2408 Fri Aug 23, 2024 NY Times Crossword Clues Hints

Across Clues :

1. "Pretty Little Liars" author Shepard, 5. Trap for the unwary, 10. High-end hotel amenities, 14. Takeoff announcement?, 16. Rocked, in a way, 17. "Future me — don't forget this!", 18. Holly genus, 19. Gave a once-over, 20. Begrudging assent, 22. Jazz trumpeter Jones, 23. Spiny reptile that, despite its name, is actually a lizard, 24. The Flyers, on a scoreboard, 25. Famed recipient of a lesser blessing, 27. "Eww, enough!", 28. Cry of fear, 29. Makes, as a putt, 31. Some Reichstag votes, 35. Stage group often dressed in black, 37. Struggles, 39. [And just like that ...], 40. "TiK ToK" creator, 42. "Any ___?", 44. Makeup ingredient?, 45. Soldier of Sauron, 47. Cubism-inspired style, 48. Like 30-Down, 49. Make a deal official, say, 53. The average person will shed at least one every day, 55. Spice derived from the inner bark of a tropical tree, 56. Like some broken records, 58. Antagonist in a 1604 play … or a 1992 animated movie, 59. Forest, in a metaphor, 61. Breezed (by), 62. Try to get the upper hand?, 63. Afflictions, 64. Infinitesimal, 65. Wine bottle spec

Fri Aug 23, 2024 NY Times Crossword Clues Hints

Down Clues :

1. 0, for 180°, 2. Bit of salty language?, 3. Some announcements from the Fed, 4. Cosmetics brand owned by Estée Lauder, 5. Organ piece, 6. KenKen entries: Abbr., 7. "For real?!", 8. Minos or Midas, 9. Member of la famille, 10. Fan base added to the O.E.D. in 2023, 11. Oral vaccine target, 12. Sphere, 13. Planned Parenthood offering, informally, 15. Warm-up pieces, 21. "How Firm a Foundation," for one, 23. Where VietJet Air is headquartered, 24. Half a half-bushel, 26. Watch, in a way, 30. Winter forecast, 32. Debated, 33. Comedian Aparna who wrote "Unreliable Narrator", 34. Do a certain veterinary job, 36. "It's anyone's guess", 38. West Coast political hub, familiarly, 41. What an integral can compute, 43. Comfort, 46. Fighting, 49. Genre celebrated at the annual Worldcon, 50. Meeting greeting, 51. Well-behaved sort, 52. Color of a proverbial French beast, 54. Chichi, 56. Like the coats of many terriers, 57. Free-roaming residents of Japan's Nara Park, 60. Beat decisively, in video game lingo

Break down the NYT Crosswords: August 23, 2024

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

Across Clues with Answers:

• The clue is 1. "Pretty Little Liars" author Shepard. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SARA




• The clue is 5. Trap for the unwary. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SNARE

  Possible Answer : trammel, hook, side_drum, snare_drum, gin, entrap, noose, ensnare, trap, snare




• The clue is 10. High-end hotel amenities. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SPAS

  Possible Answer : health_club, watering_place, spa, health_spa, resort_hotel, watering_hole




• The clue is 14. Takeoff announcement?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: IHAVETORUN




• The clue is 16. Rocked, in a way. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: WORE

  Possible Answer : tire, wear_thin, tire_out, get_into, endure, put_on, fag, don, break, bust, outwear, assume, fatigue, have_on, wear, fall_apart, hold_out, wear_off, bear, wear_out, weary, jade, fag_out, wear_upon, wear_down

  Possible Opposite Answer : refresh




• The clue is 17. "Future me — don't forget this!". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NOTETOSELF




• The clue is 18. Holly genus. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ILEX

  Possible Answer : genus_Ilex, Ilex




• The clue is 19. Gave a once-over. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EYEDUP




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

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

  The answer: YEAHFINE




• The clue is 22. Jazz trumpeter Jones. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: THAD




• The clue is 23. Spiny reptile that, despite its name, is actually a lizard. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HORNYTOAD




• The clue is 24. The Flyers, on a scoreboard. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PHI

  Possible Answer : phi




• The clue is 25. Famed recipient of a lesser blessing. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ESAU

  Possible Answer : Esau




• The clue is 27. "Eww, enough!". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TMI




• The clue is 28. Cry of fear. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EEK




• The clue is 29. Makes, as a putt. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SINKS

  Possible Answer : subside, bury, go_down, dip, sink, slump, drop, pass, sump, drop_down, swallow_hole, settle, slide_down, go_under, sinkhole, fall_off, cesspool, cesspit, lapse

  Possible Opposite Answer : source, float




• The clue is 31. Some Reichstag votes. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NEINS




• The clue is 35. Stage group often dressed in black. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CREW

  Possible Answer : work_party, crew, crowd, gang, bunch




• The clue is 37. Struggles. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TOILS

  Possible Answer : labour, fag, dig, travail, drudge, moil, labor, grind, toil




• The clue is 39. [And just like that ...]. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SNAP

  Possible Answer : break_down, snapshot, flick, cinch, child's_play, click, piece_of_cake, ginger_snap, snatch_up, shot, snap_fastener, grab, bust, snap_bean, tear, rupture, snap, duck_soup, centering, pushover, shoot, gingersnap, walkover, snarl, photograph, catch, cracking, ginger_nut, press_stud, snatch, elasticity, picnic, lose_it, crack, breeze

  Possible Opposite Answer : inelasticity




• The clue is 40. "TiK ToK" creator. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: KESHA




• The clue is 42. "Any ___?". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: IDEAS

  Possible Answer : melodic_theme, estimation, mind, estimate, thought, idea, theme, musical_theme, approximation




• The clue is 44. Makeup ingredient?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DNA

  Possible Answer : deoxyribonucleic_acid, desoxyribonucleic_acid, DNA




• The clue is 45. Soldier of Sauron. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ORC




• The clue is 47. Cubism-inspired style. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DECO

  Possible Answer : art_deco, deco




• The clue is 48. Like 30-Down. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ICY

  Possible Answer : frozen, polar, glacial, arctic, wintry, gelid, frosty, frigid, icy




• The clue is 49. Make a deal official, say. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SHAKEONIT




• The clue is 53. The average person will shed at least one every day. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LASH

  Possible Answer : welt, eyelash, flog, whip, slash, lash, thong, whiplash, strap, cilium, lather, trounce

  Possible Opposite Answer : unlash




• The clue is 55. Spice derived from the inner bark of a tropical tree. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

  The answer: CINNAMON

  Possible Answer : Ceylon_cinnamon_tree, cinnamon, cinnamon_bark, Cinnamomum_zeylanicum, Ceylon_cinnamon




• The clue is 56. Like some broken records. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: WARPED

  Possible Answer : heave, buckle, warp, garble, distort, falsify, warped




• The clue is 58. Antagonist in a 1604 play … or a 1992 animated movie. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: IAGO

  Possible Answer : Iago




• The clue is 59. Forest, in a metaphor. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BIGPICTURE




• The clue is 61. Breezed (by). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: FLEW

  Possible Answer : flee, vaporize, wing, aviate, fly, vanish, take_flight, pilot, fell




• The clue is 62. Try to get the upper hand?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARMWRESTLE




• The clue is 63. Afflictions. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ILLS

  Possible Answer : ill, complaint, ailment




• The clue is 64. Infinitesimal. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TEENY

  Possible Answer : teentsy, itty-bitty, weensy, bitty, wee, itsy-bitsy, weeny, bittie, teeny-weeny, teensy-weensy, teensy, teeny




• The clue is 65. Wine bottle spec. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: YEAR

  Possible Answer : yr, twelvemonth, class, year

Down Clues and Answers:

• The clue is 1. 0, for 180°. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SINE

  Possible Answer: sine, sin

• The clue is 2. Bit of salty language?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AHOYTHERE

• The clue is 3. Some announcements from the Fed. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RATEHIKES

• The clue is 4. Cosmetics brand owned by Estée Lauder. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AVEDA

• The clue is 5. Organ piece. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: STOP

  Possible Answer: halt, layover, block_off, block, hitch, block_up, hold_back, stop_over, discontinue, stop_consonant, contain, turn_back, check, quit, kibosh, break, occlusion, arrest, blockage, stopover, finish, plosive, give_up, period, occlusive, stay, catch, stop, full_point, break_off, cease, barricade, blockade, full_stop, lay_off, intercept, hold_on, diaphragm, closure, point, plosive_consonant, plosive_speech_sound, stoppage, terminate, bar, end

  Possible Opposite Answer : start, continue, begin, continuant_consonant

• The clue is 6. KenKen entries: Abbr.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NOS

  Possible Answer: nobelium, No, no, atomic_number_102

  Possible Opposite Answer : yes

• The clue is 7. "For real?!". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (15 letters)

  The answer: AREYOUKIDDINGME

• The clue is 8. Minos or Midas. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RULER

  Possible Answer: rule, ruler, swayer

• The clue is 9. Member of la famille. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ENFANT

• The clue is 10. Fan base added to the O.E.D. in 2023. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

  The answer: SWIFTIES

• The clue is 11. Oral vaccine target. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: POLIO

  Possible Answer: acute_anterior_poliomyelitis, polio, infantile_paralysis, poliomyelitis

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

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

  The answer: ARENA

  Possible Answer: sphere, field, arena, sports_stadium, orbit, bowl, area, stadium, domain, scene_of_action

• The clue is 13. Planned Parenthood offering, informally. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SEXED

  Possible Answer: excite, sex, arouse, wind_up, turn_on, sexed

• The clue is 15. Warm-up pieces. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ETUDES

  Possible Answer: etude

• The clue is 21. "How Firm a Foundation," for one. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HYMN

  Possible Answer: hymn, anthem

• The clue is 23. Where VietJet Air is headquartered. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HANOI

  Possible Answer: capital_of_Vietnam, Hanoi

• The clue is 24. Half a half-bushel. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PECK

  Possible Answer: mint, tidy_sum, passel, quite_a_little, slew, heap, mountain, hen-peck, deal, smack, pick, nag, peck, spate, mess, pile, hatful, peck_at, raft, mickle, stack, muckle, good_deal, wad, beak, pick_up, sight, great_deal, batch, mass, flock, lot, pot, plenty, pick_at

• The clue is 26. Watch, in a way. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SIT

  Possible Answer: pose, sit_down, model, ride, sit_around, sit, posture, baby-sit, seat

  Possible Opposite Answer : stand, arise

• The clue is 30. Winter forecast. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SLEET

  Possible Answer: sleet

• The clue is 32. Debated. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: INDISPUTE

• The clue is 33. Comedian Aparna who wrote "Unreliable Narrator". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NANCHERLA

• The clue is 34. Do a certain veterinary job. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SPAY

  Possible Answer: castrate, alter, spay, neuter

• The clue is 36. "It's anyone's guess". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

  The answer: WHOKNOWS

• The clue is 38. West Coast political hub, familiarly. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SAC

  Possible Answer: pocket, Sauk, theca, pouch, sack, Sac, sac

• The clue is 41. What an integral can compute. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AREA

  Possible Answer: sphere, field, arena, surface_area, country, orbit, region, area, expanse, domain

• The clue is 43. Comfort. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SOLACE

  Possible Answer: console, solace, comfort, soothe, solacement, consolation

• The clue is 46. Fighting. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: COMBAT

  Possible Answer: scrap, fighting, fight, combat, armed_combat, battle

• The clue is 49. Genre celebrated at the annual Worldcon. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SCIFI

• The clue is 50. Meeting greeting. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HIALL

• The clue is 51. Well-behaved sort. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ANGEL

  Possible Answer: Angel_Falls, Angel, holy_person, holy_man, backer, saint, angel

• The clue is 52. Color of a proverbial French beast. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NOIRE

• The clue is 54. Chichi. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARTSY

• The clue is 56. Like the coats of many terriers. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: WIRY

  Possible Answer: stringy, wiry

• The clue is 57. Free-roaming residents of Japan's Nara Park. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DEER

  Possible Answer: deer, cervid

• The clue is 60. Beat decisively, in video game lingo. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PWN

Trivia Week 3 Manual for NYT Mini February 18, 2026

Trivia Week 3 February 18, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Hints

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

Popular Puzzles: NYT Mini Today September 29 2025 | July 28 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | September 09 2019 NYT Clues Solutions |

Jump To Section

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

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Puzzle Statistics

Detail	Information
Date	February 18, 2026
Grid Size	5 x 5 squares
Total Clues	20 clues
Across Clues	10 clues
Down Clues	10 clues
Average Solve Time	Under 1 minute

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

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

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern

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

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

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

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

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

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List

Number	Clue
1 Across	49. Write "their" for "there," say
2 Across	68. Nincompoops
3 Across	17. Ancient Greek marketplace
4 Across	51. Offensively odorous
5 Across	45. Trident-shaped letter
6 Across	21. 🕘⏳⏰
7 Across	23. Gullible one
8 Across	44. Some wand wielders
9 Across	70. Reduced to crumbs, say
10 Across	24. Pepper that's two steps above poblano on the Scoville scale

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

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

• July 28 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 09 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
• NYT Across Clues Answers November 21

---

1 Across: "49. Write "their" for "there," say"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
• Another word like this: drift

Answer:

Click to reveal

ERR

---

2 Across: "68. Nincompoops"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: A___S

Answer:

Click to reveal

ASSES

---

3 Across: "17. Ancient Greek marketplace"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
• Word pattern: A___A

Answer:

Click to reveal

AGORA

---

4 Across: "51. Offensively odorous"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 7 letters
• It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
• Word pattern: N_____E

Answer:

Click to reveal

NOISOME

---

5 Across: "45. Trident-shaped letter"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal

PSI

---

6 Across: "21. 🕘⏳⏰"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 15 letters
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: S_____________S

Answer:

Click to reveal

SIGNSOFTHETIMES

---

7 Across: "23. Gullible one"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
• Another word like this: exhaust

Answer:

Click to reveal

SAP

---

8 Across: "44. Some wand wielders"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 9 letters
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: S_______S

Answer:

Click to reveal

SORCERERS

---

9 Across: "70. Reduced to crumbs, say"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal

EATEN

---

10 Across: "24. Pepper that's two steps above poblano on the Scoville scale"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 7 letters
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'O'
• Word pattern: S_____O

Answer:

Click to reveal

SERRANO

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List

Number	Clue
1 Down	10. Elbows and bow ties
2 Down	59. Wraps (up)
3 Down	33. Like some buns and bedrooms
4 Down	36. Includes, in a way
5 Down	48. Cast
6 Down	4. Remains
7 Down	56. Singer with the 2009 #1 hit "Tik Tok"
8 Down	5. Leader of the Sharks in "West Side Story"
9 Down	19. Observation
10 Down	22. It might be a stretch for historians

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

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

• July 28 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 26 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 08 2021 NYT Clues Solutions

---

1 Down: "10. Elbows and bow ties"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal

PASTAS

---

2 Down: "59. Wraps (up)"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal

SEWS

---

3 Down: "33. Like some buns and bedrooms"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'M' and ends with 'Y'
• Word pattern: M___Y

Answer:

Click to reveal

MESSY

---

4 Down: "36. Includes, in a way"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
• Another word like this: mil

Answer:

Click to reveal

CCS

---

5 Down: "48. Cast"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 6 letters
• It starts with 'T' and ends with 'D'
• Word pattern: T____D

Answer:

Click to reveal

TOSSED

---

6 Down: "4. Remains"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: D___S

Answer:

Click to reveal

DREGS

---

7 Down: "56. Singer with the 2009 #1 hit "Tik Tok""

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'K' and ends with 'A'
• Word pattern: K___A

Answer:

Click to reveal

KESHA

---

8 Down: "5. Leader of the Sharks in "West Side Story""

Helpful hints:

• This word has 8 letters
• It starts with 'B' and ends with 'O'
• Word pattern: B______O

Answer:

Click to reveal

BERNARDO

---

9 Down: "19. Observation"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 6 letters
• It starts with 'E' and ends with 'L'
• Word pattern: E____L

Answer:

Click to reveal

ESPIAL

---

10 Down: "22. It might be a stretch for historians"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
• Another word like this: epoch

Answer:

Click to reveal

ERA

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

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

Letter Tips That Really Help

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

Time Goals to Aim For

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

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers

Total Clues:	20 clues to solve
Grid Size:	5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares:	25 squares to fill
Average Time:	Most people solve in 52 seconds
Difficulty:	Easy

More Puzzle Help

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

Recent Crossword Solutions:

• October 15 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers September_24
• June 12 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• NYT Mini Today September 29 2025
• Todays 55 NYT Mini September 15 2025
• July 28 2022 NYT Clues Solutions

Common Questions About Trivia Week 3

When can I play the Trivia Week 3 Mini?

The Trivia Week 3 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 3?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 3 Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play Trivia Week 3?

No! The Trivia Week 3 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 3 solver?

Good Trivia Week 3 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 3?

Trivia Week 3 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.

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About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: February 18, 2026 at 05:11 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, February 18 2026 mini crossword

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 18, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (35 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (42 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Genre for James Brown or Al Green, informally	5
2A	6. Biblical name for Syria	4
3A	10. International agreements	5
4A	15. "That's ___" (Dean Martin classic)	5
5A	16. Plumb mad	4
6A	17. Ancient Greek marketplace	5
7A	18. Dwindled away	10
8A	20. ___ Aran, heroine of Nintendo's Metroid	5
9A	21. 🕘⏳⏰	15
10A	23. Gullible one	3
11A	24. Pepper that's two steps above poblano on the Scoville scale	7
12A	25. Irritated outburst	3
13A	28. Carnaval city, informally	3
14A	30. Smallish batteries	3
15A	31. Reservoir producer	3
16A	34. Bounty	9
17A	38. Favorable starting point of an auto race	4
18A	39. 🤙👏👋	16
19A	43. The Farm Service Agcy. is part of it	4
20A	44. Some wand wielders	9
21A	45. Trident-shaped letter	3
22A	46. QB's call	3
23A	49. Write "their" for "there," say	3
24A	50. Slopping spot	3
25A	51. Offensively odorous	7
26A	55. Noted wildlife refuge	3
27A	57. 💬🗣️🗯️	15
28A	62. Cara of "Fame" fame	5
29A	63. Digital capture	10
30A	65. Enchantress of Greek mythology	5
31A	66. Popular D.I.Y. website	4
32A	67. Go after	5
33A	68. Nincompoops	5
34A	69. Rackets	4
35A	70. Reduced to crumbs, say	5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Genre for James Brown or Al Green, informally"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RANDB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Biblical name for Syria"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the biblical name for ancient syria
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. International agreements"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
• Similar words include: pact, accord, treaty
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PACTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. "That's ___" (Dean Martin classic)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Plumb mad"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
• Similar words include: kooky, wacky, around the bend
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOCO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Ancient Greek marketplace"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that 100 agorot equal 1 shekel in israel
• Similar words include: public square
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AGORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Dwindled away"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PETEREDOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. ___ Aran, heroine of Nintendo's Metroid"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAMUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. 🕘⏳⏰"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SIGNSOFTHETIMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. Gullible one"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant
• Similar words include: tomfool, exhaust, muggins
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Pepper that's two steps above poblano on the Scoville scale"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SERRANO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Irritated outburst"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Carnaval city, informally"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the former capital and 2nd largest city of brazil; chief brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
• Similar words include: Rio de Janeiro
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. Smallish batteries"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an associate degree in applied science
• Similar words include: Associate in Arts, aa, AA
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Reservoir producer"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
• Similar words include: dkm, dam up, decameter
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Bounty"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
• Similar words include: teemingness, copiousness
• Opposite of: scarcity

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABUNDANCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "38. Favorable starting point of an auto race"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
• Similar words include: terminal, rod, magnetic pole
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. 🤙👏👋"

16 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SYMBOLICGESTURES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "43. The Farm Service Agcy. is part of it"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the federal department that administers programs that provide services to farmers (including research and soil conservation and efforts to stabilize the farming economy); created in 1862
• Similar words include: Agriculture, Agriculture Department, Department of Agriculture
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "44. Some wand wielders"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one who practices magic or sorcery
• Similar words include: thaumaturgist, magician, necromancer
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SORCERERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "45. Trident-shaped letter"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of pressure
• Similar words include: pounds per square inch
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PSI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "46. QB's call"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that temporary military shelter
• Similar words include: shack, army hut, hovel
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "49. Write "their" for "there," say"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that to make a mistake or be incorrect
• Similar words include: mistake, stray, drift
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "50. Slopping spot"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
• Similar words include: hordeolum, pigpen, eye infection
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Offensively odorous"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that causing or able to cause nausea
• Similar words include: stinking, funky, ill-scented
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOISOME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "55. Noted wildlife refuge"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (judaism) sacred chest where the ancient hebrews kept the two tablets containing the ten commandments
• Similar words include: Ark of the Covenant
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "57. 💬🗣️🗯️"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FIGURESOFSPEECH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "62. Cara of "Fame" fame"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "63. Digital capture"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCREENSHOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "65. Enchantress of Greek mythology"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (greek mythology) a sorceress who detained odysseus on her island and turned his men into swine
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CIRCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "66. Popular D.I.Y. website"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EHOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "67. Go after"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
• Similar words include: pursual, tag, track
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "68. Nincompoops"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Similar words include: can, buns, butt
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "69. Rackets"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a loud harsh or strident noise
• Similar words include: rumpus, blaring, boom
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DINS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "70. Reduced to crumbs, say"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that take in solid food
• Similar words include: exhaust, deplete, eat
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EATEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. What a fall guy has to take, with "the"	3
2D	2. Home of the Big 12's Cyclones	4
3D	3. Terse denial	4
4D	4. Remains	5
5D	5. Leader of the Sharks in "West Side Story"	8
6D	6. Gucci of fashion	4
7D	7. Locales for some urban gardens	5
8D	8. Like the accents in "déclassé"	5
9D	9. Godzilla foe	6
10D	10. Elbows and bow ties	6
11D	11. Once more	5
12D	12. Best-selling home computers of the 1980s	10
13D	13. On the money	4
14D	14. Freshness	4
15D	19. Observation	6
16D	22. It might be a stretch for historians	3
17D	25. Fill an automobile tank ... or boost the confidence of, in slang	5
18D	26. Deep chasm	5
19D	27. Pips	10
20D	29. Demon of Japanese folklore	3
21D	32. On guard	5
22D	33. Like some buns and bedrooms	5
23D	35. Org. for Wizards and Magic	3
24D	36. Includes, in a way	3
25D	37. One of the "six enemies of the mind," in Hinduism	3
26D	38. Big name in water filters	3
27D	40. Old-fashioned word that's a homophone of 49-Across	3
28D	41. Distressing encounter	6
29D	42. ___ Howard, Oscar-nominated actor for 2005's "Hustle & Flow"	8
30D	46. New workmates	6
31D	47. Manipulate	3
32D	48. Cast	6
33D	52. Meager measure of compassion?	5
34D	53. Traditional rice cake snack on Japanese New Year	5
35D	54. Actor Zac of "High School Musical"	5
36D	56. Singer with the 2009 #1 hit "Tik Tok"	5
37D	57. Acronym on a W-2	4
38D	58. Bluish-purple bloom	4
39D	59. Wraps (up)	4
40D	60. Tête-à-tête	4
41D	61. Firefighting aid	4
42D	64. X	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. What a fall guy has to take, with "the""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
• Similar words include: whang, hip-hop, tap
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Home of the Big 12's Cyclones"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Terse denial"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOTI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Remains"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid
• Similar words include: dreg, settlings
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DREGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Leader of the Sharks in "West Side Story""

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BERNARDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Gucci of fashion"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Locales for some urban gardens"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
• Similar words include: roof, ceiling, cap
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROOFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Like the accents in "déclassé""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mark (') placed above a vowel to indicate pronunciation
• Similar words include: ague, piercing, intense
• Opposite of: chronic, obtuse

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACUTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Godzilla foe"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOTHRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Elbows and bow ties"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a dish that contains pasta as its main ingredient
• Similar words include: pasta, alimentary paste
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PASTAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Once more"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Similar words include: once more, over again, once again
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AGAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Best-selling home computers of the 1980s"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a commissioned naval officer who ranks above a captain and below a rear admiral; the lowest grade of admiral
• Similar words include: commodore
• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COMMODORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. On the money"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that proper alignment; the property possessed by something that is in correct or proper alignment
• Similar words include: admittedly, dependable, dead on target
• Opposite of: false, untruthful

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Freshness"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an impudent or insolent rejoinder
• Similar words include: SAS, lip, back talk
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Observation"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of detecting something; catching sight of something
• Similar words include: catching, spotting, spying
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESPIAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. It might be a stretch for historians"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Similar words include: epoch, geological era, earned run average
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Fill an automobile tank ... or boost the confidence of, in slang"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GASUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Deep chasm"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
• Similar words include: abysm
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABYSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Pips"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that someone of remarkable excellence
• Similar words include: humdinger
• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUMDINGERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Demon of Japanese folklore"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the military intelligence agency that provides for the intelligence and counterintelligence and investigative and security requirements of the united states navy
• Similar words include: Office of Naval Intelligence
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. On guard"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action
• Similar words include: lively, spanking, zippy
• Opposite of: unalert

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Like some buns and bedrooms"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that dirty and disorderly
• Similar words include: mussy
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MESSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Org. for Wizards and Magic"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NBA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Includes, in a way"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a metric unit of volume equal to one thousandth of a liter
• Similar words include: cubic centimetre, cubic centimeter, milliliter
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. One of the "six enemies of the mind," in Hinduism"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
• Similar words include: self-importance, self, egotism
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Big name in water filters"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PUR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Old-fashioned word that's a homophone of 49-Across"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Distressing encounter"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a harsh noise made by scraping
• Similar words include: scratch, scar, scraping
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCRAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "42. ___ Howard, Oscar-nominated actor for 2005's "Hustle & Flow""

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TERRENCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. New workmates"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that engage or hire for work
• Similar words include: engage, lease, employ
• Opposite of: fire

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HIREES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Manipulate"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of using
• Similar words include: consumption, usage, economic consumption
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Cast"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that throw or toss with a light motion
• Similar words include: cast out, toss away, cast aside
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOSSED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Meager measure of compassion?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of apothecary weight equal to 480 grains or one twelfth of a pound
• Similar words include: troy ounce, snow leopard, Panthera uncia
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OUNCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Traditional rice cake snack on Japanese New Year"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOCHI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Actor Zac of "High School Musical""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EFRON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. Singer with the 2009 #1 hit "Tik Tok""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KESHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "57. Acronym on a W-2"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a tax on employees and employers that is used to fund the social security system
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FICA

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38D: "58. Bluish-purple bloom"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals
• Similar words include: flag, fleur-de-lis, sword lily
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRIS

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39D: "59. Wraps (up)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that fasten by sewing; do needlework
• Similar words include: tailor-make, sew, stitch
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEWS

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40D: "60. Tête-à-tête"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an informal conversation
• Similar words include: chew the fat, confabulate, shoot the breeze
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHAT

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41D: "61. Firefighting aid"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that socks and stockings and tights collectively (the british include underwear)
• Similar words include: hose down, hosepipe, hosiery
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOSE

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42D: "64. X"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
• Similar words include: tenner, decade, ten-spot
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues

42 Down Clues

77 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 18, 2026 at 05:09 AM