Jump To Section About Today's Down Clues NYT Down Clues - Sunday, January 04, 2026 Down Clues Statistics Detail Information Date January 04, 2026 Day of Week Sunday Total Down Clues 73 clues Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom) Difficulty Tricky
All Down Clues - Complete List Here are all 73 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
Complete Down Clues List Number Clue 1 Down 1. Kelly of morning TV 2 Down 2. "Come on and let loose for a while!" 3 Down 3. Name of Ohio State's buckeye mascot 4 Down 4. Wrinkly fruits 5 Down 5. Parts of many online handles 6 Down 6. Davis of "Thelma & Louise" 7 Down 7. "___ quam videri" (North Carolina's motto) 8 Down 8. 1940s spy grp. 9 Down 9. Ready ... or a word after ready 10 Down 10. Chemist's variant 11 Down 11. Violent seizure, as of property 12 Down 12. "Sign me up" 13 Down 13. He scattered his brother's remains across the land and usurped his throne 14 Down 14. Soothing goo 15 Down 15. Hawaiian for "long mountain" 16 Down 16. Intermission follower on Broadway 17 Down 17. War zone for Rambo, informally 18 Down 19. Poe's "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon ___" 19 Down 20. Wicket and Teebo of Endor, e.g. 20 Down 23. Hosp. areas 21 Down 26. "I'm flattered!" 22 Down 30. Believing his friend and ally had too much power, he led a party of conspirators to put an end to him 23 Down 32. State capital that's closest to the U.S. Capitol 24 Down 33. Like five Across answers by five Down answers in this puzzle, literally and figuratively 25 Down 35. Kids' summer getaway 26 Down 36. Kyrgyzstani mountain range 27 Down 37. Urchins 28 Down 38. Fans out 29 Down 39. Where idols go head-to-head? 30 Down 42. Small part in a gig 31 Down 44. British isle 32 Down 46. It's in your jeans 33 Down 48. Plot divisions 34 Down 50. Traumatize 35 Down 51. "Assuming that's true ..." 36 Down 52. He led his brother to his demise by endangering his nephew 37 Down 54. "Not gonna lie ..." 38 Down 56. First enactors of democracy 39 Down 57. Fencing contests 40 Down 60. Chemistry lab dropper 41 Down 62. Prepare quickly, as eggs for breakfast 42 Down 63. Chop-chop 43 Down 64. Wrinkly fruit 44 Down 65. GPS lines: Abbr. 45 Down 66. Programming language that's also a musical key 46 Down 69. He sold out his master in exchange for silver 47 Down 71. Baby in a pouch 48 Down 72. Pandemonium 49 Down 75. Title for a guru 50 Down 76. Survivor's affliction, for short 51 Down 77. Elf portrayed by Cate Blanchett in "The Fellowship of the Ring" 52 Down 78. Big name in makeup 53 Down 79. Music score squiggle 54 Down 81. Disagrees (with) 55 Down 84. Ixnays from Irkutsk 56 Down 87. Obnoxious fratty sort, colloquially 57 Down 89. Possible scenario, to a coder 58 Down 91. 2011 Lady Gaga hit 59 Down 92. Steamy 60 Down 94. Paired chips with dips? 61 Down 95. Touch lightly, as a gas pedal 62 Down 97. Floral victory symbol 63 Down 98. Lead-in to Tech 64 Down 100. Spawned 65 Down 102. Camera inits. 66 Down 103. ___ me tangere (Latin warning) 67 Down 105. Jafar's parrot in "Aladdin" 68 Down 107. Driven by envy toward his comrades, he fabricated events that led to their downfall 69 Down 108. Official lang. of Liberia 70 Down 110. Acorn, in the future 71 Down 111. Messenger ___ 72 Down 112. Birth month of most Virgos: Abbr. 73 Down 114. "Ruh-___!" (cry from Astro on "The Jetsons")
Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:
Complete Down Solutions: 1 Down: "1. Kelly of morning TV" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'R' and ends with 'A' Word pattern: R__A This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 1 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer RIPA
2 Down: "2. "Come on and let loose for a while!"" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 9 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'I' and ends with 'N' Word pattern: I_______N This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 2 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ITLLBEFUN
3 Down: "3. Name of Ohio State's buckeye mascot" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: B____S This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 3 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer BRUTUS
4 Down: "4. Wrinkly fruits" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 7 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: C_____S Similar words: casaba melon, casaba This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: melon having yellowish rind and whitish flesh This is Down clue number 4 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer CASABAS
5 Down: "5. Parts of many online handles" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S' Similar words: at, astatine This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 5 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ATS
6 Down: "6. Davis of "Thelma & Louise"" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'G' and ends with 'A' Word pattern: G___A This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 6 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer GEENA
7 Down: "7. "___ quam videri" (North Carolina's motto)" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E' Word pattern: E__E This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 7 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ESSE
8 Down: "8. 1940s spy grp." Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S' Similar words: os, oculus sinister This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: a mouth or mouthlike opening This is Down clue number 8 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer OSS
9 Down: "9. Ready ... or a word after ready" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T' Similar words: ready, rig Opposite of: rise This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 9 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer SET
10 Down: "10. Chemist's variant" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'I' and ends with 'R' Word pattern: I____R This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 10 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ISOMER
11 Down: "11. Violent seizure, as of property" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'R' and ends with 'E' Word pattern: R____E Similar words: rape This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: the act of despoiling a country in warfare This is Down clue number 11 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer RAPINE
12 Down: "12. "Sign me up"" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'I' and ends with 'N' Word pattern: I__N This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 12 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer IMIN
13 Down: "13. He scattered his brother's remains across the land and usurped his throne " Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T' Similar words: ready, rig Opposite of: rise This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 13 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer SET
14 Down: "14. Soothing goo" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 7 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L' Word pattern: A_____L This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 14 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ALOEGEL
15 Down: "15. Hawaiian for "long mountain"" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 8 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'M' and ends with 'A' Word pattern: M______A This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 15 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer MAUNALOA
16 Down: "16. Intermission follower on Broadway" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O' Word pattern: A____O This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 16 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ACTTWO
17 Down: "17. War zone for Rambo, informally" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'N' and ends with 'M' This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 17 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer NAM
18 Down: "19. Poe's "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon ___"" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'P' and ends with 'M' This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 18 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer PYM
19 Down: "20. Wicket and Teebo of Endor, e.g." Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: E___S This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 19 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer EWOKS
20 Down: "23. Hosp. areas" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S' Similar words: Beaver State, OR This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: a state in northwestern United States on the Pacific This is Down clue number 20 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ORS
21 Down: "26. "I'm flattered!"" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E' Word pattern: O___E This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 21 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer OHGEE
22 Down: "30. Believing his friend and ally had too much power, he led a party of conspirators to put an end to him " Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: B____S This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 22 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer BRUTUS
23 Down: "32. State capital that's closest to the U.S. Capitol" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 9 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: A_______S This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 23 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ANNAPOLIS
24 Down: "33. Like five Across answers by five Down answers in this puzzle, literally and figuratively" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 13 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'D' and ends with 'D' Word pattern: D___________D This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 24 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer DOUBLECROSSED
25 Down: "35. Kids' summer getaway" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'C' and ends with 'P' Word pattern: C__P Similar words: summer camp, ingroup This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 25 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer CAMP
26 Down: "36. Kyrgyzstani mountain range" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'A' and ends with 'I' Word pattern: A__I This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 26 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ALAI
27 Down: "37. Urchins" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'I' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: I__S Similar words: imp, elf This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous This is Down clue number 27 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer IMPS
28 Down: "38. Fans out" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: S____S Similar words: slip, turn out This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 28 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer SPLAYS
29 Down: "39. Where idols go head-to-head?" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'T' and ends with 'M' Word pattern: T___M This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 29 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer TOTEM
30 Down: "42. Small part in a gig" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'B' and ends with 'E' Word pattern: B__E This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 30 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer BYTE
31 Down: "44. British isle" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T' This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 31 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer AIT
32 Down: "46. It's in your jeans" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'D' and ends with 'M' Word pattern: D___M Similar words: dungaree, blue jean This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 32 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer DENIM
33 Down: "48. Plot divisions" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: A___S Similar words: estate, demesne This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 33 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ACRES
34 Down: "50. Traumatize" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'S' and ends with 'R' Word pattern: S__R Similar words: cicatrix, scrape This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 34 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer SCAR
35 Down: "51. "Assuming that's true ..."" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'I' and ends with 'O' Word pattern: I__O This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 35 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer IFSO
36 Down: "52. He led his brother to his demise by endangering his nephew " Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'S' and ends with 'R' Word pattern: S__R Similar words: cicatrix, scrape This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 36 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer SCAR
37 Down: "54. "Not gonna lie ..."" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'N' and ends with 'P' Word pattern: N___P This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 37 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer NOCAP
38 Down: "56. First enactors of democracy" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 9 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: A_______S Similar words: Athenian This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: a resident of Athens This is Down clue number 38 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ATHENIANS
39 Down: "57. Fencing contests" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: D___S Similar words: duel This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 39 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer DUELS
40 Down: "60. Chemistry lab dropper" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'P' and ends with 'T' Word pattern: P___T Similar words: pipette This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 40 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer PIPET
41 Down: "62. Prepare quickly, as eggs for breakfast" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'F' and ends with 'P' Word pattern: F___P This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 41 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer FRYUP
42 Down: "63. Chop-chop" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'A' and ends with 'P' Word pattern: A__P This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: as soon as possible This is Down clue number 42 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ASAP
43 Down: "64. Wrinkly fruit" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'U' and ends with 'I' Word pattern: U__I Similar words: tangelo, ugli fruit This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 43 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer UGLI
44 Down: "65. GPS lines: Abbr." Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: R__S This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 44 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer RTES
45 Down: "66. Programming language that's also a musical key" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'F' and ends with 'P' Word pattern: F____P This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 45 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer FSHARP
46 Down: "69. He sold out his master in exchange for silver " Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'J' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: J___S Similar words: Judas Iscariot, Thaddaeus This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 46 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer JUDAS
47 Down: "71. Baby in a pouch" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'J' and ends with 'Y' Word pattern: J__Y This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 47 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer JOEY
48 Down: "72. Pandemonium" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'U' and ends with 'R' Word pattern: U____R Similar words: garboil, brouhaha This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: a state of commotion and noise and confusion This is Down clue number 48 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer UPROAR
49 Down: "75. Title for a guru" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'S' and ends with 'I' This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 49 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer SRI
50 Down: "76. Survivor's affliction, for short" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'P' and ends with 'D' Word pattern: P__D This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 50 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer PTSD
51 Down: "77. Elf portrayed by Cate Blanchett in "The Fellowship of the Ring"" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 9 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'G' and ends with 'L' Word pattern: G_______L This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 51 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer GALADRIEL
52 Down: "78. Big name in makeup" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N' Word pattern: A__N Similar words: River Avon, Upper Avon This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 52 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer AVON
53 Down: "79. Music score squiggle" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'R' and ends with 'T' Word pattern: R__T Similar words: relief, breathe Opposite of: be active This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: something left after other parts have been taken away This is Down clue number 53 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer REST
54 Down: "81. Disagrees (with)" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 8 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'H' and ends with 'F' Word pattern: H______F This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 54 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer HASABEEF
55 Down: "84. Ixnays from Irkutsk" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'N' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: N___S This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 55 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer NYETS
56 Down: "87. Obnoxious fratty sort, colloquially" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 7 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'D' and ends with 'O' Word pattern: D_____O This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 56 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer DUDEBRO
57 Down: "89. Possible scenario, to a coder" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 7 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'U' and ends with 'E' Word pattern: U_____E This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 57 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer USECASE
58 Down: "91. 2011 Lady Gaga hit" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'J' and ends with 'S' Word pattern: J___S Similar words: Judas Iscariot, Thaddaeus This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 58 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer JUDAS
59 Down: "92. Steamy" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'E' and ends with 'C' Word pattern: E____C Similar words: titillating This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: an erotic person This is Down clue number 59 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer EROTIC
60 Down: "94. Paired chips with dips?" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'R' and ends with 'D' Word pattern: R____D Similar words: rhyming, rime Opposite of: unrhymed This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: compose rhymes This is Down clue number 60 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer RHYMED
61 Down: "95. Touch lightly, as a gas pedal" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'E' and ends with 'N' Word pattern: E____N This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 61 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer EASEON
62 Down: "97. Floral victory symbol" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 6 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'L' and ends with 'L' Word pattern: L____L Similar words: laurel wreath, bay wreath This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family This is Down clue number 62 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer LAUREL
63 Down: "98. Lead-in to Tech" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'C' and ends with 'L' This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 63 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer CAL
64 Down: "100. Spawned" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 5 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'B' and ends with 'T' Word pattern: B___T Similar words: sire, beget This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: make children This is Down clue number 64 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer BEGOT
65 Down: "102. Camera inits." Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'S' and ends with 'R' This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 65 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer SLR
66 Down: "103. ___ me tangere (Latin warning)" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'N' and ends with 'I' Word pattern: N__I This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 66 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer NOLI
67 Down: "105. Jafar's parrot in "Aladdin"" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'I' and ends with 'O' Word pattern: I__O This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 67 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer IAGO
68 Down: "107. Driven by envy toward his comrades, he fabricated events that led to their downfall " Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 4 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'I' and ends with 'O' Word pattern: I__O This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 68 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer IAGO
69 Down: "108. Official lang. of Liberia" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'E' and ends with 'G' This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 69 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ENG
70 Down: "110. Acorn, in the future" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'O' and ends with 'K' Similar words: oak tree This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 70 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer OAK
71 Down: "111. Messenger ___" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'R' and ends with 'A' This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 71 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer RNA
72 Down: "112. Birth month of most Virgos: Abbr." Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P' Similar words: Sept, September This is an abbreviation or acronym Definition: the month following August and preceding October This is Down clue number 72 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer SEP
73 Down: "114. "Ruh-___!" (cry from Astro on "The Jetsons")" Helpful hints for this Down clue:
This word has 3 letters going top to bottom It starts with 'R' and ends with 'H' This is an abbreviation or acronym This is Down clue number 73 Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer ROH
Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:
Why Start with Down Clues? Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically Down answers often help solve Across clues Down Clue Patterns to Recognize Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entriesPrefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run verticallyAbbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened formsPlural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in DownPop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically Time-Saving Down Techniques Technique How It Helps Scan all Down first Get a mental map of the vertical flow Fill short Down words 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors Use crossing letters Across letters help confirm Down answers Look for themes Related Down answers often share a theme
Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues What are Down clues in crossword puzzles? Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.
Should I solve Down or Across clues first? Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.
How many Down clues are in today's puzzle? Today's NYT crossword has 73 Down clues.
Are Down clues easier than Across clues? Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.
How do Down clues interact with Across clues? Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.
About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.
Last Updated: January 04, 2026 at 05:20 AM
Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, January 04 2026 down clues
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