June 24, 2024 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (37 clues)
• Down Clues (41 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, June 24, 2024

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (37 Across, 41 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.8 letters

June 24, 2024 Across Hints: NYT Monday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Recedes, as the tide	4
2A	5. Server error?	5
3A	10. Musical staff symbol	4
4A	14. Long hike	4
5A	15. Politico Marco	5
6A	16. Tomato variety that, despite its name, was actually developed in Maryland	4
7A	17. Lincoln, Jackson or Madison	4
8A	18. "___ we all!"	5
9A	19. Fairy tale's second word, often	4
10A	20. *Base of operations	12
11A	23. Birth control options, for short	4
12A	24. Bother greatly	5
13A	28. Three-time Super Bowl winner Kelce	6
14A	31. *Lively get-togethers	8
15A	34. Constant critic	5
16A	35. Like a cherry vis-à-vis a sundae	4
17A	36. Fashion magazine founded in Paris	4
18A	37. Japanese vegetable	3
19A	38. *One of a pair that a skater might wear	7
20A	41. Ease (up)	3
21A	42. Bite-size, say	4
22A	44. The ___ Tour (Taylor Swift concert series)	4
23A	45. Stimulates, as an appetite	5
24A	47. *Figurative setting for a shady deal	8
25A	49. Vehicle in a funeral procession	6
26A	50. Stylishly streamlined	5
27A	51. "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" frames	4
28A	52. Weightlifter's pursuit … or a hint to both halves of the answers to the starred clues	12
29A	59. Where you might sleep while "in the doghouse"	4
30A	62. Defeats by a large margin	5
31A	63. Mental spark	4
32A	64. Fe, on the periodic table	4
33A	65. Own up (to)	5
34A	66. Spam spewers	4
35A	67. Prefix with phone or church	4
36A	68. Key Watergate evidence	5
37A	69. Result of ignoring a "Caution: Wet Floor" sign, perhaps	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. Recedes, as the tide"

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 gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
• Words that mean the same thing: wane, ebb down, ebb out
• The opposite would be: tide
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EBBS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Server error?"

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 wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
• Words that mean the same thing: mistake, flaw, shift
• The opposite would be: absolve, merit
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FAULT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Musical staff symbol"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a musical notation written on a staff indicating the pitch of the notes following 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: CLEF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Long hike"

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 journey by ox wagon (especially an organized migration by a group of settlers)
• 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: TREK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Politico Marco"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RUBIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Tomato variety that, despite its name, was actually developed in Maryland"

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 a member of a people with dark skin and hair who speak romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work and fortunetelling; they are believed to have originated in northern india but now are living on all continents (but mostly in europe, north africa, and north america)
• Words that mean the same thing: Gypsy, Romani, Eternal City
• 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: ROMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Lincoln, Jackson or Madison"

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 large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
• Words that mean the same thing: metropolis, urban center
• 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: CITY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. "___ we all!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ARENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Fairy tale's second word, often"

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: UPON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. *Base of operations"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a hard clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
• Words that mean the same thing: central office, HQ, home office
• 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: HEADQUARTERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Birth control options, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that contraceptive device consisting of a piece of bent plastic or metal that is inserted through the vagina into the uterus
• Words that mean the same thing: IUD, intrauterine device
• 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: IUDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Bother greatly"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EATAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "28. Three-time Super Bowl winner Kelce"

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: TRAVIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. *Lively get-togethers"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a large and noisy party of people
• Words that mean the same thing: shindig, shindy
• 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: SHINDIGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "34. Constant critic"

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 who hates
• 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: HATER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. Like a cherry vis-à-vis a sundae"

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 on, to, or at the top
• 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: ATOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. Fashion magazine founded in Paris"

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: ELLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Japanese vegetable"

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: UDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. *One of a pair that a skater might wear"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: KNEEPAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "41. Ease (up)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "42. Bite-size, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a very short skirt
• Words that mean the same thing: miniskirt
• The opposite would be: midi
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MINI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "44. The ___ Tour (Taylor Swift concert series)"

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 a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Words that mean the same thing: geological era, earned run average, era
• 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: ERAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "45. Stimulates, as an appetite"

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 keen or more acute
• Words that mean the same thing: quicken, whet
• 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: WHETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "47. *Figurative setting for a shady deal"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the meeting place of a group of leaders who make their decisions via private negotiations
• 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: BACKROOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "49. Vehicle in a funeral procession"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a vehicle for carrying a coffin to a church or a cemetery; formerly drawn by horses but now usually a motor vehicle
• 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: HEARSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "50. Stylishly streamlined"

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 slick or smooth
• Words that mean the same thing: streamlined, aerodynamic, flowing
• 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: SLEEK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "51. "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" frames"

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: CELS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "52. Weightlifter's pursuit … or a hint to both halves of the answers to the starred clues"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that exercise that builds muscles through tension
• Words that mean the same thing: muscle building, anaerobic exercise, musclebuilding
• 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: BODYBUILDING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "59. Where you might sleep while "in the doghouse""

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 an upholstered seat for more than one person
• Words that mean the same thing: couch, lounge
• 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: SOFA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "62. Defeats by a large margin"

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 disorderly crowd of people
• Words that mean the same thing: root, rout, rout out
• 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: ROUTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "63. Mental spark"

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 the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
• Words that mean the same thing: theme, approximation, musical theme
• 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: IDEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "64. Fe, on the periodic table"

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 heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
• Words that mean the same thing: Fe, press, atomic number 26
• 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: IRON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "65. Own up (to)"

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 declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
• Words that mean the same thing: take, accept, accommodate
• The opposite would be: exclude, reject
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADMIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "66. Spam spewers"

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 botfly larva; typically develops inside the body of a horse or sheep or human
• Words that mean the same thing: bot
• 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: BOTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "67. Prefix with phone or church"

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: MEGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "68. Key Watergate evidence"

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 long thin piece of cloth or paper as used for binding or fastening
• Words that mean the same thing: tape, bug, tape measure
• The opposite would be: erase
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAPES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "69. Result of ignoring a "Caution: Wet Floor" sign, perhaps"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a socially awkward or tactless act
• Words that mean the same thing: faux pas, mooring, slew
• 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: SLIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Monday Puzzle June 24, 2024

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Carve in stone	4
2D	2. Soft French cheese	4
3D	3. Β or β	4
4D	4. Take a leap of faith, quite literally	7
5D	5. Impostors	6
6D	6. Invisible emanations	5
7D	7. Sedan summoned with a smartphone, say	4
8D	8. Fuzzy stuff in a trap	4
9D	9. Carry around	4
10D	10. Relentless campaign	7
11D	11. Cut (off)	3
12D	12. Broody subculture	3
13D	13. Ceiling spinner	3
14D	21. Peculiarity	5
15D	22. Stimpy's cartoon pal	3
16D	25. Farm tool for breaking up soil	6
17D	26. Shoelace tips	6
18D	27. African fly with a reduplicative name	6
19D	28. Rating units for Siskel and Ebert	6
20D	29. Like the symmetry of a starfish	6
21D	30. Immediately	6
22D	31. Eruption from a geyser	5
23D	32. What gives beer its bitterness	4
24D	33. Bitter beer, in brief	3
25D	35. Prefix with dynamic	4
26D	39. "The Matrix" hero	3
27D	40. Reside	5
28D	43. Japanese art of flower arranging	7
29D	46. Stakes a claim (on)	7
30D	48. Studio behind "King Kong" and "Citizen Kane"	3
31D	49. The "jobs" in "The Italian Job," e.g.	6
32D	51. ___ patootie	5
33D	53. "Well, shucks!"	4
34D	54. A Jedi mentor, he was	4
35D	55. Protuberance	4
36D	56. Ariana Grande, to Arianators, e.g.	4
37D	57. ___ pot, container for rinsing nasal passages	4
38D	58. Sound of shock	4
39D	59. Computer replication of real-world events, for short	3
40D	60. Mined matter	3
41D	61. Ground-hugging cloud	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. Carve in stone"

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 make an etching of
• Words that mean the same thing: engrave
• 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: ETCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Soft French cheese"

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 soft creamy white cheese; milder than camembert
• 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: BRIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Β or β"

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 the 2nd letter of the greek alphabet
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Beta
• 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: BETA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Take a leap of faith, quite literally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that jump from an airplane and perform various maneuvers before opening one's parachute
• Words that mean the same thing: sky dive
• 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: SKYDIVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Impostors"

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 intentional deception resulting in injury to another person
• Words that mean the same thing: sham, impostor, fake
• 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: FRAUDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Invisible emanations"

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 sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure
• Words that mean the same thing: glory, halo, nimbus
• 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: AURAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Sedan summoned with a smartphone, say"

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: UBER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Fuzzy stuff in a trap"

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 fine ravellings of cotton or linen fibers
• 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: LINT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Carry around"

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 capacious bag or basket
• Words that mean the same thing: carryall, tote bag, holdall
• 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: TOTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Relentless campaign"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
• Words that mean the same thing: movement, campaign, push
• 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: CRUSADE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Cut (off)"

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 cut off from a whole
• Words that mean the same thing: discerp, dress, crop
• 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: LOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Broody subculture"

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: EMO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Ceiling spinner"

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 device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces
• Words that mean the same thing: buff, winnow, rooter
• 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: FAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "21. Peculiarity"

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 a strange attitude or habit
• Words that mean the same thing: quirkiness, queerness, crotchet
• 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: QUIRK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Stimpy's cartoon pal"

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: REN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "25. Farm tool for breaking up soil"

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 shoot that sprouts from the base of a grass
• Words that mean the same thing: cultivator, stool
• 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: TILLER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "26. Shoelace tips"

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 metal or plastic sheath over the end of a shoelace or ribbon
• Words that mean the same thing: aiglet, aglet, aiguilette
• 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: AGLETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. African fly with a reduplicative name"

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 bloodsucking african fly; transmits sleeping sickness etc.
• Words that mean the same thing: tsetse fly, tzetze fly, tzetze
• 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: TSETSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Rating units for Siskel and Ebert"

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 thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
• Words that mean the same thing: leaf, flick, thumb
• 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: THUMBS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. Like the symmetry of a starfish"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that pneumatic tire that has radial-ply casing
• Words that mean the same thing: stellate, radial tire, radial-ply tire
• 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: RADIAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Immediately"

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: ATONCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. Eruption from a geyser"

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 water at boiling temperature diffused in the atmosphere
• Words that mean the same thing: steamer, steam clean
• 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: STEAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "32. What gives beer its bitterness"

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 twining perennials having cordate leaves and flowers arranged in conelike spikes; the dried flowers of this plant are used in brewing to add the characteristic bitter taste to beer
• Words that mean the same thing: hop, hop-skip, skip
• 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: HOPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "33. Bitter beer, 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 25 Down: "35. Prefix with dynamic"

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: AERO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. "The Matrix" hero"

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 (used as a combining form) recent or new
• 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: NEO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. Reside"

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 think moodily or anxiously about something
• Words that mean the same thing: inhabit, brood, lie in
• 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: DWELL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. Japanese art of flower arranging"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IKEBANA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "46. Stakes a claim (on)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HASDIBS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "48. Studio behind "King Kong" and "Citizen Kane""

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: RKO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "49. The "jobs" in "The Italian Job," e.g."

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 act of stealing
• Words that mean the same thing: burglarize, burgle, rip-off
• 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: HEISTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. ___ patootie"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CUTIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "53. "Well, shucks!""

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: DRAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "54. A Jedi mentor, he was"

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: YODA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. Protuberance"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a lump on the body caused by a blow
• Words that mean the same thing: hump, extrusion, prominence
• The opposite would be: promote
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BUMP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "56. Ariana Grande, to Arianators, 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 material effigy that is worshipped
• Words that mean the same thing: paragon, perfection, beau ideal
• 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: IDOL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "57. ___ pot, container for rinsing nasal passages"

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: NETI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "58. Sound of shock"

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 labored intake of breath with the mouth open
• Words that mean the same thing: heave, puff, pant
• 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: GASP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "59. Computer replication of real-world events, 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: SIM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "60. Mined matter"

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 mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
• 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: ORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "61. Ground-hugging cloud"

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 droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
• Words that mean the same thing: fogginess, obscure, becloud
• 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: FOG

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	58	74.4%
Short Answer	11	14.1%
History	4	5.1%
Abbreviation	2	2.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.6%
Music	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	37
Down Clues	41
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	4.8 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	12 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Monday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

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

Last Updated: August 24, 2025 at 07:38 PM

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 05, 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 (42 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. Tried-and-true choice, informally	4
2A	5. It's perfect for some musicians	5
3A	10. Motorcyclist's invitation	5
4A	15. Asia's shrinking ___ Sea	4
5A	16. Ruckus	5
6A	17. Where Boise is	5
7A	18. It's a piece of cake	10
8A	20. Computer geeks	5
9A	21. Source of some South American wool	5
10A	22. Alaska politico Palin	5
11A	24. ___-Ball	4
12A	25. Alternative to a Word doc	3
13A	27. It's child's play	9
14A	29. Glassblower, e.g.	7
15A	33. One of three statistical averages	4
16A	34. M.L.B. stadium demolished in 2009	4
17A	35. Ones always blowing off steam?	7
18A	39. Altar promise	3
19A	42. It's a no-brainer	16
20A	45. Starchy tuber	3
21A	46. 2016 Ariana Grande love song	7
22A	47. Drug buster	4
23A	48. Heavy, spiked club	4
24A	50. Bared one's teeth, say	7
25A	52. It's a breeze	9
26A	57. ___-fi	3
27A	58. Sudden or impulsive, as a decision	4
28A	59. Lipstick blunder	5
29A	61. Intermittently offered fast-food pork sandwich	5
30A	65. Oscars host, e.g.	5
31A	67. It's a walk in the park	10
32A	69. Abandon prematurely, as a mission	5
33A	70. Piano exercise	5
34A	71. Fencing blade	4
35A	72. "OMG, same!"	5
36A	73. About 50.7% of all Americans	5
37A	74. Like typical communicators in sign language	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Tried-and-true choice, informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. It's perfect for some musicians"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
• Similar words include: auction pitch, tilt, toss
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PITCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Motorcyclist's invitation"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOPON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. Asia's shrinking ___ Sea"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Ruckus"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOOHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Where Boise is"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a state in the rocky mountains
• Similar words include: Gem State, ID
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IDAHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. It's a piece of cake"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that small finger-shaped sponge cake
• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LADYFINGER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Computer geeks"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a school teaching mechanical and industrial arts and the applied sciences
• Similar words include: technical school, tech
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TECHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Source of some South American wool"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that wild or domesticated south american cud-chewing animal related to camels but smaller and lacking a hump
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LLAMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Alaska politico Palin"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (old testament) the wife of abraham and mother of isaac
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SARAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. ___-Ball"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SKEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Alternative to a Word doc"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PDF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. It's child's play"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SIMONSAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Glassblower, e.g."

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft
• Similar words include: craftsman, artificer, journeyman
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARTISAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. One of three statistical averages"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n
• Similar words include: tight, signify, mean value
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. M.L.B. stadium demolished in 2009"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Ones always blowing off steam?"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
• Similar words include: kettleful, kettle, boiler
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KETTLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Altar promise"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an artificial language that is a revision and simplification of esperanto
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "42. It's a no-brainer"

16 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HEADLESSHORSEMAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "45. Starchy tuber"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that edible tuber of any of several yams
• Similar words include: yam plant
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "46. 2016 Ariana Grande love song"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INTOYOU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. Drug buster"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a lawman concerned with narcotics violations
• Similar words include: narcotics agent, nark
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NARC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. Heavy, spiked club"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (trademark) a liquid that temporarily disables a person; prepared as an aerosol and sprayed in the face, it irritates the eyes and causes dizziness and immobilization
• Similar words include: Chemical Mace, macebearer, macer
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "50. Bared one's teeth, say"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
• Similar words include: snarl up, entangle, knotty
• Opposite of: disentangle, unsnarl

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SNARLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "52. It's a breeze"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRADEWIND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "57. ___-fi"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "58. Sudden or impulsive, as a decision"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any red eruption of the skin
• Similar words include: foolhardy, blizzard, efflorescence
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "59. Lipstick blunder"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that slanderous defamation
• Similar words include: calumniate, daub, smudge
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SMEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "61. Intermittently offered fast-food pork sandwich"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MCRIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "65. Oscars host, e.g."

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an introductory speech and introduces other speakers)
• Similar words include: compere, host, master of ceremonies
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMCEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "67. It's a walk in the park"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NATUREHIKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "69. Abandon prematurely, as a mission"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of terminating a project or procedure before it is completed
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABORT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "70. Piano exercise"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a short composition for a solo instrument; intended as an exercise or to demonstrate technical virtuosity
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ETUDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "71. Fencing blade"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "72. "OMG, same!""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a capacious bag or basket
• Similar words include: total, tote, tug
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "73. About 50.7% of all Americans"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
• Similar words include: woman, cleaning woman, adult female
• Opposite of: man

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WOMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "74. Like typical communicators in sign language"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Effrontery	4
2D	2. Not in writing, as an exam	4
3D	3. Magician's "Look what I did!"	4
4D	4. International competition in math, science and other disciplines	8
5D	5. Greek letter that looks like an "O" superimposed with an "I"	3
6D	6. Charged particles	4
7D	7. Roman robes	5
8D	8. French sweetheart	5
9D	9. Prohibited in Islam	5
10D	10. Chart-topper	3
11D	11. Texas setting for 2004's "Friday Night Lights"	6
12D	12. Mule or burro	10
13D	13. "Fancy seeing you here!"	5
14D	14. They may be counted when taking attendance	5
15D	19. Bell-bottom jeans and pet rocks, in the 1970s	4
16D	23. Undeniable successes	8
17D	26. Media misinformation	8
18D	28. Loch ___ monster	4
19D	29. Like a campfire by morning, typically	4
20D	30. Flightless bird from South America	4
21D	31. Figure in a school pep rally	10
22D	32. Empty ___ (home after the kids go off to college)	4
23D	36. Chinese general on a menu	3
24D	37. "___ will be done"	3
25D	38. English facilities	4
26D	40. "Don't you ___!"	4
27D	41. How much 1990s music was issued	4
28D	43. Pet pests	4
29D	44. Having added nutrients	8
30D	49. Obey, with "to"	6
31D	51. Apex	4
32D	52. Pay for at a restaurant, say	5
33D	53. Title role for Sylvester Stallone	5
34D	54. "This is my first day on the job"	5
35D	55. "Groovy"	5
36D	56. Unit of information	5
37D	60. Like checking a dating app while you're on a date	4
38D	62. Fully matured	4
39D	63. Swedish furniture supplier	4
40D	64. Complaint, informally	4
41D	66. Arrivals in the 2016 thriller "Arrival," in brief	3
42D	68. ___ Faire (historical event)	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Effrontery"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an open sore on the back of a horse caused by ill-fitting or badly adjusted saddle
• Similar words include: saddle sore, freshness, irk
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GALL

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2D: "2. Not in writing, as an exam"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an examination conducted by spoken communication
• Similar words include: viva voce, viva, oral exam
• Opposite of: aboral, anal

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORAL

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3D: "3. Magician's "Look what I did!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TADA

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4D: "4. International competition in math, science and other disciplines"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one of the four-year intervals between olympic games; used to reckon time in ancient greece for twelve centuries beginning in 776 bc
• Similar words include: Olympics, Olympic Games
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLYMPIAD

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5D: "5. Greek letter that looks like an "O" superimposed with an "I""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the 21st letter of the greek alphabet
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PHI

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6D: "6. Charged particles"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a particle that is electrically charged (positive or negative); an atom or molecule or group that has lost or gained one or more electrons
• Similar words include: ion
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IONS

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7D: "7. Roman robes"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient rome
• Similar words include: toga
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOGAS

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8D: "8. French sweetheart"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHERI

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9D: "9. Prohibited in Islam"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HARAM

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10D: "10. Chart-topper"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)
• Similar words include: stumble, reach, slay
• Opposite of: miss

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HIT

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11D: "11. Texas setting for 2004's "Friday Night Lights""

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a port city of south central ukraine on an arm of the black sea
• Similar words include: Odesa
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ODESSA

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12D: "12. Mule or burro"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PACKANIMAL

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13D: "13. "Fancy seeing you here!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OHHEY

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14D: "14. They may be counted when taking attendance"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
• Similar words include: horn in, wind, pry
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOSES

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15D: "19. Bell-bottom jeans and pet rocks, in the 1970s"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
• Similar words include: craze, rage, cult
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FADS

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16D: "23. Undeniable successes"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOMERUNS

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17D: "26. Media misinformation"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FAKENEWS

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18D: "28. Loch ___ monster"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a strip of land projecting into a body of water
• Similar words include: cape
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NESS

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19D: "29. Like a campfire by morning, typically"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of a light grey
• Similar words include: ash-grey, ash-gray
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASHY

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20D: "30. Flightless bird from South America"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that fertility goddess in ancient greek mythology; wife of cronus and mother of zeus; identified with roman ops and cybele of ancient asia minor
• Similar words include: nandu, Pterocnemia pennata, Rhea americana
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RHEA

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21D: "31. Figure in a school pep rally"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEAMMASCOT

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22D: "32. Empty ___ (home after the kids go off to college)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
• Similar words include: snuggle, draw close, cuddle
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEST

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23D: "36. Chinese general on a menu"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TSO

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24D: "37. "___ will be done""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THY

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25D: "38. English facilities"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that austrian architect (1870-1933)
• Similar words include: closet, Adolf Loos, water closet
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOOS

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26D: "40. "Don't you ___!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
• Similar words include: defy, presume, make bold
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DARE

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27D: "41. How much 1990s music was issued"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONCD

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28D: "43. Pet pests"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that wingless usually flattened bloodsucking insect parasitic on warm-blooded animals
• Similar words include: bird louse, worm, dirt ball
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LICE

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29D: "44. Having added nutrients"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that make better or improve in quality
• Similar words include: enrich
• Opposite of: deprive, impoverish

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENRICHED

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30D: "49. Obey, with "to""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that be compatible or in accordance with
• Similar words include: bind, bond, hold fast
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADHERE

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31D: "51. Apex"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
• Similar words include: vertex, summit, pinnacle
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACME

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32D: "52. Pay for at a restaurant, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that something considered choice to eat
• Similar words include: care for, plow, deal
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TREAT

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33D: "53. Title role for Sylvester Stallone"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAMBO

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34D: "54. "This is my first day on the job""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMNEW

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35D: "55. "Groovy""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEATO

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36D: "56. Unit of information"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an item of factual information derived from measurement or research
• Similar words include: data point
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DATUM

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37D: "60. Like checking a dating app while you're on a date"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that socially incorrect in behavior
• Similar words include: uncivil, unmannered, underbred
• Opposite of: civil

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RUDE

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38D: "62. Fully matured"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
• Similar words include: right, advanced, mature
• Opposite of: green

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RIPE

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39D: "63. Swedish furniture supplier"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IKEA

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40D: "64. Complaint, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cattle that are reared for their meat
• Similar words include: gripe, bellyache, bitch
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEEF

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41D: "66. Arrivals in the 2016 thriller "Arrival," in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ETS

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42D: "68. ___ Faire (historical event)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REN

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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

42 Down Clues

79 Total Clues

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Last updated: May 05, 2026 at 06:01 AM