September 29, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (41 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, September 29, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (35 Across, 41 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Thursday Puzzle September 29, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Cartesian sum?	3
2A	4. Quran keeper	4
3A	8. Spiff (up)	5
4A	13. Molecule in some modern vaccines	3
5A	14. Impressive diving score	4
6A	15. Chachi's "Happy Days" sweetheart	6
7A	16. "Which is a big deal, considering!"	18
8A	19. Line	5
9A	20. Maker of the Split Decision Breakfast	4
10A	21. Damsel	4
11A	22. Def Jam, for DMX	5
12A	24. Spa day sounds	4
13A	26. Contest for millions on the West Coast	15
14A	32. Sierra Nevada's Dankful, e.g., in brief	3
15A	34. It's a good look	4
16A	35. It's a bad look	5
17A	36. Tear-stained, perhaps	4
18A	38. Landscaping tool	5
19A	41. Part of a healing process	4
20A	42. Common refrain in pre-K circles	5
21A	44. Father of Norway's King Harald	4
22A	46. Royal Navy inits.	3
23A	47. Popular skin moisturizer	14
24A	51. Family man	4
25A	52. "El ___ de los Anillos" (translation of a Tolkien title)	5
26A	54. Take off fast, with "out"	4
27A	57. Word with shoe or cap	4
28A	60. Floated for fun, in a way	5
29A	62. "So many layers here" … or a hint to the circled squares	15
30A	65. A big hit might break it	6
31A	66. Often-pickled pods	4
32A	67. One who may be out of the habit	3
33A	68. Result of an architect's winging it?	5
34A	69. Big wheel's place	4
35A	70. Word with clean or rot	3

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. Cartesian sum?"

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: IAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "4. Quran keeper"

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

  The answer is: IMAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "8. Spiff (up)"

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: SNAZZ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. Molecule in some modern vaccines"

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 (biochemistry) a long linear polymer of nucleotides found in the nucleus but mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell where it is associated with microsomes; it transmits genetic information from dna to the cytoplasm and controls certain chemical processes in the cell
• Words that mean the same thing: ribonucleic acid
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "14. Impressive diving score"

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 cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
• Words that mean the same thing: niner, nine-spot, baseball 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: NINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "15. Chachi's "Happy Days" sweetheart"

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: JOANIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "16. "Which is a big deal, considering!""

Quick Info: This answer has 18 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: ANDTHATSSAYINGALOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Line"

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 line of people or vehicles waiting for something
• Words that mean the same thing: line up, waiting line, queue up
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: QUEUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Maker of the Split Decision Breakfast"

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: IHOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Damsel"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a girl or young woman who is unmarried
• Words that mean the same thing: jeune fille, lassie, young girl
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LASS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Def Jam, for DMX"

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 brief description given for purposes of identification
• Words that mean the same thing: judge, pronounce, mark
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LABEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Spa day sounds"

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 express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
• Words that mean the same thing: aah, ooh
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AAHS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Contest for millions on the West Coast"

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: CALIFORNIALOTTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "32. Sierra Nevada's Dankful, e.g., in brief"

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: IPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "34. It's a good look"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the act of scanning; systematic examination of a prescribed region
• Words that mean the same thing: rake, glance over, run down
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. It's a bad look"

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 facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls
• Words that mean the same thing: leer
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNEER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. Tear-stained, perhaps"

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 slight wetness
• Words that mean the same thing: dampen, dampness, weaken
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DAMP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "38. Landscaping tool"

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 who puts finishing edges on a garment
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EDGER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "41. Part of a healing process"

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 someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike
• Words that mean the same thing: rat, fink, blackleg
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "42. Common refrain in pre-K circles"

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: EIEIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "44. Father of Norway's King Harald"

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: OLAV

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "46. Royal Navy inits."

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 metric unit of length equal to 100 meters
• Words that mean the same thing: hectometre, hectometer, hm
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "47. Popular skin moisturizer"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 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: ALOEVERALOTION

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "51. Family man"

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 an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
• Words that mean the same thing: dada, pop, pappa
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PAPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "52. "El ___ de los Anillos" (translation of a Tolkien title)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a 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: "54. Take off fast, with "out""

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 british politician (1788-1850)
• Words that mean the same thing: pare, discase, Robert Peel
• The opposite would be: dress
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "57. Word with shoe or cap"

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 precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
• Words that mean the same thing: nose candy, snowfall, coke
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "60. Floated for fun, in a way"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that provide with a tube or insert a tube into
• Words that mean the same thing: tube
• The opposite would be: tubeless
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TUBED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "62. "So many layers here" … or a hint to the circled squares"

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: ITSALOTTOUNPACK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "65. A big hit might break it"

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: TOPTEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "66. Often-pickled pods"

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 green edible beaked pods of the okra plant
• Words that mean the same thing: Abelmoschus esculentus, okra plant, Hibiscus esculentus
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OKRA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "67. One who may be out of the habit"

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 woman religious
• Words that mean the same thing: nun buoy, conical buoy
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NUN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "68. Result of an architect's winging it?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an addition that extends a main building
• Words that mean the same thing: wing, extension, annexe
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANNEX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "69. Big wheel's place"

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 steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HELM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "70. Word with clean or rot"

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 reformer who opposes the use of intoxicating beverages
• Words that mean the same thing: teetotal, wry, dry out
• The opposite would be: sweet, wet
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DRY

  Great job if you got it right!

September 29, 2022 Down Hints: NYT Thursday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Setting for Operation Red Dawn	4
2D	2. Void	5
3D	3. Appeared briefly	10
4D	4. How many salsa dancers dance	7
5D	5. God-knows-where, casually	3
6D	6. Challenging	4
7D	7. Go together nicely	4
8D	8. Miso base	3
9D	9. Some spots that need polish	10
10D	10. Actress Gunn	4
11D	11. Veers sharply	4
12D	12. Extremist group	7
13D	15. "Homeland" of the monsters Mothra and Gamera	5
14D	17. Big band staple	4
15D	18. Take off	4
16D	23. Pet peeves?	4
17D	25. Introductory remarks	3
18D	27. Everybody's doing it	3
19D	28. Like a blocked penalty kick, in soccer	6
20D	29. Group putting out electronic music	10
21D	30. Group often told to "Go!"	4
22D	31. Eyes, poetically	4
23D	32. Starting point for a plan	4
24D	33. Beach mold	4
25D	37. Quiche base	8
26D	39. Grp. with the 1977 hit double album "Out of the Blue"	3
27D	40. "Oh, fudge!"	4
28D	43. Fertility clinic donations	3
29D	45. World's largest producer of black pepper	7
30D	48. Printing giant	5
31D	49. Go off	4
32D	50. "Get ___" (2014 James Brown biopic)	4
33D	53. Come back	5
34D	54. Pocket stuffed with tabbouleh, maybe	4
35D	55. Windsor Castle neighbor	4
36D	56. Presenter of many games	4
37D	58. Tweeter's "That said …"	4
38D	59. Socially "with it"	4
39D	61. Fashion house with a Manhattan HQ	4
40D	63. First name in DC Comics villainy	3
41D	64. Certain link	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. Setting for Operation Red Dawn"

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 republic in the middle east in western asia; the ancient civilization of mesopotamia was in the area now known as iraq
• Words that mean the same thing: Al-Iraq, Irak, Republic of Iraq
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IRAQ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Void"

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 declare invalid
• Words that mean the same thing: quash, avoid, repeal
• The opposite would be: validate
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANNUL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Appeared briefly"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: MADEACAMEO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. How many salsa dancers dance"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: INHEELS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. God-knows-where, casually"

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: MIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Challenging"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person who is opposed (to an action or policy or practice etc.)
• The opposite would be: pro
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANTI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Go together nicely"

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 number of openings per linear inch of a screen; measures size of particles
• Words that mean the same thing: engagement, network, meshing
• The opposite would be: disengage
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MESH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Miso base"

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 source of oil; used for forage and soil improvement and as food
• Words that mean the same thing: soy sauce, soybean plant, soybean
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Some spots that need polish"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NAILSALONS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Actress Gunn"

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 a former copper coin of pakistan and india
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Veers sharply"

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 an angular shape characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions
• Words that mean the same thing: zag, zigzag, zig
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ZIGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Extremist group"

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 a member of an ancient jewish sect in judea in the first century who fought to the death against the romans and who killed or persecuted jews who collaborated with the romans
• Words that mean the same thing: drumbeater, zealot, partisan
• The opposite would be: nonpartisan
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ZEALOTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "15. "Homeland" of the monsters Mothra and Gamera"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a string of more than 3,000 islands to the east of asia extending 1,300 miles between the sea of japan and the western pacific ocean
• Words that mean the same thing: Nippon, Nihon, Japanese Islands
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JAPAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "17. Big band staple"

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 lowest brass wind instrument
• Words that mean the same thing: bass horn, sousaphone
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TUBA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "18. Take off"

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 act of rising upward into the air
• Words that mean the same thing: sailplane, hang glide, surge
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Pet peeves?"

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 wingless usually flattened bloodsucking insect parasitic on warm-blooded animals
• Words that mean the same thing: worm, louse, sucking louse
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Introductory remarks"

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: HIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. Everybody's doing it"

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 an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
• Words that mean the same thing: cult, furore, rage
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Like a blocked penalty kick, in soccer"

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: ONGOAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. Group putting out electronic music"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard 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: TECHNOBAND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Group often told to "Go!""

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 cooperative unit (especially in sports)
• Words that mean the same thing: team up, squad
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TEAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. Eyes, poetically"

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 ball-shaped capsule containing the vertebrate eye
• Words that mean the same thing: revolve, eyeball, globe
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORBS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "32. Starting point for a plan"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
• Words that mean the same thing: theme, mind, estimate
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IDEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "33. Beach mold"

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 roughly cylindrical vessel that is open at the top
• Words that mean the same thing: bucket, pailful
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PAIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "37. Quiche base"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PIEPLATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Grp. with the 1977 hit double album "Out of the Blue""

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: ELO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. "Oh, fudge!""

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 long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
• Words that mean the same thing: squealer, scum bag, informer
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. Fertility clinic donations"

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 the female reproductive cell; the female gamete
• Words that mean the same thing: egg cell, ovum
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OVA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "45. World's largest producer of black pepper"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a communist state in indochina on the south china sea; achieved independence from france in 1945
• Words that mean the same thing: Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Viet Nam, Vietnam War
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VIETNAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "48. Printing giant"

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: EPSON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "49. Go off"

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 loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
• Words that mean the same thing: rabbit on, blah, harangue
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RANT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "50. "Get ___" (2014 James Brown biopic)"

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: ONUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "53. Come back"

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 happen or occur again
• Words that mean the same thing: go back, repeat, fall back
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RECUR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "54. Pocket stuffed with tabbouleh, maybe"

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 usually small round bread that can open into a pocket for filling
• Words that mean the same thing: pocket bread
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PITA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. Windsor Castle neighbor"

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: ETON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "56. Presenter of many games"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium 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: ESPN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "58. Tweeter's "That said …""

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: OTOH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "59. Socially "with it""

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 be awake, be alert, be there
• Words that mean the same thing: awake, stir up, awaken
• The opposite would be: fall asleep, cause to sleep
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WOKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "61. Fashion house with a Manhattan HQ"

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: DKNY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "63. First name in DC Comics villainy"

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: LEX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "64. Certain link"

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 the address of a web page on the world wide web
• Words that mean the same thing: universal resource locator, uniform resource locator
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: URL

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	55	72.4%
Short Answer	13	17.1%
History	2	2.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.6%
Music	2	2.6%
Abbreviation	1	1.3%
Sports	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	41
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	5.1 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	18 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: September 07, 2025 at 04:23 AM

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 31, 2025 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

XWordHint Crossword Complete Solution: May 31, 2025

Published on Saturday, May 31, 2025 • Updated daily

Our expert breakdown helps you solve the May 31 XWordHint crossword while expanding your vocabulary. Learn answer strategies and discover word connections.

Across Clues and Answers (34)

Clue #1: 1. Where one might have a mic and a Michelob

10-letter answer Answer: KARAOKEBAR

Clue #2: 11. Edgar Degas's "Miss ___ at the Cirque Fernando"

4-letter answer Answer: LALA

Clue #3: 15. "Been there!"

10-letter answer Answer: ICANRELATE

Clue #4: 16. Member of BTS or Blackpink, e.g.

4-letter answer Answer: IDOL

Word Help: Synonyms: idol, perfection, beau_ideal

Clue #5: 17. What may rise over a range

10-letter answer Answer: BACKSPLASH

Clue #6: 18. Let off

4-letter answer Answer: EMIT

Word Help: Synonyms: breathe, give_off, pass_off
Antonyms: absorb

Clue #7: 19. Spotted cat

6-letter answer Answer: OCELOT

Word Help: Synonyms: panther_cat, ocelot, Felis_pardalis

Clue #8: 20. Response to "Who's going?"

3-letter answer Answer: IAM

Clue #9: 22. Plural suffix

3-letter answer Answer: ISM

Word Help: Synonyms: school_of_thought, doctrine, ism

Clue #10: 23. Beget

4-letter answer Answer: SIRE

Word Help: Synonyms: forefather, father, mother

Clue #11: 24. Symbol of rebirth in ancient Egypt

10-letter answer Answer: DUNGBEETLE

Clue #12: 28. Gives birth to

3-letter answer Answer: HAS

Word Help: Synonyms: induce, give, ingest
Antonyms: refuse, lack

Clue #13: 29. Subatomic particle named after an Indian physicist

5-letter answer Answer: BOSON

Word Help: Synonyms: boson

Clue #14: 30. Overdo a celebration, maybe

5-letter answer Answer: GLOAT

Word Help: Synonyms: gloat, glee, triumph

Clue #15: 31. Underline?

5-letter answer Answer: SEWER

Word Help: Synonyms: sewerage, sewer, toilet

Clue #16: 32. Count Vronsky's titular lover in a classic Tolstoy novel

4-letter answer Answer: ANNA

Word Help: Synonyms: anna

Clue #17: 33. Leaves the rest?

7-letter answer Answer: AWAKENS

Word Help: Synonyms: wake_up, awake, come_alive
Antonyms: cause_to_sleep, fall_asleep

Clue #18: 36. Eponym of Pittsburgh's tallest building

7-letter answer Answer: USSTEEL

Clue #19: 39. Country whose predominant language is Bambara

4-letter answer Answer: MALI

Word Help: Synonyms: Republic_of_Mali, French_Sudan, Mali

Clue #20: 40. ___ Grape, Leonardo DiCaprio's role in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape"

5-letter answer Answer: ARNIE

Clue #21: 41. Minor key?

5-letter answer Answer: ISLET

Word Help: Synonyms: isle, islet

Clue #22: 43. Churro covering

5-letter answer Answer: SUGAR

Word Help: Synonyms: sugar, lucre, boodle

Clue #23: 44. Ride-or-die sort, in brief

3-letter answer Answer: BFF

Clue #24: 47. Participant in a hybrid sport that requires both brains and brawn

10-letter answer Answer: CHESSBOXER

Clue #25: 49. Ski resort in the White River National Forest

4-letter answer Answer: VAIL

Clue #26: 50. Chip maker in a 1961 merger

3-letter answer Answer: LAY

Word Help: Synonyms: ballad, put_down, position
Antonyms: stand, arise

Clue #27: 51. Discipline

3-letter answer Answer: ART

Word Help: Synonyms: fine_art, artistic_production, artwork

Clue #28: 52. Most populous California city with a one-word name

6-letter answer Answer: FRESNO

Word Help: Synonyms: Fresno

Clue #29: 54. Male influencer archetype

4-letter answer Answer: EBOY

Clue #30: 56. Where camels can occasionally be seen swimming

10-letter answer Answer: ARABIANSEA

Clue #31: 59. Kind of juice that's high in antioxidants

4-letter answer Answer: ALOE

Word Help: Synonyms: aloe

Clue #32: 60. What the "T" in CAPTCHA stands for

10-letter answer Answer: TURINGTEST

Clue #33: 61. Set components

4-letter answer Answer: REPS

Word Help: Synonyms: repp, rep

Clue #34: 62. Culturally relevant

10-letter answer Answer: ZEITGEISTY

Across Clues and Answers (34)

Clue #1: 1. Nix

6-letter answer Answer: KIBOSH

Word Help: Synonyms: halt, block, kibosh

Clue #2: 2. Traditional wood for a ukulele

6-letter answer Answer: ACACIA

Word Help: Synonyms: acacia

Clue #3: 3. 500 people?

6-letter answer Answer: RACERS

Word Help: Synonyms: racer, race_car, race_driver

Clue #4: 4. ___ sock

5-letter answer Answer: ANKLE

Word Help: Synonyms: ankle_joint, ankle, mortise_joint

Clue #5: 5. Words after a guesstimate

4-letter answer Answer: ORSO

Clue #6: 6. Repressed

8-letter answer Answer: KEPTDOWN

Clue #7: 7. Likely spot for a pipe jam

3-letter answer Answer: ELL

Word Help: Synonyms: ell

Clue #8: 8. Call repeated in a nursery rhyme

3-letter answer Answer: BAA

Word Help: Synonyms: blate, bleat, blat

Clue #9: 9. Something found next to a handle

6-letter answer Answer: ATSIGN

Clue #10: 10. Bring up to modern standards, say

5-letter answer Answer: REHAB

Clue #11: 11. Fake account

3-letter answer Answer: LIE

Word Help: Synonyms: lie_in, rest, Trygve_Halvden_Lie
Antonyms: stand, arise

Clue #12: 12. Pass words?

8-letter answer Answer: ADMITONE

Clue #13: 13. Subject of the 2023 TV series "My Adventures With Superman"

8-letter answer Answer: LOISLANE

Clue #14: 14. Genre for Soundgarden and Linkin Park

8-letter answer Answer: ALTMETAL

Clue #15: 21. Part of a gig

3-letter answer Answer: MEG

Word Help: Synonyms: 1000000, meg, million

Clue #16: 25. Exercises

4-letter answer Answer: USES

Word Help: Synonyms: practice, U.S.A., enjoyment

Clue #17: 26. Eur. land with more than 60,000 miles of coast

3-letter answer Answer: NOR

Clue #18: 27. Send

5-letter answer Answer: ELATE

Word Help: Synonyms: elate, lift_up, uplift
Antonyms: depress

Clue #19: 29. Competition with some defining moments?

3-letter answer Answer: BEE

Word Help: Synonyms: bee

Clue #20: 31. Hits high in the air

5-letter answer Answer: SKIES

Word Help: Synonyms: flip, pitch, sky

Clue #21: 33. Stern question after laying out expectations

8-letter answer Answer: AMICLEAR

Clue #22: 34. Not likely to leave a mark, say

8-letter answer Answer: WASHABLE

Word Help: Synonyms: washable
Antonyms: nonwashable

Clue #23: 35. Two-person shot

8-letter answer Answer: ALLEYOOP

Clue #24: 36. Press

4-letter answer Answer: URGE

Word Help: Synonyms: recommend, root_on, advocate

Clue #25: 37. Downing, with "down"

8-letter answer Answer: SNARFING

Word Help: Synonyms: swipe, pilfer, pinch

Clue #26: 38. Sean Connery or Mick Jagger, e.g.

3-letter answer Answer: SIR

Word Help: Synonyms: sir, Sir

Clue #27: 40. Kind of cable in a car, for short

3-letter answer Answer: AUX

Clue #28: 42. Rod's employer in "Get Out," in brief

3-letter answer Answer: TSA

Word Help: Synonyms: TSA, Transportation_Security_Administration

Clue #29: 43. "I couldn't agree more!"

6-letter answer Answer: SOTRUE

Clue #30: 44. They often end on a low note

6-letter answer Answer: BASSES

Word Help: Synonyms: bass, sea_bass, freshwater_bass

Clue #31: 45. Top-shelf, say

6-letter answer Answer: FINEST

Word Help: Synonyms: ok, all_right, hunky-dory
Antonyms: coarse

Clue #32: 46. Air-filled pool item

6-letter answer Answer: FLOATY

Word Help: Synonyms: buoyant, floaty

Clue #33: 48. Toy doll brand since 2001

5-letter answer Answer: BRATZ

Clue #34: 49. Twenty, in Italian

5-letter answer Answer: VENTI

Clue #35: 53. All the ___

4-letter answer Answer: RAGE

Word Help: Synonyms: ramp, storm, passion

Clue #36: 55. Wry response to a this-or-that question

3-letter answer Answer: YES

Word Help: Synonyms: yes
Antonyms: no

Clue #37: 57. R&B singer Lennox

3-letter answer Answer: ARI

Clue #38: 58. 0 or 1

3-letter answer Answer: BIT

Word Help: Synonyms: mo, snatch, moment

Expert Solving Strategies

• Look for fill-in-the-blank clues first (they're often easiest)
• Watch for question marks indicating wordplay
• Check vowel patterns in partially solved words

Related Search Terms

NYT Crossword Help, Daily Puzzle Solutions, Crossword Answer Finder, May Crossword Answers