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July 18, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Saturday, July 18, 2020

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 70 (35 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.5 letters

July 18, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions

Across Clues Explained - Saturday NYT Crossword July 18, 2020

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Anchor 8
2A 9. Composer of the "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" collection 6
3A 15. From nothing, as Creation 8
4A 16. Working rhythm 6
5A 17. "The Simpsons" character in sunglasses and platform shoes 8
6A 18. Good thing to have on hand during winter? 6
7A 19. Accused of infringement, say 4
8A 20. Bit of resistance 3
9A 22. ___ acid 5
10A 23. Body shop add-ons, informally 4
11A 25. Bomb-confiscating org. 3
12A 27. One seeking table scraps, maybe 3
13A 28. With 1-Down, where students at Manhattan's Langone Center go, for short 3
14A 29. Ruined, as plans 8
15A 32. 1975 Wimbledon winner 4
16A 35. Outcome 10
17A 37. Something to pay a steep price for? 3
18A 38. The top Hot 100 solo artist of all time, per Billboard 7
19A 39. Gift in "The Gift of the Magi" 3
20A 40. Mammalian hematophage 10
21A 42. Cheeky 4
22A 43. A, as in April? 8
23A 44. "___ tu" 3
24A 46. It may be passed at a fund-raiser 3
25A 47. Having everything one needs 3
26A 48. Prefix with -hedron 4
27A 50. Purchases at Ollivanders, in fantasy 5
28A 52. Psychoactive constituent of marijuana, for short 3
29A 54. Detached piece of ice 4
30A 56. Funds 6
31A 58. Field with estate planning 8
32A 61. Sort of spousal separation 6
33A 62. Postponement info 8
34A 63. Sailor's omen, in a phrase 6
35A 64. Do-or-die hockey situation 8

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. Anchor"

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 prominent supporter
  • Words that mean the same thing: backbone, pillar, anchor
  • 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: MAINSTAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "9. Composer of the "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" collection"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that austrian composer and conductor (1860-1911)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Gustav Mahler
  • 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: MAHLER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "15. From nothing, as Creation"

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: EXNIHILO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "16. Working rhythm"

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 long narrow furrow cut either by a natural process (such as erosion) or by a tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph record)
  • Words that mean the same thing: rut, channel, vallecula
  • 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: GROOVE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "17. "The Simpsons" character in sunglasses and platform shoes"

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: DISCOSTU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "18. Good thing to have on hand during winter?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that glove that encases the thumb separately and the other four fingers together
  • 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: MITTEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. Accused of infringement, say"

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 institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against
  • Words that mean the same thing: action, litigate, process
  • 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: SUED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Bit of resistance"

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 unit of electrical resistance equal to the resistance between two points on a conductor when a potential difference of one volt between them produces a current of one ampere
  • Words that mean the same thing: Georg Simon Ohm
  • 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: OHM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "22. ___ acid"

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 radical -nh2
  • Words that mean the same thing: aminic, amino group
  • 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: AMINO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "23. Body shop add-ons, informally"

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 youth subculture that began in london in the early 1960s; a working-class movement with highly stylized dress and short hair; listened to rhythm and blues music and travelled on motor scooters
  • Words that mean the same thing: mod
  • 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: MODS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "25. Bomb-confiscating org."

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the law enforcement and tax collection agency of the treasury department that enforces federal laws concerning alcohol and tobacco products and firearms and explosives and arson
  • Words that mean the same thing: Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms
  • 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: ATF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "27. One seeking table scraps, maybe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
  • Words that mean the same thing: emmet, pismire
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ANT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "28. With 1-Down, where students at Manhattan's Langone Center go, for short"

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

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: NYU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "29. Ruined, as plans"

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 cause to run off the tracks
  • Words that mean the same thing: derail, jump
  • 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: DERAILED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "32. 1975 Wimbledon winner"

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 united states tennis player who was the first black to win united states and english singles championships (1943-1993)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Arthur Robert Ashe, Arthur Ashe
  • 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: ASHE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. Outcome"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: BOTTOMLINE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "37. Something to pay a steep price for?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
  • Words that mean the same thing: tea leaf, Camellia sinensis, teatime
  • 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: TEA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "38. The top Hot 100 solo artist of all time, per Billboard"

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 mother of jesus; christians refer to her as the virgin mary; she is especially honored by roman catholics
  • Words that mean the same thing: Blessed Virgin, Mary, Virgin Mary
  • 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: MADONNA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "39. Gift in "The Gift of the Magi""

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 vest pocket to hold a pocket watch
  • Words that mean the same thing: fox, play a trick on, play tricks
  • 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: FOB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "40. Mammalian hematophage"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: VAMPIREBAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "42. Cheeky"

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 characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
  • Words that mean the same thing: impertinent, saucy, irreverent
  • 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: PERT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "43. A, as in April?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to
  • Words that mean the same thing: agenda, docket
  • 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: SCHEDULE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "44. "___ tu""

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: ERI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "46. It may be passed at a fund-raiser"

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 headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
  • Words that mean the same thing: chapeau, lid
  • 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: HAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "47. Having everything one needs"

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 group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Words that mean the same thing: define, put, sic
  • The opposite would be: rise
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "48. Prefix with -hedron"

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: DECA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "50. Purchases at Ollivanders, in fantasy"

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 rod used by a magician or water diviner
  • Words that mean the same thing: verge, sceptre, wand
  • 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: WANDS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "52. Psychoactive constituent of marijuana, 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 psychoactive substance present in marijuana
  • Words that mean the same thing: tetrahydrocannabinol
  • 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: THC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "54. Detached piece of ice"

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 young of domestic cattle
  • Words that mean the same thing: sura, calfskin
  • 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: CALF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "56. Funds"

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 give qualities or abilities to
  • Words that mean the same thing: dower, endue, empower
  • 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: ENDOWS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "58. Field with estate planning"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: ELDERLAW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "61. Sort of spousal separation"

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: AGEGAP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "62. Postponement info"

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: RAINDATE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "63. Sailor's omen, in a phrase"

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: REDSKY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "64. Do-or-die hockey situation"

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: EMPTYNET

    Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Saturday Puzzle July 18, 2020

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. See 28-Across 3
2D 2. x, y or z 4
3D 3. Recapping 5
4D 4. Sarcastic comment after a mess-up 7
5D 5. Low-rent 6
6D 6. "___ but a scratch ..." 3
7D 7. Toni Braxton or Mahalia Jackson, e.g. 4
8D 8. "It was even funnier in person" 15
9D 9. Big name in casinos 3
10D 10. Soliloquy relative 4
11D 11. Predecessor of Outlook 7
12D 12. Kismet 9
13D 13. Calm state of affairs 9
14D 14. City north of Washoe Lake State Park 4
15D 21. What's found on a couple of plates in Italy? 6
16D 24. Foresters, e.g. 7
17D 26. Led 7
18D 30. Modern Q&A inits. 3
19D 31. Red cents? 4
20D 32. Countryside conveyances, for short 4
21D 33. Complete shift 9
22D 34. All thumbs 9
23D 36. Short lyric poem 6
24D 38. Lead-in to sentence or section 3
25D 41. Ones seeking table scraps, maybe 7
26D 42. Historic region of northern France 7
27D 45. Like the latest 6
28D 49. Actor Lane who voiced Mister Ed 5
29D 50. Sign of overuse 4
30D 51. Letters on love notes 4
31D 53. Smacker 4
32D 55. Kismet 4
33D 57. International ___ Museum (Washington, D.C., attraction) 3
34D 59. Plié, in ballet 3
35D 60. It might be hard to get this in a desert 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. See 28-Across"

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 master's degree in education
  • Words that mean the same thing: Master of Education
  • 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: MED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. x, y or z"

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 straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions
  • Words that mean the same thing: bloc, axis vertebra, axis of rotation
  • 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: AXIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Recapping"

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: INSUM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Sarcastic comment after a mess-up"

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: NICEONE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Low-rent"

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 reclaimed wool fiber
  • Words that mean the same thing: misleading, jerry-built, tawdry
  • 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: SHODDY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. "___ but a scratch ...""

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 light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
  • Words that mean the same thing: Cordyline terminalis, ti, si
  • 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: TIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Toni Braxton or Mahalia Jackson, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a singer whose voice lies in the alto clef
  • Words that mean the same thing: contralto, countertenor
  • 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: ALTO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. "It was even funnier in person""

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: YOUHADTOBETHERE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Big name in casinos"

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: MGM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Soliloquy relative"

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 elaborate song for solo voice
  • 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: ARIA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Predecessor of Outlook"

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: HOTMAIL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Kismet"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: LOTINLIFE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Calm state of affairs"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: EVENTENOR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. City north of Washoe Lake State Park"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a city in western nevada at the foot of the sierra nevada mountains; known for gambling casinos and easy divorce and remarriage
  • 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: RENO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. What's found on a couple of plates in Italy?"

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: MTETNA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Foresters, e.g."

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: SUBARUS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "26. Led"

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 oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to
  • Words that mean the same thing: face, front, breast
  • The opposite would be: back
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FRONTED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "30. Modern Q&A inits."

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: AMA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "31. Red cents?"

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 state of owing something (especially money)
  • 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: DEBT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "32. Countryside conveyances, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium 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: ATVS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "33. Complete shift"

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: SEACHANGE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "34. All thumbs"

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: HAMHANDED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "36. Short lyric poem"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ODELET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "38. Lead-in to sentence or section"

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 used in combination to denote the middle
  • 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: MID

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "41. Ones seeking table scraps, maybe"

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: PETDOGS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "42. Historic region of northern France"

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 a region of northern france on the english channel
  • Words that mean the same thing: Picardie
  • 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: PICARDY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "45. Like the latest"

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 approximately the last 10,000 years
  • Words that mean the same thing: late, Recent epoch, Holocene
  • 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: RECENT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "49. Actor Lane who voiced Mister Ed"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard 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: ALLAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "50. Sign of overuse"

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 impairment resulting from long use
  • Words that mean the same thing: assume, wear thin, jade
  • The opposite would be: refresh
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WEAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "51. Letters on love notes"

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: SWAK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "53. Smacker"

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 burrowing marine mollusk living on sand or mud; the shell closes with viselike firmness
  • Words that mean the same thing: dollar bill, buck, dollar
  • 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: CLAM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "55. Kismet"

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 an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
  • Words that mean the same thing: designate, circumstances, lot
  • 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: FATE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "57. International ___ Museum (Washington, D.C., attraction)"

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 (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors
  • Words that mean the same thing: sight, descry, undercover agent
  • 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: SPY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "59. Plié, in ballet"

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 depression in an otherwise level surface
  • Words that mean the same thing: free fall, sink, souse
  • 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: DIP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "60. It might be hard to get this in a desert"

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 wetness caused by water
  • Words that mean the same thing: pie-eyed, soaked, fuddled
  • The opposite would be: dry
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WET

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 45 64.3%
Short Answer 16 22.9%
Geography 4 5.7%
Abbreviation 2 2.9%
Music 1 1.4%
Literature 1 1.4%
Celebrity/Entertainment 1 1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 35
Down Clues 35
Total Clues 70
Average Answer Length 5.5 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

  • Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
  • Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
  • When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
  • Today is 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!

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

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 23, 2025 at 07:38 PM

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Friday, September 11, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 11, 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

September 11, 2026 NYT Crossword Solutions

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Impediments to collaboration 4
2A 5. It's the thing 4
3A 9. Motion on a screen 5
4A 14. Anchor's spot 4
5A 15. "I've had enough of this!" 10
6A 17. People who worshiped the rain god Illapa 4
7A 18. Unexpected twists 10
8A 19. Singer/actress Carrere 3
9A 20. U.S. senators Warnock and Duckworth, for two 4
10A 21. How often blue moons occur 6
11A 22. Track-and-field challenges 7
12A 24. Nods at a lot? 4
13A 25. Barrel (along) 5
14A 26. Big name in 23-Down 4
15A 27. Lentils prepared with ghee, perhaps 3
16A 30. Jazz Age Disney princess 5
17A 31. Drives for money? 9
18A 33. Actor Elba 5
19A 34. A long time follower? 3
20A 35. Expert in worldwide fulfillment and distribution operations? 5
21A 36. "I'll wait for your update" 9
22A 38. Attire for a high-pressure job? 5
23A 39. Put down 3
24A 40. Pad 4
25A 41. Ramadan, e.g. 5
26A 42. Particles in a particle accelerator 4
27A 43. Comforts 7
28A 45. Fairly low-risk investment 6
29A 48. Chip source, informally 4
30A 49. Guard at the gates of Mordor 3
31A 50. Tool for adding sparkle to lackluster prose? 10
32A 52. Tiger ___ (spiky houseplant) 4
33A 53. Steered too close to the shoreline, say 10
34A 54. How one might feel at a support group meeting 4
35A 55. "Ergo ..." 5
36A 56. Wraps 4
37A 57. [Look at me!] 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Impediments to collaboration"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
  • Similar words include: self-importance, ego, self
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. It's the thing"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
  • Similar words include: particular, detail, token
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Motion on a screen"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sweeping stroke or blow
  • Similar words include: filch, purloin, pilfer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWIPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Anchor's spot"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DESK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. "I've had enough of this!""

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THATDOESIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. People who worshiped the rain god Illapa"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ruler of the incas (or a member of his family)
  • Similar words include: Incan, Inka
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Unexpected twists"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CURVEBALLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Singer/actress Carrere"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that brief episode in which the brain gets insufficient blood supply; symptoms depend on the site of the blockage
  • Similar words include: transient ischemic attack
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. U.S. senators Warnock and Duckworth, for two"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a doctorate usually based on at least 3 years graduate study and a dissertation; the highest degree awarded graduate study
  • Similar words include: PhD, Ph.D.
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. How often blue moons occur"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: seldom
  • Opposite of: often
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RARELY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Track-and-field challenges"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a footrace in which contestants must negotiate a series of hurdles
  • Similar words include: hurdle, vault, hurdle race
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HURDLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Nods at a lot?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
  • Similar words include: offer, tender, call
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Barrel (along)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that distance travelled per unit time
  • Similar words include: hasten, quicken, hotfoot
  • Opposite of: linger, decelerate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Big name in 23-Down"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (new testament) disciple of jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first gospel
  • Similar words include: St. Matthew, St. Matthew the Apostle, Matthew
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEVI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "27. Lentils prepared with ghee, perhaps"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metric unit of volume or capacity equal to 10 liters
  • Similar words include: dkl, dekaliter, dekalitre
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Jazz Age Disney princess"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Drives for money?"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TELETHONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Actor Elba"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDRIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. A long time follower?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gone by; or in the past
  • Similar words include: agone
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Expert in worldwide fulfillment and distribution operations?"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at christmas
  • Similar words include: Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kriss Kringle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SANTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "36. "I'll wait for your update""

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LETMEKNOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "38. Attire for a high-pressure job?"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GSUIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "39. Put down"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
  • Similar words include: ballad, dwell, secular
  • Opposite of: arise, stand
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "40. Pad"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an excavation for ore or precious stones or for archaeology
  • Similar words include: barb, toil, apprehend
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "41. Ramadan, e.g."

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
  • Similar words include: calendar month
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MONTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "42. Particles in a particle accelerator"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particle that is electrically charged (positive or negative); an atom or molecule or group that has lost or gained one or more electrons
  • Similar words include: ion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "43. Comforts"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give moral or emotional strength to
  • Similar words include: soothe, solace, comfort
  • Opposite of: irritate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOOTHES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "45. Fairly low-risk investment"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AABOND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "48. Chip source, informally"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edible tuber native to south america; a staple food of ireland
  • Similar words include: murphy, tater, potato
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPUD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "49. Guard at the gates of Mordor"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "50. Tool for adding sparkle to lackluster prose?"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLITTERPEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "52. Tiger ___ (spiky houseplant)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "53. Steered too close to the shoreline, say"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANAGROUND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "54. How one might feel at a support group meeting"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
  • Similar words include: meet, determine, go steady
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "55. "Ergo ...""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANDSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "56. Wraps"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that either extremity of something that has length
  • Similar words include: final stage, remainder, closing
  • Opposite of: begin, beginning
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "57. [Look at me!]"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PSST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. ___ Ann (classic Lily Tomlin character) 5
2D 2. "That's brilliant!" 10
3D 3. Hollywood post-broadcast fete 10
4D 4. Export from Jamaica 3
5D 5. Had a hankering 6
6D 6. Sounds of fall? 5
7D 7. Sound wave amplifiers 4
8D 8. Network debut of 1981 3
9D 9. Assessment of something enjoyed ironically 12
10D 10. Sports 5
11D 11. Part of a key chain 4
12D 12. Prop in "The Matrix" 4
13D 13. "Keep Commerce Human" website 4
14D 16. Infer (from) 6
15D 20. "I'll be sad if you leave" 12
16D 23. Fabric related to chambray 5
17D 24. Down under 5
18D 26. Bricks used in some castles 5
19D 27. Timbits from Tim Hortons, e.g. 10
20D 28. Flawed protagonists 10
21D 29. Trial that an attorney may not remember fondly? 4
22D 30. Cash register part 4
23D 31. Blue ___ (coral reef swimmers like Pixar's Dory) 5
24D 32. Lacks 5
25D 37. More compassionate 6
26D 41. Candy bar in the jingle that begins "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't" 6
27D 42. Ptolemy III? 5
28D 43. Welcome advice from a financial planner 5
29D 44. Lavender or lilac 5
30D 45. City where Shah Jahan built a monument to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal 4
31D 46. Film composer Silvestri 4
32D 47. Pickle 4
33D 48. Like silk or yarn 4
34D 51. Pseudonym cited repeatedly in the 2022 Dobbs decision 3
35D 52. "The pretty worm of Nilus," per Shakespeare's Cleopatra 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. ___ Ann (classic Lily Tomlin character)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDITH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "That's brilliant!""

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENIUSIDEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Hollywood post-broadcast fete"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSCARPARTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Export from Jamaica"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Had a hankering"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that scrape or rub as if to relieve itching
  • Similar words include: scratch, spoil, itch
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITCHED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Sounds of fall?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects)
  • Similar words include: thumping, crump, clunk
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THUDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Sound wave amplifiers"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
  • Similar words include: pinna, capitulum, auricle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Network debut of 1981"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MTV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Assessment of something enjoyed ironically"

12 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOBADITSGOOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Sports"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that impairment resulting from long use
  • Similar words include: fall apart, don, have on
  • Opposite of: refresh
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Part of a key chain"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small island
  • Similar words include: islet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Prop in "The Matrix""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that resembles a tablet of medicine in shape or size
  • Similar words include: tab, anovulatory drug, lozenge
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "Keep Commerce Human" website"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "16. Infer (from)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reason by deduction; establish by deduction
  • Similar words include: deduct, come, descend
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DERIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. "I'll be sad if you leave""

12 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PLEASEDONTGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Fabric related to chambray"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (usually plural) close-fitting trousers of heavy denim for manual work or casual wear
  • Similar words include: dungaree, blue jean, jean
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DENIM

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17D: "24. Down under"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in or to a place that is lower
  • Similar words include: at a lower place, infra, downstairs
  • Opposite of: above, upstairs
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BELOW

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18D: "26. Bricks used in some castles"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (trademark) a child's plastic construction set for making mechanical models
  • Similar words include: Lego, Lego set
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEGOS

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19D: "27. Timbits from Tim Hortons, e.g."

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DONUTHOLES

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20D: "28. Flawed protagonists"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a protagonist who lacks the characteristics that would make him a hero (or her a heroine)
  • Similar words include: antihero
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTIHEROES

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21D: "29. Trial that an attorney may not remember fondly?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LSAT

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22D: "30. Cash register part"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that unstratified soil deposited by a glacier; consists of sand and clay and gravel and boulders mixed together
  • Similar words include: trough, boulder clay, public treasury
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TILL

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23D: "31. Blue ___ (coral reef swimmers like Pixar's Dory)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tart spicy quality
  • Similar words include: savor, Tang dynasty, flavour
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TANGS

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24D: "32. Lacks"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HASNT

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25D: "37. More compassionate"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
  • Similar words include: kind, tolerant, genial
  • Opposite of: unkind
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KINDER

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26D: "41. Candy bar in the jingle that begins "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands
  • Similar words include: agglomerate, pitcher's mound, pitcher
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOUNDS

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27D: "42. Ptolemy III?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
  • Similar words include: iota, scintilla, shred
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOTAS

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28D: "43. Welcome advice from a financial planner"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pass time in a specific way
  • Similar words include: pass, drop, expend
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPEND

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29D: "44. Lavender or lilac"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinctive odor that is pleasant
  • Similar words include: fragrance, odorize, aroma
  • Opposite of: deodourise, deodorize
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCENT

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30D: "45. City where Shah Jahan built a monument to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in northern india; former capital of the mogul empire; site of the taj mahal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGRA

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31D: "46. Film composer Silvestri"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALAN

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32D: "47. Pickle"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that hinders as if with bonds
  • Similar words include: attach, obligate, tie up
  • Opposite of: untie, unbind
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIND

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33D: "48. Like silk or yarn"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
  • Similar words include: whirl, gyrate, twirl
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPUN

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34D: "51. Pseudonym cited repeatedly in the 2022 Dobbs decision"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
  • Similar words include: hard roe
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROE

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35D: "52. "The pretty worm of Nilus," per Shakespeare's Cleopatra"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of southern europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
  • Similar words include: Naja haje, Egyptian cobra, Vipera aspis
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASP

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

37 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
72 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: September 11, 2026 at 08:10 AM

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