June 22, 2024 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (34 clues)
• Down Clues (34 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 68 (34 Across, 34 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.9 letters

Across Clues Explained - Saturday NYT Crossword June 22, 2024

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Fermented mixture in Japanese cooking	9
2A	10. Locale named in the Beach Boys' "Kokomo"	5
3A	15. Some theatrical transitions	9
4A	16. Refused to release	5
5A	17. Stovetop convenience	9
6A	18. Emmy winner Uzo	5
7A	19. Mo. in which the U.S. Constitution was signed	3
8A	20. Worsening situation from which there is no escape	11
9A	22. 10th in a series	5
10A	24. Run into	4
11A	25. "___ the Next One," Grammy-winning Jay-Z song of 2009	4
12A	26. Slurped treat	4
13A	27. Go window shopping, perhaps	6
14A	29. A migraine sufferer might take one, for short	3
15A	30. Small-game hunters	8
16A	32. Dreaded time for many	6
17A	34. An eternity	4
18A	35. ___Plus (pharmacy brand)	4
19A	36. Cop	6
20A	39. Raises, as a sensitive subject	8
21A	43. Arundhati ___, Booker Prize-winning author	3
22A	44. One in the last line of defense, typically	6
23A	46. Completely take advantage of	4
24A	47. ___ urbis conditae, date of the founding of Rome	4
25A	49. "It was a lover and his ___" (beginning of a song in "As You Like It")	4
26A	50. Just must	5
27A	51. Temporary water provider	11
28A	54. Vin Diesel's role in the "Fast & Furious" movies	3
29A	55. Proverbial payee	5
30A	56. Casino where Siegfried and Roy made their Las Vegas debut	9
31A	58. Follow	5
32A	59. "Some friendly advice ..."	9
33A	60. Slips through the cracks	5
34A	61. Plants used in early genetics experiments	9

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. Fermented mixture in Japanese cooking"

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: MISOPASTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "10. Locale named in the Beach Boys' "Kokomo""

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 popular island resort in the netherlands antilles
• 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: ARUBA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "15. Some theatrical transitions"

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: ENTRACTES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "16. Refused to release"

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: SATON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "17. Stovetop convenience"

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: SPOONREST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "18. Emmy winner Uzo"

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: ADUBA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. Mo. in which the U.S. Constitution was signed"

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 august and preceding october
• Words that mean the same thing: Sept, September
• 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: SEP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Worsening situation from which there is no escape"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: DEATHSPIRAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "22. 10th in a series"

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 10th letter of the greek alphabet
• 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: KAPPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "24. Run into"

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 meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held
• Words that mean the same thing: match, sports meeting, satisfy
• The opposite would be: diverge
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MEET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "25. "___ the Next One," Grammy-winning Jay-Z song of 2009"

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

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: ONTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Slurped treat"

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: ICEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "27. Go window shopping, perhaps"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: PEERIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "29. A migraine sufferer might take one, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a graphical record of electrical activity of the brain; produced by an electroencephalograph
• Words that mean the same thing: encephalogram, electroencephalogram
• 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: EEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "30. Small-game hunters"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of several usually small short-bodied breeds originally trained to hunt animals living underground
• Words that mean the same thing: terrier
• 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: TERRIERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. Dreaded time for many"

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 second day of the week; the first working day
• Words that mean the same thing: Mon
• 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: MONDAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "34. An eternity"

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 longest division of geological time
• Words that mean the same thing: eon, aeon
• 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: EONS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "35. ___Plus (pharmacy brand)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ATRA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "36. Cop"

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: FESSUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "39. Raises, as a sensitive subject"

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 a decorative pin worn by women
• Words that mean the same thing: breastpin, broach, initiate
• 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: BROACHES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. Arundhati ___, Booker Prize-winning author"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: ROY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "44. One in the last line of defense, typically"

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 state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
• Words that mean the same thing: guard, base hit, condom
• The opposite would be: danger
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SAFETY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. Completely take advantage of"

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 socks and stockings and tights collectively (the british include underwear)
• Words that mean the same thing: hose down, hosiery, hosepipe
• 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: HOSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "47. ___ urbis conditae, date of the founding of Rome"

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: ANNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "49. "It was a lover and his ___" (beginning of a song in "As You Like It")"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a girl or young woman who is unmarried
• Words that mean the same thing: jeune fille, young girl, lassie
• 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: LASS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "50. Just must"

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: GOTTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "51. Temporary water provider"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: PLANTSITTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "54. Vin Diesel's role in the "Fast & Furious" movies"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: DOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "55. Proverbial payee"

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 someone who plays the bagpipe
• Words that mean the same thing: bagpiper, genus Piper
• 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: PIPER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "56. Casino where Siegfried and Roy made their Las Vegas debut"

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: TROPICANA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "58. Follow"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
• Words that mean the same thing: result
• 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: ENSUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "59. "Some friendly advice ...""

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: HERESATIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "60. Slips through the cracks"

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 pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
• Words that mean the same thing: seep, ooze
• 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: SEEPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "61. Plants used in early genetics experiments"

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 climbing garden plant having fragrant pastel-colored flowers
• Words that mean the same thing: sweetpea, Lathyrus odoratus, sweet pea
• 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: SWEETPEAS

  Great job if you got it right!

June 22, 2024 Saturday NYT - All Down Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Set for a campsite	7
2D	2. One way to be left	7
3D	3. Bung, e.g.	7
4D	4. What the Royal Crown of Spain is plated with	3
5D	5. It's black and white (or sometimes red)	5
6D	6. Historically, it corresponded with how much a farmer could plow in one day	4
7D	7. Alternatives to irons	8
8D	8. Guinea pigs, e.g.	7
9D	9. Book with the story of Purim	6
10D	10. "Now!"	4
11D	11. It's tuned for tunes	5
12D	12. Went from 0 to 180, say	7
13D	13. Noncarbonated drink with bubbles	7
14D	14. Illuminating example	7
15D	21. Handheld object used to release excess energy	7
16D	23. French family members	5
17D	27. Trading card enthusiasts?	7
18D	28. "A Doll's House" protagonist	4
19D	31. Cash substitutes	4
20D	33. ___ cheese	5
21D	35. Creative outlet?	8
22D	36. Ballet exercises done at a barre	7
23D	37. Celebrity gossip site	7
24D	38. Think piece?	7
25D	39. Cover with scattered objects	7
26D	40. Much-anticipated outing	7
27D	41. First country to hold elections using internet voting	7
28D	42. Nautical navigation aids	7
29D	45. All ___ (phrase in some nondenominational church names)	6
30D	48. Better	5
31D	50. Mill fill	5
32D	52. Cuban instrument that ironically has six strings	4
33D	53. Sport that allows some corps-à-corps (body-to-body) contact	4
34D	57. Complete, with "off"	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. Set for a campsite"

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: MESSKIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. One way to be left"

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: INPEACE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Bung, e.g."

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 act so striking or impressive that the show must be delayed until the audience quiets down
• Words that mean the same thing: conversation stopper, show-stopper, plug
• 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: STOPPER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. What the Royal Crown of Spain is plated with"

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: ORO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. It's black and white (or sometimes red)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that large black-and-white herbivorous mammal of bamboo forests of china and tibet; in some classifications considered a member of the bear family or of a separate family ailuropodidae
• Words that mean the same thing: panda bear, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, Ailurus fulgens
• 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: PANDA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Historically, it corresponded with how much a farmer could plow in one day"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in english-speaking countries
• Words that mean the same thing: Akko, Akka, Accho
• 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: ACRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Alternatives to irons"

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 a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
• Words that mean the same thing: steamer, long-neck clam, steamer clam
• 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: STEAMERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Guinea pigs, e.g."

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 someone who is tested (as by an intelligence test or an academic examination)
• Words that mean the same thing: examinee, testee
• 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: TESTEES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Book with the story of Purim"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (old testament) a beautiful jewess chosen by the king of persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the jews in persia (an event celebrated by jews as the feast of purim)
• Words that mean the same thing: Book of Esther
• 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: ESTHER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "Now!""

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 as soon as possible
• 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: ASAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. It's tuned for tunes"

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 medium for communication
• Words that mean the same thing: radiocommunication, radio receiver, receiving set
• 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: RADIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Went from 0 to 180, say"

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: UTURNED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Noncarbonated drink with bubbles"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about food & drink.

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: BOBATEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Illuminating example"

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 inference that if things agree in some respects they probably agree in others
• Words that mean the same thing: doctrine of analogy
• The opposite would be: apophatism
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANALOGY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Handheld object used to release excess energy"

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: STIMTOY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. French family members"

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: PERES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "27. Trading card enthusiasts?"

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: PENPALS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "28. "A Doll's House" protagonist"

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: NORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "31. Cash substitutes"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an informal debt instrument; representing `i owe you'
• Words that mean the same thing: IOU
• 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: IOUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "33. ___ cheese"

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 tortilla chip topped with cheese and chili-pepper and broiled
• 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: NACHO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "35. Creative outlet?"

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: ARTSTORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "36. Ballet exercises done at a barre"

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 liqueur poured over shaved ice
• Words that mean the same thing: ice, frappe
• 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: FRAPPES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "37. Celebrity gossip site"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: EONLINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "38. Think piece?"

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 the junction between two neurons (axon-to-dendrite) or between a neuron and a muscle
• 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: SYNAPSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "39. Cover with scattered objects"

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 cover by strewing
• 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: BESTREW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "40. Much-anticipated outing"

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: HOTDATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "41. First country to hold elections using internet voting"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a republic in northeastern europe on the baltic sea
• Words that mean the same thing: Republic of Estonia, Esthonia
• 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: ESTONIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Nautical navigation aids"

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: SEAMAPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "45. All ___ (phrase in some nondenominational church names)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
• Words that mean the same thing: faith, trust, organized religion
• 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: FAITHS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "48. Better"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: ONEUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Mill fill"

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 grain intended to be or that has been ground
• 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: GRIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "52. Cuban instrument that ironically has six strings"

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: TRES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "53. Sport that allows some corps-à-corps (body-to-body) contact"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EPEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "57. Complete, with "off""

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 tight-fitting headdress
• Words that mean the same thing: detonator, ceiling, crownwork
• 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: CAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	53	77.9%
Short Answer	3	4.4%
Music	2	2.9%
Sports	2	2.9%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.9%
Abbreviation	1	1.5%
Movies/Film	1	1.5%
History	1	1.5%
Literature	1	1.5%
Food & Drink	1	1.5%
Geography	1	1.5%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	34
Down Clues	34
Total Clues	68
Average Answer Length	5.9 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	11 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 Saturday, 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 24, 2025 at 08:22 PM

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 25, 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 (35 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. Olympic slalom equipment	5
2A	6. Spanish sparkling wine	4
3A	10. First, second or third	4
4A	14. "For real!"	10
5A	16. Fictional company famous for its duds	4
6A	17. Outcome of a match, maybe	10
7A	18. Forum setting	4
8A	19. U2 producer Brian	3
9A	20. Stew on it!	5
10A	21. Like a whodunit in which the butler did it [duh!]	5
11A	22. Device seen on a front desk	4
12A	23. Ho Chi Minh City's former name	6
13A	25. Exploit a loophole, e.g.	13
14A	29. Disinclined	6
15A	30. Supermodel Alek	3
16A	31. ___ one's time	4
17A	34. Procedure after which you might wear flip-flops, informally	4
18A	35. Off	5
19A	37. ___ Minor	4
20A	38. Pen that isn't used for writing, in brief	4
21A	39. "Karma is a cat / Purring in my ___ 'cause it loves me" (Taylor Swift lyric)	3
22A	40. Port on the Loire	6
23A	42. "Speaking of which ..."	13
24A	45. Like an earworm	6
25A	46. Play group	4
26A	47. Not bother	5
27A	48. Rapper and actor Smith	5
28A	50. Go-to doc	3
29A	53. Actress Shawkat	4
30A	54. Ones providing brief assistance?	10
31A	56. Alliance	4
32A	57. Invasive plants?	10
33A	58. One might be meat-only or dairy-only in a kosher household	4
34A	59. Morsels often found in fried rice	4
35A	60. The Devil's domain	5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Olympic slalom equipment"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CANOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Spanish sparkling wine"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. First, second or third"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

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: appurtenance, paraphernalia, gear wheel
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. "For real!""

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IKIDYOUNOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Fictional company famous for its duds"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
• Similar words include: meridian, vertex, summit
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Outcome of a match, maybe"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TINDERDATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Forum setting"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that capital and largest city of italy; on the tiber; seat of the roman catholic church; formerly the capital of the roman republic and the roman empire
• Similar words include: capital of Italy, Eternal City, Roma
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. U2 producer Brian"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Stew on it!"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a spoon-shaped vessel with a long handle; frequently used to transfer liquids from one container to another
• Similar words include: lade, laden
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LADLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Like a whodunit in which the butler did it [duh!]"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
• Similar words include: commonplace, old-hat, timeworn
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BANAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Device seen on a front desk"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
• Similar words include: campana, Alexander Melville Bell, toll
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Ho Chi Minh City's former name"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a city in south vietnam; formerly (as saigon) it was the capital of french indochina
• Similar words include: Ho Chi Minh City
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAIGON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Exploit a loophole, e.g."

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAMETHESYSTEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Disinclined"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
• Similar words include: antipathetic, loath, loth
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVERSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Supermodel Alek"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. ___ one's time"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Similar words include: stay, abide
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Procedure after which you might wear flip-flops, informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PEDI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Off"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that not functioning properly
• Similar words include: haywire, wrong, awry
• Opposite of: perfectly

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. ___ Minor"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Pen that isn't used for writing, in brief"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ECIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. "Karma is a cat / Purring in my ___ 'cause it loves me" (Taylor Swift lyric)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
• Similar words include: lave, lick, circuit
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Port on the Loire"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a port city in western france on the loire estuary
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NANTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. "Speaking of which ...""

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THATREMINDSME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Like an earworm"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that having concealed difficulty
• Similar words include: attention-getting, tricky
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CATCHY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Play group"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
• Similar words include: human activity, deed, human action
• Opposite of: refrain

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Not bother"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LETBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "48. Rapper and actor Smith"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JADEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. Go-to doc"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person who helps in identifying or preventing or treating illness or disability
• Similar words include: angel dust, health professional, phencyclidine
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PCP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "53. Actress Shawkat"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "54. Ones providing brief assistance?"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person with specialized training who assists lawyers
• Similar words include: legal assistant, paralegal
• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PARALEGALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "56. Alliance"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a group of countries in special alliance
• Similar words include: axis
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BLOC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "57. Invasive plants?"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENEMYSPIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "58. One might be meat-only or dairy-only in a kosher household"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that plumbing fixture consisting of a water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe
• Similar words include: slide down, drop down, pass
• Opposite of: float, source

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "59. Morsels often found in fried rice"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that seed of a pea plant used for food
• Similar words include: pea plant, pea
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PEAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "60. The Devil's domain"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of a set of (usually 72) cards that include 22 cards representing virtues and vices and death and fortune etc.; used by fortunetellers
• Similar words include: tarot card
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TAROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Give credit to, in a way	4
2D	2. Analogous	4
3D	3. ___ Sarratore, "My Brilliant Friend" character	4
4D	4. "How ___"	3
5D	5. Certain loopholes	7
6D	6. Spoon, e.g.	6
7D	7. Second Freudian stage	4
8D	8. Gives one's approval, in a way	8
9D	9. Past-tense verb that becomes its present tense when you move its last letter to the front	3
10D	10. Sources of some rock	11
11D	11. Some experts of interest?	10
12D	12. World capital once known as Philadelphia	5
13D	13. Instagram : ___ :: YouTube : Short	4
14D	15. Focus for the foul-mouthed?	10
15D	21. Skosh	3
16D	22. "Hang on a sec"	11
17D	24. Says "please," say	10
18D	25. Look stunned	4
19D	26. "___ plaisir" ("You're welcome," in French)	4
20D	27. Breathtaking activity?	10
21D	28. Take without paying ... or a motion made while paying	5
22D	32. Per ___	4
23D	33. Slip (into)	4
24D	36. Ganja	8
25D	41. Residence that can have thousands of chambers	7
26D	43. Unreturnable pickleball shot	3
27D	44. Polite titles	6
28D	45. Instruments in chamber groups	5
29D	47. Discovery sites	4
30D	49. What's distorted in a Mercator projection	4
31D	50. Part of a full house	4
32D	51. Ptolemaic royal, familiarly	4
33D	52. Poke alternative	4
34D	54. Vim	3
35D	55. Transcript fig.	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Give credit to, in a way"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
• Similar words include: mention, acknowledgment, quotation
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Analogous"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that similar in quality or character
• Similar words include: blood-related, consanguineous, kindred
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AKIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. ___ Sarratore, "My Brilliant Friend" character"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NINO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "How ___""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that not divisible by two
• Similar words include: rum, rummy, left
• Opposite of: even

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ODD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Certain loopholes"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small hole (usually round and finished around the edges) in cloth or leather for the passage of a cord or hook or bar
• Similar words include: grommet, cringle, eyelet
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EYELETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Spoon, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a close and affectionate (and often prolonged) embrace
• Similar words include: nest, snuggle, nestle
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CUDDLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Second Freudian stage"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of or related to the anus
• Similar words include: anal retentive
• Opposite of: oral

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Gives one's approval, in a way"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VOTESYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Past-tense verb that becomes its present tense when you move its last letter to the front"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
• Similar words include: eat up, eat on, wipe out
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Sources of some rock"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GARAGEBANDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Some experts of interest?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an expert in the science of economics
• Similar words include: economic expert, economist
• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ECONOMISTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. World capital once known as Philadelphia"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the capital and largest city of jordan
• Similar words include: capital of Jordan
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMMAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Instagram : ___ :: YouTube : Short"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Focus for the foul-mouthed?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORALHEALTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Skosh"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small piece or quantity of something
• Similar words include: burn, piece, chip
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. "Hang on a sec""

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BERIGHTBACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Says "please," say"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASKSNICELY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Look stunned"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an expression of openmouthed astonishment
• Similar words include: gawk, gawp, goggle
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. "___ plaisir" ("You're welcome," in French)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Breathtaking activity?"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
• Similar words include: speculation
• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEDITATION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "28. Take without paying ... or a motion made while paying"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sweeping stroke or blow
• Similar words include: abstract, filch, pinch
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SWIPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Per ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DIEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Slip (into)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
• Similar words include: easiness, informality, facilitate
• Opposite of: difficulty

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Answer: EASE

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24D: "36. Ganja"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

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Answer: MARYJANE

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25D: "41. Residence that can have thousands of chambers"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

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Answer: ANTNEST

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26D: "43. Unreturnable pickleball shot"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Similar words include: sensation, breeze through, mavin
• Pattern: ___

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Answer: ACE

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27D: "44. Polite titles"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a woman of refinement
• Similar words include: dame, madam, gentlewoman
• Pattern: ______

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Answer: MADAMS

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28D: "45. Instruments in chamber groups"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

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Answer: CELLI

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29D: "47. Discovery sites"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
• Similar words include: lab, science lab, research laboratory
• Pattern: ____

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Answer: LABS

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30D: "49. What's distorted in a Mercator projection"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
• Similar words include: surface area, sphere, orbit
• Pattern: ____

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Answer: AREA

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31D: "50. Part of a full house"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a set of two similar things considered as a unit
• Similar words include: couplet, partner off, twain
• Pattern: ____

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Answer: PAIR

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32D: "51. Ptolemaic royal, familiarly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLEO

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33D: "52. Poke alternative"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PSST

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34D: "54. Vim"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that liveliness and energy
• Similar words include: peppiness, ginger
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PEP

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35D: "55. Transcript fig."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a measure of a student's academic achievement at a college or university; calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted
• Similar words include: grade point average
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GPA

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Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues

35 Down Clues

70 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 25, 2026 at 08:58 AM