December 08, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (38 clues)
• Down Clues (36 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, December 08, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 74 (38 Across, 36 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

December 08, 2022 Across Hints: NYT Thursday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Hankerings	4
2A	5. About seven or eight weeks before 5-Down	3
3A	8. Rapper Biggie ___	6
4A	14. State	4
5A	15. What can precede heartbeat or nutshell	3
6A	16. Arrived	6
7A	17. Aucklander, e.g.	4
8A	18. Blue grp.	3
9A	19. Suave and sophisticated	6
10A	20. Literary character with an eponymous chain of seafood restaurants	14
11A	24. Big name in contact lens care	4
12A	25. Most itsy-bitsy	8
13A	27. Talking-tos	7
14A	30. Harbinger	4
15A	31. What a monkey has that an ape doesn't	4
16A	32. Snoozefest	6
17A	34. Roman equivalent of the Greek Helios	3
18A	37. Country that lacks an official language, informally	5
19A	39. One of the women in "Little Women"	3
20A	40. Beginning or end for Alexa?	5
21A	42. Dunderhead	3
22A	43. Nickname for Gotham City's protector	6
23A	46. Expressed	4
24A	47. Ponied up	4
25A	48. Butcher birds	7
26A	50. You might see snow when it's disrupted	8
27A	54. Winter coat	4
28A	55. Grateful Dead founding member Bob	4
29A	56. Like "Blade Runner" and "Fahrenheit 451"	9
30A	59. Cocoon	6
31A	61. "So clever!"	3
32A	62. Each	4
33A	64. One who's far from stone-faced	6
34A	65. Beauty that's only skin deep, for short?	3
35A	66. ___ Millions	4
36A	67. "Nothing to report"	6
37A	68. Absolute dump	3
38A	69. Misnomer for the character Fritz in the original "Frankenstein" (1931)	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. Hankerings"

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 yearning for something or to do something
• Words that mean the same thing: pine, yearn, hankering
• 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: YENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. About seven or eight weeks before 5-Down"

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 the month following april and preceding june
• Words that mean the same thing: Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus oxycantha, English hawthorn
• 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: MAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "8. Rapper Biggie ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the slender part of the back
• Words that mean the same thing: small
• 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: SMALLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. State"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
• Words that mean the same thing: swan, affirm, verify
• The opposite would be: disavow
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AVOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. What can precede heartbeat or nutshell"

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: INA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Arrived"

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: CAMEIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Aucklander, 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 climbing vine native to china; cultivated in new zealand for its fuzzy edible fruit with green meat
• Words that mean the same thing: kiwi vine, Actinidia chinensis, New Zealander
• 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: KIWI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Blue grp."

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: DNC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Suave and sophisticated"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience
• Words that mean the same thing: refined, polished, svelte
• 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: URBANE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. Literary character with an eponymous chain of seafood restaurants"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 letters. It's a expert 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: LONGJOHNSILVER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "24. Big name in contact lens care"

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: RENU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. Most itsy-bitsy"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (used informally) very small
• Words that mean the same thing: teensy-weensy, itty-bitty, bitty
• 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: TEENIEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "27. Talking-tos"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an outpouring of gossip
• Words that mean the same thing: going-over, upbraiding, dressing down
• 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: EARFULS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. Harbinger"

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 sign of something about to happen
• Words that mean the same thing: prognostication, betoken, prodigy
• 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: OMEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. What a monkey has that an ape doesn't"

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 the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
• Words that mean the same thing: chase after, derriere, can
• The opposite would be: head
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. Snoozefest"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person who yawns
• 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: YAWNER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "34. Roman equivalent of the Greek Helios"

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 colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a solid is suspended in a liquid
• Words that mean the same thing: so, soh, colloidal solution
• 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: SOL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Country that lacks an official language, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: THEUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "39. One of the women in "Little Women""

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 the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
• Words that mean the same thing: one thousand thousand, million, 1000000
• 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: MEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "40. Beginning or end for Alexa?"

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 neutral middle vowel; occurs in unstressed syllables
• Words that mean the same thing: shwa
• 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: SCHWA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "42. Dunderhead"

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 the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Words that mean the same thing: nookie, derriere, piece of tail
• 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: ASS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "43. Nickname for Gotham City's protector"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: THEBAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. Expressed"

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 express in words
• Words that mean the same thing: aforesaid, say, enjoin
• 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: SAID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "47. Ponied up"

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 give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
• Words that mean the same thing: pay up, pay, paying
• The opposite would be: unpaid, default
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PAID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "48. Butcher birds"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of numerous old world birds having a strong hooked bill that feed on smaller animals
• Words that mean the same thing: shrike
• 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: SHRIKES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "50. You might see snow when it's disrupted"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: TVSIGNAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "54. Winter coat"

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 ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
• Words that mean the same thing: hoarfrost, hoar, rhyme
• 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: RIME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "55. Grateful Dead founding member Bob"

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 low dam built across a stream to raise its level or divert its flow
• 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: WEIR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "56. Like "Blade Runner" and "Fahrenheit 451""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that of or pertaining to or resembling a dystopia
• The opposite would be: utopian
• 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: DYSTOPIAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "59. Cocoon"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that enclose in, or as if in, a case
• Words that mean the same thing: case, incase
• 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: ENCASE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "61. "So clever!""

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: AHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "62. Each"

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: APOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "64. One who's far from stone-faced"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EMOTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "65. Beauty that's only skin deep, for short?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
• Words that mean the same thing: cheapness, intertwine, tackiness
• 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: TAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "66. ___ Millions"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MEGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "67. "Nothing to report""

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: NONEWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "68. Absolute dump"

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 an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
• Words that mean the same thing: eye infection, pigsty, hordeolum
• 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: STY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "69. Misnomer for the character Fritz in the original "Frankenstein" (1931)"

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: IGOR

  Great job if you got it right!

December 08, 2022 Thursday NYT - All Down Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Shaggy, horned beast	3
2D	2. Word with twin or grin	4
3D	3. "It's all good"	9
4D	4. Pandemic cause of 2009	8
5D	5. Time in the dog days of summer	7
6D	6. 365 giorni	4
7D	7. An extravagant one might have a swimming pool	5
8D	8. "Uh, what was that?"	7
9D	9. Seafarers	8
10D	10. Film production company founded by Steven Spielberg	6
11D	11. Bail, so to speak	5
12D	12. What an actor studies	5
13D	13. Hägar the Horrible's dog	5
14D	21. Shaggy, horned beast	3
15D	22. It glows orange-red when placed in an electric field	7
16D	27. "___ Kett" (old comic strip that taught teens manners)	4
17D	28. Sounds at a fireworks show	4
18D	29. Expensive shipping option	7
19D	33. It's a trap!	3
20D	34. "Come on, move it!"	9
21D	35. Toddler's boo-boo	4
22D	36. Blokes	4
23D	38. John Deere logo animal	4
24D	41. Hit CBS series that, despite its name, was filmed primarily in California	8
25D	44. Impedes	7
26D	45. Like Louis Armstrong's singing	7
27D	47. One with an "eye patch," hook hand and peg leg, as represented in this puzzle's grid	6
28D	49. Grave letters	3
29D	50. One getting "the talk," say	5
30D	51. Modern payment method	5
31D	52. Order to attack	5
32D	53. Hurdles for aspiring D.A.s	5
33D	57. "Top ___!"	4
34D	58. Scuttled	4
35D	60. Fix a hole, in a way	3
36D	63. Double eagle plus three	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. Shaggy, horned beast"

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 large long-haired wild ox of tibet often domesticated
• Words that mean the same thing: chatter, gab, cackle
• 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: YAK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Word with twin or grin"

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 morally objectionable behavior
• Words that mean the same thing: malign, iniquity, vicious
• The opposite would be: good, goodness
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EVIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. "It's all good""

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: NOWORRIES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Pandemic cause of 2009"

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: SWINEFLU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Time in the dog days of summer"

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: MIDJULY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. 365 giorni"

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: ANNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. An extravagant one might have a swimming pool"

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 an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
• Words that mean the same thing: racing yacht
• 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: YACHT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. "Uh, what was that?""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: SCUSEME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Seafarers"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a man who serves as a sailor
• Words that mean the same thing: old salt, sea dog, Jack
• 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: MARINERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Film production company founded by Steven Spielberg"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard 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: AMBLIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Bail, so to speak"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the period of time during which you are absent from work or duty
• Words that mean the same thing: bequeath, pull up stakes, pass on
• The opposite would be: enter, disinherit
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEAVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. What an actor studies"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a formation of people or things one beside another
• Words that mean the same thing: crinkle, telephone circuit, bloodline
• 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: LINES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Hägar the Horrible's dog"

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: SNERT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "21. Shaggy, horned beast"

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 large african antelope having a head with horns like an ox and a long tufted tail
• Words that mean the same thing: wildebeest
• 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: GNU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. It glows orange-red when placed in an electric field"

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: NEONGAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "27. "___ Kett" (old comic strip that taught teens manners)"

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: ETTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "28. Sounds at a fireworks show"

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 express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
• Words that mean the same thing: ooh, aah
• 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: AAHS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "29. Expensive shipping option"

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: SAMEDAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "33. It's a trap!"

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 an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving
• Words that mean the same thing: net, network, entanglement
• 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: WEB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "34. "Come on, move it!""

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: SHAKEAPEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "35. Toddler's boo-boo"

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: OWIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "36. Blokes"

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 boy or man
• Words that mean the same thing: sonny boy, blighter, sonny
• 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: LADS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "38. John Deere logo animal"

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 male deer, especially an adult male red deer
• Words that mean the same thing: shit, denounce, snoop
• 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: STAG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "41. Hit CBS series that, despite its name, was filmed primarily in California"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert 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: CSIMIAMI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "44. Impedes"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that be a hindrance or obstacle to
• Words that mean the same thing: blockade, stymy, embarrass
• 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: HINDERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "45. Like Louis Armstrong's singing"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that sounding as if pronounced low in the throat
• 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: THROATY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "47. One with an "eye patch," hook hand and peg leg, as represented in this puzzle's grid"

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 someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
• Words that mean the same thing: plagiarizer, pirate ship, sea rover
• 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: PIRATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "49. Grave letters"

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 dissolute man in fashionable society
• Words that mean the same thing: riptide, tear, tide rip
• 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: RIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "50. One getting "the talk," say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TWEEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "51. Modern payment method"

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: VENMO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "52. Order to attack"

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: SICON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "53. Hurdles for aspiring D.A.s"

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: LSATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "57. "Top ___!""

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: THAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "58. Scuttled"

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: NOGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "60. Fix a hole, in a way"

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 fasten by sewing; do needlework
• Words that mean the same thing: stitch, tailor, run up
• 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: SEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "63. Double eagle plus three"

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 (golf) the standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course
• Words that mean the same thing: equivalence, equation, equality
• 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: PAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	52	70.3%
Short Answer	14	18.9%
Geography	3	4.1%
Movies/Film	2	2.7%
History	1	1.4%
Abbreviation	1	1.4%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	38
Down Clues	36
Total Clues	74
Average Answer Length	5.1 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	14 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: September 05, 2025 at 05:17 PM

XWordHint Crossword Answers January 19, 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 (38 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (40 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

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. Package under a Christmas tree	4
2A	5. Old-fashioned butter maker	5
3A	10. Branded cotton swab	4
4A	14. Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan	4
5A	15. In on, as a trend	5
6A	16. Big coffee containers	4
7A	17. 1972 song by Elton John	10
8A	19. Luxury auto whose logo is four overlapping rings	4
9A	20. In progress	7
10A	21. :), ;), :D and others	7
11A	23. Formal "you," in Spanish	5
12A	25. Comedian Wong	3
13A	26. Projects, as a shadow	5
14A	29. 1985 song by John Cougar Mellencamp	9
15A	34. Comes to light	6
16A	36. X minus III, in old Rome	3
17A	37. Cosmonaut Gagarin	4
18A	38. Held the reins	3
19A	39. Spot for a massage	3
20A	41. R&B singer whose album "SOS" spent 100+ weeks in the Billboard top 10	3
21A	43. Element used in bronze	3
22A	44. Sporting blade	4
23A	46. Draft pick?	3
24A	48. Firstborn	6
25A	50. 1987 song by Billy Joel and Ray Charles	9
26A	53. Midsection measurement	5
27A	54. Apt rhyme for "shriek"	3
28A	55. Martial arts studios	5
29A	57. Disheveled	7
30A	61. Caribbean island with a liqueur named for it	7
31A	65. Gently persuade	4
32A	66. Capital of Arkansas ... or a description of 17-, 29- and 50-Across?	10
33A	68. In ___ land (daydreaming)	4
34A	69. "I wish I could ___ that!"	5
35A	70. A second helping, say	4
36A	71. "Excuse me ..."	4
37A	72. Things shifted on a bicycle or in a car	5
38A	73. Winter coaster	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Package under a Christmas tree"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that something acquired without compensation
• Similar words include: indue, invest, endow
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GIFT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Old-fashioned butter maker"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a vessel in which cream is agitated to separate butterfat from buttermilk
• Similar words include: boil, roil, moil
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHURN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Branded cotton swab"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: QTIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OMAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. In on, as a trend"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HIPTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Big coffee containers"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a large vase that usually has a pedestal or feet
• Similar words include: urn
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: URNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. 1972 song by Elton John"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TINYDANCER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Luxury auto whose logo is four overlapping rings"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AUDI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. In progress"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that currently happening
• Similar words include: on-going
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONGOING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. :), ;), :D and others"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an emoticon of a smiling face
• Similar words include: smiley
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SMILEYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Formal "you," in Spanish"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Comedian Wong"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942)
• Similar words include: Cassius Clay, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Muhammad Ali
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Projects, as a shadow"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the actors in a play
• Similar words include: be sick, put, roll
• Opposite of: keep down

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CASTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. 1985 song by John Cougar Mellencamp"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SMALLTOWN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "34. Comes to light"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that come into existence; take on form or shape
• Similar words include: grow, spring up, go up
• Opposite of: fall, turn in

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARISES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "36. X minus III, in old Rome"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
• Similar words include: 7, sevener, heptad
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VII

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "37. Cosmonaut Gagarin"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YURI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. Held the reins"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
• Similar words include: moderate, precede, conduce
• Opposite of: follow

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Spot for a massage"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
• Similar words include: health club, resort hotel, watering place
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. R&B singer whose album "SOS" spent 100+ weeks in the Billboard top 10"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SZA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Element used in bronze"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
• Similar words include: put up, can, atomic number 50
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Sporting blade"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Draft pick?"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. Firstborn"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the offspring who came first in the order of birth
• Similar words include: firstborn
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELDEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. 1987 song by Billy Joel and Ray Charles"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BABYGRAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "53. Midsection measurement"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GIRTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "54. Apt rhyme for "shriek""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Martial arts studios"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOJOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "57. Disheveled"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that not neatly combed
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNKEMPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Caribbean island with a liqueur named for it"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a popular island resort in the netherlands antilles
• Similar words include: curacoa
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CURACAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "65. Gently persuade"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a transmission line for high-frequency signals
• Similar words include: coax cable, palaver, blarney
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COAX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. Capital of Arkansas ... or a description of 17-, 29- and 50-Across?"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LITTLEROCK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "68. In ___ land (daydreaming)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "69. "I wish I could ___ that!""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNSEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "70. A second helping, say"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that english statesman who opposed henry viii's divorce from catherine of aragon and was imprisoned and beheaded; recalled for his concept of utopia, the ideal state
• Similar words include: Sir Thomas More, more than, Thomas More
• Opposite of: fewer, less

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "71. "Excuse me ...""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the utterance of a sound similar to clearing the throat; intended to get attention, express hesitancy, fill a pause, hide embarrassment, warn a friend, etc.
• Similar words include: hem
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AHEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "72. Things shifted on a bicycle or in a car"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
• Similar words include: train, cogwheel, geartrain
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GEARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "73. Winter coaster"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
• Similar words include: sleigh, sledge
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. ___ Jail (space on a Monopoly board)	4
2D	2. "Sign me up!"	4
3D	3. Vampire's tooth	4
4D	4. Auditions	7
5D	5. "U-S-A! U-S-A! ...," e.g.	5
6D	6. Movable joints on a door	6
7D	7. ___ code (what most product packages have)	3
8D	8. Google Maps options: Abbr.	4
9D	9. Bring into the mainstream	9
10D	10. Counterpart of quantity	7
11D	11. Factual	4
12D	12. Where the N.F.L.'s Colts play, informally	4
13D	13. Letters before omegas	4
14D	18. Insults	6
15D	22. Springfield is its capital: Abbr.	3
16D	24. Org. with notoriously long lines	3
17D	26. Biblical spy for Moses	5
18D	27. South American flatbread	5
19D	28. Lesser-played part of a 45	5
20D	30. ChatGPT and Google Gemini, for two	3
21D	31. Word before space or Mongolia	5
22D	32. Spot to find a pulse	5
23D	33. Final inning, typically	5
24D	35. Device for starting an engine	9
25D	40. In the style of	3
26D	42. Former vice president who won a Nobel Peace Prize	6
27D	45. Test taken at the 24-Down	7
28D	47. Finale	3
29D	49. Wins over with charm	7
30D	51. Jewel	3
31D	52. Pete who directed "Up," "Inside Out" and "Soul"	6
32D	56. Novelist Verne	5
33D	57. The N.C.A.A.'s Bruins	4
34D	58. Biblical ark builder	4
35D	59. Dark leafy green	4
36D	60. Fork prong	4
37D	62. Chilly	4
38D	63. Surveyor's measure	4
39D	64. Gave a thumbs-up	4
40D	67. Airport screening grp.	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. ___ Jail (space on a Monopoly board)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Sign me up!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Vampire's tooth"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a bantu language spoken in cameroon
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FANG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Auditions"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that trying something to find out about it
• Similar words include: test, audition, trial run
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRYOUTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "U-S-A! U-S-A! ...," e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a repetitive song in which as many syllables as necessary are assigned to a single tone
• Similar words include: tone, intonate, cantillate
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Movable joints on a door"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a joint that holds two parts together so that one can swing relative to the other
• Similar words include: hinge, flexible joint
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HINGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. ___ code (what most product packages have)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UPC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Google Maps options: Abbr."

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Bring into the mainstream"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that become normal or return to its normal state
• Similar words include: renormalise, temper, anneal
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NORMALIZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Counterpart of quantity"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone; --shakespeare
• Similar words include: lineament, prize, timbre
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: QUALITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Factual"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that proper alignment; the property possessed by something that is in correct or proper alignment
• Similar words include: truthful, dependable, straight
• Opposite of: false, untruthful

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Where the N.F.L.'s Colts play, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Letters before omegas"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of pressure
• Similar words include: psi, pounds per square inch
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PSIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Insults"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that treat, mention, or speak to rudely
• Similar words include: affront, insult, diss
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DISSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Springfield is its capital: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
• Similar words include: sick, inauspicious, badly
• Opposite of: well

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Org. with notoriously long lines"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DMV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Biblical spy for Moses"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CALEB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. South American flatbread"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AREPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Lesser-played part of a 45"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SIDEB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. ChatGPT and Google Gemini, for two"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an agency of the united states army responsible for providing timely and relevant and accurate and synchronized intelligence to tactical and operational and strategic level commanders
• Similar words include: Bradypus tridactylus, AI, three-toed sloth
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Word before space or Mongolia"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that being on the outside or further from a center
• Similar words include: tabu, verboten, KO'd
• Opposite of: safe, inner

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OUTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Spot to find a pulse"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
• Similar words include: carpus, wrist joint, radiocarpal joint
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WRIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Final inning, typically"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that position nine in a countable series of things
• Similar words include: 9th, one-ninth
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NINTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Device for starting an engine"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPARKPLUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. In the style of"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. Former vice president who won a Nobel Peace Prize"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALGORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Test taken at the 24-Down"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EYEEXAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "47. Finale"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
• Similar words include: death, goal, oddment
• Opposite of: beginning, begin

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: END

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "49. Wins over with charm"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that remove offensive capability from
• Similar words include: demilitarise, unarm, demilitarize
• Opposite of: arm

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DISARMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "51. Jewel"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
• Similar words include: treasure, precious stone, gemstone
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "52. Pete who directed "Up," "Inside Out" and "Soul""

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOCTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "56. Novelist Verne"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JULES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "57. The N.C.A.A.'s Bruins"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UCLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. Biblical ark builder"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the hebrew patriarch who saved himself and his family and the animals by building an ark in which they survived 40 days and 40 nights of rain; the story of noah and the flood is told in the book of genesis
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "59. Dark leafy green"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that informal terms for money
• Similar words include: lolly, colewort, cole
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "60. Fork prong"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that prong on a fork or pitchfork or antler
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "62. Chilly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the quality of being at a refreshingly low temperature
• Similar words include: cool off, cool down, coolheaded
• Opposite of: warm, heat

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COOL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "63. Surveyor's measure"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in english-speaking countries
• Similar words include: Accho, Akko, Akka
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "64. Gave a thumbs-up"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "67. Airport screening grp."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an agency established in 2001 to safeguard united states transportation systems and insure safe air travel
• Similar words include: Transportation Security Administration
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TSA

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

38 Across Clues

40 Down Clues

78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

• Complete NYT Crossword Archive
• Advanced Solving Techniques
• Common Crossword Words

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: January 19, 2026 at 04:35 AM