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Sunday, September 7, 2025

September 28, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (35 Across, 41 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.9 letters

September 28, 2022 Wednesday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Coveted Michelin designation 4
2A 5. Quinoa or oats, for short 4
3A 9. Six-pack unit 3
4A 12. Mitigates 5
5A 14. Closer to the finish line, say 5
6A 16. Shout of support 3
7A 17. "Fargo" actor 11
8A 19. Italian pronoun 3
9A 20. Mad magazine symbol 12
10A 22. Clergy house 7
11A 25. Wife, in Spanish 6
12A 26. Et ___ (and others) 4
13A 27. Easy mark 3
14A 30. Site with tech reviews 4
15A 31. Switches gears, as in a business strategy 6
16A 34. Word that commentators may extend to five or more seconds 4
17A 37. Chicago-to-Miami dir. 3
18A 38. Contract directive … or a hint to what's missing from 17-, 20-, 58- and 62-Across 11
19A 41. Scale note 3
20A 43. Growth under the skin 4
21A 44. Flea market sights 6
22A 47. On Sunset Blvd., say 4
23A 49. Sparkle 3
24A 51. "My word!" 4
25A 52. Yellow Teletubby with a curly antenna 6
26A 55. "What's the latest?" 7
27A 58. Pioneering journalist who helped expose McCarthyism 12
28A 61. Bill blocker 3
29A 62. Rodent with a restaurant chain 11
30A 66. Number after due 3
31A 67. Casual greeting 5
32A 68. Place to get a date, maybe 5
33A 69. According to 3
34A 70. Court material 4
35A 71. Easy win 4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

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

Clue 1 Across: "1. Coveted Michelin designation"

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 (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
  • Words that mean the same thing: whiz, starring, stellar
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: STAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Quinoa or oats, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: CARB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Six-pack unit"

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 airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.
  • Words that mean the same thing: tin, fanny, rear
  • The opposite would be: hire
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "12. Mitigates"

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 freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
  • Words that mean the same thing: rest, repose, relaxation
  • The opposite would be: difficulty
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EASES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "14. Closer to the finish line, say"

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 having the leading position or higher score in a contest
  • Words that mean the same thing: onwards, forward, leading
  • The opposite would be: back, backward
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AHEAD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Shout of support"

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: OLE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. "Fargo" actor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: WILLIAMMACY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Italian pronoun"

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: MIO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Mad magazine symbol"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 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: ALFREDNEUMAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Clergy house"

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 an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
  • Words that mean the same thing: vicarage, parsonage
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RECTORY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "25. Wife, in Spanish"

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: ESPOSA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Et ___ (and others)"

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: ALII

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "27. Easy mark"

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 watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant
  • Words that mean the same thing: exhaust, fool, cosh
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SAP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. Site with tech reviews"

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: CNET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Switches gears, as in a business strategy"

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 person in a rank around whom the others wheel and maneuver
  • Words that mean the same thing: pin, pivot man, swivel
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PIVOTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. Word that commentators may extend to five or more seconds"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it
  • Words that mean the same thing: destination, finish, end
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GOAL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "37. Chicago-to-Miami dir."

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 compass point midway between south and southeast
  • Words that mean the same thing: sou'-sou'-east, south southeast
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SSE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "38. Contract directive … or a hint to what's missing from 17-, 20-, 58- and 62-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: INITIALHERE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "41. Scale note"

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 colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a solid is suspended in a liquid
  • Words that mean the same thing: so, soh, colloidal suspension
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SOL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "43. Growth under the skin"

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 closed sac that develops abnormally in some body structure
  • Words that mean the same thing: vesicle
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CYST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "44. Flea market sights"

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 support or foundation
  • Words that mean the same thing: stand up, rack, bandstand
  • The opposite would be: yield, sit
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: STANDS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "47. On Sunset Blvd., say"

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 radical terrorist group dedicated to the removal of british forces from northern ireland and the unification of ireland
  • Words that mean the same thing: People's Republican Army, Irish National Liberation Army, People's Liberation Army
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: INLA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "49. Sparkle"

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 liveliness and energy
  • Words that mean the same thing: peppiness, ginger
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PEP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "51. "My word!""

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: ISAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "52. Yellow Teletubby with a curly antenna"

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: LAALAA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "55. "What's the latest?""

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: ANYNEWS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "58. Pioneering journalist who helped expose McCarthyism"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 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: EDWARDMURROW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "61. Bill blocker"

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 not this merely but also; not only so but
  • The opposite would be: yea
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "62. Rodent with a restaurant chain"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: CHUCKCHEESE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "66. Number after due"

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: TRE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "67. Casual greeting"

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 very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)
  • Words that mean the same thing: hollo, holloa, bellow
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HOLLA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "68. Place to get a date, maybe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)
  • Words that mean the same thing: haven
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OASIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "69. According to"

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: PER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "70. Court material"

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 very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
  • Words that mean the same thing: Lucius Clay, remains, corpse
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CLAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "71. Easy win"

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 easy victory
  • Words that mean the same thing: runaway, caper, frisk
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ROMP

    Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Wednesday NYT Crossword September 28, 2022

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Wrap (up) 3
2D 2. ___ chi 3
3D 3. In which crossing one's fingers makes the letter "R," in brief 3
4D 4. No ___ (what Mary Tyler Moore is to Dudley Moore) 8
5D 5. Accord competitors 6
6D 6. Sighed words 4
7D 7. ___ the room 4
8D 8. Breakout caused by a sweaty uniform, perhaps 5
9D 9. Not standing in an open field during a lightning storm, say 11
10D 10. BTS's V, Suga and RM, e.g. 7
11D 11. Recent arrival 7
12D 13. Large storage site 4
13D 15. Eschews gray, say 4
14D 18. Where Igbo and Kanuri are spoken: Abbr. 3
15D 21. Proof-of-purchase letters 3
16D 22. Sound at the door 3
17D 23. Yale student 3
18D 24. One handling personal injury claims, e.g. 11
19D 28. Marble material 5
20D 29. D.C. dealmaker 3
21D 32. Idiosyncratic behavior 3
22D 33. Good place to wallow 3
23D 35. Sounds of satisfaction 3
24D 36. Gave the OK 3
25D 39. Spectrum or Xfinity, for short 3
26D 40. Slicker, e.g. 8
27D 41. Psalm beginning? 7
28D 42. How some regrettable actions are done 7
29D 45. Bird in the crow family 3
30D 46. Part of CBS: Abbr. 3
31D 48. ___ mode 3
32D 50. Margarine whose ads once featured a talking tub 6
33D 53. Part of a foot 4
34D 54. Makeshift 5
35D 56. Reactor oversight org. 3
36D 57. Pirate chant opener 4
37D 59. Ponder 4
38D 60. Team that signed to join the Big Ten in 2024 4
39D 63. "Cรณmo es ___?" (Spanish for "How come?") 3
40D 64. Kind of card 3
41D 65. Psychic's claim 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. Wrap (up)"

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 fasten by sewing; do needlework
  • Words that mean the same thing: tailor, sew together, tailor-make
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SEW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. ___ chi"

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 native or inhabitant of thailand
  • Words that mean the same thing: Siamese, Thai
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TAI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. In which crossing one's fingers makes the letter "R," in brief"

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 sign language used in the united states
  • Words that mean the same thing: American sign language
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ASL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. No ___ (what Mary Tyler Moore is to Dudley Moore)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
  • Words that mean the same thing: sexual intercourse, sexual relation, relation back
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RELATION

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Accord competitors"

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: CAMRYS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Sighed words"

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: AHME

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. ___ the room"

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 something that is read
  • Words that mean the same thing: translate, record, show
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: READ

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Breakout caused by a sweaty uniform, perhaps"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: BACNE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Not standing in an open field during a lightning storm, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that exhibiting native good judgment
  • Words that mean the same thing: commonsensical, commonsensible
  • The word looks like this: ___________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: COMMONSENSE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. BTS's V, Suga and RM, e.g."

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 name that has been assumed temporarily
  • Words that mean the same thing: false name, alias, assumed name
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ALIASES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Recent arrival"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a baby from birth to four weeks
  • Words that mean the same thing: newborn, newborn infant, newborn baby
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NEONATE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "13. Large storage site"

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

    The answer is: SILO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "15. Eschews gray, say"

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 usually soluble substance for staining or coloring e.g. fabrics or hair
  • Words that mean the same thing: dyestuff, dye
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DYES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Where Igbo and Kanuri are spoken: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: AFR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Proof-of-purchase letters"

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: UPC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Sound at the door"

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 reproach for some lapse or misdeed
  • Words that mean the same thing: whang, strike, pat
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RAP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "23. Yale student"

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: ELI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "24. One handling personal injury claims, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: CIVILLAWYER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Marble material"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an impure form of quartz consisting of banded chalcedony; used as a gemstone and for making mortars and pestles
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AGATE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. D.C. dealmaker"

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 person active in party politics
  • Words that mean the same thing: politician, politico, political leader
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: POL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "32. Idiosyncratic behavior"

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 local and habitual twitching especially in the face
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TIC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. Good place to wallow"

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 an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
  • Words that mean the same thing: pigsty, pigpen, eye infection
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: STY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. Sounds of satisfaction"

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: AHS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "36. Gave the OK"

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: Army of the Pure, rent, net ball
  • The opposite would be: disallow, prevent
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "39. Spectrum or Xfinity, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ISP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "40. Slicker, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: RAINWEAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "41. Psalm beginning?"

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: SILENTP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. How some regrettable actions are done"

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 29 Down: "45. Bird in the crow family"

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 common black-and-grey eurasian bird noted for thievery
  • Words that mean the same thing: jackdaw, Corvus monedula
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DAW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Part of CBS: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: SYS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "48. ___ mode"

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 flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ALA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "50. Margarine whose ads once featured a talking tub"

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: PARKAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "53. Part of a foot"

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 curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
  • Words that mean the same thing: implike, archway, puckish
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ARCH

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "54. Makeshift"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ADHOC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "56. Reactor oversight org."

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an independent federal agency created in 1974 to license and regulate nuclear power plants
  • Words that mean the same thing: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NRC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "57. Pirate chant opener"

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: YOHO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "59. Ponder"

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 term used in scottish names of promontories
  • Words that mean the same thing: meditate, mull over, contemplate
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MULL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "60. Team that signed to join the Big Ten in 2024"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard 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: UCLA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "63. "Cรณmo es ___?" (Spanish for "How come?")"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a hard 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: ESO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "64. Kind of card"

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: SIM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "65. Psychic's claim"

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 apparent power to perceive things that are not present to the senses
  • Words that mean the same thing: E.S.P., clairvoyance, extrasensory perception
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ESP

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 43 56.6%
Short Answer 26 34.2%
Abbreviation 4 5.3%
Celebrity/Entertainment 2 2.6%
Sports 1 1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 35
Down Clues 41
Total Clues 76
Average Answer Length 4.9 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 12 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 Wednesday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
  • Most clues today are about general knowledge
  • The average word today has about 4 letters
  • Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
  • Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

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

Last Updated: September 07, 2025 at 04:41 AM

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers January 21, 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: Moderate

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. Practiced pitches 6
2A 7. What arms might do on a final gym rep 7
3A 14. Lee has a hot bowl of ___ to start off his day 6
4A 15. Lee has a hot bowl of ___ to start off his day 7
5A 16. Enemy of the Avengers 6
6A 17. Ones with the munchies, maybe 8
7A 18. In need of a massage, say 4
8A 19. Like those local to Universal Studios Japan 6
9A 21. Hide one's roots, perhaps 3
10A 22. Like the study of the kabbalah 8
11A 24. Drill insert 3
12A 26. Polarizing punctuation choice 11
13A 31. Bracket-busting wins in March Madness 6
14A 35. Friend or ___ 3
15A 36. Complete disrepair 4
16A 37. Says ___ to his neighbor, then heads on his way 5
17A 38. Recycling container 3
18A 39. Says ___ to his neighbor, then heads on his way 5
19A 40. They might be foiled 5
20A 41. Treatment for a sprained ankle 3
21A 42. Like the villain at the end of a "Scooby-Doo" episode 5
22A 43. All ___ 4
23A 44. Slime 3
24A 45. Jay-Z's and Alicia Keys's "___ State of Mind" 6
25A 46. Classic P.O.W. movie starring Steve McQueen, with "The" 11
26A 49. Heavy weight 3
27A 50. Transaction on an online marketplace 8
28A 55. Govt. org. in "Alias" 3
29A 58. Entertainer who says "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?" 6
30A 60. Inflation measures, for short 4
31A 61. Opportunity to dress up 8
32A 63. Eagles' nests 6
33A 65. With gossip and beer over Friday's ___ game 7
34A 66. With gossip and beer over Friday's ___ game 6
35A 67. Satisfies 7
36A 68. Luxurious cotton fabric 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Practiced pitches"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
  • Similar words include: patter, line of gab, play
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPIELS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. What arms might do on a final gym rep"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement
  • Similar words include: shiver, shake
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREMBLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Lee has a hot bowl of ___ to start off his day"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chinese rice gruel eaten for breakfast
  • Similar words include: conge, jook
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONGEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Lee has a hot bowl of ___ to start off his day"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that porridge made of rolled oats
  • Similar words include: burgoo, rolled oats
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OATMEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Enemy of the Avengers"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ULTRON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Ones with the munchies, maybe"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who smokes marijuana habitually
  • Similar words include: pothead
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POTHEADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. In need of a massage, say"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an open skin infection
  • Similar words include: tender, sensitive, painful
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Like those local to Universal Studios Japan"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSAKAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Hide one's roots, perhaps"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a usually soluble substance for staining or coloring e.g. fabrics or hair
  • Similar words include: dyestuff
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Like the study of the kabbalah"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
  • Opposite of: exoteric
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESOTERIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Drill insert"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece or quantity of something
  • Similar words include: scrap, spot, second
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. Polarizing punctuation choice"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERIALCOMMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "31. Bracket-busting wins in March Madness"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unhappy and worried mental state
  • Similar words include: swage, trouble, perturbation
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UPSETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "35. Friend or ___"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
  • Similar words include: foeman, enemy, opposition
  • Opposite of: friend
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "36. Complete disrepair"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
  • Similar words include: laying waste, bankrupt, downfall
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "37. Says ___ to his neighbor, then heads on his way"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIHAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "38. Recycling container"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a container; usually has a lid
  • Similar words include: bank identification number, ABA transit number, binful
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Says ___ to his neighbor, then heads on his way"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an expression of greeting
  • Similar words include: hi, howdy, how-do-you-do
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HELLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. They might be foiled"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
  • Similar words include: diagram, plot of ground, game
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Treatment for a sprained ankle"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
  • Similar words include: deoxyephedrine, frappe, ice-skating rink
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. Like the villain at the end of a "Scooby-Doo" episode"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to state openly and publicly one's homosexuality
  • Similar words include: out, come out, come out of the closet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. All ___"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
  • Similar words include: spike, pinna, auricle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Slime"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any thick, viscous matter
  • Similar words include: guck, gook, gunk
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Jay-Z's and Alicia Keys's "___ State of Mind""

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
  • Similar words include: imperium, conglomerate
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMPIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Classic P.O.W. movie starring Steve McQueen, with "The""

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GREATESCAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Heavy weight"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a united states unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds
  • Similar words include: gross ton, short ton, net ton
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. Transaction on an online marketplace"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EBAYSALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Govt. org. in "Alias""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent agency of the united states government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest; headed by the director of central intelligence under the supervision of the president and national security council
  • Similar words include: Central Intelligence Agency
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "58. Entertainer who says "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUPAUL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. Inflation measures, for short"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of pressure
  • Similar words include: pounds per square inch, psi
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PSIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. Opportunity to dress up"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an event that occurs at a critical time
  • Similar words include: social occasion, function, social function
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OCCASION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "63. Eagles' nests"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the lofty nest of a bird of prey (such as a hawk or eagle)
  • Similar words include: eyrie, aery, eyry
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AERIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. With gossip and beer over Friday's ___ game"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chinese game played by 4 people with 144 tiles
  • Similar words include: Mah-Jongg
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAHJONG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. With gossip and beer over Friday's ___ game"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
  • Similar words include: bridgework, bridge circuit, span
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIDGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Satisfies"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give pleasure to or be pleasing to
  • Similar words include: delight, please
  • Opposite of: displease
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLEASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "68. Luxurious cotton fabric"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cotton fabric with a satiny finish
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SATEEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Italian apology 5
2D 2. Some pullover shirts 5
3D 3. Any course whose name ends in "101" 5
4D 4. Bird with a plume that, ounce for ounce, was once worth more than gold 5
5D 5. Constellation near the Big Dipper 3
6D 6. Gentlemen, in Granada 7
7D 7. Captured 4
8D 8. Like government bonds and Uber drivers 7
9D 9. ___ minority 6
10D 10. Mrs., en franรงais 3
11D 11. Bit of sweat 4
12D 12. British title 4
13D 13. Ultimatum ender 4
14D 17. Life across the ___ is much the same 12
15D 20. British title 3
16D 23. These: Sp. 5
17D 25. Shredded, as a contract 6
18D 27. Top-of-the-line 4
19D 28. Prefix with vitamin or tool 5
20D 29. Athlete aiming for a four-minute finish, perhaps 5
21D 30. One end of an electrolytic cell 5
22D 31. Let float, as a currency 5
23D 32. Pertaining to hair 5
24D 33. Welcome sight for a sailor 5
25D 34. Patronizes, as a restaurant 6
26D 38. Life stories 4
27D 39. Warm and cozy 5
28D 44. Bona fide 7
29D 45. Govt. sites for testing pollutants 7
30D 47. Ones with chiseled abs? 6
31D 48. ___ Dhabi 3
32D 51. Spar on a sailing boat 5
33D 52. Comment that breaks the fourth wall 5
34D 53. Feudal lord 5
35D 54. German steel city 5
36D 55. Provide for free, as a drink 4
37D 56. Suffix with method or metaphor 4
38D 57. Pine 4
39D 59. Collectible caps in the '90s 4
40D 62. Steely Dan album whose name is pronounced "Asia" 3
41D 64. The Three Kingdoms in Chinese history, e.g. 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Italian apology"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Some pullover shirts"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that venetian traveler who explored asia in the 13th century and served kublai khan (1254-1324)
  • Similar words include: polo, Marco Polo, Polo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POLOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Any course whose name ends in "101""

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that formally making a person known to another or to the public
  • Similar words include: introduction, presentation
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INTRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Bird with a plume that, ounce for ounce, was once worth more than gold"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various usually white herons having long plumes during breeding season
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGRET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Constellation near the Big Dipper"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in leo
  • Similar words include: Leo the Lion, Lion
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Gentlemen, in Granada"

7 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a spanish title or form of address for a man; similar to the english `mr' or `sir'
  • Similar words include: Senor
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SENORES

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7D: "7. Captured"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that require (time or space)
  • Similar words include: submit, call for, drive
  • Opposite of: give, disclaim
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOOK

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8D: "8. Like government bonds and Uber drivers"

7 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that liable to payment of locally assessed property taxes
  • Similar words include: rateable
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RATABLE

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9D: "9. ___ minority"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is a member of an ethnic group
  • Similar words include: pagan, heathen, ethnical
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETHNIC

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10D: "10. Mrs., en franรงais"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MME

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11D: "11. Bit of sweat"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small ball with a hole through the middle
  • Similar words include: beadwork, drop, astragal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEAD

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12D: "12. British title"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a polite name for any woman
  • Similar words include: dame, madam, peeress
  • Opposite of: Lord, nobleman
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADY

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13D: "13. Ultimatum ender"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELSE

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14D: "17. Life across the ___ is much the same"

12 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PACIFICOCEAN

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15D: "20. British title"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that term of address for a man
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIR

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16D: "23. These: Sp."

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESTOS

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17D: "25. Shredded, as a contract"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOREUP

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18D: "27. Top-of-the-line"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AONE

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19D: "28. Prefix with vitamin or tool"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MULTI

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20D: "29. Athlete aiming for a four-minute finish, perhaps"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used only in combinations) the length of something in miles
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MILER

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21D: "30. One end of an electrolytic cell"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a positively charged electrode by which electrons leave an electrical device
  • Opposite of: cathode
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANODE

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22D: "31. Let float, as a currency"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNPEG

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23D: "32. Pertaining to hair"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to a hair
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PILAR

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24D: "33. Welcome sight for a sailor"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the land along the edge of a body of water
  • Similar words include: prop up, shore up, land
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHORE

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25D: "34. Patronizes, as a restaurant"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EATSAT

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26D: "38. Life stories"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIOS

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27D: "39. Warm and cozy"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having a feeling of home; cozy and comfortable
  • Similar words include: homely, homy, homelike
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOMEY

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28D: "44. Bona fide"

7 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not fake or counterfeit
  • Similar words include: real, actual, literal
  • Opposite of: counterfeit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENUINE

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29D: "45. Govt. sites for testing pollutants"

7 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPALABS

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30D: "47. Ones with chiseled abs?"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the body excluding the head and neck and limbs
  • Similar words include: torso, trunk, body
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TORSOS

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31D: "48. ___ Dhabi"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABU

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32D: "51. Spar on a sailing boat"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a light spar that crosses a fore-and-aft sail diagonally
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPRIT

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33D: "52. Comment that breaks the fourth wall"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage
  • Similar words include: by, divagation, away
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASIDE

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34D: "53. Feudal lord"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person holding a fief; a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord
  • Similar words include: vassal, feudatory, liegeman
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIEGE

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35D: "54. German steel city"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in western germany; industrial center of the ruhr
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESSEN

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36D: "55. Provide for free, as a drink"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an intensive examination testing a student's proficiency in some special field of knowledge
  • Similar words include: comprehensive, comprehensive examination
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMP

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37D: "56. Suffix with method or metaphor"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICAL

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38D: "57. Pine"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
  • Similar words include: languish, aching, yen
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACHE

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39D: "59. Collectible caps in the '90s"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POGS

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40D: "62. Steely Dan album whose name is pronounced "Asia""

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AJA

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41D: "64. The Three Kingdoms in Chinese history, e.g."

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: epoch, geological era, earned run average
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

36 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
77 Total Clues

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Last updated: January 21, 2026 at 04:29 AM