December 02, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

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

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, December 02, 2021

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (38 Across, 38 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.2 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Thursday Puzzle December 02, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Thwack	4
2A	5. Bow ties, e.g.	5
3A	10. Dollar alternative	4
4A	14. Like chocolate mousse	4
5A	15. Puckish	5
6A	16. Lunar plain	4
7A	17. Circadian rhythm regulator	13
8A	19. Heaps	4
9A	20. Tech executive, for short	3
10A	21. Labor leader Dolores Huerta or astronaut Ellen Ochoa	6
11A	23. Representative Bowman, the first male member of "The Squad"	6
12A	26. H.S. course that might have a unit on the Harlem Renaissance	11
13A	28. Singer Tori	4
14A	29. Mendelssohn work in E flat major, and others	6
15A	31. Make definite, informally	3
16A	32. Mojito ingredient	4
17A	33. Rejections	4
18A	34. Scepter topper	3
19A	36. Does dirty	7
20A	38. Word before oil or water	7
21A	42. Use a 56-Across	3
22A	43. "Sure, sure"	4
23A	45. Delicate textile	4
24A	46. Presidential nickname	3
25A	48. Ticks off	6
26A	50. Open ___	4
27A	51. Performance artist portraying male characters	8
28A	53. Agree	6
29A	55. Hawaii is famous for them	9
30A	56. Boat propeller	3
31A	57. Pulitzer-winning novelist Jennifer	4
32A	58. One of a pair at the dinner table ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme	10
33A	65. Like texting during a conversation, to some	4
34A	66. Ancient Greek marketplace	5
35A	67. Refer to	4
36A	68. Symbol of Russia	4
37A	69. "Copy that"	5
38A	70. Checkup, e.g.	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. Thwack"

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 sharp blow
• 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: SWAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Bow ties, e.g."

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 dish that contains pasta as its main ingredient
• Words that mean the same thing: alimentary paste
• 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: PASTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Dollar alternative"

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: AVIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Like chocolate mousse"

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 people who have possessions and wealth (considered as a group)
• Words that mean the same thing: fertile, plenteous, fat
• The opposite would be: poor, lean
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RICH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Puckish"

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 suggestive of an elf in strangeness and otherworldliness; ; - john mason brown
• Words that mean the same thing: elvish, elfish, elflike
• 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: ELFIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Lunar plain"

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 female equine animal
• Words that mean the same thing: maria, female horse
• 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: MARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Circadian rhythm regulator"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 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: INTERNALCLOCK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Heaps"

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 the sun (or solar disc) which was the deity of a monotheistic cult under the pharaoh akhenaten
• Words that mean the same thing: Aten
• 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: ATON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Tech executive, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a federation of north american industrial unions that merged with the american federation of labor in 1955
• Words that mean the same thing: Congress of Industrial Organizations
• 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: CIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Labor leader Dolores Huerta or astronaut Ellen Ochoa"

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: LATINA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Representative Bowman, the first male member of "The Squad""

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: JAMAAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. H.S. course that might have a unit on the Harlem Renaissance"

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: AMERICANLIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "28. Singer Tori"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a hebrew shepherd and minor prophet
• Words that mean the same thing: Book of Amos
• 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: AMOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "29. Mendelssohn work in E flat major, and others"

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 cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one
• Words that mean the same thing: ogdoad, octad, VIII
• 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: OCTETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Make definite, informally"

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 water frozen in the solid state
• Words that mean the same thing: ice-skating rink, chicken feed, methamphetamine
• 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: ICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. Mojito ingredient"

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 (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
• Words that mean the same thing: mountain, flock, raft
• 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: MINT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. Rejections"

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 radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known
• Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 102, no, nobelium
• The opposite would be: yes
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NOES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. Scepter topper"

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 ball-shaped capsule containing the vertebrate eye
• Words that mean the same thing: revolve, eyeball, ball
• 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: ORB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "36. Does dirty"

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 reveal unintentionally
• Words that mean the same thing: deceive, tell on, give away
• The opposite would be: undeceive
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BETRAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "38. Word before oil or water"

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 solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition
• 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: MINERAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "42. Use a 56-Across"

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 arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
• Words that mean the same thing: rowing, dustup, quarrel
• 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: ROW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "43. "Sure, sure""

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: IBET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "45. Delicate textile"

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 cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment)
• Words that mean the same thing: enlace, spike, lacing
• The opposite would be: untwine
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LACE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "46. Presidential nickname"

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: ABE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "48. Ticks off"

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 strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
• Words that mean the same thing: see red, anger, ire
• 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: ANGERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "50. Open ___"

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 weapons considered collectively
• Words that mean the same thing: weapons system, coat of arms, limb
• The opposite would be: disarm
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "51. Performance artist portraying male characters"

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: DRAGKING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. Agree"

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: SAYYES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "55. Hawaii is famous for them"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a fissure in the earth's crust (or in the surface of some other planet) through which molten lava and gases erupt
• Words that mean the same thing: volcano, vent
• 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: VOLCANOES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "56. Boat propeller"

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 implement used to propel or steer a boat
• 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: OAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "57. Pulitzer-winning novelist Jennifer"

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

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: EGAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "58. One of a pair at the dinner table ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a shaker with a perforated top for sprinkling salt
• Words that mean the same thing: salt shaker
• 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: SALTSHAKER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "65. Like texting during a conversation, to some"

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 socially incorrect in behavior
• Words that mean the same thing: lowbred, uncivil, bad-mannered
• The opposite would be: civil
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RUDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "66. Ancient Greek marketplace"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that 100 agorot equal 1 shekel in israel
• Words that mean the same thing: public square
• 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: AGORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "67. Refer to"

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 short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
• Words that mean the same thing: quote, refer, credit
• 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: CITE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "68. Symbol of Russia"

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 massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
• Words that mean the same thing: put up, yield, endure
• The opposite would be: bull
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "69. "Copy that""

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 make mention of
• Words that mean the same thing: observe, note, take note
• 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: NOTED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "70. Checkup, e.g."

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 set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge
• Words that mean the same thing: test, examination
• 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: EXAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Thursday Puzzle December 02, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Hindu honorific	3
2D	2. Success	3
3D	3. One may be tough to follow	3
4D	4. Historic Bay Area neighborhood with a 600-square-foot rainbow flag	9
5D	5. Australia, once	11
6D	6. Every last one	3
7D	7. West Coast air hub, for short	3
8D	8. First X or O	3
9D	9. Tarsal adornment	6
10D	10. Violin family name	5
11D	11. Papal collection overseen by a bibliothecarius	14
12D	12. 1996 hit for Alanis Morissette	6
13D	13. House mate?	6
14D	18. Narrow inlet	3
15D	22. Basis of some insurance fraud	5
16D	23. Place to hang a mezuzah	4
17D	24. Bestie in Bordeaux	4
18D	25. Largest French-speaking city in North America	14
19D	26. Consumed	3
20D	27. German physician who coined the term "animal magnetism"	6
21D	30. Vouch (for), in a way	6
22D	35. Something that's impossible to run by yourself	9
23D	37. Still up, say	5
24D	39. "A pity, really"	8
25D	40. Peak	4
26D	41. Word often confused with "fewer"	4
27D	44. Plead	3
28D	46. Too, for one	6
29D	47. Shoe with decorative perforations	6
30D	49. Leaf producer	6
31D	52. Hopeless case	5
32D	54. Contented sigh	3
33D	59. Earlier	3
34D	60. Park place?	3
35D	61. L'ora della siesta, maybe	3
36D	62. "Parent-approved" cereal	3
37D	63. GPS approximation	3
38D	64. "Stand" band, 1989	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. Hindu honorific"

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: SRI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Success"

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 victory (as in a race or other competition)
• Words that mean the same thing: winnings, pull ahead, bring home the bacon
• The opposite would be: losings, lose
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. One may be tough to follow"

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 legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
• Words that mean the same thing: turn, routine, dissemble
• The opposite would be: refrain
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Historic Bay Area neighborhood with a 600-square-foot rainbow flag"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: THECASTRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Australia, once"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: PENALCOLONY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Every last one"

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 quantifier; used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
• Words that mean the same thing: entirely, altogether, wholly
• The opposite would be: some, partly
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. West Coast air hub, 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: SFO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. First X or O"

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 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 9 Down: "9. Tarsal adornment"

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 shoe for a child or woman that has a strap around the ankle
• Words that mean the same thing: ankle bracelet, anklets, bobbysock
• 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: ANKLET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Violin family name"

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 italian violin maker in cremona; taught the craft to guarneri and stradivari (1596-1684)
• Words that mean the same thing: Nicolo Amati, Nicola Amati
• 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: AMATI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Papal collection overseen by a bibliothecarius"

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: VATICANLIBRARY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. 1996 hit for Alanis Morissette"

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 humorously sarcastic or mocking
• Words that mean the same thing: wry, ironical, dry
• 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: IRONIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. House mate?"

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 assembly possessing high legislative powers
• Words that mean the same thing: U.S. Senate, US Senate, United States Senate
• 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: SENATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Narrow inlet"

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: RIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Basis of some insurance fraud"

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 malicious burning to destroy property
• Words that mean the same thing: fire-raising, incendiarism
• 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: ARSON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Place to hang a mezuzah"

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 upright consisting of a vertical side member of a door or window frame
• 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: JAMB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Bestie in Bordeaux"

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: AMIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Largest French-speaking city in North America"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 letters. It's a expert 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: MONTREALCANADA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. Consumed"

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 goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
• Words that mean the same thing: exhaust, run through, eat on
• 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: ATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. German physician who coined the term "animal magnetism""

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 austrian physician who tried to treat diseases with a form of hypnotism (1734-1815)
• Words that mean the same thing: Friedrich Anton Mesmer, Franz Anton Mesmer
• 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: MESMER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Vouch (for), in a way"

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 sign jointly
• Words that mean the same thing: co-sign
• 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: COSIGN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "35. Something that's impossible to run by yourself"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: RELAYRACE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "37. Still up, say"

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 stop sleeping
• Words that mean the same thing: arouse, wake, waken
• The opposite would be: asleep, fall asleep
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AWAKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "39. "A pity, really""

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: ITSSOSAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "40. Peak"

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 the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
• Words that mean the same thing: top, summit, tiptop
• 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: ACME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "41. Word often confused with "fewer""

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 (comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree
• Words that mean the same thing: to a lesser extent
• The opposite would be: more
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "44. Plead"

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 call upon in supplication; entreat
• Words that mean the same thing: solicit, tap, implore
• 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: BEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "46. Too, for one"

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 the word class that qualifies verbs or clauses
• 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: ADVERB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. Shoe with decorative perforations"

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 thick and heavy shoe
• Words that mean the same thing: work shoe, brogan, clodhopper
• 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: BROGUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. Leaf producer"

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 the seventh month of the civil year; the first month of the ecclesiastic year (in march and april)
• Words that mean the same thing: Nisan
• 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: NISSAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "52. Hopeless case"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person in desperate straits; someone doomed
• Words that mean the same thing: toast
• 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: GONER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "54. Contented sigh"

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

  The answer is: AAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "59. Earlier"

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 gone by; or in the past
• Words that mean the same thing: agone
• 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: AGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "60. Park place?"

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 (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
• Words that mean the same thing: circle, mountain, flock
• 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: LOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "61. L'ora della siesta, maybe"

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: TRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "62. "Parent-approved" cereal"

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: KIX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "63. GPS approximation"

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 Fatherland and Liberty, Basque Homeland and Freedom, 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 38 Down: "64. "Stand" band, 1989"

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 recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs; a state of rapidly shifting eye movements during sleep
• Words that mean the same thing: paradoxical sleep, REM sleep, rapid eye movement sleep
• 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: REM

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	50	65.8%
Short Answer	20	26.3%
Abbreviation	2	2.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.3%
Literature	1	1.3%
History	1	1.3%
Geography	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	38
Down Clues	38
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	5.2 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 Thursday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 5 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

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

Last Updated: September 13, 2025 at 10:18 AM

XWordHint Crossword Answers December 14, 2025 | 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 (68 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (70 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

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. Marvel superhero who can manipulate weather patterns	5
2A	6. Something fun to take out for a spin	3
3A	9. Shaquille O'Neal's alma mater, for short	3
4A	12. Parts of a hand	5
5A	17. Irritate	5
6A	18. Recaps	7
7A	20. Paul whose house is one of the 16 historic sites of Boston's Freedom Trail	6
8A	21. False alarm announcement?	13
9A	23. Jedi-in-training	7
10A	24. Sensible	7
11A	25. TV host Brzezinski	4
12A	26. #1 choice, in slang	4
13A	27. "No ___, ands or buts!"	3
14A	28. Pollution-fighting org.	3
15A	29. "Game of Thrones" actor Gillen	5
16A	31. River that borders the Black Forest	5
17A	33. "Render ___ Caesar ..."	4
18A	34. Major coin producer	10
19A	37. Viking I or II	10
20A	39. Astronaut Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space	5
21A	40. Nickname for Mark's unsevered best friend in "Severance"	5
22A	41. They turn red litmus paper blue	5
23A	42. First chimpanzee to orbit Earth	4
24A	43. Football blocker?	7
25A	46. Hair-raising stuff	3
26A	47. Remodel and resell some real estate	10
27A	49. Marching band tempo setters	9
28A	54. Who said "It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am"	3
29A	55. Season to enjoy une glace	3
30A	56. Ruler before 1917	4
31A	58. "Black-ish" airer	3
32A	59. It's a numbers game	4
33A	60. Clothing for SWAT teams	5
34A	62. "The Simpsons" character who becomes obsessed with crossword puzzles	4
35A	64. Puff piece?	4
36A	66. Like the number of Oscars vis-à-vis the number of Emmys	5
37A	67. Plant watcher, for short	4
38A	68. Camera type, in brief	3
39A	69. Site of some Santa sightings	4
40A	71. Longtime record label of Elvis Presley	3
41A	73. 911 responder	3
42A	74. "Hilarious!"	9
43A	77. "I mean, kind of ..."	10
44A	80. "Don't give up!"	3
45A	81. ¬ or ~, in logic	7
46A	83. Beat poet ___ Cassady	4
47A	84. Like some milk, idiomatically	5
48A	87. ___ on the past	5
49A	88. Indication of bad service	5
50A	90. "Much obliged"	10
51A	92. Crossed the International Date Line from east to west, or west to east (depending on how you look at it)	10
52A	97. Bundled up	4
53A	98. Articles are written in this	5
54A	99. Brand name for naproxen	5
55A	100. ___ Miss	3
56A	101. Doll that comes in multiple body types, skin tones, eye colors and hair colors	3
57A	102. Drink known also as "honey wine"	4
58A	103. Frosty	4
59A	105. Subject of Newton's first law	7
60A	108. Enjoying a soak	7
61A	110. 1980 horror film starring William Hurt ... or what the shaded squares contain?	13
62A	112. Fundamental rules of math	6
63A	113. Loopy writing	7
64A	114. Star pitcher?	5
65A	115. "Fiddler on the Roof" matchmaker	5
66A	116. Letters for an unscheduled event	3
67A	117. Prefix with natal	3
68A	118. Like a bubble bath	5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Marvel superhero who can manipulate weather patterns"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
• Similar words include: ramp, force, surprise
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STORM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Something fun to take out for a spin"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the upper part of anything
• Similar words include: cover, pass, tiptop
• Opposite of: bottom

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Shaquille O'Neal's alma mater, for short"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LSU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "12. Parts of a hand"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a game played with playing cards
• Similar words include: plug-in, tease, bill
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CARDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Irritate"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that soreness and warmth caused by friction
• Similar words include: gravel, fray, rile
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHAFE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Recaps"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WRAPUPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "20. Paul whose house is one of the 16 historic sites of Boston's Freedom Trail"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that american silversmith remembered for his midnight ride (celebrated in a poem by longfellow) to warn the colonists in lexington and concord that british troops were coming (1735-1818)
• Similar words include: hero-worship, worship, venerate
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REVERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. False alarm announcement?"

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OOHIMSOSCARED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "23. Jedi-in-training"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PADAWAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "24. Sensible"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment
• Opposite of: imprudent
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PRUDENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. TV host Brzezinski"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MIKA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. #1 choice, in slang"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FAVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. "No ___, ands or buts!""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Pollution-fighting org."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment
• Similar words include: Environmental Protection Agency
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. "Game of Thrones" actor Gillen"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AIDAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. River that borders the Black Forest"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states parapsychologist (1895-1980)
• Similar words include: Rhein, Joseph Banks Rhine, Rhine River
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RHINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. "Render ___ Caesar ...""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Major coin producer"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DENVERMINT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Viking I or II"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MARSLANDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Astronaut Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELLEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Nickname for Mark's unsevered best friend in "Severance""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PETEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. They turn red litmus paper blue"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that installation from which a military force initiates operations
• Similar words include: basis, base, stem
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. First chimpanzee to orbit Earth"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Football blocker?"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOALNET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Hair-raising stuff"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a colloid in a more solid form than a sol
• Similar words include: gelatin, mousse, colloidal gel
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Remodel and resell some real estate"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FLIPAHOUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. Marching band tempo setters"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRUMLINES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Who said "It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942)
• Similar words include: Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay, Cassius Marcellus Clay
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Season to enjoy une glace"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ETE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Ruler before 1917"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a male monarch or emperor (especially of russia prior to 1917)
• Similar words include: czar, tzar
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TSAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. "Black-ish" airer"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
• Similar words include: first rudiment, ABC's, alphabet
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "59. It's a numbers game"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

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: beano, lotto, bingo
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KENO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "60. Clothing for SWAT teams"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat
• Similar words include: enthrone, waistcoat, invest
• Opposite of: divest

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VESTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "62. "The Simpsons" character who becomes obsessed with crossword puzzles"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LISA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. Puff piece?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Like the number of Oscars vis-à-vis the number of Emmys"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (comparative of `few' used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of
• Similar words include: few
• Opposite of: more, many

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FEWER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "67. Plant watcher, for short"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a government agency in the department of labor to maintain a safe and healthy work environment
• Similar words include: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OSHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "68. Camera type, in brief"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SLR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "69. Site of some Santa sightings"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a public area set aside as a pedestrian walk
• Similar words include: shopping center, center, promenade
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "71. Longtime record label of Elvis Presley"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "73. 911 responder"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "74. "Hilarious!""

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WHATAHOOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "77. "I mean, kind of ...""

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOTEXACTLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "80. "Don't give up!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
• Similar words include: essay, seek, sample
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "81. ¬ or ~, in logic"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEGATOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "83. Beat poet ___ Cassady"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "84. Like some milk, idiomatically"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container
• Similar words include: slop, talk, splatter
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPILT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "87. ___ on the past"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that think moodily or anxiously about something
• Similar words include: brood, inhabit, lie
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DWELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "88. Indication of bad service"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOTIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "90. "Much obliged""

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IOWEYOUONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "92. Crossed the International Date Line from east to west, or west to east (depending on how you look at it)"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAINEDADAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "97. Bundled up"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that provide with clothes or put clothes on
• Similar words include: garment, invest, habilitate
• Opposite of: unclothed, undress

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "98. Articles are written in this"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PROSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "99. Brand name for naproxen"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (trademarks aleve and anaprox and aflaxen) that fights pain and inflammation
• Similar words include: Aflaxen, naproxen sodium, Anaprox
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALEVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "100. ___ Miss"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "101. Doll that comes in multiple body types, skin tones, eye colors and hair colors"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that range of what one can know or understand
• Similar words include: cognizance, sight
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "102. Drink known also as "honey wine""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states anthropologist noted for her claims about adolescence and sexual behavior in polynesian cultures (1901-1978)
• Similar words include: Margaret Mead, George Herbert Mead
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "103. Frosty"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs)
• Similar words include: stale, frigidness, frigid
• Opposite of: hot, hotness

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COLD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "105. Subject of Newton's first law"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a disposition to remain inactive or inert
• Similar words include: inactivity, inactiveness
• Opposite of: activeness

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INERTIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "108. Enjoying a soak"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that immersing the body in water or sunshine
• Similar words include: bathe, washup, bath
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BATHING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "110. 1980 horror film starring William Hurt ... or what the shaded squares contain?"

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALTEREDSTATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "112. Fundamental rules of math"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
• Similar words include: axiom, maxim
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AXIOMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63A: "113. Loopy writing"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that rapid handwriting in which letters are set down in full and are cursively connected within words without lifting the writing implement from the paper
• Similar words include: cursive script, longhand, running hand
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CURSIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64A: "114. Star pitcher?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
• Similar words include: factor, broker, agentive role
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AGENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65A: "115. "Fiddler on the Roof" matchmaker"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YENTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66A: "116. Letters for an unscheduled event"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TBA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67A: "117. Prefix with natal"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (used as a combining form) recent or new
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68A: "118. Like a bubble bath"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that resembling lather or covered with lather
• Similar words include: lathery
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUDSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Surveyed, with "out"	6
2D	2. Early track star Jim	6
3D	3. Resident of Honolulu, e.g.	6
4D	4. Touchless payment tech	4
5D	5. Internet ___	4
6D	6. Cheat on, in a way	7
7D	7. Surgery sites, in brief	3
8D	8. Video game character with an endless appetite	6
9D	9. Be in a chat room but not chat	4
10D	10. Soldiers with long arms	8
11D	11. Alternative to the euro, in brief	3
12D	12. Relinquish	4
13D	13. Director DuVernay	3
14D	14. Turns back the clock, maybe?	7
15D	15. Opposite of volunteer	7
16D	16. Parts of many robots in robot-sumo	7
17D	19. Area inside the free-throw line, in basketball slang	5
18D	20. "Gaspard de la Nuit" composer	5
19D	22. Addresses angrily	8
20D	23. Variety of violet	5
21D	26. Urban safety hazard	8
22D	30. Australia's largest carnivorous mammal	5
23D	32. Word used 10 times in Roger Ebert's review of "North" (1994)	5
24D	33. Dissimilar	7
25D	35. Part of a legendary boast	4
26D	36. Skips all the ceremony?	6
27D	38. The brother in "Am I my brother's keeper?"	4
28D	40. What might be made while clasping one's hands	4
29D	42. Engineer Gray who, arguably, invented the telephone — and battled Alexander Graham Bell over it in court for years	6
30D	44. Ballpark figure	4
31D	45. Kind of tea	5
32D	46. Sierra automaker	3
33D	47. Shylock's security	5
34D	48. Adele song with the lyric "I must have called a thousand times"	5
35D	50. Non-premium option in a rideshare app	5
36D	51. Gaming mogul Gabe	6
37D	52. Ernst Stavro Blofeld, to James Bond	5
38D	53. Put into piles, perhaps	4
39D	54. Swear	4
40D	57. Parking space for an Airstream, say, in brief	5
41D	61. Did some school reporting?	7
42D	63. Exceptionally hard timber	8
43D	65. Amy Winehouse, e.g.	4
44D	66. Thumbprint alternative on iPhones	6
45D	68. Reluctant to ask out one's crush, maybe	3
46D	70. Particularly particular	4
47D	72. Cafeterias	8
48D	75. Like many indie films	4
49D	76. Many characters in the 2007 comedy "Superbad"	5
50D	78. He had a Billboard Hot 100 hit with "Rubber Duckie"	5
51D	79. Tortilla de patatas, por ejemplo	4
52D	82. Where high schoolers work on their numbers?	8
53D	84. Starship's medical facility	7
54D	85. Ren faire prop akin to a halberd	7
55D	86. "Sign me up!"	7
56D	87. Hair-care item associated with Black culture	5
57D	89. Like YouTube offerings	7
58D	91. Commences	5
59D	92. Rough drafts?	5
60D	93. Interview guest whom Ali G calls "my man Buzz Lightyear here"	6
61D	94. Like lowercase i's and j's	6
62D	95. Sci-fi sequel of 1986	6
63D	96. Like soft rolls	6
64D	102. Wordless entertainment	4
65D	104. Other, to Octavio	4
66D	106. Brief announcements from a pilot	4
67D	107. ___ alla bolognese (slow-cooked sauce)	4
68D	109. Like hell!	3
69D	110. Play a part, or part of a play	3
70D	111. Part of N.Y.E.	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Surveyed, with "out""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCOPED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Early track star Jim"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that outstanding united states athlete (1888-1953)
• Similar words include: Jim Thorpe, James Francis Thorpe
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THORPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Resident of Honolulu, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OAHUAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Touchless payment tech"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RFID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Internet ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a cultural unit (an idea or value or pattern of behavior) that is passed from one person to another by non-genetic means (as by imitation)
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Cheat on, in a way"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TWOTIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Surgery sites, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a state in northwestern united states on the pacific
• Similar words include: Beaver State, surgery, operating room
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Video game character with an endless appetite"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PACMAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Be in a chat room but not chat"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
• Similar words include: linger, footle, loaf
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LURK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Soldiers with long arms"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPEARMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Alternative to the euro, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Relinquish"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
• Similar words include: grant, yield, give up
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CEDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Director DuVernay"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Turns back the clock, maybe?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REWINDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "15. Opposite of volunteer"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that someone who is drafted into military service
• Similar words include: conscript, inductee
• Opposite of: volunteer

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRAFTEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "16. Parts of many robots in robot-sumo"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any device that receives a signal or stimulus (as heat or pressure or light or motion etc.) and responds to it in a distinctive manner
• Similar words include: detector, sensing element, sensor
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SENSORS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "19. Area inside the free-throw line, in basketball slang"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a substance used as a coating to protect or decorate a surface (especially a mixture of pigment suspended in a liquid); dries to form a hard coating
• Similar words include: blusher, pigment, rouge
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAINT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "20. "Gaspard de la Nuit" composer"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that french composer and exponent of impressionism (1875-1937)
• Similar words include: ladder, unravel, Maurice Ravel
• Opposite of: unravel, unknot

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "22. Addresses angrily"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SNARLSAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "23. Variety of violet"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that large-flowered garden plant derived chiefly from the wild pansy of europe and having velvety petals of various colors
• Similar words include: milksop, sissy, queen
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PANSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "26. Urban safety hazard"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a building that would be hard to escape from if it were to catch fire
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FIRETRAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "30. Australia's largest carnivorous mammal"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that wolflike yellowish-brown wild dog of australia
• Similar words include: warragal, warrigal, Canis dingo
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DINGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Word used 10 times in Roger Ebert's review of "North" (1994)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards
• Similar words include: hat, detested, detest
• Opposite of: love

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Dissimilar"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that not alike or similar
• Similar words include: dissimilar
• Opposite of: alike

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNALIKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Part of a legendary boast"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VENI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. Skips all the ceremony?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that run away secretly with one's beloved
• Similar words include: elope, run off
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELOPES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "38. The brother in "Am I my brother's keeper?""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that norwegian mathematician (1802-1829)
• Similar words include: Niels Henrik Abel, Niels Abel
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "40. What might be made while clasping one's hands"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a humble request for help from someone in authority
• Similar words include: supplication
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PLEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "42. Engineer Gray who, arguably, invented the telephone — and battled Alexander Graham Bell over it in court for years"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELISHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. Ballpark figure"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (baseball) a failure by a batter or runner to reach a base safely in baseball
• Similar words include: out, come out, come out of the closet
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OUTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "45. Kind of tea"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that state in northeastern india
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASSAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "46. Sierra automaker"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GMC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "47. Shylock's security"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
• Similar words include: build, bod, form
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FLESH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "48. Adele song with the lyric "I must have called a thousand times""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an expression of greeting
• Similar words include: how-do-you-do, hi, hullo
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HELLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "50. Non-premium option in a rideshare app"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UBERX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "51. Gaming mogul Gabe"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEWELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "52. Ernst Stavro Blofeld, to James Bond"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an opposing military force
• Similar words include: opposition, foe, foeman
• Opposite of: friend

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENEMY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "53. Put into piles, perhaps"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
• Similar words include: separate, screen, assort
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SORT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "54. Swear"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
• Similar words include: assert, avouch, swear
• Opposite of: disavow

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "57. Parking space for an Airstream, say, in brief"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RVLOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "61. Did some school reporting?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
• Similar words include: gibber, clack, blab
• Opposite of: keep quiet

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TATTLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "63. Exceptionally hard timber"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that handsome east indian evergreen tree often planted as an ornamental for its fragrant white flowers that yield a perfume; source of very heavy hardwood used for railroad ties
• Similar words include: Eastern hop hornbeam, Mesua ferrea, iron-tree
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRONWOOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "65. Amy Winehouse, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "66. Thumbprint alternative on iPhones"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FACEID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "68. Reluctant to ask out one's crush, maybe"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a quick throw
• Similar words include: unsure, diffident, timid
• Opposite of: confident

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46D: "70. Particularly particular"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of or related to the anus
• Similar words include: anal retentive
• Opposite of: oral

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47D: "72. Cafeterias"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a flask for carrying water; used by soldiers or travelers
• Similar words include: canteen, mobile canteen
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CANTEENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48D: "75. Like many indie films"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that showily imitative of art or artists
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49D: "76. Many characters in the 2007 comedy "Superbad""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the time of life between the ages of 12 and 20
• Similar words include: stripling, teen, teenager
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50D: "78. He had a Billboard Hot 100 hit with "Rubber Duckie""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERNIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51D: "79. Tortilla de patatas, por ejemplo"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry and pipturus albidus
• Similar words include: tappa bark, tappa, tapa bark
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TAPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52D: "82. Where high schoolers work on their numbers?"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GLEECLUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53D: "84. Starship's medical facility"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (nautical) a room for the treatment of the sick or injured (as on a ship)
• Similar words include: sick berth
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SICKBAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54D: "85. Ren faire prop akin to a halberd"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an ax used to slaughter cattle; has a hammer opposite the blade
• Similar words include: poleax
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POLEAXE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55D: "86. "Sign me up!""

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IWANTIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56D: "87. Hair-care item associated with Black culture"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DURAG

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57D: "89. Like YouTube offerings"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONVIDEO

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58D: "91. Commences"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
• Similar words include: spread, outdoors, afford
• Opposite of: close, fold

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OPENS

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59D: "92. Rough drafts?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on beaufort scale
• Similar words include: gale
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GALES

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60D: "93. Interview guest whom Ali G calls "my man Buzz Lightyear here""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALDRIN

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61D: "94. Like lowercase i's and j's"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that scatter or intersperse like dots or studs
• Similar words include: flecked, dot, disperse
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOTTED

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62D: "95. Sci-fi sequel of 1986"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
• Similar words include: extraterrestrial, foreigner, extraterrestrial being
• Opposite of: citizen, acquaintance

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALIENS

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63D: "96. Like soft rolls"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of or resembling or containing yeast
• Similar words include: yeastlike, zesty, barmy
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEASTY

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64D: "102. Wordless entertainment"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an actor who communicates entirely by gesture and facial expression
• Similar words include: mimer, pantomimer, pantomimist
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MIME

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65D: "104. Other, to Octavio"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OTRA

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66D: "106. Brief announcements from a pilot"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of 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
• Similar words include: eta, Basque Homeland and Freedom, ETA
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ETAS

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67D: "107. ___ alla bolognese (slow-cooked sauce)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAGU

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68D: "109. Like hell!"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
• Similar words include: blistering, raging, red-hot
• Opposite of: cold

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOT

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69D: "110. Play a part, or part of a play"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
• Similar words include: playact, behave, do
• Opposite of: refrain

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACT

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70D: "111. Part of N.Y.E."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (old testament) adam's wife in judeo-christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; god created eve from adam's rib and placed adam and eve in the garden of eden
• Similar words include: evening, even, eventide
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EVE

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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

68 Across Clues

70 Down Clues

138 Total Clues

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Last updated: December 14, 2025 at 04:21 AM