No 27,387 Fri Nov 01, 2024 NYT by Spencer Leach

Break down the NYT Crosswords: November 01, 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. Like some tracks. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OVAL

  Possible Answer : elliptical, ovoid, elliptic, ellipse, oviform, oval, oval-shaped, prolate, egg-shaped, ovate




• The clue is 5. ___ Demand Action (gun control advocacy group). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MOMS

  Possible Answer : ma, mommy, mama, momma, mamma, mum, mummy, mom, mammy




• The clue is 9. Deadly biters. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ASPS

  Possible Answer : asp_viper, asp, Egyptian_cobra, Naja_haje, Vipera_aspis




• The clue is 13. Where opposites don't attract?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LESBIANBAR




• The clue is 16. Small scale business?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DELI

  Possible Answer : deli, food_shop, delicatessen




• The clue is 17. Help resolve, as a conflict. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DEESCALATE




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

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

  The answer: SNAP

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

  Possible Opposite Answer : inelasticity




• The clue is 19. Nixon established it in 1970, for short. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EPA

  Possible Answer : EPA, Environmental_Protection_Agency




• The clue is 20. Words on a red tag, maybe. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ASIS




• The clue is 21. Cause. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LEADTO




• The clue is 23. Family group. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CLAN

  Possible Answer : kinship_group, clan, tribe, kin, kindred, kin_group




• The clue is 24. Large amount, facetiously. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: JILLION

  Possible Answer : zillion, gazillion, billion, trillion, jillion, million




• The clue is 25. Golden retriever who ends up with a chocolate lab?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (13 letters)

  The answer: CHARLIEBUCKET




• The clue is 29. Bit of Muslim attire. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HIJAB

  Possible Answer : hijab




• The clue is 30. Accumulating bowlful while eating edamame. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PODS

  Possible Answer : seedcase, cod, seedpod, fuel_pod, pod




• The clue is 31. Measure of heat, for short. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BTU

  Possible Answer : BTU, B.Th.U., British_thermal_unit




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

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

  The answer: AVOWS

  Possible Answer : avow, avouch, swear, affirm, assert, swan, verify, aver

  Possible Opposite Answer : disavow




• The clue is 35. Net alternative. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ORG




• The clue is 36. Eggs-terminates?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SPAYS

  Possible Answer : castrate, spay, neuter, alter




• The clue is 38. Nebraska senator Fischer. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DEB

  Possible Answer : debutante, deb




• The clue is 39. ___-Ball. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SKEE




• The clue is 40. Shoes, casually. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: KICKS

  Possible Answer : kick_back, bitch, bang, plain, beef, recoil, charge, complain, boot, sound_off, kicking, kvetch, give_up, quetch, flush, rush, thrill, kick, gripe, squawk

  Possible Opposite Answer : cheer




• The clue is 41. November handout. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (13 letters)

  The answer: IVOTEDSTICKER




• The clue is 45. Assent to un hombre. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SISENOR




• The clue is 47. Wine list heading. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: REDS

  Possible Answer : loss, bolshy, Bolshevik, redness, red_ink, Red_River, red, Marxist, Red, bolshie

  Possible Opposite Answer : gain




• The clue is 48. Lined up. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: INAROW




• The clue is 49. Pro ___. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BONO




• The clue is 50. "___ Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!" (long-running British reality show). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: IMA




• The clue is 53. Sensei's domain. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DOJO




• The clue is 54. "I" lift?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EGOBOOSTER




• The clue is 57. Animal on the flags of Spain, Montenegro and Sri Lanka. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LION

  Possible Answer : Lion, lion, Leo_the_Lion, Leo, king_of_beasts, Panthera_leo, social_lion




• The clue is 58. Product that reduces static cling. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DRYERSHEET




• The clue is 59. London-born actor who was People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2018. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ELBA




• The clue is 60. "Dress for Less" sloganeer. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ROSS

  Possible Answer : Nellie_Tayloe_Ross, Nellie_Ross, Betsy_Ross, Betsy_Griscom_Ross, Ross, Sir_Ronald_Ross, John_Ross, James_Clark_Ross, Sir_John_Ross, Sir_James_Clark_Ross




• The clue is 61. Wearers of the Star of Life, for short. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EMTS

Down Clues and Answers:

• The clue is 1. Dated a while back?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OLDE

• The clue is 2. #2. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: VEEP

• The clue is 3. Like Pi for much of "Life of Pi". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ASEA

  Possible Answer: seaward, asea, seawards

• The clue is 4. Barbell abbr.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LBS

  Possible Answer: pound, lb

• The clue is 5. Native East African people. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MAASAI

• The clue is 6. In which computer chips are used?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ONLINEPOKER

• The clue is 7. Degs. for aspiring entrepreneurs. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MBAS

  Possible Answer: MBA, Master_in_Business_Administration, Master_in_Business

• The clue is 8. Parked it. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SAT

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

  Possible Opposite Answer : stand, arise

• The clue is 9. Marketing department success. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ADSALE

• The clue is 10. Line from an unhappy diner. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SENDITBACK

• The clue is 11. Writer of the "Phaedrus" circa 370 B.C.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PLATO

  Possible Answer: Plato

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

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

  The answer: SIPON

• The clue is 14. "Yeah, you're lying". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ICALLBS

• The clue is 15. Archaeologist's finds. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RELICS

  Possible Answer: souvenir, keepsake, token, relic

• The clue is 22. Sighting at Yellowstone. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ELK

  Possible Answer: Alces_alces, elk, wapiti, Cervus_elaphus_canadensis, red_deer, European_elk, moose, Cervus_elaphus, American_elk

• The clue is 23. Where something rankling might stick. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CRAW

  Possible Answer: crop, craw

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

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

  The answer: JUDGESROBES

• The clue is 25. Home to N'Djamena. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CHAD

  Possible Answer: Chad, Republic_of_Chad, Tchad, Chadic_language, chad, Lake_Chad, Chadic

• The clue is 26. Queen's residence. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HIVE

  Possible Answer: hive, beehive

• The clue is 27. "Hey, whatever pays the bills". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AJOBISAJOB

• The clue is 28. Drumming one's fingers, perhaps. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BORED

  Possible Answer: world-weary, bore, blase, drill, tire, bored

  Possible Opposite Answer : interest

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

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

  The answer: TYKE

  Possible Answer: minor, tiddler, nipper, tyke, nestling, child, shaver, small_fry, tike, boor, Tyke, churl, kid, fry, barbarian, peasant, Goth, youngster

• The clue is 33. Locale of a 1991 coup attempt by the Gang of Eight, in brief. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: USSR

  Possible Answer: Union_of_Soviet_Socialist_Republics, Russia, USSR, Soviet_Union

• The clue is 36. Some snowmobiles. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SKIDOOS

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

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

  The answer: PICS

  Possible Answer: picture_show, photo, movie, motion_picture, flick, exposure, moving-picture_show, motion-picture_show, photograph, pic, moving_picture, film, picture

• The clue is 39. Put away. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: STOWED

  Possible Answer: stow

• The clue is 42. "Romeo and Juliet" setting. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: VERONA

  Possible Answer: Verona

• The clue is 43. Noted surname in avant-garde art. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ONO

  Possible Answer: Ono, Yoko_Ono

• The clue is 44. Certain saxophones. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TENORS

  Possible Answer: strain, tenor_voice, tenor

• The clue is 45. Move crabwise. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SIDLE

  Possible Answer: sashay, sidle

• The clue is 46. Packed like sardines, often. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: INOIL

• The clue is 49. Australian lad. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BOYO

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

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

  The answer: ITEM

  Possible Answer: point, detail, particular, item, token

• The clue is 51. What all straight lines on the surface of a sphere do. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MEET

  Possible Answer: match, gather, converge, play, fit, suffer, assemble, fulfill, run_across, forgather, contact, sports_meeting, touch, fulfil, conform_to, run_into, encounter, adjoin, see, receive, fitting, cope_with, take_on, come_across, foregather, satisfy, fill, get_together, meet

  Possible Opposite Answer : diverge

• The clue is 52. Dark ___. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARTS

  Possible Answer: art, fine_art, artistic_production, artistic_creation, artwork, prowess, nontextual_matter, humanistic_discipline, humanities, graphics, arts, liberal_arts, artistry

• The clue is 55. Watchdog's warning. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: GRR

• The clue is 56. Part of a pronoun pair. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SHE

XWordHint Crossword Answers January 23, 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 (35 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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. Barely enough	5
2A	6. What some may be dyeing to conceal?	4
3A	10. Environmental concern	4
4A	14. "Don't be absurd!"	10
5A	16. ___ Mountain (ski area in Killington, Vt.)	4
6A	17. She's out there!	10
7A	18. Many a choirgirl	4
8A	19. "Black-ish" patriarch	3
9A	20. Dulcet	5
10A	21. Fiddle with feathers, say	5
11A	22. Backstreet ___	4
12A	23. Like kyawthuite, among gems	6
13A	25. Designer Geoffrey	5
14A	27. A-list	6
15A	28. Like quartzite vis-à-vis quartz	6
16A	29. They really click as a pair	8
17A	32. Masters of manipulation	5
18A	33. Commercial preceder of Geo	3
19A	34. Capital near the Red Sea	5
20A	35. Micromobility option	8
21A	37. On the level	6
22A	38. Mouth organ	6
23A	39. Internal turmoil	5
24A	40. Say "I do," say	6
25A	41. One may be carried in a concert hall	4
26A	42. Recent recruit	5
27A	43. First name on the Supreme Court	5
28A	45. Zilch	3
29A	48. Cushy	4
30A	49. It is "making the complicated simple, awesomely simple," per Charles Mingus	10
31A	51. Out of joint?	4
32A	52. Text insert for a flash-forward film scene	10
33A	53. Ink	4
34A	54. Apt rhyme for "pads"	4
35A	55. Guck	5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Barely enough"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that work hastily or carelessly; deal with inadequately and superficially
• Similar words include: stint, skimp, light
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. What some may be dyeing to conceal?"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
• Similar words include: greyness, gray-headed, Louis Harold Gray
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GRAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Environmental concern"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
• Similar words include: smogginess
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SMOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. "Don't be absurd!""

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OHPUHLEASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. ___ Mountain (ski area in Killington, Vt.)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PICO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. She's out there!"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LESBIANBAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Many a choirgirl"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a singer whose voice lies in the alto clef
• Similar words include: contralto, countertenor
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. "Black-ish" patriarch"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Dulcet"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that english phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)
• Similar words include: odoriferous, sweet-flavored, odorous
• Opposite of: sour, salty

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SWEET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Fiddle with feathers, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PREEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Backstreet ___"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a youthful male person
• Similar words include: boy, son, male child
• Opposite of: daughter, girl

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BOYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Like kyawthuite, among gems"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
• Similar words include: rare, rarified, uncommon
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAREST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Designer Geoffrey"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEENE

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14A: "27. A-list"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
• Similar words include: pick out, take, choice
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SELECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Like quartzite vis-à-vis quartz"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
• Similar words include: heavy, severe, surd
• Opposite of: easy, voiced

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HARDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. They really click as a pair"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TAPSHOES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Masters of manipulation"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person who makes use of a thing; someone who uses or employs something
• Similar words include: exploiter, substance abuser, drug user
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Commercial preceder of Geo"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Capital near the Red Sea"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the capital and largest city of yemen; on the central plateau
• Similar words include: Sana'a, Sana
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SANAA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Micromobility option"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESCOOTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "37. On the level"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
• Similar words include: good, reliable, dependable
• Opposite of: dishonest

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HONEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "38. Mouth organ"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
• Similar words include: spit, lingua, natural language
• Opposite of: artificial language

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TONGUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "39. Internal turmoil"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety; usually reserved for philosophical anxiety about the world or about personal freedom
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANGST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "40. Say "I do," say"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
• Similar words include: devote, give, institutionalize
• Opposite of: divest

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COMMIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "41. One may be carried in a concert hall"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
• Similar words include: melodic line, tune up, line
• Opposite of: untune

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TUNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "42. Recent recruit"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HIREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "43. First name on the Supreme Court"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELENA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "45. Zilch"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a quantity of no importance
• Similar words include: zilch, travel rapidly, zipper
• Opposite of: unzip

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ZIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "48. Cushy"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
• Similar words include: tardily, slow, well-to-do
• Opposite of: uneasy, quickly

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EASY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "49. It is "making the complicated simple, awesomely simple," per Charles Mingus"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the ability to create
• Similar words include: creative thinking, creativeness
• Opposite of: uncreativeness

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CREATIVITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "51. Out of joint?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that people who are free
• Similar words include: destitute, justify, disengage
• Opposite of: lodge, unfree

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "52. Text insert for a flash-forward film scene"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEARSLATER

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33A: "53. Ink"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
• Similar words include: cheapness, sleaze, Thematic Apperception Test
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TATS

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34A: "54. Apt rhyme for "pads""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
• Similar words include: hyperkinetic syndrome, minimal brain dysfunction, add up
• Opposite of: subtract, take away

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADDS

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35A: "55. Guck"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any thick, viscous matter
• Similar words include: goo, ooze, muck
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SLIME

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Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Completely convinced	4
2D	2. French letter opener	4
3D	3. Niche for a shrine	4
4D	4. Essence of the matter	3
5D	5. "I'll take the blame"	12
6D	6. Some body builders?	5
7D	7. Broccoli ___	4
8D	8. How to look at your hot fudge sundae	8
9D	9. A little possessive, perhaps?	3
10D	10. Pocket money	11
11D	11. Momentous moments	10
12D	12. Bits in a byte, e.g.	5
13D	13. "I'm listening"	4
14D	15. One who's on the defense, perhaps	6
15D	21. Digital applications?	12
16D	22. Longing look	11
17D	24. Rigi of Switzerland, e.g.	3
18D	25. One setting on speakers	4
19D	26. Classic toy for budding engineers	10
20D	27. Long look	5
21D	28. Peach or plum	3
22D	30. Interest of Marco Polo, with "the"	4
23D	31. Settled on the bottom?	3
24D	33. Gelded	8
25D	36. ___ Fridays	3
26D	37. Hangouts	6
27D	40. Grammy-winning R&B singer named for a Revlon fragrance	5
28D	41. They make streaks on cheeks	5
29D	42. Mass	4
30D	44. Tip	4
31D	45. Trattoria tubes	4
32D	46. Couple	4
33D	47. Funeral ___	4
34D	49. Texter's "ciao"	3
35D	50. Late actor Kilmer	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Completely convinced"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
• Similar words include: trade, sell, betray
• Opposite of: unsold, buy

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SOLD

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2D: "2. French letter opener"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHER

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3D: "3. Niche for a shrine"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar
• Similar words include: apsis
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APSE

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4D: "4. Essence of the matter"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small lump or protuberance
• Similar words include: nitty-gritty, nubble, gist
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NUB

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5D: "5. "I'll take the blame""

12 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THISONESONME

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6D: "6. Some body builders?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (genetics) a segment of dna that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding dna as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity
• Similar words include: cistron, factor, gene
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GENES

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7D: "7. Broccoli ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RABE

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8D: "8. How to look at your hot fudge sundae"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASATREAT

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9D: "9. A little possessive, perhaps?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YER

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10D: "10. Pocket money"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPARECHANGE

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11D: "11. Momentous moments"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that stone post at side of a road to show distances
• Similar words include: milestone, milepost
• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MILESTONES

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12D: "12. Bits in a byte, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one
• Similar words include: VIII, 8, eight
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OCTET

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13D: "13. "I'm listening""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an awkward stupid person
• Similar words include: hoodlum, oaf, stumblebum
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOON

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14D: "15. One who's on the defense, perhaps"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
• Similar words include: attorney
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LAWYER

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15D: "21. Digital applications?"

12 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PRESSONNAILS

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16D: "22. Longing look"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEDROOMEYES

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17D: "24. Rigi of Switzerland, e.g."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any high mountain
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALP

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18D: "25. One setting on speakers"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the lowest part of the musical range
• Similar words include: bass voice, freshwater bass, sea bass
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BASS

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19D: "26. Classic toy for budding engineers"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERECTORSET

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20D: "27. Long look"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a fixed look with eyes open wide
• Similar words include: gaze
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STARE

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21D: "28. Peach or plum"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
• Similar words include: imbue, chromaticity
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUE

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22D: "30. Interest of Marco Polo, with "the""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
• Similar words include: E, eastern United States, due east
• Opposite of: west

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EAST

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23D: "31. Settled on the bottom?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the sabbath by jews and some christians
• Similar words include: seat, ride, model
• Opposite of: stand, arise

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAT

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24D: "33. Gelded"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that remove the ovaries of
• Similar words include: castrate, altered, neuter
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEUTERED

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25D: "36. ___ Fridays"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TGI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "37. Hangouts"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a frequently visited place
• Similar words include: stamping ground, repair, hangout
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAUNTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Grammy-winning R&B singer named for a Revlon fragrance"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CIARA

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28D: "41. They make streaks on cheeks"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
• Similar words include: rupture, rent, weeping
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "42. Mass"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the property of being large in mass
• Similar words include: heft up, heave up, massiveness
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HEFT

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30D: "44. Tip"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an advantage held by a competitor in a race
• Similar words include: top, atomic number 82, conduct
• Opposite of: deficit, follow

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEAD

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31D: "45. Trattoria tubes"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that medium-sized tubular pasta in short pieces
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ZITI

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32D: "46. Couple"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
• Similar words include: detail, point, token
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ITEM

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33D: "47. Funeral ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite
• Similar words include: funeral pyre
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PYRE

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34D: "49. Texter's "ciao""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CYA

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35D: "50. Late actor Kilmer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VAL

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

35 Down Clues

70 Total Clues

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Last updated: January 23, 2026 at 04:27 AM