February 15, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (36 clues)
• Down Clues (38 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 74 (36 Across, 38 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Tuesday Puzzle February 15, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Rise to the challenge	6
2A	7. Anthony Hopkins's role in the "Thor" film franchise	4
3A	11. Foldable bed	3
4A	14. Element essential to thyroid function	6
5A	15. Director/screenwriter Ephron	4
6A	16. "___ you good?"	3
7A	17. Might have, informally	6
8A	18. Parched, as land	4
9A	19. Upstate N.Y. campus	3
10A	20. Catastrophe at a tennis match?	13
11A	23. Overjoy	5
12A	25. "%&$@," in comics	4
13A	26. Author Morrison	4
14A	27. Leased	3
15A	28. Prefix with futurism	4
16A	29. Ransacks like a pirate	5
17A	30. Uncertainties at a football game?	14
18A	34. Promise to pay	3
19A	35. !!!!, in a text	3
20A	36. Security alerts at a boxing match?	14
21A	44. Country singer LeAnn	5
22A	45. Stars might have big ones	4
23A	46. "A mouse!"	3
24A	47. Two times quadri-	4
25A	48. Signify	4
26A	49. Pal, in Pamplona	5
27A	51. Supplies at a swim meet?	13
28A	54. Traveler's approx.	3
29A	55. Honolulu's island	4
30A	56. Season for pumpkin-spiced everything	6
31A	59. "Oh, ___ on!"	3
32A	60. Common songbird	4
33A	61. Rude looks	6
34A	62. Revolutionary Turner	3
35A	63. Campus anti-D.U.I. group	4
36A	64. Montana's capital	6

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

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

Clue 1 Across: "1. Rise to the challenge"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: STEPUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "7. Anthony Hopkins's role in the "Thor" film franchise"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (norse mythology) ruler of the aesir; supreme god of war and poetry and knowledge and wisdom (for which he gave an eye) and husband of frigg; identified with the teutonic wotan
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "11. Foldable bed"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a sheath worn to protect a finger
• Words that mean the same thing: camp bed, crib, fingerstall
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Element essential to thyroid function"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a nonmetallic element belonging to the halogens; used especially in medicine and photography and in dyes; occurs naturally only in combination in small quantities (as in sea water or rocks)
• Words that mean the same thing: iodin, tincture of iodine, atomic number 53
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IODINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Director/screenwriter Ephron"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. "___ you good?""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
• Words that mean the same thing: equal, make up, comprise
• The opposite would be: differ
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Might have, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: COULDA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Parched, as land"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that lacking sufficient water or rainfall
• Words that mean the same thing: waterless, desiccated, desiccate
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Upstate N.Y. campus"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. Catastrophe at a tennis match?"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: COURTDISASTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Overjoy"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
• Words that mean the same thing: lift up, pick up, uplift
• The opposite would be: depress
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. "%&$@," in comics"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
• Words that mean the same thing: expletive, curse, curse word
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OATH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Author Morrison"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TONI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Leased"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "28. Prefix with futurism"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a rounded thickly curled hairdo
• Words that mean the same thing: Afro hairdo
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AFRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "29. Ransacks like a pirate"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that goods or money obtained illegally
• Words that mean the same thing: pelf, wampum, despoil
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOOTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "30. Uncertainties at a football game?"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 letters. It's a expert clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FIELDQUESTIONS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. Promise to pay"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an informal debt instrument; representing `i owe you'
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IOU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "35. !!!!, in a text"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OMG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "36. Security alerts at a boxing match?"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RINGALARMBELLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "44. Country singer LeAnn"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
• Words that mean the same thing: hoarfrost, frost, hoar
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RIMES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Stars might have big ones"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
• Words that mean the same thing: self-importance, egotism, self
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EGOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. "A mouse!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EEK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "47. Two times quadri-"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OCTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "48. Signify"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
• Words that mean the same thing: stain, scrape, pock
• The opposite would be: ignore
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MARK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "49. Pal, in Pamplona"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AMIGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "51. Supplies at a swim meet?"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: POOLRESOURCES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "54. Traveler's approx."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
• Words that mean the same thing: Basque Homeland and Freedom, Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Euskadi ta Askatasuna
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "55. Honolulu's island"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an island of central hawaii (between molokai and kauai); the chief island of the state
• Words that mean the same thing: Oahu Island
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OAHU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "56. Season for pumpkin-spiced everything"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the season when the leaves fall from the trees
• Words that mean the same thing: fall
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AUTUMN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "59. "Oh, ___ on!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the branch of engineering that deals with the use of computers and telecommunications to retrieve and store and transmit information
• Words that mean the same thing: IT, information technology
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ITS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "60. Common songbird"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that english architect who designed more than fifty london churches (1632-1723)
• Words that mean the same thing: Sir Christopher Wren, jenny wren
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WREN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "61. Rude looks"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a fixed look with eyes open wide
• Words that mean the same thing: asterisk, gaze, star
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STARES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "62. Revolutionary Turner"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "63. Campus anti-D.U.I. group"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SADD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "64. Montana's capital"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HELENA

  Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Tuesday Puzzle February 15, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Editor's bracketed disclaimer	3
2D	2. "___ cute!"	3
3D	3. Teach	7
4D	4. Spirit guide?	5
5D	5. Excessive	5
6D	6. Prickly ___ (cactus variety)	4
7D	7. How some risks are taken	7
8D	8. Chips brand whose "Cool Ranch" flavor is called "Cool American" in Europe	7
9D	9. "Fighting" Notre Dame team	5
10D	10. Diddly-squat	4
11D	11. "SpongeBob SquarePants," for one	7
12D	12. Points in the right direction	7
13D	13. Falling block game	6
14D	21. Stir-fry protein option	4
15D	22. Moe, Larry or Curly	6
16D	23. Figure in a Grimm story	3
17D	24. Neckwear in Honolulu	3
18D	28. Ocean shade	4
19D	29. Arm or branch	4
20D	31. Of direct descent	6
21D	32. Some four-footed friends	4
22D	33. Casual shoe brand	4
23D	36. Lasagna filling	7
24D	37. "Things don't look good for me!"	7
25D	38. Restrained	7
26D	39. Beached, as a boat in sand	7
27D	40. TV streaming device	4
28D	41. Off-duty time	7
29D	42. Part of a relay race	3
30D	43. Reggae relative	3
31D	44. Ensnare using deceptive strategies	6
32D	48. Comedian Anne	5
33D	49. Less than 90º	5
34D	50. Valuable part of ore	5
35D	52. Exercises on an ergometer	4
36D	53. Not well thought through	4
37D	57. "___ Explain Things to Me" (Rebecca Solnit essay collection)	3
38D	58. Covert org.	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

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

Clue 1 Down: "1. Editor's bracketed disclaimer"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that urge to attack someone
• Words that mean the same thing: set
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. "___ cute!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
• Words that mean the same thing: to a fault, as well, also
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Teach"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that give an education to
• Words that mean the same thing: civilize, civilise, school
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EDUCATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Spirit guide?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight
• Words that mean the same thing: pilot program, buffer, fender
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PILOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Excessive"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that not yet payable
• Words that mean the same thing: unreasonable, unwarranted, excessive
• The opposite would be: due
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UNDUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Prickly ___ (cactus variety)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that sweet juicy gritty-textured fruit available in many varieties
• Words that mean the same thing: pear tree, Pyrus communis
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. How some risks are taken"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ONADARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Chips brand whose "Cool Ranch" flavor is called "Cool American" in Europe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DORITOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. "Fighting" Notre Dame team"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that people of ireland or of irish extraction
• Words that mean the same thing: Irish whiskey, Irish Gaelic, Irish people
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IRISH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Diddly-squat"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a quantity of no importance
• Words that mean the same thing: naught, nix, zippo
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NADA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. "SpongeBob SquarePants," for one"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a humorous or satirical drawing published in a newspaper or magazine
• Words that mean the same thing: sketch, toon, animated cartoon
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CARTOON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Points in the right direction"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the countries of asia
• Words that mean the same thing: eastern hemisphere, East, orientate
• The opposite would be: disorient
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORIENTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Falling block game"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that 100 tetri equal 1 lari in georgia
• Words that mean the same thing: tetri
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TETRIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "21. Stir-fry protein option"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that cheeselike food made of curdled soybean milk
• Words that mean the same thing: bean curd
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOFU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Moe, Larry or Curly"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person of unquestioning obedience
• Words that mean the same thing: flunky, flunkey, goat
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STOOGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Figure in a Grimm story"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
• Words that mean the same thing: gremlin, extremely low frequency, brownie
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Neckwear in Honolulu"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
• Words that mean the same thing: leu, coronal, wreath
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "28. Ocean shade"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a shade of blue tinged with green
• Words that mean the same thing: cobalt blue, peacock blue, turquoise
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AQUA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "29. Arm or branch"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
• Words that mean the same thing: branch, tree branch, arm
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LIMB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "31. Of direct descent"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that in a straight unbroken line of descent from parent to child
• Words that mean the same thing: direct
• The opposite would be: collateral
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LINEAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "32. Some four-footed friends"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of the genus canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
• Words that mean the same thing: chase after, frank, tag
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DOGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. Casual shoe brand"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (ethnic slur) offensive and derogatory name for a black man who is abjectly servile and deferential to whites
• Words that mean the same thing: turkey cock, tomcat, tom turkey
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "36. Lasagna filling"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that soft italian cheese like cottage cheese
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RICOTTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "37. "Things don't look good for me!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IMTOAST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. Restrained"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that fasten with a rope
• Words that mean the same thing: leash, rope
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEASHED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Beached, as a boat in sand"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that stuck in a place where a ship can no longer float
• The opposite would be: afloat
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AGROUND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. TV streaming device"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ROKU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "41. Off-duty time"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that time available for ease and relaxation
• Words that mean the same thing: leisure time
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEISURE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "42. Part of a relay race"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "43. Reggae relative"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SKA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "44. Ensnare using deceptive strategies"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ROPEIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "48. Comedian Anne"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MEARA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "49. Less than 90º"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a mark (') placed above a vowel to indicate pronunciation
• Words that mean the same thing: knifelike, penetrating, acuate
• The opposite would be: chronic, obtuse
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACUTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "50. Valuable part of ore"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
• Words that mean the same thing: metallic element, alloy, metallic
• The opposite would be: nonmetallic
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: METAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "52. Exercises on an ergometer"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
• Words that mean the same thing: dustup, row, words
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "53. Not well thought through"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any red eruption of the skin
• Words that mean the same thing: heady, reckless, blizzard
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "57. "___ Explain Things to Me" (Rebecca Solnit essay collection)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the force of workers available
• Words that mean the same thing: serviceman, gentleman, military personnel
• The opposite would be: woman, civilian
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "58. Covert org."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the united states cryptologic organization that coordinates and directs highly specialized activities to protect united states information systems and to produce foreign intelligence information
• Words that mean the same thing: National Security Agency
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	44	59.5%
Short Answer	17	23.0%
Celebrity/Entertainment	4	5.4%
Geography	3	4.1%
Sports	3	4.1%
Movies/Film	1	1.4%
Science/Technology	1	1.4%
Music	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	36
Down Clues	38
Total Clues	74
Average Answer Length	5.1 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	14 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: September 11, 2025 at 09:17 PM

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 25, 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 (37 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (39 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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. [Taps casino table]	5
2A	6. Signs of treble?	5
3A	11. ___ hair (edgy 2000s trend)	3
4A	14. Longtime "Inside the NBA" analyst opposite Barkley	5
5A	15. Deck in divination	5
6A	16. Mil. authority	3
7A	17. Failing to pay bills on time may affect this	11
8A	19. Possessed	3
9A	20. Lotto-like casino game	4
10A	21. Summer treats in small cups	4
11A	22. Sounds of sudden vanishing	5
12A	24. Zero	4
13A	26. Inverse of kilo-	5
14A	27. "Self-Portrait With Bandaged Ear" painter, 1889	14
15A	32. Pair of cymbals in a drum kit	5
16A	33. Tribal home, maybe, informally	3
17A	34. Reason to take a painkiller	4
18A	35. So-called "melting pot," in brief	3
19A	36. E-bike alternative	7
20A	40. One ___ time	3
21A	41. Bubbles in a bubble bath	4
22A	43. A QR code might access one	3
23A	44. Purplish perennial	5
24A	46. Villain ranked #1 on A.F.I.'s "100 Years ... 100 Heroes & Villains" list	14
25A	50. Ransacks	5
26A	51. Retail chain with ready-to-assemble products	4
27A	52. Stays in line, say	5
28A	53. Hawaiian goose	4
29A	55. Thumbs-down votes	4
30A	59. Buried	3
31A	60. Emulates the three figures in this puzzle ... or what the figures do within the answers to 17-, 27- and 46-Across?	11
32A	63. Fruit drink	3
33A	64. On a higher level	5
34A	65. Second-chance show	5
35A	66. Org. with metal detectors	3
36A	67. Supped	5
37A	68. Paradises	5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. [Taps casino table]"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HITME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Signs of treble?"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a musical notation written on a staff indicating the pitch of the notes following it
• Similar words include: clef
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLEFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. ___ hair (edgy 2000s trend)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Longtime "Inside the NBA" analyst opposite Barkley"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Deck in divination"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of a set of (usually 72) cards that include 22 cards representing virtues and vices and death and fortune etc.; used by fortunetellers
• Similar words include: tarot card
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TAROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Mil. authority"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CMD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Failing to pay bills on time may affect this"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CREDITSCORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Possessed"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
• Similar words include: ingest, receive, sustain
• Opposite of: refuse, abstain

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Lotto-like casino game"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a game in which numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards
• Similar words include: bingo, lotto, beano
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KENO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Summer treats in small cups"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
• Similar words include: ice, frost, deoxyephedrine
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Sounds of sudden vanishing"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that offensive term for an openly homosexual man
• Similar words include: pouf, poof, pansy
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POOFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Zero"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a quantity of no importance
• Similar words include: cipher, zip, zippo
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Inverse of kilo-"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MILLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. "Self-Portrait With Bandaged Ear" painter, 1889"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VINCENTVANGOGH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Pair of cymbals in a drum kit"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HIHAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Tribal home, maybe, informally"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REZ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Reason to take a painkiller"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
• Similar words include: languish, smart, hurt
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. So-called "melting pot," in brief"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that north american republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in north america plus alaska in northwest north america and the hawaiian islands in the pacific ocean; achieved independence in 1776
• Similar words include: U.S., US, U. S. Army
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. E-bike alternative"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a motorboat resembling a motor scooter
• Similar words include: motor scooter, sea scooter, water scooter
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCOOTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. One ___ time"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Bubbles in a bubble bath"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the froth produced by soaps or detergents
• Similar words include: spume, froth, lather
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. A QR code might access one"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the address of a web page on the world wide web
• Similar words include: universal resource locator, uniform resource locator
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: URL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Purplish perennial"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of various chiefly fall-blooming herbs of the genus aster with showy daisylike flowers
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "46. Villain ranked #1 on A.F.I.'s "100 Years ... 100 Heroes & Villains" list"

14 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HANNIBALLECTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Ransacks"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that goods or money obtained illegally
• Similar words include: sugar, swag, despoil
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Retail chain with ready-to-assemble products"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IKEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Stays in line, say"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that time during which some action is awaited
• Similar words include: await, waiting, hold off
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WAITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Hawaiian goose"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Thumbs-down votes"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Similar words include: nay
• Opposite of: yea
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "59. Buried"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that prevent from being seen or discovered
• Similar words include: hide out, obliterate, obscure
• Opposite of: show

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. Emulates the three figures in this puzzle ... or what the figures do within the answers to 17-, 27- and 46-Across?"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BREAKDANCES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "63. Fruit drink"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice
• Similar words include: fruit drink
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "64. On a higher level"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an earlier section of a written text
• Similar words include: supra, higher up, to a higher place
• Opposite of: below

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABOVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "65. Second-chance show"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a program that is broadcast again
• Similar words include: rebroadcast
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RERUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. Org. with metal detectors"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an agency established in 2001 to safeguard united states transportation systems and insure safe air travel
• Similar words include: Transportation Security Administration
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "67. Supped"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that have supper; eat dinner
• Similar words include: boom, din, dine
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DINED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. Paradises"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
• Similar words include: Garden of Eden, Shangri-la, promised land
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EDENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Pawn	4
2D	2. Concerning	4
3D	3. One subject to a curfew, maybe	4
4D	4. So-called "Queen of Pop"	7
5D	5. Former Giant Manning	3
6D	6. Healthy self-image?	6
7D	7. Tie up	4
8D	8. God depicted with a bow	4
9D	9. Word between "word" and "word"	3
10D	10. Intervene	6
11D	11. Sound-track?	10
12D	12. Combatant in an octagon-shaped cage	10
13D	13. Calculated ratios	4
14D	18. Era competitor	4
15D	23. Gymnast Korbut dubbed the "Sparrow from Minsk"	4
16D	25. Behaves	4
17D	26. Where you might lose your way	4
18D	27. Demo graphics, maybe	10
19D	28. "This is news to me!"	10
20D	29. Cyber punk?	5
21D	30. Tick doc	3
22D	31. When repeated, "Preach!"	4
23D	32. When repeated, secret	4
24D	37. Bear's heirs?	4
25D	38. 60 minuti	3
26D	39. Pulse quickly, as the heart	4
27D	42. Bratty kid	4
28D	45. Was a fangirl of, say	7
29D	47. "Really awful"	6
30D	48. Connected	6
31D	49. Scraped (by)	4
32D	52. "Huh?"	4
33D	53. Like the sign for Radio City Music Hall	4
34D	54. Roof projection	4
35D	56. Farming area	4
36D	57. Actor Steven of "Beef" and "Nope"	4
37D	58. Tax IDs	4
38D	61. Result of a solo homer, for short	3
39D	62. "There you ___!"	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Pawn"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of several white wines from the rhine river valley in germany (`hock' is british usage)
• Similar words include: Rhine wine, pawn, hock-joint
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOCK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Concerning"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. One subject to a curfew, maybe"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity
• Similar words include: teenage, adolescent, teenaged
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. So-called "Queen of Pop""

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the mother of jesus; christians refer to her as the virgin mary; she is especially honored by roman catholics
• Similar words include: Madonna Louise Ciccone, Blessed Virgin, Mary
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MADONNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Former Giant Manning"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Healthy self-image?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CTSCAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Tie up"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment)
• Similar words include: entwine, braid, interlace
• Opposite of: untwine

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LACE

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8D: "8. God depicted with a bow"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (greek mythology) god of love; son of aphrodite; identified with roman cupid
• Similar words include: physical attraction, concupiscence, sexual desire
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EROS

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9D: "9. Word between "word" and "word""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FOR

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10D: "10. Intervene"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STEPIN

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11D: "11. Sound-track?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ECHOLOCATE

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12D: "12. Combatant in an octagon-shaped cage"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MMAFIGHTER

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13D: "13. Calculated ratios"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
• Similar words include: betting odds
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ODDS

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14D: "18. Era competitor"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
• Similar words include: surge, lunar time period
• Opposite of: ebb

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIDE

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15D: "23. Gymnast Korbut dubbed the "Sparrow from Minsk""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLGA

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16D: "25. Behaves"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
• Similar words include: dissemble, play, routine
• Opposite of: refrain

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACTS

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17D: "26. Where you might lose your way"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
• Similar words include: labyrinth, tangle, snarl
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAZE

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18D: "27. Demo graphics, maybe"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VISUALAIDS

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19D: "28. "This is news to me!""

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IHADNOIDEA

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20D: "29. Cyber punk?"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (scandanavian folklore) a supernatural creature (either a dwarf or a giant) that is supposed to live in caves or in the mountains
• Similar words include: round, trolling
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TROLL

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21D: "30. Tick doc"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a doctor who practices veterinary medicine
• Similar words include: veteran, veterinary surgeon, veterinarian
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VET

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22D: "31. When repeated, "Preach!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
• Similar words include: try, see, find out
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HEAR

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23D: "32. When repeated, secret"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (poetic) tranquil silence
• Similar words include: shut up, quieten, quiet down
• Opposite of: louden

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUSH

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24D: "37. Bear's heirs?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an awkward and inexperienced youth
• Similar words include: sonny boy, sonny, rookie
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CUBS

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25D: "38. 60 minuti"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
• Similar words include: os, bone, oculus sinister
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORA

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26D: "39. Pulse quickly, as the heart"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any competition
• Similar words include: hasten, cannonball along, hotfoot
• Opposite of: linger

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RACE

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27D: "42. Bratty kid"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
• Similar words include: snob, snoot, prig
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SNOT

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28D: "45. Was a fangirl of, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STANNED

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29D: "47. "Really awful""

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ITSBAD

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30D: "48. Connected"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that make a logical or causal connection
• Similar words include: colligate, joined, link up
• Opposite of: disconnect, dissociate

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LINKED

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31D: "49. Scraped (by)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EKED

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32D: "52. "Huh?""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WHAT

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33D: "53. Like the sign for Radio City Music Hall"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
• Similar words include: Ne, atomic number 10
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEON

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34D: "54. Roof projection"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EAVE

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35D: "56. Farming area"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in english-speaking countries
• Similar words include: Accho, Akko, Akka
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACRE

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36D: "57. Actor Steven of "Beef" and "Nope""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEUN

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37D: "58. Tax IDs"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SSNS

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38D: "61. Result of a solo homer, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a run that is the result of the batter's performance
• Similar words include: run batted in
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RBI

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39D: "62. "There you ___!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
• Similar words include: equal, comprise, follow
• Opposite of: differ

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARE

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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

37 Across Clues

39 Down Clues

76 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 25, 2026 at 05:09 AM