27434 Sat Dec 21, 2024 NY Times Crossword Clues Hints

Break down the NYT Crosswords: December 21, 2024

Let's go into the puzzle, starting with the across clues and answers, followed by the down clues and answers.

Across Clues with Answers:

• The clue is 1. Shifty little sucker?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: BENDYSTRAW




• The clue is 11. C.D., e.g.: Abbr.. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ACCT




• The clue is 15. Madrid's Teatro Real, for one. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: OPERAHOUSE




• The clue is 16. Character who says "I am short, fat and proud of that". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: POOH




• The clue is 17. The "King of Mambo". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: TITOPUENTE




• The clue is 18. Austrian composer Mahler. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ALMA




• The clue is 19. No longer waffle. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: OPT

  Possible Answer : prefer, choose, opt




• The clue is 20. Pill alternatives, in brief. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: IUDS

  Possible Answer : IUD, intrauterine_device




• The clue is 22. Returner's call. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: LET

  Possible Answer : permit, have, rent, get, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Lashkar-e-Toiba, lease, Army_of_the_Righteous, LET, net_ball, countenance, Army_of_the_Pure, let, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, allow

  Possible Opposite Answer : prevent, forbid, disallow




• The clue is 23. À la king?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: NOBLY

  Possible Answer : nobly




• The clue is 26. Reason for foot-tapping. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: ANTSINESS




• The clue is 28. Lines in bars. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: URLS

  Possible Answer : universal_resource_locator, uniform_resource_locator, URL




• The clue is 29. Confirmation, for one. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: RITE

  Possible Answer : religious_rite, ritual, rite




• The clue is 30. Mount ___, Canada's highest peak. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: LOGAN

  Possible Answer : Mount_Logan, Logan




• The clue is 31. Certain tech exec. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: CIO

  Possible Answer : CIO, Congress_of_Industrial_Organizations




• The clue is 32. Chinese dog breed, for short. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: PEKE

  Possible Answer : Peke, Pekinese, Pekingese




• The clue is 33. All the greater. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: MORESO




• The clue is 34. Alabama is in it, but Alaska is not. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (15 letters)

  The answer: LOWERFORTYEIGHT




• The clue is 37. Adds to the code, say. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: ENACTS

  Possible Answer : enact, ordain, act_out, reenact




• The clue is 38. Stake. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: FUND

  Possible Answer : store, stock, investment_company, investment_firm, fund, monetary_fund, investment_trust




• The clue is 39. Apt name for a thief. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: ROB

  Possible Answer : surcharge, plume, rob, hook, soak, gazump, fleece, overcharge, pluck

  Possible Opposite Answer : undercharge




• The clue is 40. "The Hate U Give" author Thomas. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: ANGIE




• The clue is 41. First name in country. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: REBA




• The clue is 42. Rooney of "Women Talking". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: MARA

  Possible Answer : mara, Mara, Dolichotis_patagonum




• The clue is 43. Most of the 1980s. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: REAGANERA




• The clue is 45. Slogged (through). Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: WADED

  Possible Answer : chock_up, bundle, jam, ram, compact, wade, jampack, cram, pack, wad




• The clue is 46. Its first airing was "The French Chef" with Julia Child. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: PBS

  Possible Answer : petabit, PiB, pebibyte, atomic_number_82, PB, petabyte, PBS, lead, Pb, phosphate_buffer_solution, Pbit




• The clue is 47. "And the ___ raths outgrabe" ("Jabberwocky" line). Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: MOME




• The clue is 48. Exclamation with a shake. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: BRR




• The clue is 49. Black-and-white divers. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: AUKS

  Possible Answer : auk




• The clue is 51. It's a little shady. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: BONSAITREE




• The clue is 56. Last ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, familiarly. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: CLEO




• The clue is 57. "Worth a shot". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: ITCANTHURT




• The clue is 58. What some people display after getting stuck?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: TATS

  Possible Answer : intertwine, cheapness, TAT, Thematic_Apperception_Test, tackiness, sleaze, tat




• The clue is 59. Far below the surface. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: DEEPSEATED

Down Clues and Answers:

• The clue is 1. X follower, perhaps. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: BOT

  Possible Answer: bot

• The clue is 2. Lead-in to -gram. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: EPI

  Possible Answer: EPI, Eysenck_Personality_Inventory

• The clue is 3. Losing athlete in the 2002 and 2003 N.B.A. Finals. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: NET

  Possible Answer: lucre, sack_up, final, meshing, web, last, profit, mesh, internet, net_profit, profits, clear, sack, cyberspace, nett, earnings, meshwork, network, net, net_income

  Possible Opposite Answer : gross

• The clue is 4. Runs off at the mouth?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: DROOLS

  Possible Answer: humbug, bosh, drivel, tosh, slobber, bilgewater, slabber, tarradiddle, salivate, boloney, slaver, dribble, twaddle, drool, taradiddle, baloney, tommyrot

• The clue is 5. Like a noisy toy. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: YAPPY

• The clue is 6. Turned (off). Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: SHUT

  Possible Answer: keep_out, exclude, shut, shut_out, close, unopen, closed

  Possible Opposite Answer : admit, open

• The clue is 7. Oft-kissed part of the statue of St. Peter in Vatican City. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: TOE

  Possible Answer: toe, toenail

• The clue is 8. Shield, with "for". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (15 letters)

  The answer: RUNINTERFERENCE

• The clue is 9. Not born yesterday, so to speak. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: ASTUTE

  Possible Answer: astute, sharp, shrewd

• The clue is 10. Bed hogs, at times. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: WEEDS

  Possible Answer: locoweed, Mary_Jane, weeds, smoke, weed, pot, widow's_weeds, gage, sens, green_goddess, dope, sess, grass, skunk, mourning_band

  Possible Opposite Answer : cultivated_plant

• The clue is 11. Shrinks' org.. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: APA

• The clue is 12. One who's made it to some degree?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: COLLEGEGRAD

• The clue is 13. Lands. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: COMESASHORE

• The clue is 14. "I kinda like it!". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: THATSNOTBAD

• The clue is 21. Isolated. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: SILOED

• The clue is 23. SALT, but not PEPPER. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: NUCLEARPACT

• The clue is 24. Star-forming region nearest to Earth. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: ORIONNEBULA

• The clue is 25. Go ballistic. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: BLOWAGASKET

• The clue is 26. Jhené ___, Grammy-nominated R&B singer. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: AIKO

• The clue is 27. Japanese food that's a good source of what it spells backward. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: NORI

• The clue is 29. Some who whistle while they work. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: REFS

  Possible Answer: referee, ref

• The clue is 32. Comms group. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: PRTEAM

• The clue is 33. Noisy Asian bird. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: MYNA

  Possible Answer: mynah, mynah_bird, myna_bird, myna, mina, minah

• The clue is 35. Pen for a hit. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ECIG

• The clue is 36. Latin for "trumpet". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: TUBA

  Possible Answer: sousaphone, bass_horn, tuba

• The clue is 41. Like many on a Zoom call. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: REMOTE

  Possible Answer: removed, remote, remote_control, outside, distant, outback

  Possible Opposite Answer : close

• The clue is 42. Vineyard eponym. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: MARTHA

• The clue is 44. Like a sole-source contract. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: NOBID

• The clue is 45. Form letters?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: WRITE

  Possible Answer: drop_a_line, pen, compose, save, spell, write, publish, indite

• The clue is 48. Blue laws, e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: BANS

  Possible Answer: ostracise, shun, cast_out, proscription, prohibition, ban, banish, BAN, forbidding, Bachelor_of_Arts_in_Nursing, banning, ostracize, censor, forbiddance, blackball

• The clue is 50. This means trouble. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: SOS

  Possible Answer: sol, soh, SOS, so

• The clue is 52. Woodpecker's fare. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: SAP

  Possible Answer: cosh, run_down, muggins, play_out, sap, exhaust, tire, saphead, fool, tomfool, blackjack

• The clue is 53. Bad place to be stuck. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: RUT

  Possible Answer: estrus, rut, furrow, groove, oestrus, heat

  Possible Opposite Answer : anestrus

• The clue is 54. Short palindrome in the middle of a famous longer one. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: ERE

• The clue is 55. Track stat. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: ETD

  Possible Answer: explosive_trace_detection, ETD

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 27, 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 (30 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (40 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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. Coinage of the early 2000s?	15
2A	16. Sierra Nevada product	15
3A	17. Jeans material for a worn-out look	15
4A	18. Email folder	6
5A	19. Bear up?	4
6A	20. Most important part	3
7A	21. "___-roh!" (cry from Astro on "The Jetsons")	3
8A	22. Jerk	3
9A	23. Bird that Zeus disguised himself as in a much-told Greek myth	4
10A	25. Traditional folk dance	4
11A	27. Pantheon feature	7
12A	29. Rita on "The Masked Singer"	3
13A	30. Challenge	4
14A	31. Car requirement beginning in 1998	6
15A	35. "___ regards ..." (letter sign-off)	7
16A	37. Raw, in a way	7
17A	38. Remove from office	6
18A	39. "It ___ easy"	4
19A	40. N.Y.P.D. rank: Abbr.	3
20A	41. Prepares, as coq au vin	7
21A	43. Chinese menu possessive	4
22A	44. Steps in diagnosing A.C.L. injuries, perhaps	4
23A	46. Carton amts.	3
24A	47. ___-de-sac	3
25A	48. Kung ___ chicken	3
26A	49. Concerning	4
27A	51. ___ the Great, king of ancient Persia	6
28A	54. Create a distraction, so to speak	15
29A	57. Heroine in the "Fifty Shades of Grey" books	15
30A	58. Midwest city dubbed the "Little Apple"	15

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Coinage of the early 2000s?"

15 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SACAGAWEADOLLAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "16. Sierra Nevada product"

15 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMERICANPALEALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "17. Jeans material for a worn-out look"

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DISTRESSEDDENIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "18. Email folder"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another
• Similar words include: potation, drawing, outline
• Opposite of: discharge

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRAFTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "19. Bear up?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: URSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "20. Most important part"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "21. "___-roh!" (cry from Astro on "The Jetsons")"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RUH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "22. Jerk"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a local and habitual twitching especially in the face
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "23. Bird that Zeus disguised himself as in a much-told Greek myth"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult
• Similar words include: roll, roam, drift
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SWAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "25. Traditional folk dance"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
• Similar words include: Scottish reel, lurch, spin around
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "27. Pantheon feature"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a building having a circular plan and a dome
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROTUNDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "29. Rita on "The Masked Singer""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
• Similar words include: osmium, OS, Os
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Challenge"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "31. Car requirement beginning in 1998"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AIRBAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "35. "___ regards ..." (letter sign-off)"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
• Similar words include: tolerant, genial, kind
• Opposite of: unkind

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KINDEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "37. Raw, in a way"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TARTARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "38. Remove from office"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that remove from political office
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNSEAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. "It ___ easy""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AINT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. N.Y.P.D. rank: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SGT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Prepares, as coq au vin"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cook in liquid
• Similar words include: braise
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BRAISES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Chinese menu possessive"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TSOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Steps in diagnosing A.C.L. injuries, perhaps"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the use of nuclear magnetic resonance of protons to produce proton density images
• Similar words include: magnetic resonance imaging, MRI
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MRIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Carton amts."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: QTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. ___-de-sac"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a passage with access only at one end
• Similar words include: cul de sac, dead end
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CUL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Kung ___ chicken"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Concerning"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. ___ the Great, king of ancient Persia"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DARIUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Create a distraction, so to speak"

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RUNINTERFERENCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "57. Heroine in the "Fifty Shades of Grey" books"

15 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANASTASIASTEELE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. Midwest city dubbed the "Little Apple""

15 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MANHATTANKANSAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Travel safety grp. at school	4
2D	2. Arabic male name meaning "prince"	4
3D	3. Delivery methods?	9
4D	4. Slick, say	6
5D	5. Tailor's measurement	5
6D	6. Three-time W.N.B.A. champs of the 2020s	4
7D	7. Happened	3
8D	8. Adjoining, in a way	7
9D	9. Illuminating point	6
10D	10. Soda brand since 1937	4
11D	11. Antediluvian	9
12D	12. Second-most-common surname in Korea, after Kim	3
13D	13. Sri ___	5
14D	14. World traveler?	5
15D	15. Big name in Cognac	4
16D	22. Suit material?	4
17D	24. Blemish	4
18D	25. Modern streaming device	4
19D	26. You can find her in this clue (hidden!)	4
20D	27. Like Snoop Dogg, faith-wise, when he changed his name to Snoop Lion	5
21D	28. Flatbread choices	5
22D	30. Start of a child's letter	9
23D	32. Funk music features	9
24D	33. Carrier of the Golden Fleece	4
25D	34. Picks up	4
26D	36. Actress Mazar	4
27D	37. Hitches	4
28D	39. Neighborhood in New York City where Zohran Mamdani lived before being elected the city's mayor	7
29D	42. Brightness measurement of a sort	6
30D	43. Serving piece	6
31D	44. Hawaiian for "mountain"	5
32D	45. Saoirse of 2019's "Little Women"	5
33D	47. Magna ___	5
34D	48. Carriage in Coventry	4
35D	50. "Right away!"	4
36D	51. Secretary, for example	4
37D	52. Where Jackie Robinson played four(!) college sports, in brief	4
38D	53. Accompanies (to)	4
39D	55. Standoff's conclusion?	3
40D	56. Blow air on	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Travel safety grp. at school"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SADD

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2D: "2. Arabic male name meaning "prince""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMIR

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3D: "3. Delivery methods?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the delivery of a fetus by surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus (from the belief that julius caesar was born that way)
• Similar words include: cesarean section, abdominal delivery, cesarean delivery
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CESAREANS

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4D: "4. Slick, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness; - david cannadine
• Similar words include: disingenuous
• Opposite of: artless, ingenuous

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARTFUL

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5D: "5. Tailor's measurement"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the distance around a person's body
• Similar words include: cinch
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GIRTH

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6D: "6. Three-time W.N.B.A. champs of the 2020s"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Similar words include: breeze through, sail through, maven
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACES

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7D: "7. Happened"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a state in northwestern united states on the pacific
• Similar words include: personify, exist, make up
• Opposite of: differ

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WAS

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8D: "8. Adjoining, in a way"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENSUITE

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9D: "9. Illuminating point"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a short synopsis
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APERCU

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10D: "10. Soda brand since 1937"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
• Similar words include: pop, dad, pappa
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DADS

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11D: "11. Antediluvian"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLDASDIRT

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12D: "12. Second-most-common surname in Korea, after Kim"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in america (born in 1957)
• Similar words include: Robert E. Lee, Shelton Jackson Lee, Rose Louise Hovick
• Opposite of: windward

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEE

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13D: "13. Sri ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LANKA

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14D: "14. World traveler?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALIEN

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15D: "15. Big name in Cognac"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REMY

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16D: "22. Suit material?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (law) any wrongdoing for which an action for damages may be brought
• Similar words include: civil wrong
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TORT

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17D: "24. Blemish"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any small rounded protuberance (as on certain plants or animals)
• Similar words include: verruca
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WART

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18D: "25. Modern streaming device"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROKU

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19D: "26. You can find her in this clue (hidden!)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an early name of ireland that is now used in poetry
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERIN

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20D: "27. Like Snoop Dogg, faith-wise, when he changed his name to Snoop Lion"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that follower of rastafarianism
• Similar words include: Rastafarian
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RASTA

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21D: "28. Flatbread choices"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that leavened bread baked in a clay oven in india; usually shaped like a teardrop
• Similar words include: nan, naan
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAANS

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22D: "30. Start of a child's letter"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEARSANTA

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23D: "32. Funk music features"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BASSLINES

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24D: "33. Carrier of the Golden Fleece"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that formerly a large constellation in the southern hemisphere between canis major and the southern cross; now divided into carina and pyxis and puppis and vela
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARGO

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25D: "34. Picks up"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
• Similar words include: pay back, start, find
• Opposite of: end, leave

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GETS

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26D: "36. Actress Mazar"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEBI

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27D: "37. Hitches"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
• Similar words include: association, tie beam, standoff
• Opposite of: untie, disconnect

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIES

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28D: "39. Neighborhood in New York City where Zohran Mamdani lived before being elected the city's mayor"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASTORIA

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29D: "42. Brightness measurement of a sort"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IQTEST

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30D: "43. Serving piece"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that large deep serving dish with a cover; for serving soups and stews
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TUREEN

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31D: "44. Hawaiian for "mountain""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAUNA

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32D: "45. Saoirse of 2019's "Little Women""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RONAN

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33D: "47. Magna ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CARTA

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34D: "48. Carriage in Coventry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small vehicle with four wheels in which a baby or child is pushed around
• Similar words include: pusher, baby buggy, perambulator
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PRAM

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35D: "50. "Right away!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STAT

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36D: "51. Secretary, for example"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DESK

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37D: "52. Where Jackie Robinson played four(!) college sports, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UCLA

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38D: "53. Accompanies (to)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
• Similar words include: realise, get wind, find
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEES

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39D: "55. Standoff's conclusion?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISH

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40D: "56. Blow air on"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces
• Similar words include: buff, sports fan, lover
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

30 Across Clues

40 Down Clues

70 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 27, 2026 at 04:59 AM