27444 Tue Dec 31, 2024 NY Times Crossword Clues Hints

Break down the NYT Crosswords: December 31, 2024

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

Tue Dec 31, 2024 NY Times

Across Clues with Answers:

• The clue is 1. A little off. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ASKEW

  Possible Answer : skew-whiff, awry, cockeyed, askew, wonky, lopsided




• The clue is 6. Drive crazy?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SPEED

  Possible Answer : fastness, step_on_it, rush, bucket_along, speeding, stop_number, focal_ratio, amphetamine, quicken, rush_along, hurrying, velocity, swiftness, speed_up, pelt_along, upper, hasten, speed, f_number, travel_rapidly, cannonball_along, hotfoot, belt_along, accelerate, hie, pep_pill, hurry, zip, race

  Possible Opposite Answer : decelerate, linger




• The clue is 11. Loops in on an email, for short. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CCS

  Possible Answer : mil, ml, cubic_centimeter, millilitre, cc, milliliter, cubic_centimetre




• The clue is 14. Jewish mourning period. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SHIVA

  Possible Answer : Siva, shivah, shiva, Shiva, shibah




• The clue is 15. ___-turvy. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TOPSY




• The clue is 16. Soccer stadium chant. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OLE




• The clue is 17. VOLT, AMP. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: POWERCOUPLE




• The clue is 19. One might get tacked on right before purchase. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: FEE

  Possible Answer : fee, bung, tip




• The clue is 20. Go around in circles. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SPIN

  Possible Answer : birl, twisting, gyrate, spin_around, whirl, twirl, spin, tailspin, spin_out, twist, reel




• The clue is 21. Bands' successes. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HITS

  Possible Answer : hit, bang, rack_up, make, dispatch, strike, score, collision, attain, off, shoot, impinge_on, bump_off, collide_with, smash, remove, striking, gain, smasher, stumble, run_into, pip, tally, hitting, murder, slay, polish_off, reach, arrive_at, come_to

  Possible Opposite Answer : miss




• The clue is 22. Disney villain with a pet parrot. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: JAFAR

  Possible Answer : Jaffar, Jaffar_Umar_Thalib, Jafar, Jafar_Umar_Thalib




• The clue is 24. "Beowulf" and the "Mahabharata," for two. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EPICS

  Possible Answer : epic_poem, epos, epic, heroic_poem




• The clue is 26. Apple gadgets. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CORERS

  Possible Answer : corer




• The clue is 27. First, as a voyage. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MAIDEN

  Possible Answer : initiatory, first, maid, initiative, maiden_over, inaugural, maiden




• The clue is 30. Buffalo N.H.L.ers. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SABRES

  Possible Answer : sabre, saber, cavalry_sword




• The clue is 31. Summer setting in D.C.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EDT




• The clue is 32. PUNCH, WALLOP. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PAIROFSOCKS




• The clue is 36. Member of K-pop's Blackpink. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LISA




• The clue is 38. Oui's opposite. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NON

  Possible Answer : not, non




• The clue is 39. "Hold your horses!". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: WAIT

  Possible Answer : waitress, delay, hold_back, time_lag, wait, await, hold_off, hold, waiting, expect, postponement, look




• The clue is 40. FINGER, TOE. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DOUBLEDIGIT




• The clue is 45. Mauna ___. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: KEA

  Possible Answer : kea, Nestor_notabilis




• The clue is 46. Adjective in the theme of "The Addams Family". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SPOOKY

  Possible Answer : skittish, nervous, flighty, spooky




• The clue is 47. Superlatively impolite. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RUDEST

  Possible Answer : bad-mannered, uncivil, primitive, bounderish, raw, unmannerly, ill-mannered, crude, unmannered, natural, yokelish, ill-bred, underbred, rude, lowbred

  Possible Opposite Answer : civil




• The clue is 49. Grow up. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MATURE

  Possible Answer : get_on, ripen, age, mature, matured, senesce, fledged, suppurate, maturate, grow, ripe

  Possible Opposite Answer : immature, green, unfledged




• The clue is 50. Orange box. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CRATE

  Possible Answer : crateful, crate

  Possible Opposite Answer : uncrate




• The clue is 52. Act theatrically. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EMOTE

  Possible Answer : emote




• The clue is 53. Cause of a grimace. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PAIN

  Possible Answer : hurting, pain_sensation, painful_sensation, annoyance, botheration, infliction, ail, hurt, trouble, pain, pain_in_the_neck, bother, painfulness, anguish, pain_in_the_ass, nuisance

  Possible Opposite Answer : pleasure




• The clue is 54. Present day, in brief. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: XMAS

  Possible Answer : Dec_25, Christmas, Christmas_Day, Xmas




• The clue is 58. Like some simple home-improvement projects, for short. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DIY




• The clue is 59. HINT, TIP. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TWOPOINTERS




• The clue is 62. In years past. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AGO

  Possible Answer : agone, ago




• The clue is 63. Core belief. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TENET

  Possible Answer : tenet, dogma




• The clue is 64. Got going. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BEGAN

  Possible Answer : set_out, lead_off, start, start_out, set_about, begin, commence, get, get_down

  Possible Opposite Answer : end




• The clue is 65. Singer Bega a.k.a. "The King of Mambo". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LOU




• The clue is 66. Bottomless pit. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ABYSS

  Possible Answer : abyss, abysm




• The clue is 67. 10-legged creatures. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CRABS

  Possible Answer : bitch, crabby_person, Phthirius_pubis, beef, bellyache, Crab, holler, crab, crabmeat, crab_louse, gripe, Cancer_the_Crab, pubic_louse, crabs, grouse, squawk, pediculosis_pubis, Cancer

Down Clues and Answers:

• The clue is 1. Nile reptiles. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ASPS

  Possible Answer: Naja_haje, asp, Vipera_aspis, asp_viper, Egyptian_cobra

• The clue is 2. Word after talk or gift. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SHOP

  Possible Answer: tell_on, browse, store, betray, give_away, shop_class, sponsor, patronise, stag, buy_at, rat, frequent, snitch, shop_at, denounce, shit, shop, workshop, patronize, grass

  Possible Opposite Answer : boycott

• The clue is 3. Green fruit. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: KIWI

  Possible Answer: kiwi, New_Zealander, apteryx, Chinese_gooseberry, kiwi_vine, Actinidia_deliciosa, Actinidia_chinensis, Kiwi, kiwi_fruit

• The clue is 4. Smoothed out. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EVENED

  Possible Answer: flush, even, level, even_out

• The clue is 5. Simple two-player card game. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: WAR

  Possible Answer: war, state_of_war, warfare

  Possible Opposite Answer : make_peace, peace

• The clue is 6. Stone-faced. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: STOIC

  Possible Answer: Stoic, stoical, unemotional_person, stoic

  Possible Opposite Answer : emotional_person

• The clue is 7. Sulks. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: POUTS

  Possible Answer: pout, sulk, Ameiurus_Melas, mop, hornpout, wry_face, horned_pout, eelpout, mow, brood, moue

• The clue is 8. Actor Mike or Omar. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EPPS

• The clue is 9. Subj. for some immigrants. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ESL

• The clue is 10. Certain salon offerings. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: DYEJOBS

• The clue is 11. Sweet treat that often has a crumb topping. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: COFFEECAKE

  Possible Answer: coffeecake, coffee_cake

• The clue is 12. Sunny forecast. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CLEARSKIES

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

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

  The answer: SEERS

  Possible Answer: prophet, visionary, oracle, prophesier, seer, illusionist, vaticinator

• The clue is 18. "Nixon in ___" (John Adams opera). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CHINA

  Possible Answer: China, mainland_China, Red_China, PRC, Communist_China, china, Republic_of_China, Cathay, Taiwan, People's_Republic_of_China, Nationalist_China, chinaware

• The clue is 23. The In-N-Out Burger logo has a yellow one. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARROW

  Possible Answer: pointer, arrow

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

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

  The answer: PEP

  Possible Answer: peppiness, pep, ginger

• The clue is 26. Half-___ (latte option). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CAF

• The clue is 27. Gin rummy combo. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MELD

  Possible Answer: immix, coalesce, meld, fuse, flux, merge, melt, canasta, commingle, blend, combine, basket_rummy, conflate, mix

• The clue is 28. Alternative to "Hasta la vista". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ADIOSAMIGO

• The clue is 29. "I can't do anything in this case". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ITSUPTOYOU

• The clue is 30. Police work?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SONG

  Possible Answer: Song, call, Sung, birdsong, birdcall, song, strain, Song_dynasty, vocal, Sung_dynasty

• The clue is 33. ___ 500. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: INDY

• The clue is 34. French king. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ROI

  Possible Answer: return_on_investment, return_on_invested_capital, ROI

• The clue is 35. Doctor's "Now!". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: STAT

• The clue is 37. On the topic of. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ABOUT

  Possible Answer: most, astir, about, nearly, approximately, near, around, well-nigh, nigh, roughly, more_or_less, some, virtually, just_about, or_so, close_to, almost

• The clue is 41. Country legend Lynn. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: LORETTA

• The clue is 42. Scratch (out). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EKE

• The clue is 43. Neighbor of an Afghan. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: IRANI

  Possible Answer: Persian, Irani, Iranian

• The clue is 44. Boy king of Egypt. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TUT

  Possible Answer: tsk, tut, tut-tut

• The clue is 48. Showtime drama with a serial-killer protagonist. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DEXTER

  Possible Answer: dexter

• The clue is 49. Gold, silver or bronze. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MEDAL

  Possible Answer: decoration, medal, medallion, palm, ribbon, laurel_wreath

• The clue is 50. Certain superhero accessories. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CAPES

  Possible Answer: crest, cape, mantle, ness, cap

• The clue is 51. Unruly uprisings. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RIOTS

  Possible Answer: riot, thigh-slapper, wow, bacchanal, belly_laugh, debauchery, sidesplitter, scream, saturnalia, bacchanalia, howler, drunken_revelry, rioting, carouse, roister, debauch, orgy, public_violence

• The clue is 53. Yankee Doodle's method of transport. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PONY

  Possible Answer: crib, trot, jigger, shot_glass, pony

• The clue is 55. ___ Millions. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MEGA

• The clue is 56. Part of U.A.E.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARAB

  Possible Answer: Arabian, Arab

• The clue is 57. Nine-digit government IDs. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SSNS

• The clue is 60. Fly catcher. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: WEB

  Possible Answer: WWW, vane, net, network, entanglement, World_Wide_Web, web

• The clue is 61. "S.N.L." network. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NBC

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 25, 2025 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (31 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (35 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Calendar month between Sha'ban and Shawwal	7
2A	8. Some solid marks	7
3A	15. "Here's the hard truth …"	15
4A	17. 46 years?	15
5A	18. Sudden movement	5
6A	19. Pinched	5
7A	20. ___ Maroni, Gotham City mobster in the DC Comics universe	3
8A	21. Runs superbly	4
9A	22. Bug	5
10A	23. Word on either side of "against"	4
11A	24. 1992 U2 hit inspired by German reunification	3
12A	25. Busby Berkeley musical film that introduced "I Only Have Eyes for You"	5
13A	26. Printing mark whose name is from the Latin for "is lacking"	5
14A	27. Financial reporter?	8
15A	29. Balances	6
16A	30. "You've called at a bad time"	9
17A	32. Heads	6
18A	35. Shiva, for example	8
19A	39. Suffix meaning "rule"	5
20A	40. Combinations with numbers and sets	5
21A	41. 24-Across co-producer, whose name is the song title spelled backward	3
22A	42. Climax of operational planning	4
23A	43. Brand for which General Foods distributed orange-handled coffeepots to restaurants	5
24A	44. Core supporters	4
25A	45. Ferrer who co-starred in "War and Peace," 1956	3
26A	46. Shot-putter?	5
27A	47. Baba ghanouj, e.g.	5
28A	48. Where gold "beaver coins" were used as currency	15
29A	51. Green suit?	15
30A	52. Pricey catering option	7
31A	53. Scuffled, in dialect	7

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Calendar month between Sha'ban and Shawwal"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the ninth month of the islamic calendar; the month of fasting; the holiest period for the islamic faith
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAMADAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "8. Some solid marks"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BPLUSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. "Here's the hard truth …""

15 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IHAVETOBEHONEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "17. 46 years?"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BIDENPRESIDENCY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "18. Sudden movement"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the beginning of anything
• Similar words include: first, offset, start up
• Opposite of: finish, end

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: START

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "19. Pinched"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
• Similar words include: steal, slip
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STOLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "20. ___ Maroni, Gotham City mobster in the DC Comics universe"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. Runs superbly"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity
• Similar words include: HUM, thrum, seethe
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Bug"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GETTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. Word on either side of "against""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a specific instance of feeling hopeful
• Similar words include: Bob Hope, trust, go for
• Opposite of: despair

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. 1992 U2 hit inspired by German reunification"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Similar words include: unrivaled, single, ace
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Busby Berkeley musical film that introduced "I Only Have Eyes for You""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that informal terms for a (young) woman
• Similar words include: dame, skirt, bird
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DAMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Printing mark whose name is from the Latin for "is lacking""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mark used by an author or editor to indicate where something is to be inserted into a text
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CARET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Financial reporter?"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TAXFILER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Balances"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a cgs unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter; the viscosity of a fluid in which a force of one dyne per square centimeter maintains a velocity of 1 centimeter per second
• Similar words include: cool, assuredness, brace
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POISES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. "You've called at a bad time""

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICANTTALK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Heads"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person who exercises control over workers
• Similar words include: emboss, chief, gaffer
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BOSSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Shiva, for example"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HINDUGOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Suffix meaning "rule""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARCHY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Combinations with numbers and sets"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an unofficial association of people or groups
• Similar words include: isthmus, banding, striation
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BANDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. 24-Across co-producer, whose name is the song title spelled backward"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Climax of operational planning"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DDAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Brand for which General Foods distributed orange-handled coffeepots to restaurants"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SANKA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Core supporters"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that installation from which a military force initiates operations
• Similar words include: base of operations, foundation, substructure
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "45. Ferrer who co-starred in "War and Peace," 1956"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "46. Shot-putter?"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)
• Similar words include: harbor, suck, nursemaid
• Opposite of: bottlefeed

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NURSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Baba ghanouj, e.g."

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that food prepared by cooking and straining or processed in a blender
• Similar words include: strain
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PUREE

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28A: "48. Where gold "beaver coins" were used as currency"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OREGONTERRITORY

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29A: "51. Green suit?"

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JUNIOREXECUTIVE

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30A: "52. Pricey catering option"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OPENBAR

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31A: "53. Scuffled, in dialect"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RASSLED

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Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Sharp blow to the chest	7
2D	2. Staple in a poke bowl	7
3D	3. Titular figure in a scandalous John Singer Sargent portrait	7
4D	4. Maintains	5
5D	5. Negative impression	4
6D	6. Sports org. in the 2024 film "Challengers"	3
7D	7. Longship builders	8
8D	8. Intoxicates	6
9D	9. ___ Farnsworth, inventor dubbed "The Father of Television"	5
10D	10. Treasure hunter's find	4
11D	11. La ___ (leading Belgian French-language TV channel)	3
12D	12. Mocap suit components	7
13D	13. Break character?	7
14D	14. Slender hospital tools	7
15D	16. Especially gratifying, so to speak	13
16D	22. Done-up dos	5
17D	23. Eastern lines	5
18D	25. Very iffy	5
19D	26. They might go faster with zinc	5
20D	28. Suspect	5
21D	29. British slang for a police car	5
22D	31. Improviser at a workbench	8
23D	32. Cursed vibe	7
24D	33. Call at the plate?	7
25D	34. Geometry term from the Greek for "uneven"	7
26D	36. Application for smoother shifting	7
27D	37. Even, or nearly so, at Wimbledon	7
28D	38. Naïve-looking, in a way	7
29D	40. Transaction with no money down	6
30D	43. Leader of the Afrofuturistic jazz collective Arkestra for almost four decades	5
31D	44. Seat fillers	5
32D	46. Greenhorn, informally	4
33D	47. Oldest four-letter papal name	4
34D	49. Call in a card game	3
35D	50. Early major producer of vacuum tubes	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Sharp blow to the chest"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RIBSHOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Staple in a poke bowl"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AHITUNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Titular figure in a scandalous John Singer Sargent portrait"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MADAMEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Maintains"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that report or maintain
• Similar words include: swan, say, swear
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Negative impression"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an appreciable consequence (especially a lessening)
• Similar words include: gouge, indent, ding
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Sports org. in the 2024 film "Challengers""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a nucleotide derived from adenosine that occurs in muscle tissue; the major source of energy for cellular reactions
• Similar words include: adenosine triphosphate
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Longship builders"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a native or inhabitant of norway
• Similar words include: Norse, Norwegian, Norseman
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NORSEMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Intoxicates"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that make dull or stupid or muddle with drunkenness or infatuation
• Similar words include: besot, stupefy
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BESOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. ___ Farnsworth, inventor dubbed "The Father of Television""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PHILO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Treasure hunter's find"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks
• Similar words include: load
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LODE

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11D: "11. La ___ (leading Belgian French-language TV channel)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Mocap suit components"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SENSORS

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13D: "13. Break character?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that someone who escapes
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESCAPEE

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14D: "14. Slender hospital tools"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that small needlelike appendage; especially the feeding organ of a tardigrade
• Similar words include: stylet
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STYLETS

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15D: "16. Especially gratifying, so to speak"

13 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BETTERTHANSEX

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16D: "22. Done-up dos"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a gay festivity
• Similar words include: jamboree, blowout, gala
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GALAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Eastern lines"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an epigrammatic japanese verse form of three short lines
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAIKU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Very iffy"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of uncertain outcome; especially fraught with risk; - new yorker
• Similar words include: chancy, chanceful, dodgy
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DICEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. They might go faster with zinc"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs)
• Similar words include: coldness, low temperature, common cold
• Opposite of: hotness

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COLDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. Suspect"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of or relating to or resembling fish
• Similar words include: suspect, suspicious, shady
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FISHY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "29. British slang for a police car"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that large black-and-white herbivorous mammal of bamboo forests of china and tibet; in some classifications considered a member of the bear family or of a separate family ailuropodidae
• Similar words include: cat bear, panda bear, giant panda
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PANDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Improviser at a workbench"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an unskilled person who tries to fix or mend
• Similar words include: tinker, fiddler
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TINKERER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Cursed vibe"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BADMOJO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Call at the plate?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORDERUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "34. Geometry term from the Greek for "uneven""

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of a triangle having three sides of different lengths
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCALENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. Application for smoother shifting"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GEAROIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "37. Even, or nearly so, at Wimbledon"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONSERVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "38. Naïve-looking, in a way"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOEEYED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "40. Transaction with no money down"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an equal exchange
• Similar words include: swap, swop, trade
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BARTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "43. Leader of the Afrofuturistic jazz collective Arkestra for almost four decades"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUNRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "44. Seat fillers"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that thick end of the handle
• Similar words include: butt joint, cigaret, derriere
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BUTTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "46. Greenhorn, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "47. Oldest four-letter papal name"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PIUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "49. Call in a card game"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that strong liquor flavored with juniper berries
• Similar words include: snare, cotton gin, knock rummy
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "50. Early major producer of vacuum tubes"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RCA

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

31 Across Clues

35 Down Clues

66 Total Clues

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Last updated: October 25, 2025 at 03:50 AM