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Saturday, September 27, 2025

January 16, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, January 16, 2020

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (40 Across, 38 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

Across Clues Explained - Thursday NYT Crossword January 16, 2020

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. White pizza topping 4
2A 5. Green bits of ornamentation 6
3A 11. Masala ___ (hot beverage) 4
4A 15. Bestower of the Movies for Grownups Awards 4
5A 16. Keep the beat, in a way 6
6A 17. Parts of a nuclear reactor 4
7A 18. Where Miners have majors 4
8A 19. Type of fluffy wool 6
9A 20. ___ surgeon 4
10A 21. Word following sing or play 7
11A 23. Furrowed feature 7
12A 25. Wait on 6
13A 26. Tribal leaders 6
14A 27. Language that's the source of "gesundheit" 10
15A 32. Uber alternative? 4
16A 35. Pint-size 6
17A 36. ___ Day and the Knights ("Animal House" group) 4
18A 40. Suits 5
19A 42. "___ it!" ("Hush!") 4
20A 43. Place for a bench 5
21A 44. Ancient name for Ceylon 5
22A 45. Terse rebukes 4
23A 46. Invite to the roof, say 5
24A 47. Like a desk that's a sign of genius, it's said 5
25A 49. Gobbledygook, metaphorically 5
26A 50. Flight schedule abbr. 3
27A 51. The mister, affectionately 8
28A 56. N.L. East city, on scoreboards 3
29A 58. Lithuanian, e.g. 4
30A 60. In the worst way 6
31A 61. Neighbor of an Arkansawyer 4
32A 62. It has cork and a bell 4
33A 63. 1950s-'70s football star nicknamed "The Golden Arm" 6
34A 64. Part of a pot 4
35A 65. Bra brand 4
36A 66. Stop waffling 6
37A 67. Fight protractedly 4
38A 68. E, F and G, but not H 4
39A 69. Opposite of the point? 6
40A 70. Collectors' goals 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. White pizza topping"

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: FETA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Green bits of ornamentation"

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 small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
  • Words that mean the same thing: branchlet, sprig, twig
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SPRIGS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "11. Masala ___ (hot beverage)"

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

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: CHAI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "15. Bestower of the Movies for Grownups Awards"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an association of people to promote the welfare of senior citizens
  • Words that mean the same thing: Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AARP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. Keep the beat, in a way"

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: TOETAP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. Parts of a nuclear reactor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a long thin implement made of metal or wood
  • Words that mean the same thing: rod, rod cell, retinal rod
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RODS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Where Miners have majors"

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: UTEP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Type of fluffy wool"

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 capital of turkey; located in west-central turkey; it was formerly known as angora and is the home of angora goats
  • Words that mean the same thing: Angora cat, capital of Turkey, Angora rabbit
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ANGORA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. ___ surgeon"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an examination conducted by spoken communication
  • Words that mean the same thing: oral examination, oral exam, viva voce
  • The opposite would be: aboral, anal
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ORAL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Word following sing or play"

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: NIALONG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Furrowed feature"

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 junior girl scout
  • Words that mean the same thing: gremlin, elf, imp
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BROWNIE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. Wait on"

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 be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
  • Words that mean the same thing: see, pay heed, take care
  • The opposite would be: miss
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ATTEND

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Tribal leaders"

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 person who is older than you are
  • Words that mean the same thing: elder, elderberry bush, senior
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ELDERS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Language that's the source of "gesundheit""

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft
  • Words that mean the same thing: artisan, artificer, craftsman
  • The word looks like this: __________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: JOURNEYMAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "32. Uber alternative?"

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: MEGA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. Pint-size"

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 disparaging terms for small people
  • Words that mean the same thing: half-pint, peewit, pewee
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PEEWEE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. ___ Day and the Knights ("Animal House" group)"

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 united states inventor who manufactured the first elevator with a safety device (1811-1861)
  • Words that mean the same thing: genus Otis, Elisha Graves Otis
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OTIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "40. Suits"

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 the chief executive department of the united states government
  • Words that mean the same thing: EXEC, White House
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EXECS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "42. "___ it!" ("Hush!")"

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

    The answer is: STOW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "43. Place for a bench"

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 keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
  • Words that mean the same thing: softly, pianoforte, forte-piano
  • The opposite would be: forte
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PIANO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "44. Ancient name for Ceylon"

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

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: LANKA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Terse rebukes"

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 utter `tsk,' `tut,' or `tut-tut,' as in disapproval
  • Words that mean the same thing: tut-tut, tut, tsk
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TSKS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. Invite to the roof, say"

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: ASKUP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "47. Like a desk that's a sign of genius, it's said"

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 dirty and disorderly
  • Words that mean the same thing: mussy
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MESSY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "49. Gobbledygook, metaphorically"

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 hellenic branch of the indo-european family of languages
  • Words that mean the same thing: Grecian, Hellene, Hellenic language
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GREEK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "50. Flight schedule abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ETA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "51. The mister, affectionately"

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 social bee often domesticated for the honey it produces
  • Words that mean the same thing: Apis mellifera
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HONEYBEE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "56. N.L. East city, on scoreboards"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ATL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "58. Lithuanian, e.g."

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: BALT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "60. In the worst way"

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: DIRELY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "61. Neighbor of an Arkansawyer"

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: OKIE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "62. It has cork and a bell"

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 slender double-reed instrument; a woodwind with a conical bore and a double-reed mouthpiece
  • Words that mean the same thing: hautbois, hautboy
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OBOE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "63. 1950s-'70s football star nicknamed "The Golden Arm""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: UNITAS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "64. Part of a pot"

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 (poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ANTE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "65. Bra brand"

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: OLGA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "66. Stop waffling"

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 reach, make, or come to a decision about something
  • Words that mean the same thing: resolve, settle, determine
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DECIDE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "67. Fight protractedly"

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

    The answer is: FEUD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "68. E, F and G, but not H"

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 metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
  • Words that mean the same thing: Florida key, tonality, paint
  • The opposite would be: atonality
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: KEYS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "69. Opposite of the point?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an implement used to erase something
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ERASER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Across: "70. Collectors' goals"

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 group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Words that mean the same thing: readiness, bent, lot
  • The opposite would be: rise
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SETS

    Great job if you got it right!

NYT Thursday Crossword Down Clues - January 16, 2020 Answers

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Animals, collectively 5
2D 2. Face-plant, say 5
3D 3. Ice cream cone, e.g. 5
4D 4. Breakfast cereal in a green box 10
5D 5. Routine activity? 7
6D 6. Beer ___ 4
7D 7. On the ___ (frequently, in slang) 3
8D 8. Skater Midori 3
9D 9. Attire 4
10D 10. "I don't want to hear it" 7
11D 11. Sounds made by fans 10
12D 12. Lena of "Cabin in the Sky" 5
13D 13. Firefighter Red 5
14D 14. Lands in the sea 5
15D 22. Hawaiian fish with a palindromic name 3
16D 24. Ending with pay 3
17D 28. Squiggle on a musical score 4
18D 29. Ends up with 4
19D 30. Sci-fi forest dweller 4
20D 31. Trees with red berrylike fruit 4
21D 32. Funnyman Brooks 3
22D 33. Piece of furniture often covered with crinkly paper 9
23D 34. Study of rocks 9
24D 37. What five answers in this puzzle do phonetically, in defiance of their clues? 9
25D 38. Language of the Canadian Arctic 9
26D 39. Conciliatory gesture 3
27D 41. Window frame 4
28D 43. Trim 4
29D 48. "Sup, bro!" 6
30D 49. Yellowstone attraction 6
31D 50. Work on a tablet 5
32D 52. Bay Area athlete, for short 5
33D 53. Kane of "All My Children" 5
34D 54. Sightings in the Himalayas 5
35D 55. Oar 5
36D 57. English city where the Who once recorded a top 5 live album 5
37D 59. 11-Across and others 4
38D 61. Bumbling bunch 4

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. Animals, collectively"

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 all the animal life in a particular region or period
  • Words that mean the same thing: creature, beast, animate being
  • The opposite would be: flora
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FAUNA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Face-plant, say"

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: EATIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Ice cream cone, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that something considered choice to eat
  • Words that mean the same thing: kickshaw, goody, handle
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TREAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Breakfast cereal in a green box"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that distilled from hard cider
  • Words that mean the same thing: applejack
  • The word looks like this: __________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: APPLEJACKS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Routine activity?"

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: STANDUP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Beer ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an unpleasant smell
  • Words that mean the same thing: niff
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PONG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. On the ___ (frequently, in slang)"

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: REG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Skater Midori"

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: ITO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Attire"

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 clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
  • Words that mean the same thing: apparel, raiment, clothe
  • The opposite would be: undress
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GARB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "I don't want to hear it""

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: SPAREME

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Sounds made by fans"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: CROWDNOISE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Lena of "Cabin in the Sky""

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 united states operatic mezzo-soprano (born 1934)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Lena Calhoun Horne, Marilyn Horne, Lena Horne
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HORNE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Firefighter Red"

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: ADAIR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Lands in the sea"

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 small island
  • Words that mean the same thing: islet, isle
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ISLES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Hawaiian fish with a palindromic name"

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 united states musician (born in japan) who married john lennon and collaborated with him on recordings (born in 1933)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Yoko Ono
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ONO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Ending with pay"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm used in india for writing paper
  • Words that mean the same thing: olla
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OLA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "28. Squiggle on a musical score"

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 something left after other parts have been taken away
  • Words that mean the same thing: sleep, lie, residual
  • The opposite would be: change, be active
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "29. Ends up with"

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 computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the tcp/ip network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
  • Words that mean the same thing: mesh, network, cyberspace
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NETS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "30. Sci-fi forest dweller"

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: EWOK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "31. Trees with red berrylike fruit"

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 wood of a yew; especially the durable fine-grained light brown or red wood of the english yew valued for cabinetwork and archery bows
  • Words that mean the same thing: yew
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: YEWS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "32. Funnyman Brooks"

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: MEL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. Piece of furniture often covered with crinkly paper"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: EXAMTABLE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "34. Study of rocks"

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 successive generations of kin
  • Words that mean the same thing: family tree
  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GENEALOGY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "37. What five answers in this puzzle do phonetically, in defiance of their clues?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: TAKEAKNEE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. Language of the Canadian Arctic"

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: INUKTITUT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Conciliatory gesture"

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 piece of solid food for dipping in a liquid
  • Words that mean the same thing: soak through, dowse, standard operating procedure
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SOP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "41. Window frame"

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 framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
  • Words that mean the same thing: girdle, waistband, window sash
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SASH

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. Trim"

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 decrease gradually or bit by bit
  • Words that mean the same thing: skin, pare down, whittle
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PARE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "48. "Sup, bro!""

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: YODUDE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. Yellowstone attraction"

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 spring that discharges hot water and steam
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GEYSER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Work on a tablet"

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: EBOOK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "52. Bay Area athlete, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
  • Words that mean the same thing: IX, 9, nine
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NINER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "53. Kane of "All My Children""

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 plant of the genus erica
  • Words that mean the same thing: true heath
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ERICA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "54. Sightings in the Himalayas"

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 large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the himalayas
  • Words that mean the same thing: abominable snowman, yeti
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: YETIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. Oar"

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 especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
  • Words that mean the same thing: brand, sword, leaf blade
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BLADE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "57. English city where the Who once recorded a top 5 live album"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a city on the river aire in west yorkshire in northern england; a center of the clothing industry
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LEEDS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "59. 11-Across and others"

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 beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
  • Words that mean the same thing: Camellia sinensis, tea leaf, tea
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TEAS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "61. Bumbling bunch"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an awkward stupid person
  • Words that mean the same thing: lout, gawk, oaf
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OAFS

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 62 79.5%
Short Answer 6 7.7%
History 3 3.8%
Celebrity/Entertainment 2 2.6%
Abbreviation 2 2.6%
Geography 2 2.6%
Music 1 1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 40
Down Clues 38
Total Clues 78
Average Answer Length 5.1 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 10 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

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

Last Updated: September 27, 2025 at 04:42 PM

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers January 28, 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: 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. Brazilian berry 4
2A 5. Monster whose gaze remained lethal after her death 6
3A 11. Genre for many a mixtape 3
4A 14. It's not hard! 4
5A 15. Came down, in a way 6
6A 16. Like some angsty teens 3
7A 17. Article of furniture on which a plate of oats might be set? 11
8A 19. Justice's domain 3
9A 20. Deserving a D, say 4
10A 21. 1,000 G's 3
11A 22. Difficult weather condition for driving 4
12A 23. Thick, spiked outer covering? 12
13A 27. Pay attention to, as warnings 4
14A 30. Casting rod? 4
15A 31. ___ Lady (translation of "Notre Dame") 3
16A 32. Number indicating position: Abbr. 3
17A 33. Uttered 4
18A 34. Teenager's response to a dad joke, perhaps 6
19A 37. Relatives in a sty? 7
20A 39. "Throne" for a lion king? 7
21A 40. Arctic fishing shelter 6
22A 41. Dirk Nowitzki's longtime team, to fans 4
23A 42. Sustainability prefix 3
24A 43. Chum 3
25A 44. Royal term of address 4
26A 45. Functions 4
27A 46. Walk from one coop to another? 12
28A 50. Vegetable resembling a spring onion 4
29A 51. Vegas's airport code 3
30A 52. Letters in an envelope? 4
31A 55. Co. name ending 3
32A 56. Being flipped on its back, e.g.? 11
33A 60. Lead-in to ✔ on a boarding pass 3
34A 61. Commercial charges 6
35A 62. Cookie containing about 50 calories 4
36A 63. Tegan vis-à-vis Sara, in pop's Tegan and Sara 3
37A 64. Tyrannical ruler 6
38A 65. Keep ___ on 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Brazilian berry"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Monster whose gaze remained lethal after her death"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) a woman transformed into a gorgon by athena; she was slain by perseus
  • Similar words include: medusan, medusoid
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEDUSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Genre for many a mixtape"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
  • Similar words include: belt, pat, whack
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. It's not hard!"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that yielding readily to pressure or weight
  • Similar words include: balmy, flabby, mild
  • Opposite of: unvoiced, loud
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Came down, in a way"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that precipitate as rain
  • Similar words include: rain, rain down
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAINED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Like some angsty teens"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Article of furniture on which a plate of oats might be set?"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Justice's domain"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the collection of rules imposed by authority
  • Similar words include: police, practice of law, legal philosophy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Deserving a D, say"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people without possessions or wealth (considered as a group)
  • Similar words include: pitiable, poor people, wretched
  • Opposite of: rich, rich people
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. 1,000 G's"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cypriot monetary unit equal to one thousandth of a pound
  • Similar words include: milliliter, Swedish mile, millilitre
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Difficult weather condition for driving"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
  • Similar words include: fog, daze
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Thick, spiked outer covering?"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Pay attention to, as warnings"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
  • Similar words include: regard, listen, paying attention
  • Opposite of: inattentiveness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. Casting rod?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rod used by a magician or water diviner
  • Similar words include: baton, verge, sceptre
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. ___ Lady (translation of "Notre Dame")"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Number indicating position: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Uttered"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express in words
  • Similar words include: read, allege, say
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Teenager's response to a dad joke, perhaps"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Relatives in a sty?"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that leather from the skin of swine
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIGSKIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. "Throne" for a lion king?"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Arctic fishing shelter"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. Dirk Nowitzki's longtime team, to fans"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Sustainability prefix"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Chum"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
  • Similar words include: buddy, crony, sidekick
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "44. Royal term of address"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a title of address formerly used for a man of rank and authority
  • Similar words include: engender, beget, generate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "45. Functions"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of using
  • Similar words include: economic consumption, employ, United States of America
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "46. Walk from one coop to another?"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. Vegetable resembling a spring onion"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that plant having a large slender white bulb and flat overlapping dark green leaves; used in cooking; believed derived from the wild allium ampeloprasum
  • Similar words include: scallion, Allium porrum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. Vegas's airport code"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
  • Similar words include: atomic number 57, LA, lanthanum
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "52. Letters in an envelope?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "55. Co. name ending"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to saddam hussein's government of iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of sunni and shiite arabs and kurds who hope to build a new government
  • Similar words include: Iraqi National Congress
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "56. Being flipped on its back, e.g.?"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "60. Lead-in to ✔ on a boarding pass"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "61. Commercial charges"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "62. Cookie containing about 50 calories"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chocolate cookie with white cream filling
  • Similar words include: oreo cookie
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "63. Tegan vis-à-vis Sara, in pop's Tegan and Sara"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a female person who has the same parents as another person
  • Similar words include: silicon, SI unit, ti
  • Opposite of: brother
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "64. Tyrannical ruler"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cruel and oppressive dictator
  • Similar words include: autocrat, tyrant
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DESPOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "65. Keep ___ on"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bill in a restaurant
  • Similar words include: tablet, chit, lozenge
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. It goes down in flames 3
2D 2. Member-owned business 4
3D 3. Hairstyle popular among the Black Panther Party 4
4D 4. "How strange ..." 6
5D 5. "___ Robinson" (Simon & Garfunkel hit) 3
6D 6. Score points in Pac-Man, say 3
7D 7. Baseball venue 7
8D 8. Remove the ropes from, perhaps 6
9D 9. "Sex ___" (adage) 5
10D 10. Ending with lemon or lime 3
11D 11. Competitions with anchors 10
12D 12. Wow 5
13D 13. Outlet store? 5
14D 18. Muff 3
15D 22. Massive amounts of winnings, so to speak 5
16D 24. Anticipate 5
17D 25. Laundry detergent brand 4
18D 26. Plunders 5
19D 27. Southwest people whose name means "peaceful" 4
20D 28. Children's author Carle 4
21D 29. Toeholds in solving jigsaw puzzles 10
22D 33. Sneak around 5
23D 34. Word after space or screen 5
24D 35. Repellent spray 4
25D 36. Son of Seth 4
26D 38. Humble home 5
27D 39. Mobile food vendor's station 4
28D 41. Stumble 7
29D 44. Wolfs (down) 6
30D 45. What it all comes down to 6
31D 46. Assortment to view on YouTube 5
32D 47. Painter Matisse 5
33D 48. Avoid, as capture 5
34D 49. Org. authorized by the 16th Amendment 3
35D 53. Designer Wang 4
36D 54. Commoner, informally 4
37D 56. Skosh 3
38D 57. Many an August birth 3
39D 58. Winter setting in N.Y.C. 3
40D 59. Día de ___ Muertos 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. It goes down in flames"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the residue that remains when something is burned
  • Similar words include: ash tree
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASH

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2D: "2. Member-owned business"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a farm building for housing poultry
  • Similar words include: cage, chicken coop, henhouse
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COOP

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3D: "3. Hairstyle popular among the Black Panther Party"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rounded thickly curled hairdo
  • Similar words include: Afro hairdo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFRO

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4D: "4. "How strange ...""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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5D: "5. "___ Robinson" (Simon & Garfunkel hit)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a form of address for a married woman
  • Similar words include: Mr, Mister, Mrs.
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MRS

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6D: "6. Score points in Pac-Man, say"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take in solid food
  • Similar words include: wipe out, corrode, deplete
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAT

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7D: "7. Baseball venue"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
  • Similar words include: baseball field, adamant, infield
  • Opposite of: outfield
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIAMOND

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8D: "8. Remove the ropes from, perhaps"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that untie or unfasten
  • Opposite of: bind
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNBIND

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9D: "9. "Sex ___" (adage)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the activity of persuading someone to buy
  • Similar words include: sell, betray, deal
  • Opposite of: buy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SELLS

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10D: "10. Ending with lemon or lime"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice
  • Similar words include: fruit drink
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADE

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11D: "11. Competitions with anchors"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RELAYRACES

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12D: "12. Wow"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that affect with wonder
  • Similar words include: nonplus, perplex, mystify
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMAZE

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13D: "13. Outlet store?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that possession of controlling influence
  • Similar words include: major power, mogul, might
  • Opposite of: inability, powerlessness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POWER

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14D: "18. Muff"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to make a mistake or be incorrect
  • Similar words include: slip, stray, drift
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERR

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15D: "22. Massive amounts of winnings, so to speak"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of drawing or hauling something
  • Similar words include: catch, haulage, cart
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAULS

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16D: "24. Anticipate"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that look forward to the probable occurrence of
  • Similar words include: wait, look, expect
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWAIT

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17D: "25. Laundry detergent brand"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity that is added
  • Similar words include: addition, make headway, advance
  • Opposite of: loss, fall back
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAIN

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18D: "26. Plunders"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goods or money obtained illegally
  • Similar words include: bread, dinero, dough
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOTS

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19D: "27. Southwest people whose name means "peaceful""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the shoshonean people of northeastern arizona
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOPI

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20D: "28. Children's author Carle"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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21D: "29. Toeholds in solving jigsaw puzzles"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGEPIECES

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22D: "33. Sneak around"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
  • Similar words include: lurk, malinger
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKULK

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23D: "34. Word after space or screen"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who saves something from danger or violence
  • Similar words include: rescuer, recoverer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAVER

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24D: "35. Repellent spray"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

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: macer, macebearer, Chemical Mace
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MACE

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25D: "36. Son of Seth"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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26D: "38. Humble home"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small crude shelter used as a dwelling
  • Similar words include: domiciliate, domicile, hut
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHACK

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27D: "39. Mobile food vendor's station"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal
  • Similar words include: go-cart, drag, haul
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CART

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28D: "41. Stumble"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unintentional but embarrassing blunder
  • Similar words include: trip, stumble, trip-up
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MISSTEP

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29D: "44. Wolfs (down)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make off with belongings of others
  • Similar words include: nobble, snarf, swipe
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNARFS

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30D: "45. What it all comes down to"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
  • Similar words include: event, issue, result
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UPSHOT

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31D: "46. Assortment to view on YouTube"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metal frame or container holding cartridges; can be inserted into an automatic gun
  • Similar words include: nip off, crop, curtail
  • Opposite of: unclip
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLIPS

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32D: "47. Painter Matisse"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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33D: "48. Avoid, as capture"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that escape, either physically or mentally
  • Similar words include: dodge, parry, circumvent
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELUDE

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34D: "49. Org. authorized by the 16th Amendment"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bureau of the treasury department responsible for tax collections
  • Similar words include: Internal Revenue Service
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRS

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35D: "53. Designer Wang"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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36D: "54. Commoner, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the common people
  • Similar words include: plebeian
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLEB

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37D: "56. Skosh"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slight amount or degree of difference
  • Similar words include: shade
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAD

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38D: "57. Many an August birth"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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39D: "58. Winter setting in N.Y.C."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
  • Similar words include: Eastern Standard Time, Eastern Time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EST

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40D: "59. Día de ___ Muertos"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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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

38 Across Clues
40 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

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Last updated: January 28, 2026 at 04:29 AM