December 19, 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (39 clues)
• Down Clues (37 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

Related Puzzles

Check out these other crossword solutions and helpful guides:

• September 18 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• December 29 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 09 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 08 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• October 05 2022 NYT Clues Solutions

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2019

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (39 Across, 37 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.9 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Thursday Puzzle December 19, 2019

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Club fee / "Hell no!"	11
2A	5. Nurse back to health	5
3A	10. Longtime music label inits.	3
4A	13. Strip	5
5A	14. Hoth, in the "Star Wars" universe	9
6A	16. Share a take	5
7A	17. Executive's perk, maybe / It might fit in a tight spot	21
8A	18. "Sh" or "wr"	7
9A	20. Full of difficulties	6
10A	21. Modern-day locale of ancient Persepolis	4
11A	22. George Sand, for one	5
12A	25. George Sand, par exemple	3
13A	26. Queen of Arendelle, in a Disney movie	4
14A	27. Bring into harmony	4
15A	28. Humdinger	5
16A	30. Ping-Pong do-over	3
17A	32. Floor type	4
18A	34. Some Hollywood technology, for short	3
19A	35. Place with hot stones	3
20A	38. Alison ___, author of "Fun Home"	7
21A	40. QVC alternative	3
22A	41. Filmer Kilmer	3
23A	42. ___ water (trendy drink)	4
24A	43. Prepared for bad news, perhaps	3
25A	45. Longtime M.L.B. second baseman Chase	5
26A	47. Smacks hard / Types	11
27A	49. Film director Harold / Pours	11
28A	53. Mac platform	3
29A	54. Flattens	5
30A	55. Best Picture of 2012	4
31A	56. "I'm in a hurry!"	6
32A	58. Theater fare	7
33A	60. Geographic demarcation that separates the two possible answers in this puzzle's circled squares	9
34A	63. "Jeez!"	5
35A	64. Unveiling	9
36A	65. Like English bogs	5
37A	66. Director Craven	3
38A	67. Owner of Words With Friends	5
39A	68. Facility	4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

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

Clue 1 Across: "1. Club fee / "Hell no!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: COVER/NEVER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Nurse back to health"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: REHAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Longtime music label inits."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EMI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. Strip"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the space created by the swing of a scythe or the cut of a mowing machine
• Words that mean the same thing: belt
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SWATH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "14. Hoth, in the "Star Wars" universe"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ICEPLANET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Share a take"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that be in accord; be in agreement
• Words that mean the same thing: concord, correspond, check
• The opposite would be: disagree
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AGREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Executive's perk, maybe / It might fit in a tight spot"

Quick Info: This answer has 21 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: COMPANYCAR/COMPACTCAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. "Sh" or "wr""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that two successive letters (especially two letters used to represent a single sound: `sh' in `shoe')
• Words that mean the same thing: digram
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DIGRAPH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Full of difficulties"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that bristling with perplexities
• Words that mean the same thing: prickly, briery, spiny
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: THORNY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Modern-day locale of ancient Persepolis"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a theocratic islamic republic in the middle east in western asia; iran was the core of the ancient empire that was known as persia until 1935; rich in oil
• Words that mean the same thing: Persia, Islamic Republic of Iran
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IRAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. George Sand, for one"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a name that has been assumed temporarily
• Words that mean the same thing: a.k.a., false name, also known as
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALIAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. George Sand, par exemple"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Queen of Arendelle, in a Disney movie"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ELSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Bring into harmony"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that make synchronous and adjust in time or manner
• Words that mean the same thing: synchronize, synchronise
• The opposite would be: desynchronize, desynchronise
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SYNC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "28. Humdinger"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an outstanding example of its kind
• Words that mean the same thing: beauty
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEAUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "30. Ping-Pong do-over"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a brutal terrorist group active in kashmir; fights against india with the goal of restoring islamic rule of india
• Words that mean the same thing: have, allow, permit
• The opposite would be: forbid, prevent
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. Floor type"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
• Words that mean the same thing: roofing tile
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TILE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. Some Hollywood technology, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CGI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "35. Place with hot stones"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
• Words that mean the same thing: health spa, watering hole, health club
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "38. Alison ___, author of "Fun Home""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BECHDEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. QVC alternative"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HSN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. Filmer Kilmer"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: VAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "42. ___ water (trendy drink)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "43. Prepared for bad news, perhaps"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the sabbath by jews and some christians
• Words that mean the same thing: sit down, sit around, model
• The opposite would be: stand, arise
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "45. Longtime M.L.B. second baseman Chase"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: UTLEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "47. Smacks hard / Types"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SWATS/SORTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "49. Film director Harold / Pours"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RAMIS/RAINS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. Mac platform"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OSX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "54. Flattens"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a blow that renders the opponent unconscious
• Words that mean the same thing: KO, kayo, knockout
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KAYOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "55. Best Picture of 2012"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that formerly a large constellation in the southern hemisphere between canis major and the southern cross; now divided into carina and pyxis and puppis and vela
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "56. "I'm in a hurry!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NOTIME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "58. Theater fare"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that corn having small ears and kernels that burst when exposed to dry heat
• Words that mean the same thing: Zea mays everta
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POPCORN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "60. Geographic demarcation that separates the two possible answers in this puzzle's circled squares"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: STATELINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "63. "Jeez!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OHMAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "64. Unveiling"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FIRSTLOOK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "65. Like English bogs"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that of or pertaining to or of the nature of peat
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEATY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "66. Director Craven"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "67. Owner of Words With Friends"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ZYNGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "68. Facility"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
• Words that mean the same thing: simplicity, facilitate, comfort
• The opposite would be: difficulty
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EASE

  Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Thursday NYT Crossword December 19, 2019

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Dale Evans, for one / Zooey Deschanel TV series	15
2D	2. Author Mario ___ Llosa	6
3D	3. Ceaseless	7
4D	4. Relative of an ostrich	4
5D	5. To a great degree	6
6D	6. Prefix with tourist	3
7D	7. Put a border on	3
8D	8. Datebook listings: Abbr.	5
9D	9. Uninspired	4
10D	10. Horn in (on)	8
11D	11. Glares sourly at, in modern lingo	8
12D	12. Humble response to a compliment	4
13D	13. Hawkins of "Li'l Abner"	5
14D	15. "Volunteers?" / Play's start	13
15D	19. Baby blue, e.g.	6
16D	23. Obstructing / On paper	17
17D	24. Battery fill	4
18D	28. Composer Bartók	4
19D	29. Word before Pan, Man or can	3
20D	31. Owner of StubHub	4
21D	33. Not as much	6
22D	35. Popular crime show spinoff, informally	3
23D	36. Baby's bottom?	8
24D	37. They're at the top of their game	8
25D	39. ___ Nostra	4
26D	44. Inspirational passage?	7
27D	46. Takes off	5
28D	48. Brown v. Board of Education city	6
29D	50. Things that bakeries make but don't sell	6
30D	51. Move / Unappreciative person	15
31D	52. Boyo	5
32D	54. ___ green	5
33D	56. "Avoid watching this at the office," briefly	4
34D	57. "This Is Us" co-star Chrissy	4
35D	59. Person whose Twitter handle is @Pontifex	4
36D	61. Chemistry particle	3
37D	62. Holiday drink	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. Dale Evans, for one / Zooey Deschanel TV series"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: COWGIRL/NEWGIRL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Author Mario ___ Llosa"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that brazilian statesman who ruled brazil as a virtual dictator (1883-1954)
• Words that mean the same thing: Getulio Dornelles Vargas
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VARGAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Ceaseless"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that continuing forever or indefinitely
• Words that mean the same thing: aeonian, eonian, unceasing
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETERNAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Relative of an ostrich"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that fertility goddess in ancient greek mythology; wife of cronus and mother of zeus; identified with roman ops and cybele of ancient asia minor
• Words that mean the same thing: Pterocnemia pennata, nandu, Rhea americana
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RHEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. To a great degree"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that to an ample degree or in an ample manner
• Words that mean the same thing: lavishly, amply, extravagantly
• The opposite would be: meagerly
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RICHLY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Prefix with tourist"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ECO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Put a border on"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
• Words that mean the same thing: ahem
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Datebook listings: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: APPTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Uninspired"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that pompous or pretentious talk or writing
• Words that mean the same thing: bombast, fustian, claptrap
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Horn in (on)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that advance beyond the usual limit
• Words that mean the same thing: entrench, trench, infringe
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENCROACH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Glares sourly at, in modern lingo"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MEANMUGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Humble response to a compliment"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ITRY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Hawkins of "Li'l Abner""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SADIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "15. "Volunteers?" / Play's start"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ANYONE/ACTONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "19. Baby blue, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of various pale or light colors
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PASTEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Obstructing / On paper"

Quick Info: This answer has 17 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: INTHEWAY/INTHEORY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Battery fill"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt
• Words that mean the same thing: caustic, sulfurous, acrid
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "28. Composer Bartók"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BELA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "29. Word before Pan, Man or can"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
• Words that mean the same thing: put up, tin can, canister
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "31. Owner of StubHub"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EBAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "33. Not as much"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LESSSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "35. Popular crime show spinoff, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SVU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "36. Baby's bottom?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PATOOTIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "37. They're at the top of their game"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALLSTARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "39. ___ Nostra"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: COSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "44. Inspirational passage?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi
• Words that mean the same thing: windpipe
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TRACHEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "46. Takes off"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an opening that permits escape or release
• Words that mean the same thing: issue, croak, buy the farm
• The opposite would be: enter, be born
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXITS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "48. Brown v. Board of Education city"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the capital of the state of kansas; located in eastern kansas on the kansas river
• Words that mean the same thing: capital of Kansas
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOPEKA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "50. Things that bakeries make but don't sell"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any property detected by the olfactory system
• Words that mean the same thing: odour, scent, olfactory property
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AROMAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "51. Move / Unappreciative person"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MIGRATE/INGRATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "52. Boyo"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a male child (a familiar term of address to a boy)
• Words that mean the same thing: laddie, sonny boy, lad
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SONNY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "54. ___ green"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states circus clown (1898-1979)
• Words that mean the same thing: Grace Kelly, Eugene Curran Kelly, Emmett Kelly
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KELLY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "56. "Avoid watching this at the office," briefly"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NSFW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "57. "This Is Us" co-star Chrissy"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: METZ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "59. Person whose Twitter handle is @Pontifex"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the head of the roman catholic church
• Words that mean the same thing: Vicar of Christ, Bishop of Rome, Alexander Pope
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "61. Chemistry particle"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a particle that is electrically charged (positive or negative); an atom or molecule or group that has lost or gained one or more electrons
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ION

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "62. Holiday drink"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface
• Words that mean the same thing: peg
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NOG

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	46	60.5%
Short Answer	11	14.5%
Celebrity/Entertainment	7	9.2%
Movies/Film	3	3.9%
Music	2	2.6%
Food & Drink	2	2.6%
History	1	1.3%
Literature	1	1.3%
Sports	1	1.3%
Geography	1	1.3%
Abbreviation	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	39
Down Clues	37
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	5.9 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	21 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Thursday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 5 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

More Crossword Resources

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

• August 04 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 08 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 09 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• December 29 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers August 24
• October 05 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 31 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• May 16 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 18 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• October 23 2021 NYT Clues Solutions

Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: September 28, 2025 at 07:17 AM

May 22, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (31 clues)
• Down Clues (33 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

Related Puzzles

Check out these other crossword solutions and helpful guides:

• August 17 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• 27423 Tue Dec 10 2024 NYT Brian
• February 02 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• April 29 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• 27426 Fri Dec 13 2024 NYT By Ryan

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Saturday, May 22, 2021

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 64 (31 Across, 33 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.9 letters

Across Clues Explained - Saturday NYT Crossword May 22, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Regarding	5
2A	6. Take back, in a way	4
3A	10. Start of an aside	4
4A	14. Omega competitor	5
5A	15. Something hitting a nerve?	4
6A	16. Papyrus, e.g.	4
7A	17. "Take me with you!"	5
8A	18. Begin flirting with someone, so to speak	9
9A	20. Assign	5
10A	21. Hoth, in "Star Wars"	9
11A	22. ___ rule	3
12A	23. They don't hold water	9
13A	24. Feudal figure	5
14A	26. Panegyric, e.g.	6
15A	27. Sci-fi enemy collective, perhaps	10
16A	31. Ones born beginning in the early 2010s	15
17A	37. They might cut to the chase	10
18A	38. Electrically balanced, in chemistry	6
19A	42. Leaders at the Kaaba	5
20A	43. "Things are going great for me!"	9
21A	46. Muscle worked in rowing exercises, for short	3
22A	47. Portmanteau coinage for the uneducated and uncultured	9
23A	48. Touches, e.g.	5
24A	51. Special pawn move in chess	9
25A	52. Many a Madrileño	5
26A	53. Enemy of Wonder Woman	4
27A	54. Best Picture-nominated 2011 film based on a children's book	4
28A	55. Certain Caribbean, informally	5
29A	56. Self-___	4
30A	57. What might help you get out of a rough spot?	4
31A	58. Is just awful	5

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

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

Clue 1 Across: "1. Regarding"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ASFOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Take back, in a way"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: REPO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Start of an aside"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that in addition
• Words that mean the same thing: besides, likewise, too
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Omega competitor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SEIKO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Something hitting a nerve?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that long nerve fiber that conducts away from the cell body of the neuron
• Words that mean the same thing: axone
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AXON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Papyrus, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera arundo and phragmites
• Words that mean the same thing: John Reed, vibrating reed, beating-reed instrument
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. "Take me with you!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ILLGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Begin flirting with someone, so to speak"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MAKEAMOVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Assign"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that allow to have
• Words that mean the same thing: distribute, lot, shell out
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALLOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Hoth, in "Star Wars""

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ICEPLANET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. ___ rule"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a disorderly crowd of people
• Words that mean the same thing: crime syndicate, rabble, pile
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MOB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. They don't hold water"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a filter to retain larger pieces while smaller pieces and liquids pass through
• Words that mean the same thing: strainer
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STRAINERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "24. Feudal figure"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person holding a fief; a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord
• Words that mean the same thing: liege subject, Luik, feudatory
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LIEGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "26. Panegyric, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an expression of approval and commendation
• Words that mean the same thing: kudos, extolment, congratulations
• The opposite would be: criticize
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PRAISE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "27. Sci-fi enemy collective, perhaps"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EVILEMPIRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "31. Ones born beginning in the early 2010s"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: GENERATIONALPHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "37. They might cut to the chase"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HEISTFILMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "38. Electrically balanced, in chemistry"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: APOLAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "42. Leaders at the Kaaba"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (islam) the man who leads prayers in a mosque; for shiites an imam is a recognized authority on islamic theology and law and a spiritual guide
• Words that mean the same thing: imaum, imam
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IMAMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "43. "Things are going great for me!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IMONAROLL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "46. Muscle worked in rowing exercises, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a broad flat muscle on either side of the back
• Words that mean the same thing: latissimus dorsi
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "47. Portmanteau coinage for the uneducated and uncultured"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that class consisting of all those who are considered boobs
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BOOBOISIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "48. Touches, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (trademark) a pocket-sized device used to play music files
• Words that mean the same thing: iPod
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IPODS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "51. Special pawn move in chess"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ENPASSANT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "52. Many a Madrileño"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a spanish title or form of address for a man; similar to the english `mr' or `sir'
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SENOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "53. Enemy of Wonder Woman"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (greek mythology) greek god of war; son of zeus and hera; identified with roman mars
• Words that mean the same thing: are, ar
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "54. Best Picture-nominated 2011 film based on a children's book"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that french poet and novelist and dramatist; leader of the romantic movement in france (1802-1885)
• Words that mean the same thing: Victor Hugo, Victor-Marie Hugo
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HUGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "55. Certain Caribbean, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TRINI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "56. Self-___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that give certain properties to something
• Words that mean the same thing: take in, clear, build
• The opposite would be: unmake, unmade
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MADE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "57. What might help you get out of a rough spot?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
• Words that mean the same thing: press, cast-iron, Fe
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IRON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "58. Is just awful"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the act of sucking
• Words that mean the same thing: take in, suckle, take up
• The opposite would be: bottlefeed
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SUCKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Saturday Puzzle May 22, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Home to 41-Down	4
2D	2. Convince	4
3D	3. "I wanna know all the details"	8
4D	4. Start of a modern inquiry	8
5D	5. Drink similar to sarsaparilla	8
6D	6. Co-star of 1984's "Ghostbusters"	5
7D	7. Right on	5
8D	8. Aces with aces?	9
9D	9. Like some households	9
10D	10. Designer with an eponymous hotel in the Burj Khalifa	6
11D	11. Currency units in West Africa	6
12D	12. Grievous	6
13D	13. "Golden Boy" playwright	5
14D	19. Actress Shawkat of "Arrested Development"	4
15D	24. Assignment for an anchor	3
16D	25. "___ noticed ..."	3
17D	28. Great Hindu sage	9
18D	29. Late-Triassic flier	9
19D	30. It can be found right on a clock	3
20D	32. "100 Years ... 100 Stars" and others, in brief	8
21D	33. The world's largest desert capital, after Cairo, Egypt	8
22D	34. Like a relationship with an ex, maybe	8
23D	35. Utterance while chewing on a pencil	3
24D	36. One often sent packing?	3
25D	38. Deity that becomes a given name when its fifth letter is moved to the front	6
26D	39. Beat	6
27D	40. Looking to steal, say	6
28D	41. So-called "Land of a Million Elephants"	4
29D	43. Building support	5
30D	44. Words not everyone understands	5
31D	45. Intimate	5
32D	49. Hit on the head, in slang	4
33D	50. Indian honorifics	4

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. Home to 41-Down"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Convince"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the activity of persuading someone to buy
• Words that mean the same thing: trade, deal, betray
• The opposite would be: buy
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SELL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. "I wanna know all the details""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FILLMEIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Start of a modern inquiry"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OKGOOGLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Drink similar to sarsaparilla"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about food & drink.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ROOTBEER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Co-star of 1984's "Ghostbusters""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RAMIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Right on"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that claim as due or just
• Words that mean the same thing: demand, claim, take
• The opposite would be: inexact
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXACT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Aces with aces?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: POKERPROS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Like some households"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ONEPARENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Designer with an eponymous hotel in the Burj Khalifa"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ARMANI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Currency units in West Africa"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the basic unit of money in sierra leone; equal to 100 cents
• Words that mean the same thing: leone
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEONES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Grievous"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
• Words that mean the same thing: terrible, stark, grievous
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEVERE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. "Golden Boy" playwright"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states playwright (1906-1963)
• Words that mean the same thing: Clifford Odets
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "19. Actress Shawkat of "Arrested Development""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "24. Assignment for an anchor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
• Words that mean the same thing: pegleg, wooden leg, ramification
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "25. "___ noticed ...""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "28. Great Hindu sage"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MAHARISHI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "29. Late-Triassic flier"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an extinct reptile of the jurassic and cretaceous having a bird-like beak and membranous wings supported by the very long fourth digit of each forelimb
• Words that mean the same thing: flying reptile
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PTEROSAUR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "30. It can be found right on a clock"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
• Words that mean the same thing: threesome, ternion, deuce-ace
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: III

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "32. "100 Years ... 100 Stars" and others, in brief"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AFILISTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "33. The world's largest desert capital, after Cairo, Egypt"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LIMAPERU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "34. Like a relationship with an ex, maybe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that of or relating to or characteristic of plato or his philosophy
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PLATONIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. Utterance while chewing on a pencil"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HMM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "36. One often sent packing?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Words that mean the same thing: buns, tooshie, tush
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. Deity that becomes a given name when its fifth letter is moved to the front"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AMONRA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Beat"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: POOPED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. Looking to steal, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ONBASE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "41. So-called "Land of a Million Elephants""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a mountainous landlocked communist state in southeastern asia; achieved independence from france in 1949
• Words that mean the same thing: Lao, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Laotian
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "43. Building support"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IBEAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "44. Words not everyone understands"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
• Words that mean the same thing: vernacular, cant, patois
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LINGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "45. Intimate"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LETON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "49. Hit on the head, in slang"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DONK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "50. Indian honorifics"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SRIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	48	75.0%
Celebrity/Entertainment	6	9.4%
Short Answer	5	7.8%
Abbreviation	1	1.6%
Literature	1	1.6%
Food & Drink	1	1.6%
Geography	1	1.6%
History	1	1.6%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	31
Down Clues	33
Total Clues	64
Average Answer Length	5.9 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Saturday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 5 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

More Crossword Resources

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

• April 29 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 15 1990 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 20 2024 NYT Clues Solutions_12
• February 02 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• 27394 Fri Nov 08 2024 NYT By Evans
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers June 23
• 27423 Tue Dec 10 2024 NYT Brian
• 27426 Fri Dec 13 2024 NYT By Ryan
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers May 27 2025
• December 19 2023 NYT Clues Solutions

Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: September 17, 2025 at 10:42 AM