December 08, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (31 clues)
• Down Clues (31 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, December 08, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 62 (31 Across, 31 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.8 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Friday Puzzle December 08, 2023

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Boatloads or truckloads	9
2A	10. Question suggesting "What odd behavior!"	11
3A	12. Gains ground	13
4A	14. Worker's end-of-year wish	5
5A	15. Pitiful	3
6A	16. Figure whose name derives from the Hebrew for "adversary"	5
7A	18. Areas to practice driving skills	6
8A	20. Middle of Middlesex	6
9A	21. Taproom offering, in brief	3
10A	22. Output of the world's largest manufacturer of musical instruments	7
11A	26. Canadian N.H.L. team, on scoreboards	3
12A	27. 1977 best-selling novel set in a hospital	4
13A	29. Broke	5
14A	30. Artist of "La Maja Desnuda" and "La Maja Vestida"	4
15A	31. Five-time N.B.A. All-Star Thompson	4
16A	32. Words that guide	5
17A	33. Uber ___	4
18A	34. Join so as to work together	4
19A	35. Third most-spoken language in the world	5
20A	36. Slips	4
21A	37. "___ does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from ___": Jeanne Moreau	3
22A	38. Stockpiles	7
23A	40. Get even with	3
24A	41. Famous bridge site	6
25A	43. Not allowing for variation	6
26A	45. Payment option	5
27A	46. What a nod might indicate	3
28A	49. Investor's considerations	5
29A	50. What old memories often cause	13
30A	53. Made 'em look	11
31A	54. Preservers of crop biodiversity	9

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. Boatloads or truckloads"

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 goods carried by a large vehicle
• Words that mean the same thing: despatch, load, payload
• 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: SHIPMENTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "10. Question suggesting "What odd behavior!""

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: WHODOESTHAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "12. Gains ground"

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: NARROWSTHEGAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Worker's end-of-year wish"

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 anything that tends to arouse
• Words that mean the same thing: incentive, fillip
• 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: BONUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Pitiful"

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 experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness; ; - christina rossetti
• Words that mean the same thing: sorry, deplorable, lamentable
• The opposite would be: glad
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Figure whose name derives from the Hebrew for "adversary""

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 (judeo-christian and islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of god; tempter of mankind; master of hell
• Words that mean the same thing: Devil, Beelzebub, Lucifer
• 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: SATAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Areas to practice driving skills"

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 an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
• Words that mean the same thing: mountain chain, cast, straddle
• 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: RANGES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Middle of Middlesex"

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 low-lying region in central france
• Words that mean the same thing: heart and soul, sum, inwardness
• 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: CENTRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. Taproom offering, in brief"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Output of the world's largest manufacturer of musical instruments"

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

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: YAMAHAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "26. Canadian N.H.L. team, on scoreboards"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium 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: OTT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "27. 1977 best-selling novel set in a hospital"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a state of deep and often prolonged unconsciousness; usually the result of disease or injury
• Words that mean the same thing: comatoseness
• 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: COMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "29. Broke"

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 correct by punishment or discipline
• Words that mean the same thing: naturalize, chasten, moderate
• The opposite would be: wild
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAMED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. Artist of "La Maja Desnuda" and "La Maja Vestida""

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 spanish painter well known for his portraits and for his satires (1746-1828)
• Words that mean the same thing: Francisco Goya, Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes, Francisco Jose de Goya
• 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: GOYA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Five-time N.B.A. All-Star Thompson"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: KLAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. Words that guide"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any system of principles or beliefs
• Words that mean the same thing: credo, religious doctrine, gospel
• 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: CREED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. Uber ___"

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 informal terms for a meal
• Words that mean the same thing: corrode, eat on, run through
• 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: EATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. Join so as to work together"

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 fabric comprising a fitted part at the top of a garment
• Words that mean the same thing: duad, span, couple
• The opposite would be: unyoke
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YOKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "35. Third most-spoken language in the world"

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 the most widely spoken of modern indic vernaculars; spoken mostly in the north of india; along with english it is the official language of india; usually written in devanagari script
• Words that mean the same thing: Hindu, Hindoo
• 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: HINDI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "36. Slips"

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 to make a mistake or be incorrect
• Words that mean the same thing: stray, err, slip
• 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: ERRS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "37. "___ does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from ___": Jeanne Moreau"

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 how long something has existed
• Words that mean the same thing: eld, long time, senesce
• The opposite would be: rejuvenate
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "38. Stockpiles"

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 collect or gather
• Words that mean the same thing: hoard, accumulate, collect
• 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: AMASSES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "40. Get even with"

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 neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
• Words that mean the same thing: attach, association, linkup
• The opposite would be: untie, disconnect
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "41. Famous bridge site"

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: RIALTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "43. Not allowing for variation"

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 rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
• Words that mean the same thing: hard-and-fast, exacting, rigid
• The opposite would be: indulgent
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STRICT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "45. Payment option"

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 accounting entry acknowledging sums that are owing
• Words that mean the same thing: debit entry
• The opposite would be: credit
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEBIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "46. What a nod might indicate"

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 authoritative direction or instruction to do something
• Words that mean the same thing: offer, invite, command
• 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: BID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "49. Investor's considerations"

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 a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
• Words that mean the same thing: risk of infection, risk of exposure, hazard
• 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: RISKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "50. What old memories often cause"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SENIORMOMENTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "53. Made 'em look"

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: TURNEDHEADS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "54. Preservers of crop biodiversity"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: SEEDBANKS

  Great job if you got it right!

December 08, 2023 Down Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. [So what?]	5
2D	2. Kiddie ride?	6
3D	3. Utterance with one's hand on a Bible, maybe	3
4D	4. Comics sound effects	4
5D	5. City east of Tempe	4
6D	6. Abbr. below the name of some businesses	4
7D	7. Highest degree attainable?	3
8D	8. Defenses are prepared for them	6
9D	9. Pioneer in the field of exobiology	5
10D	10. "You sure about that?"	13
11D	11. Drawers on chests, maybe	13
12D	12. "Stop complaining. I didn't do anything wrong"	11
13D	13. Bouncing a penny into a cup, fancily shuffling cards, etc.	11
14D	14. Indianapolis 500 venue, informally, with "the"	9
15D	17. Balance sheet quantity	9
16D	19. Jazz sobriquet	7
17D	20. Ones helping players get a round?	7
18D	23. Song title in both "The Sound of Music" and "West Side Story"	5
19D	24. Certain verbal agreements	5
20D	25. Regards	5
21D	28. Certain verbal agreement	3
22D	30. "How about that!"	3
23D	38. What's going on?	6
24D	39. Barely run	6
25D	42. Cartoon character often seen sucking his thumb	5
26D	44. They contain fruit	5
27D	46. Gave rise to	4
28D	47. Entertainment reference that began as a Usenet group	4
29D	48. ___ Amendment (2010s extension of the Kyoto Protocol)	4
30D	51. Tip jar item	3
31D	52. All House speakers until 2007	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. [So what?]"

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 a gesture involving the shoulders
• 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: SHRUG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Kiddie ride?"

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: HORSEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Utterance with one's hand on a Bible, maybe"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a hard clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an artificial language that is a revision and simplification of esperanto
• 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: IDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Comics sound effects"

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 person who surrenders to (or is taken by) the enemy in time of war
• Words that mean the same thing: prisoner of war, POW
• 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: POWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. City east of Tempe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that flat tableland with steep edges
• Words that mean the same thing: table
• 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: MESA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Abbr. below the name of some businesses"

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

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Highest degree attainable?"

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 last or greatest in an indefinitely large series
• Words that mean the same thing: n-th
• 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: NTH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Defenses are prepared for them"

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 an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument
• Words that mean the same thing: dissertation, thesis
• 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: THESES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Pioneer in the field of exobiology"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about science/technology.

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: SAGAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "You sure about that?""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WANNAMAKEABET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Drawers on chests, maybe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TATTOOARTISTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. "Stop complaining. I didn't do anything wrong""

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: NOAPOLOGIES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Bouncing a penny into a cup, fancily shuffling cards, etc."

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: PARTYTRICKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Indianapolis 500 venue, informally, with "the""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a place where bricks are made and sold
• Words that mean the same thing: brickfield
• 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: BRICKYARD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "17. Balance sheet quantity"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: NETASSETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "19. Jazz sobriquet"

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 united states pioneering jazz trumpeter and bandleader (1900-1971)
• Words that mean the same thing: Louis Armstrong, Armstrong
• 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: SATCHMO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "20. Ones helping players get a round?"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a expert clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an attendant who carries the golf clubs for a player
• Words that mean the same thing: caddie, caddy, tea caddy
• 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: CADDIES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "23. Song title in both "The Sound of Music" and "West Side Story""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
• Words that mean the same thing: mare, Calophyllum longifolium
• 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: MARIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "24. Certain verbal agreements"

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 primeval egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at thebes
• Words that mean the same thing: Amen, Amun, Amon
• 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: AMENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "25. Regards"

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 paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
• Words that mean the same thing: listen, mind, regard
• The opposite would be: inattentiveness
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HEEDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. Certain verbal agreement"

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: AYE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "30. "How about that!""

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 unit of force equal to the force exerted by gravity; used to indicate the force to which a body is subjected when it is accelerated
• Words that mean the same thing: g, g-force
• 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: GEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "38. What's going on?"

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 clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
• Words that mean the same thing: gussy up, rig out, dress up
• The opposite would be: underdress, dress down
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATTIRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "39. Barely run"

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 an unbroken series of events
• Words that mean the same thing: stripe, bar, blotch
• 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: STREAK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "42. Cartoon character often seen sucking his thumb"

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: LINUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "44. They contain fruit"

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 the natural outer covering of food (usually removed before eating)
• Words that mean the same thing: rind
• 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: RINDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "46. Gave rise 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 copulate with a female, used especially of horses
• Words that mean the same thing: engender, multiply, breed
• 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: BRED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "47. Entertainment reference that began as a Usenet group"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: IMDB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "48. ___ Amendment (2010s extension of the Kyoto Protocol)"

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 capital and chief port of qatar
• Words that mean the same thing: Bida, capital of Qatar, El Beda
• 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: DOHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "51. Tip jar item"

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 smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Words that mean the same thing: 1, unrivaled, single
• 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: ONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "52. All House speakers until 2007"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	41	66.1%
Short Answer	10	16.1%
Music	2	3.2%
Sports	2	3.2%
History	2	3.2%
Literature	1	1.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.6%
Geography	1	1.6%
Abbreviation	1	1.6%
Science/Technology	1	1.6%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	31
Down Clues	31
Total Clues	62
Average Answer Length	5.8 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	13 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 Friday, 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: August 29, 2025 at 03:49 AM

XWordHint Crossword Answers March 30, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (37 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (41 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Print, Copy, ___, Fax (printer selections)	4
2A	5. Former Giants QB Manning	3
3A	8. Element discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie	6
4A	14. Sparkling wine of Italy, familiarly	4
5A	15. Odd ___ out (misfit)	3
6A	16. "In spite of all that ..."	6
7A	17. Endless TikTok scrolling or Tetris playing, e.g.	8
8A	19. Rented	6
9A	20. Wastebasket, jokingly	12
10A	22. Only U.S. president from Delaware	5
11A	25. Grand production	4
12A	26. ___ Plaines, Ill.	3
13A	27. Smelter's material	3
14A	28. Popular sushi fish	3
15A	30. Like the Mariana Trench among all the world's underwater places	7
16A	33. Guy who goes a-courting	4
17A	35. "You've ___ this!"	3
18A	37. Rodeo rope	5
19A	38. Illegal distribution of narcotics	11
20A	42. Whimpers	5
21A	44. Right-angled shape	3
22A	45. Corner piece on a chessboard	4
23A	48. Top placement in a bracket, for a March Madness team	7
24A	51. Caustic paint stripper	3
25A	53. Be in arrears	3
26A	54. Onetime AT&T competitor	3
27A	55. Tiny amount	4
28A	57. Answer	5
29A	59. Where to pick up luggage at an airport	12
30A	63. Regrettably unfortunate	6
31A	64. Went into reverse ... or what the ends of 17-, 20-, 38- and 59-Across might be	8
32A	68. Word after Irish or jet	6
33A	69. Longtime record label or Beastie Boy	3
34A	70. Valentine's Day flower	4
35A	71. Size up	6
36A	72. Glide down a slope	3
37A	73. ___ of the Horse (2026 in the Chinese zodiac)	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Print, Copy, ___, Fax (printer selections)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of scanning; systematic examination of a prescribed region
• Similar words include: skim, read, CAT scan
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Former Giants QB Manning"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Element discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores
• Similar words include: atomic number 88, Ra
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RADIUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Sparkling wine of Italy, familiarly"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASTI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Odd ___ out (misfit)"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
• Similar words include: human, Isle of Man, valet
• Opposite of: civilian, woman

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. "In spite of all that ...""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EVENSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Endless TikTok scrolling or Tetris playing, e.g."

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIMESINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Rented"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that let for money
• Similar words include: charter, hired, let
• Opposite of: unchartered

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEASED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Wastebasket, jokingly"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CIRCULARFILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Only U.S. president from Delaware"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BIDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. Grand production"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
• Similar words include: larger-than-life, heroic, epical
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EPIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. ___ Plaines, Ill."

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a potent estrogen used in medicine and in feed for livestock and poultry
• Similar words include: stilboestrol, diethylstilboestrol, stilbestrol
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Smelter's material"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Popular sushi fish"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Like the Mariana Trench among all the world's underwater places"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
• Similar words include: cryptical, abstruse, cryptic
• Opposite of: shallow

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEEPEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Guy who goes a-courting"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a man who is the lover of a girl or young woman
• Similar words include: fellow, gallant, dude
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. "You've ___ this!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
• Similar words include: catch, gravel, contract
• Opposite of: leave, end

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Rodeo rope"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that belgian composer (1532-1594)
• Similar words include: Orlando di Lasso, lariat, riata
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LASSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Illegal distribution of narcotics"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRUGTRAFFIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Whimpers"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cry weakly or softly
• Similar words include: wail, whimper, pule
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEWLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. Right-angled shape"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an extension at the end and at right angles to the main building
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Corner piece on a chessboard"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (chess) the piece that can move any number of unoccupied squares in a direction parallel to the sides of the chessboard
• Similar words include: mulct, victimize, hornswoggle
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROOK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. Top placement in a bracket, for a March Madness team"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONESEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "51. Caustic paint stripper"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "53. Be in arrears"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that be obliged to pay or repay
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. Onetime AT&T competitor"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MCI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "55. Tiny amount"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small indefinite quantity (especially of a liquid); ; ; ; --kipling
• Similar words include: driblet, drop
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "57. Answer"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
• Similar words include: response, answer, respond
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REPLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. Where to pick up luggage at an airport"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BAGGAGECLAIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "63. Regrettably unfortunate"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASHAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "64. Went into reverse ... or what the ends of 17-, 20-, 38- and 59-Across might be"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BACKEDUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "68. Word after Irish or jet"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one who sets written material into type
• Similar words include: typesetter, typographer, compositor
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SETTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "69. Longtime record label or Beastie Boy"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "70. Valentine's Day flower"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of many shrubs of the genus rosa that bear roses
• Similar words include: rear, spring up, grow
• Opposite of: go to bed, turn in

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "71. Size up"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of
• Similar words include: tax, value, valuate
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASSESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "72. Glide down a slope"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used in pairs for gliding over snow
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SKI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "73. ___ of the Horse (2026 in the Chinese zodiac)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
• Similar words include: twelvemonth, yr, class
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Stayed on the bench	3
2D	2. Long-running CBS procedural with spinoffs	3
3D	3. Fixture at a "cash only" establishment	3
4D	4. Nephew's sister	5
5D	5. Dubai dignitary	4
6D	6. Round Table knight who betrayed King Arthur	8
7D	7. Cover with tattoos, colloquially	5
8D	8. Equip with new shoestrings	6
9D	9. State with certainty	4
10D	10. Like many users of sign language	4
11D	11. News exclusive from someone in the know	11
12D	12. Of no help	7
13D	13. California city with a humble-sounding name	7
14D	18. Basic trig ratio	4
15D	21. Box top	3
16D	22. Go up and down in the water	3
17D	23. Livid feeling	3
18D	24. Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically	11
19D	29. Item in an Easter hunt	3
20D	31. Sprite	3
21D	32. Team of two	4
22D	34. Internet addresses, for short	4
23D	36. Uno + due	3
24D	39. Take advantage of	3
25D	40. Like the original Broadway cast of "The Wiz"	8
26D	41. Travel by air	3
27D	42. Kenya's second-largest city	7
28D	43. Boxes up securely	7
29D	46. "Wise" bird	3
30D	47. F sharp major, for one	3
31D	49. Lawn-neatening tools	6
32D	50. Rap's Dr. ___	3
33D	52. Actor Estrada of "CHiPs"	4
34D	56. Warhead weapons, for short	5
35D	58. Manicurist's board	5
36D	60. Bit of boarding pass info	4
37D	61. Iowa college town	4
38D	62. "Superfood" berry	4
39D	65. Stag's mate	3
40D	66. Team for Olympians Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin	3
41D	67. ___ capita	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Stayed on the bench"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Long-running CBS procedural with spinoffs"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CSI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Fixture at a "cash only" establishment"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of pressure: the pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 mm high at sea level and 0 degrees centigrade
• Similar words include: automatic teller, automated teller machine, automatic teller machine
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Nephew's sister"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a daughter of your brother or sister
• Opposite of: nephew
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NIECE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Dubai dignitary"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an independent ruler or chieftain (especially in africa or arabia)
• Similar words include: emeer, amir, ameer
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Round Table knight who betrayed King Arthur"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (arthurian legend) one of the knights of the round table; friend of king arthur until (according to some versions of the legend) he became the lover of arthur's wife guinevere
• Similar words include: Sir Lancelot
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LANCELOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Cover with tattoos, colloquially"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INKUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Equip with new shoestrings"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RELACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. State with certainty"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that report or maintain
• Similar words include: allege, avow, affirm
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Like many users of sign language"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that people who have severe hearing impairments
• Similar words include: deafen, indifferent
• Opposite of: hearing

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. News exclusive from someone in the know"

11 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INSIDESCOOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Of no help"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
• Opposite of: useful
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USELESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. California city with a humble-sounding name"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MODESTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Basic trig ratio"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that ratio of the length of the side opposite the given angle to the length of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle
• Similar words include: sin
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Box top"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
• Similar words include: hat, chapeau, palpebra
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Go up and down in the water"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a former monetary unit in great britain
• Similar words include: bobsleigh, bobber, dock
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Livid feeling"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
• Similar words include: anger, wrath, ira
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically"

11 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEADWEIGHTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Item in an Easter hunt"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
• Similar words include: nut, bollock, testis
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EGG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Sprite"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
• Similar words include: pixie, imp, gremlin
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Team of two"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a set of two similar things considered as a unit
• Similar words include: yoke, dyad, couplet
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Internet addresses, for short"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: URLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Uno + due"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Take advantage of"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of using
• Similar words include: expend, apply, habituate
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USE

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25D: "40. Like the original Broadway cast of "The Wiz""

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALLBLACK

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26D: "41. Travel by air"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that two-winged insects characterized by active flight
• Similar words include: take flight, vaporize, vanish
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FLY

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27D: "42. Kenya's second-largest city"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a port city in southern kenya on a coral island in a bay of the indian ocean
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOMBASA

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28D: "43. Boxes up securely"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that enclose in, or as if in, a case
• Similar words include: incase, encase, case
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENCASES

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29D: "46. "Wise" bird"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
• Similar words include: hooter, bird of Minerva, bird of night
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OWL

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30D: "47. F sharp major, for one"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
• Similar words include: fundamental, identify, cay
• Opposite of: atonality

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KEY

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31D: "49. Lawn-neatening tools"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person who puts finishing edges on a garment
• Similar words include: edger
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EDGERS

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32D: "50. Rap's Dr. ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRE

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33D: "52. Actor Estrada of "CHiPs""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERIK

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34D: "56. Warhead weapons, for short"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a ballistic missile that is capable of traveling from one continent to another
• Similar words include: ICBM, intercontinental ballistic missile
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICBMS

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35D: "58. Manicurist's board"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a hard grey-black mineral consisting of corundum and either hematite or magnetite; used as an abrasive (especially as a coating on paper)
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMERY

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36D: "60. Bit of boarding pass info"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a movable barrier in a fence or wall
• Similar words include: logic gate
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GATE

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37D: "61. Iowa college town"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMES

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38D: "62. "Superfood" berry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACAI

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39D: "65. Stag's mate"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the federal department responsible for maintaining a national energy policy of the united states; created in 1977
• Similar words include: Energy, Energy Department, Department of Energy
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOE

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40D: "66. Team for Olympians Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USA

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41D: "67. ___ capita"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PER

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Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues

41 Down Clues

78 Total Clues

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Last updated: March 30, 2026 at 05:38 AM