December 22, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

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

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, December 22, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 70 (35 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.5 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Friday Puzzle December 22, 2023

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Numbers can be read in this	5
2A	6. Org. that offers free at-home hearing tests	4
3A	10. Scholz of German politics	4
4A	14. Spanish count	10
5A	16. Make it up?	4
6A	17. Making headlines, say	10
7A	18. Bed cover	4
8A	19. Emphatic suffix	3
9A	20. Big name in vegan cheese	5
10A	21. Like conventional music	5
11A	22. Children's TV character whose last name is Márquez	4
12A	23. Big break	6
13A	25. Some break dancers, informally	5
14A	27. Plays the wrong way	6
15A	28. Telenovela profession	5
16A	29. Rama is one, in Arthur C. Clarke's sci-fi novel "Rendezvous With Rama"	9
17A	32. Locale dubbed the "Las Vegas of the East"	5
18A	33. Knock hard	3
19A	34. Who wrote "Beauty is truth, truth beauty"	5
20A	35. Words from someone who doesn't want to be taken seriously	9
21A	37. Deservingness	5
22A	38. Elitists	6
23A	39. Riffs on, modernly	5
24A	40. Lovely, in Spanish	6
25A	41. Buds	4
26A	42. Tackles	5
27A	43. Lewis who played Grizabella on Broadway	5
28A	45. Texter's "Ta-ta!"	3
29A	48. Little bit of make-up?	4
30A	49. One working on a keynote	10
31A	51. Card-dealing casino device	4
32A	52. Last-ditch remedies for computer problems	10
33A	53. Authors	4
34A	54. Cloverleaf cluster?	4
35A	55. Fix, as a bowline	5

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. Numbers can be read in this"

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 the whole body of the jewish sacred writings and tradition including the oral tradition
• Words that mean the same thing: Pentateuch, Laws
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TORAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Org. that offers free at-home hearing tests"

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 an association of people to promote the welfare of senior citizens
• Words that mean the same thing: Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AARP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Scholz of German politics"

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: OLAF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Spanish count"

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: UNODOSTRES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. Make it up?"

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 growth in strength or number or importance
• Words that mean the same thing: rebel, ascending, spring up
• The opposite would be: go to bed, descent
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RISE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. Making headlines, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that sufficiently interesting to be reported in a newspaper
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEWSWORTHY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Bed cover"

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 state of being covered with unclean things
• Words that mean the same thing: ground, begrime, dirt
• The opposite would be: clean
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Emphatic suffix"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Words that mean the same thing: fundament, fanny, backside
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Big name in vegan cheese"

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: DAIYA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Like conventional music"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that employing variations in pitch to distinguish meanings of otherwise similar words
• Words that mean the same thing: tonic
• The opposite would be: atonal
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TONAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Children's TV character whose last name is Márquez"

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: DORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. Big break"

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 division of a group into opposing factions
• Words that mean the same thing: split
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCHISM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Some break dancers, informally"

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: BBOYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Plays the wrong way"

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 weedy annual grass often occurs in grainfields and other cultivated land; seeds sometimes considered poisonous
• Words that mean the same thing: rig, chouse, chess
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CHEATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "28. Telenovela profession"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: TEAMO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "29. Rama is one, in Arthur C. Clarke's sci-fi novel "Rendezvous With Rama""

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert 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: ALIENSHIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. Locale dubbed the "Las Vegas of the East""

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 former portuguese province on the south coast of china and two islands in the south china sea; reverted to china in 1999
• Words that mean the same thing: Macao
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MACAU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "33. Knock hard"

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 cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
• Words that mean the same thing: trash, genus Pan, pan off
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "34. Who wrote "Beauty is truth, truth beauty""

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 englishman and romantic poet (1795-1821)
• Words that mean the same thing: John Keats
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KEATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "35. Words from someone who doesn't want to be taken seriously"

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: IMKIDDING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "37. Deservingness"

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 any admirable quality or attribute
• Words that mean the same thing: meritoriousness, deserve, virtue
• The opposite would be: demerit
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MERIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "38. Elitists"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
• Words that mean the same thing: beak, hooter, snob
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNOOTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "39. Riffs on, modernly"

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 cultural unit (an idea or value or pattern of behavior) that is passed from one person to another by non-genetic means (as by imitation)
• Words that mean the same thing: meme
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MEMES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "40. Lovely, in Spanish"

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: BONITA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "41. Buds"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
• Words that mean the same thing: brother, buddy, pal up
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PALS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "42. Tackles"

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: HASAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "43. Lewis who played Grizabella on Broadway"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LEONA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "45. Texter's "Ta-ta!""

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: CYA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "48. Little bit of make-up?"

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 (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
• Words that mean the same thing: speck, particle, mote
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "49. One working on a keynote"

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: PIANOTUNER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "51. Card-dealing casino device"

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 footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material
• Words that mean the same thing: brake shoe, skid, horseshoe
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "52. Last-ditch remedies for computer problems"

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: HARDRESETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "53. Authors"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
• Words that mean the same thing: pen, penitentiary, write
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "54. Cloverleaf cluster?"

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 hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
• Words that mean the same thing: lodge, inn, hostel
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INNS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "55. Fix, as a bowline"

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

  The answer is: RETIE

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Friday Crossword Down Clues - December 22, 2023 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Bigeye, for one	4
2D	2. Gender-neutral possessive	4
3D	3. Parts of tables	4
4D	4. Stream interrupters	3
5D	5. Question expressing amazement	12
6D	6. They may have glass ceilings	5
7D	7. Appealing to an indie audience, maybe	4
8D	8. Meeting extender	9
9D	9. ___.D (therapist's deg.)	3
10D	10. "… apparently"	11
11D	11. Largest part	10
12D	12. Exactly the way you see me	5
13D	13. Was defeated	4
14D	15. Skyrockets	5
15D	21. "Take my word for it, you're going to love this"	12
16D	22. Address components	11
17D	24. Acrylic finish?	3
18D	25. Support piece	4
19D	26. "Didn't you just leave?"	10
20D	27. Family units	5
21D	28. Letters that might make a long story short?	3
22D	29. Course that may cover Dante and Ferrante, familiarly	9
23D	30. Terse affirmation	4
24D	31. Setting for most Laker home games: Abbr.	3
25D	36. One of three in Fiji?	3
26D	39. Misselthwaite ___, setting of "The Secret Garden"	5
27D	40. Soak (in)	5
28D	41. Scummy locales	5
29D	42. Gate feature	4
30D	44. Get on the job	4
31D	45. "Your guide to a better future" website	4
32D	46. Figure in Sherpa folklore	4
33D	47. 19-Across, to a Brit	4
34D	49. Preantepenultimate letter	3
35D	50. Single-___	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. Bigeye, for one"

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 tropical american prickly pear of jamaica
• Words that mean the same thing: tuna fish, tunny, Anguilla sucklandii
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TUNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Gender-neutral possessive"

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 smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Words that mean the same thing: ace, I, one
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ONES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Parts of tables"

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 arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
• Words that mean the same thing: run-in, row, wrangle
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Stream interrupters"

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 public promotion of some product or service
• Words that mean the same thing: advertizing, advertisement, advert
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Question expressing amazement"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 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: HOWDOYOUDOIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. They may have glass ceilings"

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 any chamber that is connected to other chambers or passageways (especially one of the two upper chambers of the heart)
• Words that mean the same thing: atrium
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATRIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Appealing to an indie audience, maybe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that showily imitative of art or artists
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARTY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Meeting extender"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that present or use over, with no or few changes
• Words that mean the same thing: rehash, hash over, retrograde
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REHASHING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. ___.D (therapist's deg.)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "… apparently""

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: ORSOITSEEMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Largest part"

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: LIONSSHARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Exactly the way you see me"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ASIAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Was defeated"

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 dressed skin of an animal (especially a large animal)
• Words that mean the same thing: flow, cut down, accrue
• The opposite would be: ascend, rise
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FELL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "15. Skyrockets"

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 the act of rising upward into the air
• Words that mean the same thing: soar up, soar upwards, soar
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. "Take my word for it, you're going to love this""

Quick Info: This answer has 12 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: THANKMELATER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Address components"

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: DOMAINNAMES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Acrylic finish?"

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: CEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Support piece"

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 signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
• Words that mean the same thing: ray, radiate, broadcast
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. "Didn't you just leave?""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BACKSOSOON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. Family units"

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 group of people related by blood or marriage
• Words that mean the same thing: kin group, kindred, tribe
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. Letters that might make a long story short?"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a hard 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: TMI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "29. Course that may cover Dante and Ferrante, familiarly"

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: APITALIAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "30. Terse affirmation"

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: ITIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "31. Setting for most Laker home games: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that standard time in the 8th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 120th meridian west; used in far western states of the united states
• Words that mean the same thing: Pacific Time, Pacific Standard Time
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. One of three in Fiji?"

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 very small circular shape
• Words that mean the same thing: window pane, Transportation, superman
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Misselthwaite ___, setting of "The Secret Garden""

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 the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
• Words that mean the same thing: manor house
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MANOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. Soak (in)"

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 act of swimming
• Words that mean the same thing: bath
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BATHE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "41. Scummy locales"

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 small lake
• Words that mean the same thing: pond, pool
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PONDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "42. Gate feature"

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 fastener for a door or lid; a hinged metal plate is fitted over a staple and is locked with a pin or padlock
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HASP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "44. Get on the job"

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 earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
• Words that mean the same thing: pull in, bring in, clear
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EARN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "45. "Your guide to a better future" website"

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: CNET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "46. Figure in Sherpa folklore"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the himalayas
• Words that mean the same thing: abominable snowman
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YETI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "47. 19-Across, to a Brit"

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 fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Words that mean the same thing: fundament, fanny, backside
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "49. Preantepenultimate letter"

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 21st 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: PHI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "50. Single-___"

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 act of using
• Words that mean the same thing: habit, utilize, purpose
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: USE

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	55	78.6%
Short Answer	9	12.9%
Literature	2	2.9%
Music	1	1.4%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.4%
History	1	1.4%
Sports	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	12 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: August 28, 2025 at 07:17 PM

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 27, 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 (62 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (78 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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. Bad association	6
2A	7. Shoot for dinner?	5
3A	12. Jeweler's wares	7
4A	19. ... in global commerce)(Conflict ...	12
5A	20. Emerge	5
6A	21. DeVore who co-founded one of the first U.S. agencies for nonwhite models in 1946	7
7A	22. Potential benefit	6
8A	23. Was almost out of supplies	6
9A	25. That's saying something!	7
10A	26. Turned into an internet gag	5
11A	27. Japanese graphic novels	5
12A	28. ... outdoor festivals)(Bathrooms at ...	12
13A	30. Dukes, countesses, etc.	7
14A	32. Put down in writing	13
15A	37. Actress Sink of "Stranger Things"	5
16A	39. Baby who's up all night?	5
17A	40. Where many papyrus plants grow	4
18A	41. Frenzied locale at a rock concert	7
19A	44. Press a case?	3
20A	45. "Spring forward" hrs.	3
21A	47. Test room	3
22A	48. Cut back on	4
23A	49. Kind of effect that can manifest as a counterclockwise motion in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise motion in the Southern Hemisphere [with a hint to this puzzle's shaded squares]	8
24A	53. Carnivore whose vocalization sounds like giggling	5
25A	55. Google's domain	6
26A	58. Hindu festival of colors	4
27A	59. Auto brand whose logo is meant to evoke the precision of a caliper	5
28A	62. Instant	3
29A	63. Challenge to a potential investor	8
30A	66. ... transport)(Bigwig's ...	12
31A	68. Straightaway driving contests	9
32A	70. Philadelphia-area university that's a powerhouse in men's hoops	9
33A	73. ... park an auto)(Narrow space in which to ...	12
34A	74. Marvelous	8
35A	77. One in 100: Abbr.	3
36A	78. "It ___ Me" (2000 Shaggy hit)	5
37A	79. Word with dish or drag	4
38A	80. Locale for many a commercial logo	6
39A	82. German brewery since 1873	5
40A	85. Return to an earlier topic of conversation ... or what six answers in this puzzle literally do	8
41A	89. Cause of some red cheeks	4
42A	90. Entertainment source for general audiences, in brief?	3
43A	91. Bub	3
44A	94. ___ Lanka	3
45A	95. Custom-tailored	7
46A	98. One of Cuba's Castros	4
47A	100. Lose it	5
48A	102. Best-case	5
49A	103. Crafts used in NASA's Galileo and Juno missions	13
50A	107. Good position to be in?	7
51A	112. ... clarify or explain)(Seeking to ...	12
52A	113. Hide-outs	5
53A	115. Itsy-bitsy	5
54A	116. Disk-flipping strategy game	7
55A	119. Like wheat beers	6
56A	121. Certain factory machine	6
57A	122. Chaperones	7
58A	123. Many a John Williams composition	5
59A	124. ... of hindsight)(With the benefit ...	12
60A	125. Clear coat	7
61A	126. Oafs	5
62A	127. Deal made on the spot?	6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Bad association"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the apical end of the style where deposited pollen enters the pistil
• Similar words include: mark, brand, stain
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STIGMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Shoot for dinner?"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
• Similar words include: branchlet, twig
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPRIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "12. Jeweler's wares"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CUTGEMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "19. ... in global commerce)(Conflict ..."

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRADEDISPUTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "20. Emerge"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that come into existence; take on form or shape
• Similar words include: uprise, rise, develop
• Opposite of: go to bed, fall

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARISE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "21. DeVore who co-founded one of the first U.S. agencies for nonwhite models in 1946"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OPHELIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "22. Potential benefit"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the highest or uppermost side of anything
• Similar words include: upper side, top, top side
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UPSIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "23. Was almost out of supplies"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RANLOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "25. That's saying something!"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous)
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORATORY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "26. Turned into an internet gag"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEMED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "27. Japanese graphic novels"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MANGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "28. ... outdoor festivals)(Bathrooms at ..."

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PORTAPOTTIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Dukes, countesses, etc."

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the peers of a kingdom considered as a group
• Similar words include: baronage
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PEERAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. Put down in writing"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COMMITTOPAPER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "37. Actress Sink of "Stranger Things""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SADIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "39. Baby who's up all night?"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OWLET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "40. Where many papyrus plants grow"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the world's longest river (4150 miles); flows northward through eastern africa into the mediterranean; the nile river valley in egypt was the site of the world's first great civilization
• Similar words include: Nile River
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "41. Frenzied locale at a rock concert"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOSHPIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "44. Press a case?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that french writer whose novels described the sordid side of city life (1804-1857)
• Similar words include: Eugene Sue, action, process
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "45. "Spring forward" hrs."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "47. Test room"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "48. Cut back on"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that decrease gradually or bit by bit
• Similar words include: whittle, trim, skin
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "49. Kind of effect that can manifest as a counterclockwise motion in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise motion in the Southern Hemisphere [with a hint to this puzzle's shaded squares]"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CORIOLIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "53. Carnivore whose vocalization sounds like giggling"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that doglike nocturnal mammal of africa and southern asia that feeds chiefly on carrion
• Similar words include: hyaena
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HYENA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "55. Google's domain"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THEWEB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "58. Hindu festival of colors"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "59. Auto brand whose logo is meant to evoke the precision of a caliper"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACURA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "62. Instant"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the systeme international d'unites
• Similar words include: unsweet, s, second
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "63. Challenge to a potential investor"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AREYOUIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "66. ... transport)(Bigwig's ..."

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PERSONALLIMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "68. Straightaway driving contests"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRAGRACES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "70. Philadelphia-area university that's a powerhouse in men's hoops"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VILLANOVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "73. ... park an auto)(Narrow space in which to ..."

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONECARGARAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "74. Marvelous"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that having great beauty and splendor
• Similar words include: fantabulous, excellent, splendiferous
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPLENDID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "77. One in 100: Abbr."

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a fractional monetary unit of japan and indonesia and cambodia; equal to one hundredth of a yen or rupiah or riel
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "78. "It ___ Me" (2000 Shaggy hit)"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WASNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "79. Word with dish or drag"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any very large body of (salt) water
• Similar words include: primary, chief, independent
• Opposite of: dependent

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "80. Locale for many a commercial logo"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TSHIRT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "82. German brewery since 1873"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a beckoning gesture
• Similar words include: beck
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BECKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40A: "85. Return to an earlier topic of conversation ... or what six answers in this puzzle literally do"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOOPBACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "89. Cause of some red cheeks"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an inflammatory disease involving the sebaceous glands of the skin; characterized by papules or pustules or comedones
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42A: "90. Entertainment source for general audiences, in brief?"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43A: "91. Bub"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
• Similar words include: mack, mackintosh, macintosh
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44A: "94. ___ Lanka"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SRI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45A: "95. Custom-tailored"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that be a signal for or a symptom of
• Similar words include: signal, request, tailored
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BESPOKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46A: "98. One of Cuba's Castros"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAUL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47A: "100. Lose it"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48A: "102. Best-case"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
• Similar words include: idealistic, nonsuch, saint
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IDEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49A: "103. Crafts used in NASA's Galileo and Juno missions"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JUPITERPROBES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50A: "107. Good position to be in?"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PLUMJOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51A: "112. ... clarify or explain)(Seeking to ..."

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that that provides interpretation
• Similar words include: interpretative
• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INTERPRETIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52A: "113. Hide-outs"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
• Similar words include: den, lair
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LAIRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53A: "115. Itsy-bitsy"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (used informally) very small
• Similar words include: teeny-weeny, teensy-weensy, teentsy
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEENY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54A: "116. Disk-flipping strategy game"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REVERSI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55A: "119. Like wheat beers"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of or resembling or containing yeast
• Similar words include: zestful, yeastlike, zesty
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEASTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56A: "121. Certain factory machine"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a clerk who sorts things (as letters at the post office)
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SORTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57A: "122. Chaperones"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
• Similar words include: see, bodyguard, date
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESCORTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58A: "123. Many a John Williams composition"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
• Similar words include: root, idea, topic
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THEME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59A: "124. ... of hindsight)(With the benefit ..."

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INRETROSPECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60A: "125. Clear coat"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a coating that provides a hard, lustrous, transparent finish to a surface
• Similar words include: seal
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VARNISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61A: "126. Oafs"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Similar words include: behind, fundament, bum
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62A: "127. Deal made on the spot?"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADSALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Bewilder	5
2D	2. Conical accommodations	5
3D	3. Unhelpful way to respond to "Hello?"	5
4D	4. "Jackie Brown" star Pam	5
5D	5. Unruly rush	7
6D	6. Commercial suffix with Power	3
7D	7. Singer Bareilles	4
8D	8. Have a spring in one's step	6
9D	9. One of the Beatles	5
10D	10. Faith with five pillars	5
11D	11. Prefix with cache	3
12D	12. Assumed ownership over	7
13D	13. Pulls out, as weeds	7
14D	14. Choreographer Twyla	5
15D	15. Achieve a sunbather's goal	6
16D	16. ___ rating (chess stat)	3
17D	17. Old space station	3
18D	18. Perhaps	3
19D	24. Chinese artist Ai ___	6
20D	27. Triage provider	5
21D	29. The Cardinals, on scoreboards	3
22D	31. Clothing brand named for perceived generational differences in the '60s	3
23D	33. "___ Rouge"	6
24D	34. It's driven into the ground	4
25D	35. Flair	4
26D	36. Redheaded "Queen of Country"	4
27D	38. Diminutive Spanish suffix	3
28D	41. Bill of HBO's "Real Time"	5
29D	42. Mine craft?	6
30D	43. Do some garment-making	3
31D	44. Performances for one	4
32D	46. Competitor of Bluesky and X	7
33D	48. Affliction for some vets, in brief	4
34D	50. Greek PPP	4
35D	51. Promise of payback	3
36D	52. Chef Nosrat who wrote the best seller "Salt Fat Acid Heat"	5
37D	54. Tall tale	4
38D	56. Sonic euphoria, colloquially	7
39D	57. Scottish hillsides	5
40D	60. Far from the target, in a guessing game	4
41D	61. Illuminated from below	5
42D	64. Univ. course that's in demand?	4
43D	65. Streisand musical	5
44D	67. "That's freaking epic!"	6
45D	69. Rubberneck	4
46D	70. ___ cava (major blood vessel)	4
47D	71. Sci-fi pioneer Jules	5
48D	72. It gets you a hand	4
49D	74. Portmanteau sandwich cookie with a layer of marshmallow	6
50D	75. Big ___, nickname for M.L.B.'s David Ortiz	4
51D	76. Lefty, to a righty	3
52D	81. "Ni ___" (Chinese "hello")	3
53D	82. ___ Khalifa, tower scaled by Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol"	4
54D	83. Heir with much hair in the Bible	4
55D	84. Great success	4
56D	86. Fish hawk	6
57D	87. Purportedly calming compound in some gummies, in brief	3
58D	88. Play for ___	5
59D	92. Shaders of gray?	7
60D	93. Cultural group of SW Britain	7
61D	96. ___ soda	3
62D	97. Astronomically demoted, as per a 2006 Word of the Year	7
63D	99. Persist	6
64D	101. Fitting	3
65D	102. "Am I crazy ...?"	6
66D	104. Twin sister of Sherri on "The Simpsons"	5
67D	105. Malaise, with "the"	5
68D	106. Lets up	5
69D	108. Violently eliminates, in gamer-speak	5
70D	109. Volkswagen sedan	5
71D	110. Buck enshrined in Cooperstown	5
72D	111. David who fronted Talking Heads	5
73D	114. Some loaves or liquors	4
74D	116. Something gas cars do noisily that electric vehicles don't	3
75D	117. That, in Spanish	3
76D	118. Forerunner of the DVD player	3
77D	120. "when r u coming?"	3
78D	121. Relaxing getaway	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Bewilder"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
• Similar words include: soapbox, mix up, stomp
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STUMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Conical accommodations"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a native american tent; usually of conical shape
• Similar words include: tipi, teepee
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Unhelpful way to respond to "Hello?""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ITSME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "Jackie Brown" star Pam"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GRIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Unruly rush"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MADDASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Commercial suffix with Power"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice
• Similar words include: fruit drink
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Singer Bareilles"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SARA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Have a spring in one's step"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a proud stiff pompous gait
• Similar words include: strut, sashay, tittup
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PRANCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. One of the Beatles"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RINGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Faith with five pillars"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the civilization of muslims collectively which is governed by the muslim religion
• Similar words include: Muslimism, Mohammedanism, Islamism
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISLAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Prefix with cache"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Assumed ownership over"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COOPTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Pulls out, as weeds"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that move (people) forcibly from their homeland into a new and foreign environment
• Similar words include: exterminate, deracinate, eradicate
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UPROOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Choreographer Twyla"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that innovative united states dancer and choreographer (born in 1941)
• Similar words include: Twyla Tharp
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THARP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "15. Achieve a sunbather's goal"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GETTAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "16. ___ rating (chess stat)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "17. Old space station"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "18. Perhaps"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the chance to speak
• Similar words include: allege, enjoin, state
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "24. Chinese artist Ai ___"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WEIWEI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Triage provider"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of several old world herbs of the genus medicago having small flowers and trifoliate compound leaves
• Similar words include: trefoil, medick, medical officer
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEDIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "29. The Cardinals, on scoreboards"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Clothing brand named for perceived generational differences in the '60s"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
• Similar words include: spread, crack, col
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. "___ Rouge""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOULIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. It's driven into the ground"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a collection of objects laid on top of each other
• Similar words include: peck, great deal, mountain
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. Flair"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
• Similar words include: flair, panache, style
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. Redheaded "Queen of Country""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REBA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "38. Diminutive Spanish suffix"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ITO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Bill of HBO's "Real Time""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAHER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "42. Mine craft?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORECAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "43. Do some garment-making"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that fasten by sewing; do needlework
• Similar words include: stitch, run up, tailor
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "44. Performances for one"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any activity that is performed alone without assistance
• Similar words include: solo
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SOLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "46. Competitor of Bluesky and X"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that informal terms for clothing
• Similar words include: screw thread, togs, train of thought
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THREADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "48. Affliction for some vets, in brief"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an anxiety disorder associated with serious traumatic events and characterized by such symptoms as survivor guilt, reliving the trauma in dreams, numbness and lack of involvement with reality, or recurrent thoughts and images
• Similar words include: posttraumatic stress disorder
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PTSD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Greek PPP"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the 17th letter of the greek alphabet
• Similar words include: rho
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RHOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "51. Promise of payback"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an informal debt instrument; representing `i owe you'
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IOU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "52. Chef Nosrat who wrote the best seller "Salt Fat Acid Heat""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAMIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "54. Tall tale"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
• Similar words include: recital, thread, narration
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YARN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "56. Sonic euphoria, colloquially"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EARGASM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "57. Scottish hillsides"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a slope or hillside
• Similar words include: brae
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BRAES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "60. Far from the target, in a guessing game"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs)
• Similar words include: inhuman, cold-blooded, insensate
• Opposite of: hot, hotness

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COLD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "61. Illuminated from below"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UPLIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "64. Univ. course that's in demand?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ECON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

43D: "65. Streisand musical"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YENTL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

44D: "67. "That's freaking epic!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SOSICK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

45D: "69. Rubberneck"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an awkward stupid person
• Similar words include: lubber, clod, stumblebum
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAWK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

46D: "70. ___ cava (major blood vessel)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
• Similar words include: vein, venous blood vessel
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VENA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

47D: "71. Sci-fi pioneer Jules"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that french writer who is considered the father of science fiction (1828-1905)
• Similar words include: Jules Verne
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VERNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

48D: "72. It gets you a hand"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

49D: "74. Portmanteau sandwich cookie with a layer of marshmallow"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SMOREO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

50D: "75. Big ___, nickname for M.L.B.'s David Ortiz"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAPI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

51D: "76. Lefty, to a righty"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

52D: "81. "Ni ___" (Chinese "hello")"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that 10 hao equal 1 dong in vietnam
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

53D: "82. ___ Khalifa, tower scaled by Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BURJ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

54D: "83. Heir with much hair in the Bible"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (old testament) the eldest son of isaac who would have inherited the covenant that god made with abraham and that abraham passed on to isaac; he traded his birthright to his twin brother jacob for a mess of pottage
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

55D: "84. Great success"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
• Similar words include: putsch, coup d'etat, takeover
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

56D: "86. Fish hawk"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that large harmless hawk found worldwide that feeds on fish and builds a bulky nest often occupied for years
• Similar words include: sea eagle, fish hawk, fish eagle
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OSPREY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

57D: "87. Purportedly calming compound in some gummies, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CBD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

58D: "88. Play for ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the financial means whereby one lives
• Similar words include: go along, bread and butter, hold back
• Opposite of: lose, break

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KEEPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

59D: "92. Shaders of gray?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AGEISTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

60D: "93. Cultural group of SW Britain"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a celtic language spoken in cornwall
• Similar words include: Cornish fowl
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CORNISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

61D: "96. ___ soda"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

62D: "97. Astronomically demoted, as per a 2006 Word of the Year"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PLUTOED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

63D: "99. Persist"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIVEON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

64D: "101. Fitting"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward
• Similar words include: disposed, tending, minded
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

65D: "102. "Am I crazy ...?""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISITME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

66D: "104. Twin sister of Sherri on "The Simpsons""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TERRI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

67D: "105. Malaise, with "the""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a general feeling of boredom and dissatisfaction
• Similar words include: blah, rant, fustian
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BLAHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

68D: "106. Lets up"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
• Similar words include: alleviate, relief, simpleness
• Opposite of: difficulty

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

69D: "108. Violently eliminates, in gamer-speak"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MERCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

70D: "109. Volkswagen sedan"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JETTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

71D: "110. Buck enshrined in Cooperstown"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONEIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

72D: "111. David who fronted Talking Heads"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BYRNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

73D: "114. Some loaves or liquors"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the seed of the cereal grass
• Similar words include: Secale cereale, rye, rye whiskey
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

74D: "116. Something gas cars do noisily that electric vehicles don't"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that rate of revolution of a motor
• Similar words include: rev up, rpm, revolutions per minute
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

75D: "117. That, in Spanish"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

76D: "118. Forerunner of the DVD player"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a magnetic tape recorder for recording (and playing back) tv programs
• Similar words include: videocassette recorder
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VCR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

77D: "120. "when r u coming?""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
• Similar words include: Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Basque Homeland and Freedom, Euskadi ta Askatasuna
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ETA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

78D: "121. Relaxing getaway"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPA

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

62 Across Clues

78 Down Clues

140 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 27, 2026 at 09:24 AM