December 15, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (37 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, December 15, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (35 Across, 37 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.2 letters

December 15, 2023 Across Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Yard, nautically	4
2A	5. Desire for a ski jumper	8
3A	13. ___ blue dot (Earth, in a famous photograph)	4
4A	14. "Knock it off!," in question form	9
5A	15. Since	4
6A	16. Classic airplane snack	10
7A	17. General term in a series	3
8A	18. Number in a count	5
9A	19. Change, as a lock	5
10A	20. One in a million, so to speak	7
11A	22. Journalism inits. since 1851	3
12A	23. One way to travel the world	5
13A	24. Lines from a rapper, in slang	4
14A	26. Milk option	3
15A	29. Earth-based pigment	5
16A	30. Likely hyperbole from a texter	4
17A	32. Equipment in hockey, lacrosse and pickleball	3
18A	34. What one might look at the night sky with	15
19A	38. ___ Lingus	3
20A	39. Badge holder	4
21A	40. Spanish geographical word that is an anagram of its English translation	5
22A	41. "Woo-hoo!," in online shorthand	3
23A	43. Pronoun functioning as an object (not a subject!)	4
24A	45. "Give me five!"	5
25A	46. Half full?	3
26A	48. "Dig in, everyone"	7
27A	50. Tropical vine	5
28A	53. Work from, as a desk	5
29A	54. Purple ___, Hawaiian crop	3
30A	56. Bookie?	10
31A	58. ___ bottles (popular gummy candy)	4
32A	59. Bad press, say	9
33A	60. Event at high noon	4
34A	61. Occasion to recite the Pledge of Allegiance	8
35A	62. Button usually held down by a pinkie	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. Yard, nautically"

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 any of various nonmetallic minerals (calcite or feldspar) that are light in color and transparent or translucent and cleavable
• Words that mean the same thing: sparring
• 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: SPAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Desire for a ski jumper"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: HANGTIME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "13. ___ blue dot (Earth, in a famous photograph)"

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 wooden strip forming part of a fence
• Words that mean the same thing: pallid, wan, blench
• 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: PALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. "Knock it off!," in question form"

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: CANYOUNOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Since"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy 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: ASOF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Classic airplane snack"

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: SALTEDNUTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. General term in a series"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that last or greatest in an indefinitely large series
• Words that mean the same thing: n-th
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NTH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Number in a count"

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 round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
• Words that mean the same thing: orchis, orb, glob
• 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: BALLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Change, as a lock"

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: REKEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. One in a million, so to speak"

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: RAREGEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Journalism inits. since 1851"

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: NYT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. One way to travel the world"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: BYSEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "24. Lines from a rapper, in slang"

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 gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
• Words that mean the same thing: stop, relegate, legal community
• The opposite would be: unbar
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "26. Milk option"

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 annual grass of europe and north africa; grains used as food and fodder (referred to primarily in the plural: `oats')
• 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: OAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "29. Earth-based pigment"

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 moderate yellow-orange to orange color
• Words that mean the same thing: ochre
• 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: OCHER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "30. Likely hyperbole from a texter"

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: ROFL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. Equipment in hockey, lacrosse and pickleball"

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 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: nett, meshwork, web
• The opposite would be: gross
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. What one might look at the night sky with"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: CHILDLIKEWONDER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. ___ Lingus"

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: AER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "39. Badge holder"

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: waistband, cincture, girdle
• 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 21 Across: "40. Spanish geographical word that is an anagram of its English translation"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a riblike part of a plant or animal (such as a middle rib of a leaf or a thickened vein of an insect wing)
• Words that mean the same thing: rib
• 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: COSTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. "Woo-hoo!," in online shorthand"

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: FTW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "43. Pronoun functioning as an object (not a subject!)"

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: WHOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "45. "Give me five!""

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: UPTOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "46. Half full?"

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 angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
• Words that mean the same thing: el, ALT, elevated railway
• 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: ELS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "48. "Dig in, everyone""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: LETSEAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "50. Tropical vine"

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 woody climbing usually tropical plant
• 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: LIANA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. Work from, as a desk"

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: SITAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "54. Purple ___, Hawaiian crop"

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 edible tuber of any of several yams
• Words that mean the same thing: yam plant
• 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: YAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "56. Bookie?"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about literature.

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: AVIDREADER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "58. ___ bottles (popular gummy candy)"

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 large genus of african trees bearing kola nuts
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Cola, El Salvadoran colon, colon
• 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: COLA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "59. Bad press, say"

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: MEDIABIAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "60. Event at high noon"

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 prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
• Words that mean the same thing: affaire d'honneur
• 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: DUEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "61. Occasion to recite the Pledge of Allegiance"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
• Words that mean the same thing: meeting place, assemblage, gathering
• The opposite would be: disassembly
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASSEMBLY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "62. Button usually held down by a pinkie"

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: CTRL

  Great job if you got it right!

December 15, 2023 Down Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Word after life or C	4
2D	2. One whose work might be a piece of cake?	10
3D	3. Bit of attire seldom worn with a jacket	10
4D	4. One you might beseech to get glasses	3
5D	5. Term for an overly commercialized celebration	15
6D	6. At any one time, roughly 10,000 trillion of them roam the earth	4
7D	7. Bill concerned with science communication	3
8D	8. Become barren	5
9D	9. Synchronize with	6
10D	10. Arctic native	4
11D	11. Speck	4
12D	12. Handmade goods site	4
13D	14. One on the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land	5
14D	16. Lose tautness	3
15D	18. What stubbles may become	6
16D	21. Lurch	4
17D	22. Warning letters with a Reddit link	4
18D	23. ___ Juniors, soccer team for which Diego Maradona once played	4
19D	25. Canapé topper	3
20D	27. "Don't even think of coming back!"	10
21D	28. Nephalist	10
22D	31. Part of a biblical plague	6
23D	33. Trick question, e.g.	4
24D	35. Housework?	4
25D	36. There or thereabouts	3
26D	37. 2022 Jordan Peele film	4
27D	42. Actress Malick	6
28D	44. Hands (out)	5
29D	47. West Coast N.F.L.'er	5
30D	49. Damage the reputation of	3
31D	50. Tibetan title	4
32D	51. Experimental composer Charles	4
33D	52. Supports	4
34D	53. Set ___	4
35D	55. Common place to see Santa	4
36D	57. Fade away	3
37D	58. Public health org.	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. Word after life or C"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the complete duration of something
• Words that mean the same thing: couple, yoke, distich
• 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: SPAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. One whose work might be a piece of cake?"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: PASTRYCHEF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Bit of attire seldom worn with a jacket"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: ALOHASHIRT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. One you might beseech to get glasses"

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 (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or american football) who is expected to ensure fair play
• Words that mean the same thing: referee
• 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: REF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Term for an overly commercialized celebration"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: HALLMARKHOLIDAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. At any one time, roughly 10,000 trillion of them roam the earth"

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 social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
• Words that mean the same thing: emmet, ant, pismire
• 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: ANTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Bill concerned with science communication"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NYE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Become barren"

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: GODRY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Synchronize with"

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: TUNETO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Arctic native"

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: INUK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Speck"

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 (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
• Words that mean the same thing: particle, speck, molecule
• 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: MOTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Handmade goods site"

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: ETSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. One on the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: CALEB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "16. Lose tautness"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a shape that sags
• Words that mean the same thing: swag, sag down, flag
• 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: SAG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "18. What stubbles may become"

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 hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
• Words that mean the same thing: whiskers, byssus, beard
• 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: BEARDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "21. Lurch"

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 a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
• Words that mean the same thing: swag, spin around, gyrate
• 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: REEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "22. Warning letters with a Reddit link"

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

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "23. ___ Juniors, soccer team for which Diego Maradona once played"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BOCA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "25. Canapé topper"

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 fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
• Words that mean the same thing: hard roe
• 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: ROE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. "Don't even think of coming back!""

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: ANDSTAYOUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. Nephalist"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a total abstainer
• Words that mean the same thing: teetotalist, teetotaller
• 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: TEETOTALER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. Part of a biblical plague"

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 migratory grasshoppers of warm regions having short antennae
• Words that mean the same thing: locust 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: LOCUST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Trick question, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
• Words that mean the same thing: sand trap, pin down, bunker
• 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: TRAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Housework?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the first of three divisions of the hebrew scriptures comprising the first five books of the hebrew bible considered as a unit
• Words that mean the same thing: law of nature, natural law, police force
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. There or thereabouts"

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: ISH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. 2022 Jordan Peele film"

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

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: NOPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Actress Malick"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WENDIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Hands (out)"

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 line that indicates a boundary
• Words that mean the same thing: border, delimitation, mete
• 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: METES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. West Coast N.F.L.'er"

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: LARAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. Damage the reputation of"

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 any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
• Words that mean the same thing: sea dog, mariner, gob
• 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: TAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Tibetan title"

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 tibetan or mongolian priest of lamaism
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Lama
• 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: LAMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. Experimental composer Charles"

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 united states composer noted for his innovative use of polytonality (1874-1954)
• Words that mean the same thing: James Merritt Ives, James Ives, Charles Edward Ives
• 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: IVES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. Supports"

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 a serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles
• Words that mean the same thing: financial aid, aid, assist
• 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: AIDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. Set ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
• Words that mean the same thing: voyage, canvas, sheet
• 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: SAIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. Common place to see Santa"

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 public area set aside as a pedestrian walk
• Words that mean the same thing: center, shopping centre, shopping mall
• 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: MALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "57. Fade away"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EBB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "58. Public health org."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a federal agency in the department of health and human services; located in atlanta; investigates and diagnoses and tries to control or prevent diseases (especially new and unusual diseases)
• Words that mean the same thing: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• 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: CDC

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	50	69.4%
Short Answer	14	19.4%
History	2	2.8%
Literature	1	1.4%
Science/Technology	1	1.4%
Sports	1	1.4%
Movies/Film	1	1.4%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.4%
Music	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	37
Total Clues	72
Average Answer Length	5.2 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: August 28, 2025 at 10:19 PM

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 14, 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 (35 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (39 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. Safe place to stand on a diamond	4
2A	5. Bout rout	4
3A	9. Chatted via Teams, say	4
4A	13. Tail-less cat breed	4
5A	14. Still single	5
6A	15. Defense grp. since 1949	4
7A	16. "Been a while! Any updates?"	15
8A	19. Take giant steps	6
9A	20. "Oof, that's rough"	6
10A	21. Locale for a lab rat	4
11A	22. Board game set in a mansion	4
12A	24. To the ___ degree	3
13A	26. Talks through a sticking point, say	11
14A	32. Angers	4
15A	34. Big name in pest control	4
16A	35. Catch the vibe of	5
17A	36. Network junction points	5
18A	38. Force of habit, for some, in brief	3
19A	39. Chess defeats	5
20A	40. Basic unit of work	5
21A	41. Boring routines	4
22A	43. Whiskey portion of a boilermaker	4
23A	44. Online storage option since 2011	11
24A	47. Cincinnati trio?	3
25A	48. Capital of Qatar	4
26A	49. Batch of ale	4
27A	51. Disney film featuring the Oscar-winning song "Let It Go"	6
28A	55. Temp workers dressed in red	6
29A	57. Ranch fixtures for livestock	15
30A	61. Colorful eye part	4
31A	62. Quintet seen in order in 16-, 26-, 44- and 57-Across	5
32A	63. "Come on already!"	4
33A	64. Direction for prairie schooners	4
34A	65. ___ tide	4
35A	66. "Green-eyed" emotion	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Safe place to stand on a diamond"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Bout rout"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a blow that renders the opponent unconscious
• Similar words include: KO, knock cold, knock out
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KAYO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Chatted via Teams, say"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. Tail-less cat breed"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the ancient gaelic formerly spoken on the isle of man; the language is sometimes used on ceremonial occasions
• Similar words include: Manx cat
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MANX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Still single"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of someone who has not been married
• Similar words include: unwedded
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNWED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "15. Defense grp. since 1949"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an international organization created in 1949 by the north atlantic treaty for purposes of collective security
• Similar words include: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NATO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "16. "Been a while! Any updates?""

15 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WHATSNEWWITHYOU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Take giant steps"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a step in walking or running
• Similar words include: pace, footstep, tread
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STRIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. "Oof, that's rough""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OHDANG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Locale for a lab rat"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
• Similar words include: coop, John Milton Cage Jr., cage in
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Board game set in a mansion"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a slight indication
• Similar words include: cue, clew, hint
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. To the ___ degree"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that last or greatest in an indefinitely large series
• Similar words include: n-th
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Talks through a sticking point, say"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HASHESITOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. Angers"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "34. Big name in pest control"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DCON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. Catch the vibe of"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a general conscious awareness
• Similar words include: sensory faculty, feel, common sense
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SENSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Network junction points"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a connecting point at which several lines come together
• Similar words include: client, nod, knob
• Opposite of: antinode

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NODES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. Force of habit, for some, in brief"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OCD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Chess defeats"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a pair of people who live together
• Similar words include: fellow, twin, matte
• Opposite of: disentangle, unsnarl

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Basic unit of work"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second
• Similar words include: J, watt second, James Prescott Joule
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JOULE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Boring routines"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a groove or furrow (especially one in soft earth caused by wheels)
• Similar words include: groove, furrow, rut
• Opposite of: anestrus

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RUTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Whiskey portion of a boilermaker"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of firing a projectile
• Similar words include: flash, pip, spud
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Online storage option since 2011"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APPLEICLOUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Cincinnati trio?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that half the width of an em
• Similar words include: nut, en
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Capital of Qatar"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the capital and chief port of qatar
• Similar words include: Bida, capital of Qatar, El Beda
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Batch of ale"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that drink made by steeping and boiling and fermenting rather than distilling
• Similar words include: brewage
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BREW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Disney film featuring the Oscar-winning song "Let It Go""

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that stop moving or become immobilized
• Similar words include: immobilise, glacial, stop dead
• Opposite of: unblock, boil

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FROZEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Temp workers dressed in red"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at christmas
• Similar words include: Kriss Kringle, Father Christmas, Santa
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SANTAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "57. Ranch fixtures for livestock"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WATERINGTROUGHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Colorful eye part"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals
• Similar words include: flag, fleur-de-lis, iris diaphragm
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "62. Quintet seen in order in 16-, 26-, 44- and 57-Across"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AEIOU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "63. "Come on already!""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "64. Direction for prairie schooners"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the countries of (originally) europe and (now including) north america and south america
• Similar words include: Benjamin West, Rebecca West, due west
• Opposite of: east

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "65. ___ tide"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a less than average tide occurring at the first and third quarters of the moon
• Similar words include: neap tide
• Opposite of: springtide

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "66. "Green-eyed" emotion"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another
• Similar words include: invidia, begrudge, enviousness
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENVY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Mini maker	3
2D	2. Circus crowd chorus	4
3D	3. Grabbed, as sale items	10
4D	4. Surplus	5
5D	5. Lederhosen typically end just above one	4
6D	6. "Totes adorbs!"	3
7D	7. Bowmaker's wood	3
8D	8. Repulsive	6
9D	9. Like most TV shows, nowadays	4
10D	10. Chichén Itzá people	4
11D	11. Prep school on the Thames	4
12D	12. ___ Ross, George Clooney's role on "ER"	4
13D	14. Zombie's status	6
14D	17. [Alas!]	4
15D	18. Belief in God or gods	6
16D	22. Count in the cereal aisle	7
17D	23. Furnish with temporarily	6
18D	24. Expert in stealth	5
19D	25. Scouting party	5
20D	27. Burn while ironing, say	6
21D	28. Lipton choices	4
22D	29. Done with boozing	10
23D	30. Apply to, as an ointment	5
24D	31. Lab work	5
25D	33. Auction off	4
26D	37. Lawn-starting tool	6
27D	42. Automaker with a six-star logo	6
28D	45. ___ Sea, body between Sicily and Greece	6
29D	46. Early 007 adversary	4
30D	50. Piano practice piece	5
31D	51. "Just so you know," online	4
32D	52. Few and far between	4
33D	53. Soul legend Redding	4
34D	54. Salsa quality	4
35D	55. Dot on a transit map	4
36D	56. Jailhouse weapon	4
37D	58. Originally named	3
38D	59. Actress Scala	3
39D	60. Complete dump	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Mini maker"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BMW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Circus crowd chorus"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
• Similar words include: ooh, aah
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AAHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Grabbed, as sale items"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SNATCHEDUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Surplus"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a minor actor in crowd scenes
• Similar words include: surplus, spear carrier, superfluous
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EXTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Lederhosen typically end just above one"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
• Similar words include: knee joint, genu, stifle
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KNEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. "Totes adorbs!""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AWW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Bowmaker's wood"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of 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
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Repulsive"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that unequivocally detestable; ; ; ; - edmund burke
• Similar words include: abominable, execrable, detestable
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ODIOUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Like most TV shows, nowadays"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INHD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Chichén Itzá people"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a member of an american indian people of yucatan and belize and guatemala who had a culture (which reached its peak between ad 300 and 900) characterized by outstanding architecture and pottery and astronomy
• Similar words include: Mayan, Mayan language
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAYA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Prep school on the Thames"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ETON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. ___ Ross, George Clooney's role on "ER""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Zombie's status"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNDEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "17. [Alas!]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an utterance made by exhaling audibly
• Similar words include: suspiration, suspire
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SIGH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "18. Belief in God or gods"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the doctrine or belief in the existence of a god or gods
• Opposite of: atheism
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THEISM

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16D: "22. Count in the cereal aisle"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHOCULA

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17D: "23. Furnish with temporarily"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LENDTO

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18D: "24. Expert in stealth"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a member of the ninja who were trained in martial arts and hired for espionage or sabotage or assassinations; a person skilled in ninjutsu
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NINJA

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19D: "25. Scouting party"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a group of soldiers
• Similar words include: scout troop, scout group, promenade
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TROOP

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20D: "27. Burn while ironing, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a surface burn
• Similar words include: singe, sear, blacken
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCORCH

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21D: "28. Lipton choices"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
• Similar words include: tea, teatime, afternoon tea
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEAS

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22D: "29. Done with boozing"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONTHEWAGON

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23D: "30. Apply to, as an ointment"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USEON

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24D: "31. Lab work"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that trying something to find out about it
• Similar words include: try, psychometric test, mental test
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TESTS

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25D: "33. Auction off"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the activity of persuading someone to buy
• Similar words include: deal, betray, trade
• Opposite of: buy

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SELL

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26D: "37. Lawn-starting tool"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person who seeds clouds
• Similar words include: cloud seeder
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEEDER

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27D: "42. Automaker with a six-star logo"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUBARU

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28D: "45. ___ Sea, body between Sicily and Greece"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a member of one of four linguistic divisions of the prehistoric greeks
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IONIAN

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29D: "46. Early 007 adversary"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRNO

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30D: "50. Piano practice piece"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ETUDE

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31D: "51. "Just so you know," online"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FWIW

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32D: "52. Few and far between"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
• Similar words include: rarefied, rarified, uncommon
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RARE

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33D: "53. Soul legend Redding"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states inventor who manufactured the first elevator with a safety device (1811-1861)
• Similar words include: Elisha Graves Otis, genus Otis
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OTIS

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34D: "54. Salsa quality"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
• Similar words include: spice up, tanginess, piquancy
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ZEST

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35D: "55. Dot on a transit map"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the event of something ending
• Similar words include: occlusive, period, blockage
• Opposite of: start, continue

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STOP

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36D: "56. Jailhouse weapon"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a knife used as a weapon
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHIV

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37D: "58. Originally named"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (meaning literally `born') used to indicate the maiden or family name of a married woman
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEE

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38D: "59. Actress Scala"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a terrorist organization of islamic extremists whose violent activities began in 1992; aims to overthrow the secular algerian regime and replace it with an islamic state
• Similar words include: Armed Islamic Group
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GIA

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39D: "60. Complete dump"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
• Similar words include: hordeolum, stye, eye infection
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STY

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

35 Across Clues

39 Down Clues

74 Total Clues

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Last updated: April 14, 2026 at 05:36 AM