variety poker?, 4. Steps down, 5. 1972 Gilbert O'Sullivan hit with a melancholy title, 6. Draining issue, 7. ___Mari (organization method), 8. Office lackey, 9. Nacre on a nice guitar, say, 10. Dessert made with a double boiler, 11. Achilles, e.g., 12. Cheesy casserole, 13. Went too far, 14. Struck (out), 20. Performers of note?, 22. Test releases, 24. Scatterbrained, 26. Statistics calculation, 27. Question that one is tricked into asking, in a classic gag, 28. Drain (away), 29. Chargeable conveyances, 30. Makeup of a sleeve, 31. Soeur de la mère, 32. What's black and white and wet all over?, 39. Singer with the 2009 double-platinum album "Rated R", 41. Antarctic penguin, 44. First airline to fly a jumbo jet, 45. Cars known as Vauxhalls in the U.K., 47. Count ___, a.k.a. Nosferatu, 48. Book identifier, often, 49. Compound formed from an alcohol and an acid, 51. Drink similar to Champagne, 52. Bean on the screen, 53. Tech entrepreneur Altman, 54. "American Dad!" airer

Break down the NYT Crosswords: December 13, 2024

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

New York Times, Friday, December 13, 2024

Across Clues with Answers:

• The clue is 1. Put a lid on it!. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HATRACK

  Possible Answer : hatrack, coat_rack, coatrack




• The clue is 8. To which a "To/From" label might be attached. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: GIFTBOX




• The clue is 15. Chance meeting greeting. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OHHELLO




• The clue is 16. Away for a while. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ONLEAVE




• The clue is 17. Question after an untimely joke. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TOOSOON




• The clue is 18. Attacked from the sides. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: FLANKED

  Possible Answer : flank




• The clue is 19. Pronouncing "pronunciation" as "pronounciation," e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ERRING

  Possible Answer : drift, error-prone, erring, mistake, slip, stray, err




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

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

  The answer: MEANDER

  Possible Answer : meander, thread, wander, wind, weave, ramble




• The clue is 21. Dorothea who documented the Great Depression. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LANGE

  Possible Answer : Lange, Dorothea_Lange




• The clue is 22. Lodge. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BURY

  Possible Answer : eat_up, lay_to_rest, swallow_up, sink, entomb, bury, forget, inhume, immerse, swallow, inter

  Possible Opposite Answer : remember




• The clue is 23. What Han Solo never wants to be told. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ODDS

  Possible Answer : odds, betting_odds




• The clue is 25. Stars are big ones. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NAMES

  Possible Answer : cite, list, nominate, mention, refer, advert, make, figure, identify, appoint, distinguish, constitute, bring_up, diagnose, public_figure, name_calling, discover, gens, key, epithet, describe, names, key_out, name, call




• The clue is 27. Open, as a compressed file. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: UNZIP

  Possible Answer : unzip

  Possible Opposite Answer : zip_up




• The clue is 28. Sexually charged title track of a hit 1973 album. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LETSGETITON




• The clue is 33. Title princess in a Gilbert and Sullivan opera. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: IDA

  Possible Answer : International_Development_Association, IDA




• The clue is 34. Spanish pronoun. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ESA




• The clue is 35. Something to show for a tow. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AAACARD




• The clue is 36. Recurring quirk. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TIC

  Possible Answer : tic




• The clue is 37. Contribute to a company, say. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ACT

  Possible Answer : represent, work, play, human_action, bit, do, number, dissemble, enactment, deed, routine, roleplay, behave, human_activity, pretend, act_as, playact, act, turn, move

  Possible Opposite Answer : refrain




• The clue is 38. Hallmark of a hypocrite. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: INSINCERITY

  Possible Answer : falseness, insincerity, hollowness

  Possible Opposite Answer : sincerity




• The clue is 40. Trig ratio. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: COTAN

  Possible Answer : cotan, cotangent




• The clue is 42. ___ shock (Japan's term for the video game crash of 1983). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ATARI




• The clue is 43. Place for an ornament. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HOOD

  Possible Answer : exhaust_hood, cowl, goon, cowling, thug, cap, lens_hood, punk, bonnet, tough, strong-armer, hood, hoodlum, toughie




• The clue is 44. Cornmeal cake. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PONE

  Possible Answer : pone, cornpone




• The clue is 46. "My heart is like a singing bird / ___ nest is in a water'd shoot": Christina Rossetti. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: WHOSE




• The clue is 50. Features of work boots. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TOECAPS

  Possible Answer : toecap




• The clue is 52. Elevated pitches. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SHARPS

  Possible Answer : sharp




• The clue is 53. Main course?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SEALANE




• The clue is 54. "The Fault in Our Stars" genre, informally. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TEENLIT




• The clue is 55. Touchdown, e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARRIVAL

  Possible Answer : reaching, comer, arrival, arriver




• The clue is 56. Without exception. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BARNONE




• The clue is 57. Slack alternative, in brief. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MSTEAMS




• The clue is 58. Major product of Jordan. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SNEAKER

  Possible Answer : canary, sneaker, stoolie, sneak, stool_pigeon, tennis_shoe, stoolpigeon, fink, snitcher, gym_shoe, snitch

Down Clues and Answers:

• The clue is 1. W, for one. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HOTEL

  Possible Answer: hotel

• The clue is 2. Now, in Spanish. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AHORA

• The clue is 3. Garden-variety poker?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: THORN

  Possible Answer: spikelet, thorn, sticker, prickle, irritant, pricker, spine

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

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

  The answer: RESIGNS

  Possible Answer: step_down, leave_office, quit, vacate, free, reconcile, submit, give_up, renounce, release, resign, relinquish

  Possible Opposite Answer : take_office

• The clue is 5. 1972 Gilbert O'Sullivan hit with a melancholy title. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ALONEAGAIN

• The clue is 6. Draining issue. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CLOG

  Possible Answer: geta, sabot, clog_dancing, clot, choke_off, clog_up, choke, congest, clog_dance, clog, constipate, foul, back_up, overload, patten

  Possible Opposite Answer : unclog

• The clue is 7. ___Mari (organization method). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: KON

• The clue is 8. Office lackey. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: GOFER

  Possible Answer: gofer

• The clue is 9. Nacre on a nice guitar, say. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: INLAY

  Possible Answer: inlay

• The clue is 10. Dessert made with a double boiler. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: FLAN

  Possible Answer: flan

• The clue is 11. Achilles, e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TENDON

  Possible Answer: tendon, sinew

• The clue is 12. Cheesy casserole. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BAKEDZITI

• The clue is 13. Went too far. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OVERDIDIT

• The clue is 14. Struck (out). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: XED

• The clue is 20. Performers of note?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MUSICIANS

  Possible Answer: musician, instrumentalist, player

• The clue is 22. Test releases. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BETAS

  Possible Answer: beta, Beta, genus_Beta

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

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

  The answer: SPACY

  Possible Answer: spacey, spacy, spaced-out

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

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

  The answer: MEAN

  Possible Answer: mean, imply, miserly, mean_value, meanspirited, stand_for, beggarly, bastardly, base, mingy, have_in_mind, intend, entail, think_of, hateful, think, signify, average, tight

• The clue is 27. Question that one is tricked into asking, in a classic gag. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: UNDERWHERE

• The clue is 28. Drain (away). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LEACH

  Possible Answer: percolate, strip, leach, leaching

• The clue is 29. Chargeable conveyances. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ESCOOTERS

• The clue is 30. Makeup of a sleeve. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TATTOOART

• The clue is 31. Soeur de la mère. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TANTE

• The clue is 32. What's black and white and wet all over?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ORCA

  Possible Answer: sea_wolf, grampus, killer_whale, orca, Orcinus_orca, killer

• The clue is 39. Singer with the 2009 double-platinum album "Rated R". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RIHANNA

• The clue is 41. Antarctic penguin. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ADELIE

  Possible Answer: Pygoscelis_adeliae, Adelie, Adelie_penguin

• The clue is 44. First airline to fly a jumbo jet. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PANAM

• The clue is 45. Cars known as Vauxhalls in the U.K.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OPELS

  Possible Answer: Opel, Wilhelm_von_Opel

• The clue is 47. Count ___, a.k.a. Nosferatu. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ORLOK

• The clue is 48. Book identifier, often. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SPINE

  Possible Answer: rachis, spur, spikelet, vertebral_column, thorn, sticker, spinal_column, prickle, acantha, pricker, backbone, spine, back

• The clue is 49. Compound formed from an alcohol and an acid. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ESTER

  Possible Answer: ester

• The clue is 51. Drink similar to Champagne. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CAVA

• The clue is 52. Bean on the screen. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SEAN

• The clue is 53. Tech entrepreneur Altman. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SAM

  Possible Answer: SAM, surface-to-air_missile

• The clue is 54. "American Dad!" airer. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TBS

  Possible Answer: TiB, TB, Tbit, terabyte, tebibyte, tuberculosis, T.B., terbium, atomic_number_65, terabit, Tb

Today's Trivia Week 2 NYT Mini Crossword May 09, 2026 Answers

Trivia Week 2 May 09, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Hints

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: March 10 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | September 21 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | March 13 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |

Jump To Section

• Puzzle Information
• Grid Layout
• Across Clues (10 total)
• Down Clues (10 total)
• How to Solve Faster
• Common Questions

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Saturday, May 09, 2026

Puzzle Statistics

Detail	Information
Date	May 09, 2026
Grid Size	5 x 5 squares
Total Clues	20 clues
Across Clues	10 clues
Down Clues	10 clues
Average Solve Time	Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week {week_num} NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern

	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Row 1
Row 2
Row 3
Row 4
Row 5

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

• Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
• Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
• Best time to play: During a coffee break
• Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List

Number	Clue
1 Across	16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread)
2 Across	24. Low-level clouds
3 Across	21. Husky hellos?
4 Across	42. Pomegranate morsel
5 Across	45. Still active after all these years
6 Across	22. Reached new heights
7 Across	18. Place for a post
8 Across	67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps
9 Across	44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names
10 Across	41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. Also check out these helpful guides:

• February 03 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 18 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• Todays Across Crossword NYT December 10

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1 Across: "16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread)"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
• Word pattern: A__O

Answer:

Click to reveal

ALOO

---

2 Across: "24. Low-level clouds"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 6 letters
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'I'
• Word pattern: S____I

Answer:

Click to reveal

STRATI

---

3 Across: "21. Husky hellos?"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: A__S

Answer:

Click to reveal

ARFS

---

4 Across: "42. Pomegranate morsel"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
• Word pattern: A__L

Answer:

Click to reveal

ARIL

---

5 Across: "45. Still active after all these years"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
• Word pattern: S__Y

Answer:

Click to reveal

SPRY

---

6 Across: "22. Reached new heights"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'G' and ends with 'W'
• Word pattern: G__W

Answer:

Click to reveal

GREW

---

7 Across: "18. Place for a post"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'B' and ends with 'G'
• Word pattern: B__G

Answer:

Click to reveal

BLOG

---

8 Across: "67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 10 letters
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'D'
• Word pattern: S________D

Answer:

Click to reveal

STEAKSALAD

---

9 Across: "44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'R' and ends with 'O'
• This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal

RHO

---

10 Across: "41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
• Word pattern: E___R

Answer:

Click to reveal

ESTER

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List

Number	Clue
1 Down	2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped
2 Down	11. Weighty subject of some children's books
3 Down	55. What some bio majors do prep work for
4 Down	4. "This is for you"
5 Down	59. Kilo follower
6 Down	1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987
7 Down	48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon
8 Down	27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening"
9 Down	40. Setup for an extra point
10 Down	37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history)

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:

• September 21 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• March 13 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• February 03 2020 NYT Clues Solutions

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1 Down: "2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'L' and ends with 'I'
• Word pattern: L__I

Answer:

Click to reveal

LEOI

---

2 Down: "11. Weighty subject of some children's books"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'B' and ends with 'R'
• Word pattern: B___R

Answer:

Click to reveal

BABAR

---

3 Down: "55. What some bio majors do prep work for"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
• Word pattern: M__T

Answer:

Click to reveal

MCAT

---

4 Down: "4. "This is for you""

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'H' and ends with 'E'
• Word pattern: H__E

Answer:

Click to reveal

HERE

---

5 Down: "59. Kilo follower"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'L' and ends with 'A'
• Word pattern: L__A

Answer:

Click to reveal

LIMA

---

6 Down: "1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: A__S

Answer:

Click to reveal

AMYS

---

7 Down: "48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 6 letters
• It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: C____S

Answer:

Click to reveal

CRAMPS

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8 Down: "27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening""

Helpful hints:

• This word has 10 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
• Word pattern: A________O

Answer:

Click to reveal

ARISHAPIRO

---

9 Down: "40. Setup for an extra point"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
• Word pattern: A__O

Answer:

Click to reveal

ALSO

---

10 Down: "37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history)"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'D' and ends with 'O'
• Word pattern: D__O

Answer:

Click to reveal

DABO

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

• The letter E is the most common in English
• Words ending in S are often plurals
• If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
• Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time	Skill Level	What It Means
Under 30 seconds	Expert	You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds	Advanced	Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes	Good	You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes	Learning	You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers

Total Clues:	20 clues to solve
Grid Size:	5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares:	25 squares to fill
Average Time:	Most people solve in 1 minute 3 seconds
Difficulty:	A bit tricky

More Puzzle Help

If you like the NYT Mini, you might enjoy these other puzzles too:

Recent Crossword Solutions:

• April 27 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 01 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 21 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• All NYT Across Clues December 15 2025
• February 02 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers September_22

Common Questions About Trivia Week 2

When can I play the Trivia Week 2 Mini?

The Trivia Week 2 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 2?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 2 Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play Trivia Week 2?

No! The Trivia Week 2 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 2 solver?

Good Trivia Week 2 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 2?

Trivia Week 2 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.

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Last Updated: May 09, 2026 at 06:03 AM

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XWordHint Crossword Answers January 04, 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 (63 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (73 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

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. It protects the heart	7
2A	8. Egyptian god of the underworld	6
3A	14. Dr.'s order?	3
4A	17. Substances found in cured meats and explosives	8
5A	18. Theme park with attractions like The Count's Splash Castle and Oscar's Rusty Rotten Rockets	11
6A	21. High marks	8
7A	22. "That's enough bickering!"	12
8A	24. Valletta's land	5
9A	25. Sci-fi protagonist who says "I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life"	3
10A	27. Max's opposite	3
11A	28. Morpheus, to 25-Across	6
12A	29. Good ol' boy	5
13A	31. Actor Thomas ___ Church	5
14A	34. Stares stupidly	5
15A	35. General who crossed the Rubicon	6
16A	37. Snubs	7
17A	39. Ultimate end, to Aristotle	5
18A	40. TV E.T.	3
19A	41. Secondary list of options	7
20A	43. ___ Veronese, "The Wedding at Cana" painter	5
21A	45. Queen ___ Land (region of Antarctica claimed by Norway)	4
22A	47. Classification that anyone can donate to	6
23A	48. Got off	4
24A	49. With warts and all	4
25A	53. Pesto ingredients	8
26A	55. Made less angry now	8
27A	58. Ozone no-no, for short	3
28A	59. The dash in many an emoticon	4
29A	60. It's a "tyrannical discipline," said Sylvia Plath	6
30A	61. Titular role in a 2024 Disney prequel	6
31A	63. Derived from gold	5
32A	66. Steals, informally	7
33A	67. Something a bug produces	5
34A	68. Certain Army noncom	6
35A	70. Points to a church?	6
36A	71. What the 7 may mean in 7/11	4
37A	73. Brewed beverage	3
38A	74. Perseveres	8
39A	76. Certain drink + what that drink has a lot of = women's lifestyle website	8
40A	80. "Horsefeathers!"	4
41A	82. "Fiddlesticks!"	4
42A	83. Combine using heat without melting, as particles	6
43A	85. Make a lot, say?	4
44A	86. Famed firefighter Red	5
45A	88. "All right, but that's not my opinion"	7
46A	90. L.A.P.D. unit?	3
47A	91. The Lamb	5
48A	93. Devoted effort to looking attractive	7
49A	96. Leaning	6
50A	98. Bandage brand	5
51A	99. Possessed, biblically	5
52A	100. Word before winner or after Wonder	5
53A	101. Brick homes	6
54A	103. Buffalo's home: Abbr.	3
55A	104. "Sprechen ___ Deutsch?"	3
56A	106. Eponym of element 96	5
57A	109. They'll get there eventually	12
58A	113. Like the cultivation of land	8
59A	115. Country whose border shape is the world's roundest	11
60A	116. Zero	8
61A	117. Co.'s $$$ head	3
62A	118. Steal for ransom	6
63A	119. Whence the phrase "wear one's heart on one's sleeve"	7

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. It protects the heart"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RIBCAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "8. Egyptian god of the underworld"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that egyptian god of the underworld and judge of the dead; husband and brother of isis; father of horus
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OSIRIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Dr.'s order?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "17. Substances found in cured meats and explosives"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any compound containing the nitrate group (such as a salt or ester of nitric acid)
• Similar words include: nitrate
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NITRATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "18. Theme park with attractions like The Count's Splash Castle and Oscar's Rusty Rotten Rockets"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SESAMEPLACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "21. High marks"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APLUSSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "22. "That's enough bickering!""

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STOPITYOUTWO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "24. Valletta's land"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a republic on the island of malta in the mediterranean; achieved independence from the united kingdom in 1964
• Similar words include: Republic of Malta
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MALTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "25. Sci-fi protagonist who says "I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (used as a combining form) recent or new
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "27. Max's opposite"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
• Similar words include: minute, Hokkianese, Fukien
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "28. Morpheus, to 25-Across"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a wise and trusted guide and advisor
• Similar words include: wise man
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MENTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "29. Good ol' boy"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BUBBA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "31. Actor Thomas ___ Church"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HADEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "34. Stares stupidly"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an awkward stupid person
• Similar words include: goggle, gawp, oaf
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAWKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "35. General who crossed the Rubicon"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that conqueror of gaul and master of italy (100-44 bc)
• Similar words include: Gaius Julius Caesar, Sidney Caesar, Sid Caesar
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAESAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "37. Snubs"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that refuse to acknowledge
• Similar words include: brush aside, brush off, disregard
• Opposite of: know, notice

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IGNORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "39. Ultimate end, to Aristotle"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TELOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "40. TV E.T."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Secondary list of options"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a secondary menu that appears while you are holding the cursor over an item on the primary menu
• Similar words include: hierarchical menu, cascading menu
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUBMENU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "43. ___ Veronese, "The Wedding at Cana" painter"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAOLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "45. Queen ___ Land (region of Antarctica claimed by Norway)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. Classification that anyone can donate to"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TYPEAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. Got off"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. With warts and all"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "53. Pesto ingredients"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PINENUTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "55. Made less angry now"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
• Similar words include: pacify, assuage, conciliate
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PLACATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "58. Ozone no-no, for short"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a fluorocarbon with chlorine; formerly used as a refrigerant and as a propellant in aerosol cans
• Similar words include: chlorofluorocarbon
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CFC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "59. The dash in many an emoticon"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
• Similar words include: nuzzle, pry, nozzle
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "60. It's a "tyrannical discipline," said Sylvia Plath"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that literature in metrical form
• Similar words include: poesy, verse
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POETRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Titular role in a 2024 Disney prequel"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MUFASA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Derived from gold"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of or relating to or containing or derived from gold
• Similar words include: aurous
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AURIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. Steals, informally"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that make off with belongings of others
• Similar words include: swipe, nobble, abstract
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FILCHES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Something a bug produces"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
• Similar words include: computer error, erroneous belief, misplay
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERROR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Certain Army noncom"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SGTMAJ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "70. Points to a church?"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top
• Similar words include: spire, steeple
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPIRES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "71. What the 7 may mean in 7/11"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the month following june and preceding august
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JULY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "73. Brewed beverage"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "74. Perseveres"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PUSHESON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "76. Certain drink + what that drink has a lot of = women's lifestyle website"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POPSUGAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "80. "Horsefeathers!""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "82. "Fiddlesticks!""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "83. Combine using heat without melting, as particles"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cause (ores or powdery metals) to become a coherent mass by heating without melting
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SINTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "85. Make a lot, say?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "86. Famed firefighter Red"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "88. "All right, but that's not my opinion""

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAYSYOU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "90. L.A.P.D. unit?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "91. The Lamb"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a teacher and prophet born in bethlehem and active in nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for christianity (circa 4 bc - ad 29)
• Similar words include: Saviour, Good Shepherd, Deliverer
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JESUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "93. Devoted effort to looking attractive"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that clean with one's bill
• Similar words include: congratulate, preen, dress
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PREENED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "96. Leaning"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that having an oblique or slanted direction
• Similar words include: diagonal, sloped, slanting
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASLANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "98. Bandage brand"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CURAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "99. Possessed, biblically"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HADST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "100. Word before winner or after Wonder"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
• Similar words include: scratch, lucre, lolly
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BREAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "101. Brick homes"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the clay from which adobe bricks are made
• Similar words include: adobe brick, adobe
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADOBES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "103. Buffalo's home: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mid-atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
• Similar words include: New York, Empire State, New York State
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "104. "Sprechen ___ Deutsch?""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "106. Eponym of element 96"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of radioactivity equal to the amount of a radioactive isotope that decays at the rate of 37,000,000,000 disintegrations per second
• Similar words include: Marie Curie, Madame Curie, Ci
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CURIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "109. They'll get there eventually"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LATEBLOOMERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "113. Like the cultivation of land"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that relating to rural matters
• Similar words include: agricultural, farming
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AGRARIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "115. Country whose border shape is the world's roundest"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SIERRALEONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "116. Zero"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOOSEEGG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "117. Co.'s $$$ head"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the corporate executive having financial authority to make appropriations and authorize expenditures for a firm
• Similar words include: chief financial officer
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CFO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "118. Steal for ransom"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that take away to an undisclosed location against their will and usually in order to extract a ransom
• Similar words include: abduct, nobble, snatch
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KIDNAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63A: "119. Whence the phrase "wear one's heart on one's sleeve""

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the hero of william shakespeare's tragedy who would not trust his wife
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OTHELLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Kelly of morning TV	4
2D	2. "Come on and let loose for a while!"	9
3D	3. Name of Ohio State's buckeye mascot	6
4D	4. Wrinkly fruits	7
5D	5. Parts of many online handles	3
6D	6. Davis of "Thelma & Louise"	5
7D	7. "___ quam videri" (North Carolina's motto)	4
8D	8. 1940s spy grp.	3
9D	9. Ready ... or a word after ready	3
10D	10. Chemist's variant	6
11D	11. Violent seizure, as of property	6
12D	12. "Sign me up"	4
13D	13. He scattered his brother's remains across the land and usurped his throne	3
14D	14. Soothing goo	7
15D	15. Hawaiian for "long mountain"	8
16D	16. Intermission follower on Broadway	6
17D	17. War zone for Rambo, informally	3
18D	19. Poe's "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon ___"	3
19D	20. Wicket and Teebo of Endor, e.g.	5
20D	23. Hosp. areas	3
21D	26. "I'm flattered!"	5
22D	30. Believing his friend and ally had too much power, he led a party of conspirators to put an end to him	6
23D	32. State capital that's closest to the U.S. Capitol	9
24D	33. Like five Across answers by five Down answers in this puzzle, literally and figuratively	13
25D	35. Kids' summer getaway	4
26D	36. Kyrgyzstani mountain range	4
27D	37. Urchins	4
28D	38. Fans out	6
29D	39. Where idols go head-to-head?	5
30D	42. Small part in a gig	4
31D	44. British isle	3
32D	46. It's in your jeans	5
33D	48. Plot divisions	5
34D	50. Traumatize	4
35D	51. "Assuming that's true ..."	4
36D	52. He led his brother to his demise by endangering his nephew	4
37D	54. "Not gonna lie ..."	5
38D	56. First enactors of democracy	9
39D	57. Fencing contests	5
40D	60. Chemistry lab dropper	5
41D	62. Prepare quickly, as eggs for breakfast	5
42D	63. Chop-chop	4
43D	64. Wrinkly fruit	4
44D	65. GPS lines: Abbr.	4
45D	66. Programming language that's also a musical key	6
46D	69. He sold out his master in exchange for silver	5
47D	71. Baby in a pouch	4
48D	72. Pandemonium	6
49D	75. Title for a guru	3
50D	76. Survivor's affliction, for short	4
51D	77. Elf portrayed by Cate Blanchett in "The Fellowship of the Ring"	9
52D	78. Big name in makeup	4
53D	79. Music score squiggle	4
54D	81. Disagrees (with)	8
55D	84. Ixnays from Irkutsk	5
56D	87. Obnoxious fratty sort, colloquially	7
57D	89. Possible scenario, to a coder	7
58D	91. 2011 Lady Gaga hit	5
59D	92. Steamy	6
60D	94. Paired chips with dips?	6
61D	95. Touch lightly, as a gas pedal	6
62D	97. Floral victory symbol	6
63D	98. Lead-in to Tech	3
64D	100. Spawned	5
65D	102. Camera inits.	3
66D	103. ___ me tangere (Latin warning)	4
67D	105. Jafar's parrot in "Aladdin"	4
68D	107. Driven by envy toward his comrades, he fabricated events that led to their downfall	4
69D	108. Official lang. of Liberia	3
70D	110. Acorn, in the future	3
71D	111. Messenger ___	3
72D	112. Birth month of most Virgos: Abbr.	3
73D	114. "Ruh-___!" (cry from Astro on "The Jetsons")	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Kelly of morning TV"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RIPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Come on and let loose for a while!""

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ITLLBEFUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Name of Ohio State's buckeye mascot"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that statesman of ancient rome who (with cassius) led a conspiracy to assassinate julius caesar (85-42 bc)
• Similar words include: Marcus Junius Brutus
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BRUTUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Wrinkly fruits"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that melon having yellowish rind and whitish flesh
• Similar words include: casaba melon, casaba
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CASABAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Parts of many online handles"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a highly unstable radioactive element (the heaviest of the halogen series); a decay product of uranium and thorium
• Similar words include: astatine, At, atomic number 85
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Davis of "Thelma & Louise""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GEENA

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7D: "7. "___ quam videri" (North Carolina's motto)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESSE

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8D: "8. 1940s spy grp."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OSS

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9D: "9. Ready ... or a word after ready"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
• Similar words include: hardening, lay, determine
• Opposite of: rise

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SET

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10D: "10. Chemist's variant"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a compound that exists in forms having different arrangements of atoms but the same molecular weight
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISOMER

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11D: "11. Violent seizure, as of property"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of despoiling a country in warfare
• Similar words include: rape
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAPINE

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12D: "12. "Sign me up""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMIN

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13D: "13. He scattered his brother's remains across the land and usurped his throne"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
• Similar words include: hardening, lay, determine
• Opposite of: rise

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SET

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14D: "14. Soothing goo"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALOEGEL

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15D: "15. Hawaiian for "long mountain""

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAUNALOA

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16D: "16. Intermission follower on Broadway"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACTTWO

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17D: "17. War zone for Rambo, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAM

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18D: "19. Poe's "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon ___""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PYM

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19D: "20. Wicket and Teebo of Endor, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EWOKS

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20D: "23. Hosp. areas"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a state in northwestern united states on the pacific
• Similar words include: Oregon, operating theater, operating room
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORS

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21D: "26. "I'm flattered!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OHGEE

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22D: "30. Believing his friend and ally had too much power, he led a party of conspirators to put an end to him"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that statesman of ancient rome who (with cassius) led a conspiracy to assassinate julius caesar (85-42 bc)
• Similar words include: Marcus Junius Brutus
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BRUTUS

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23D: "32. State capital that's closest to the U.S. Capitol"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that state capital of maryland; site of the united states naval academy
• Similar words include: capital of Maryland
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANNAPOLIS

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24D: "33. Like five Across answers by five Down answers in this puzzle, literally and figuratively"

13 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOUBLECROSSED

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25D: "35. Kids' summer getaway"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
• Similar words include: tent, camp down, pack
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAMP

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26D: "36. Kyrgyzstani mountain range"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALAI

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27D: "37. Urchins"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
• Similar words include: rapscallion, scamp, rascal
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMPS

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28D: "38. Fans out"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an outward bevel around a door or window that makes it seem larger
• Similar words include: spread out, turn out, slip
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPLAYS

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29D: "39. Where idols go head-to-head?"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a clan or tribe identified by their kinship to a common totemic object
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOTEM

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30D: "42. Small part in a gig"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one character of alphanumeric data) processed as a single unit of information
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BYTE

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31D: "44. British isle"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AIT

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32D: "46. It's in your jeans"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (usually plural) close-fitting trousers of heavy denim for manual work or casual wear
• Similar words include: dungaree, jean, blue jean
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DENIM

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33D: "48. Plot divisions"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use
• Similar words include: land, Akka, estate
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACRES

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34D: "50. Traumatize"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCAR

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35D: "51. "Assuming that's true ...""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IFSO

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36D: "52. He led his brother to his demise by endangering his nephew"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCAR

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37D: "54. "Not gonna lie ...""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOCAP

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38D: "56. First enactors of democracy"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a resident of athens
• Similar words include: Athenian
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATHENIANS

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39D: "57. Fencing contests"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of 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
• Similar words include: duel, affaire d'honneur
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DUELS

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40D: "60. Chemistry lab dropper"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that measuring instrument consisting of a graduated glass tube used to measure or transfer precise volumes of a liquid by drawing the liquid up into the tube
• Similar words include: pipette
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PIPET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "62. Prepare quickly, as eggs for breakfast"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FRYUP

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42D: "63. Chop-chop"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that as soon as possible
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASAP

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43D: "64. Wrinkly fruit"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that large sweet juicy hybrid between tangerine and grapefruit having a thick wrinkled skin
• Similar words include: ugli fruit, tangelo
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UGLI

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44D: "65. GPS lines: Abbr."

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RTES

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45D: "66. Programming language that's also a musical key"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FSHARP

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46D: "69. He sold out his master in exchange for silver"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (new testament) supposed brother of st. james; one of the apostles who is invoked in prayer when a situation seems hopeless
• Similar words include: Judah, Jude, Saint Jude
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JUDAS

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47D: "71. Baby in a pouch"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JOEY

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48D: "72. Pandemonium"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a state of commotion and noise and confusion
• Similar words include: garboil, tumultuousness, tumult
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UPROAR

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49D: "75. Title for a guru"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SRI

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50D: "76. Survivor's affliction, for short"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an anxiety disorder associated with serious traumatic events and characterized by such symptoms as survivor guilt, reliving the trauma in dreams, numbness and lack of involvement with reality, or recurrent thoughts and images
• Similar words include: posttraumatic stress disorder
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PTSD

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51D: "77. Elf portrayed by Cate Blanchett in "The Fellowship of the Ring""

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GALADRIEL

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52D: "78. Big name in makeup"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a river in southwestern england rising in gloucestershire and flowing through bristol to empty into the estuary of the severn
• Similar words include: Upper Avon River, Upper Avon, River Avon
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVON

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53D: "79. Music score squiggle"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that something left after other parts have been taken away
• Similar words include: residuum, residue, stay
• Opposite of: change, be active

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REST

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54D: "81. Disagrees (with)"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HASABEEF

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55D: "84. Ixnays from Irkutsk"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NYETS

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56D: "87. Obnoxious fratty sort, colloquially"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DUDEBRO

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57D: "89. Possible scenario, to a coder"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USECASE

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58D: "91. 2011 Lady Gaga hit"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (new testament) supposed brother of st. james; one of the apostles who is invoked in prayer when a situation seems hopeless
• Similar words include: Judah, Jude, Saint Jude
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JUDAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59D: "92. Steamy"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an erotic person
• Similar words include: titillating
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EROTIC

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60D: "94. Paired chips with dips?"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that compose rhymes
• Similar words include: rhyme, riming, rhyming
• Opposite of: unrhymed

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RHYMED

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61D: "95. Touch lightly, as a gas pedal"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EASEON

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62D: "97. Floral victory symbol"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family
• Similar words include: Stan Laurel, laurel wreath, bay wreath
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LAUREL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63D: "98. Lead-in to Tech"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAL

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64D: "100. Spawned"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that make children
• Similar words include: father, mother, bring forth
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEGOT

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65D: "102. Camera inits."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SLR

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66D: "103. ___ me tangere (Latin warning)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOLI

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67D: "105. Jafar's parrot in "Aladdin""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the villain in william shakespeare's tragedy who tricked othello into murdering his wife
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IAGO

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68D: "107. Driven by envy toward his comrades, he fabricated events that led to their downfall"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the villain in william shakespeare's tragedy who tricked othello into murdering his wife
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IAGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

69D: "108. Official lang. of Liberia"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENG

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70D: "110. Acorn, in the future"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
• Similar words include: oak tree
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71D: "111. Messenger ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (biochemistry) a long linear polymer of nucleotides found in the nucleus but mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell where it is associated with microsomes; it transmits genetic information from dna to the cytoplasm and controls certain chemical processes in the cell
• Similar words include: ribonucleic acid
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RNA

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72D: "112. Birth month of most Virgos: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the month following august and preceding october
• Similar words include: September, Sept
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

73D: "114. "Ruh-___!" (cry from Astro on "The Jetsons")"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

63 Across Clues

73 Down Clues

136 Total Clues

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Last updated: January 04, 2026 at 04:34 AM