September 16, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (29 clues)
• Down Clues (41 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, September 16, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 70 (29 Across, 41 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.3 letters

September 16, 2022 Friday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Poles have them	7
2A	8. Dern of cinema	5
3A	13. Sugar refinery byproduct	8
4A	15. Tending to dominate	5
5A	16. Savor the moment	9
6A	18. ___ finish	5
7A	19. Fulani braid decoration	4
8A	20. "I'll be with you in a jiffy"	9
9A	22. "It could happen"	12
10A	25. Goal-oriented final match, in brief?	6
11A	28. Vapor trail?	3
12A	29. In the altogether	9
13A	32. Like playing cards	5
14A	37. Word with PET or CAT	4
15A	38. Sounds of bells	5
16A	40. Turning point	4
17A	41. Driven, say	5
18A	43. Classic pop	9
19A	45. Dovish declaration?	3
20A	47. Disco diva Gloria	6
21A	48. Making paper flowers, e.g.	12
22A	54. Thinks of something	9
23A	55. "Platoon," but not "Dunkirk"	4
24A	59. Immediate threat to capture, in a game of Go	5
25A	60. Exemplar of stick-to-itiveness	9
26A	63. Battlefield figure	5
27A	64. Behold a sunrise, say	8
28A	65. Essay writing, e.g.	5
29A	66. Somewhat hard-boiled	7

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. Poles have them"

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 a mass of ice and snow that permanently covers a large area of land (e.g., the polar regions or a mountain peak)
• Words that mean the same thing: ice cap, icecap
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ICECAPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "8. Dern of cinema"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LAURA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "13. Sugar refinery byproduct"

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 thick dark syrup produced by boiling down juice from sugar cane; especially during sugar refining
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MOLASSES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "15. Tending to dominate"

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 1st 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: ALPHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. Savor the moment"

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: DRINKITIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "18. ___ finish"

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 smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SATIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. Fulani braid decoration"

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 small ball with a hole through the middle
• Words that mean the same thing: pearl, beadwork, beading
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. "I'll be with you in a jiffy""

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: ONESECOND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "22. "It could happen""

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: YOUNEVERKNOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "25. Goal-oriented final match, in brief?"

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: MLSCUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "28. Vapor trail?"

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: IZE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "29. In the altogether"

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: AUNATUREL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "32. Like playing cards"

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 act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
• Words that mean the same thing: care, mete out, get by
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEALT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "37. Word with PET or CAT"

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 act of scanning; systematic examination of a prescribed region
• Words that mean the same thing: CAT scan, read, skim
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "38. Sounds of bells"

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 deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)
• Words that mean the same thing: peal, pealing, ring
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEALS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "40. Turning point"

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: axis of rotation, axis vertebra, bloc
• The 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 17 Across: "41. Driven, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TYPEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "43. Classic pop"

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: CREAMSODA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "45. Dovish declaration?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the sound made by a pigeon
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "47. Disco diva Gloria"

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: GAYNOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "48. Making paper flowers, e.g."

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: CRAFTPROJECT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "54. Thinks of something"

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: HASANIDEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "55. "Platoon," but not "Dunkirk""

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 metrical unit with unstressed-stressed syllables
• Words that mean the same thing: iambus
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IAMB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "59. Immediate threat to capture, in a game of Go"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ATARI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "60. Exemplar of stick-to-itiveness"

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: SUPERGLUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "63. Battlefield figure"

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 of several old world herbs of the genus medicago having small flowers and trifoliate compound leaves
• Words that mean the same thing: medical officer, medick, trefoil
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MEDIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "64. Behold a sunrise, say"

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: FACEEAST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "65. Essay writing, e.g."

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

  The answer is: PROSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "66. Somewhat hard-boiled"

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: NOIRISH

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Friday Crossword Down Clues - September 16, 2022 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Film site	4
2D	2. Heart	4
3D	3. Actress Zoe Kazan's grandfather	4
4D	4. Treat with a hook	9
5D	5. Pose	3
6D	6. Wave function symbol	3
7D	7. Committed to	5
8D	8. Used a cutting-edge surgical technique on	7
9D	9. "Woe!"	5
10D	10. Kate on the cover of Vanity Fair's 100th-anniversary issue	5
11D	11. Music label named for a pachyderm	5
12D	12. Oldest restaurant chain in America, founded in 1919	5
13D	14. ___ wave	4
14D	17. Longbottom at Hogwarts	7
15D	21. Mentions, casually	3
16D	23. Proudly LGBTQ+	3
17D	24. Toddler's "Carry me!"	4
18D	25. Yawl pole	4
19D	26. Leading role in "Being the Ricardos"	4
20D	27. [Like that!]	4
21D	30. Unbeaten feats	7
22D	31. Knack for notes	3
23D	33. "Hey, hold your horses!"	9
24D	34. Nerve fiber	4
25D	35. Venetian resort	4
26D	36. Bygone Winter Palace resident	4
27D	39. Herb burned in a cleansing ritual	4
28D	42. Be cordial	7
29D	44. Monterey runner	3
30D	46. Big name in nail polish	3
31D	48. G.O.A.T. material	5
32D	49. Letterboxd or Yelp user, perhaps	5
33D	50. Roasted: Sp.	5
34D	51. Anna of "Mom"	5
35D	52. French egg	4
36D	53. Country where almost half the world's zippers are made	5
37D	56. Jai ___	4
38D	57. Ruffle	4
39D	58. Chess prodigy protagonist of "The Queen's Gambit"	4
40D	61. Prefix with conscious	3
41D	62. Big name in outdoor gear	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. Film site"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IMDB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Heart"

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 small group of indispensable persons or things
• Words that mean the same thing: nucleus, essence, core 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: CORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Actress Zoe Kazan's grandfather"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that english essayist (1775-1834)
• Words that mean the same thing: Charles Lamb, Lamb
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Treat with a hook"

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: CANDYCANE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Pose"

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 inquire about
• Words that mean the same thing: take, demand, necessitate
• The opposite would be: obviate
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Wave function symbol"

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 pressure
• Words that mean the same thing: pounds per square inch
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PSI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Committed to"

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 united states religious leader who was the first person born in the united states to be canonized (1774-1821)
• Words that mean the same thing: Mother Seton, Saint Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, Elizabeth Seton
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SETON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Used a cutting-edge surgical technique on"

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: LASERED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. "Woe!""

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: ALACK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Kate on the cover of Vanity Fair's 100th-anniversary issue"

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: UPTON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Music label named for a pachyderm"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that massive powerful herbivorous odd-toed ungulate of southeast asia and africa having very thick skin and one or two horns on the snout
• Words that mean the same thing: rhinoceros
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RHINO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Oldest restaurant chain in America, founded in 1919"

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: AANDW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. ___ wave"

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 ratio of the length of the side opposite the given angle to the length of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle
• Words that mean the same thing: sin
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "17. Longbottom at Hogwarts"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium 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: NEVILLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Mentions, casually"

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: SEZ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Proudly LGBTQ+"

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 (baseball) a failure by a batter or runner to reach a base safely in baseball
• Words that mean the same thing: taboo, forbidden, tabu
• The opposite would be: safe
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Toddler's "Carry me!""

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: UPUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Yawl pole"

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

  The answer is: MAST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. Leading role in "Being the Ricardos""

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 incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern ethiopia in 1974
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LUCY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. [Like that!]"

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 act of catching an object with the hands
• Words that mean the same thing: break down, cracking, walkover
• The opposite would be: inelasticity
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Unbeaten feats"

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 anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
• Words that mean the same thing: memorialise, show, commemorate
• The opposite would be: erase
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RECORDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. Knack for notes"

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 sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
• Words that mean the same thing: pinna, spike, capitulum
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. "Hey, hold your horses!""

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: EASYTIGER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Nerve fiber"

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 long nerve fiber that conducts away from the cell body of the neuron
• Words that mean the same thing: axone
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AXON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "35. Venetian resort"

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 recreational facility including a swimming pool for water sports
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LIDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "36. Bygone Winter Palace resident"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a male monarch or emperor (especially of russia prior to 1917)
• Words that mean the same thing: tzar, czar
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TSAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "39. Herb burned in a cleansing ritual"

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 mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
• Words that mean the same thing: salvia, sage-green
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SAGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Be cordial"

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: ACTNICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "44. Monterey runner"

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 waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
• Words that mean the same thing: mackintosh, mack, macintosh
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MAC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Big name in nail polish"

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: OPI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "48. G.O.A.T. material"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that someone who has won first place in a competition
• Words that mean the same thing: champion, chomp, title-holder
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CHAMP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "49. Letterboxd or Yelp user, perhaps"

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: RATER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "50. Roasted: Sp."

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: ASADO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "51. Anna of "Mom""

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: FARIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "52. French egg"

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: OEUF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "53. Country where almost half the world's zippers are made"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a string of more than 3,000 islands to the east of asia extending 1,300 miles between the sea of japan and the western pacific ocean
• Words that mean the same thing: Nippon, Japanese Archipelago, Japanese Islands
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JAPAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "56. Jai ___"

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: ALAI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "57. Ruffle"

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 state of confusion and disorderliness
• Words that mean the same thing: mussiness, messiness, genus Mus
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MUSS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "58. Chess prodigy protagonist of "The Queen's Gambit""

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 2nd letter of the hebrew 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: BETH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "61. Prefix with conscious"

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: ECO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "62. Big name in outdoor gear"

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: REI

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	52	74.3%
Short Answer	11	15.7%
Movies/Film	2	2.9%
Sports	1	1.4%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.4%
Music	1	1.4%
History	1	1.4%
Geography	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	29
Down Clues	41
Total Clues	70
Average Answer Length	5.3 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: September 07, 2025 at 09:37 AM

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 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

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (34 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (42 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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. ___ Spiegel (German magazine)	3
2A	4. Animal that ranges around Peru	5
3A	9. Pointed, as a weapon	5
4A	14. Lumberjack's tool	3
5A	15. Cameroon neighbor	5
6A	16. Yell "#$%!"	5
7A	17. Rankings of song popularity used as the music industry standard	15
8A	20. Swells up	6
9A	21. Number in a septet	5
10A	22. Pb, in chemistry	4
11A	23. Own (up)	4
12A	24. Freeze's opposite	4
13A	28. Whirling water	4
14A	29. Up to, as a certain time	3
15A	30. Take fowl foully	5
16A	31. Canapé or deviled egg, for example	11
17A	34. Clears of charges	7
18A	38. A million gazillion	7
19A	39. Movie production facilities with controlled acoustics	11
20A	41. Leave stunned	5
21A	42. Monk's counterpart	3
22A	43. Cut of pork or lamb	4
23A	47. Spa service on the toes, in brief	4
24A	48. "Please, no more!"	4
25A	50. "That is so funny"	4
26A	51. Braid	5
27A	53. Helping for someone very, very hungry	6
28A	55. Insignificant amount	15
29A	59. Tired from overexposure	5
30A	60. "It was the ___ I could do"	5
31A	61. Big part of an elephant	3
32A	62. Storage places for lawn mowers	5
33A	63. Go kaboom, as a volcano	5
34A	64. Deadpan	3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. ___ Spiegel (German magazine)"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that denoting a quantity consisting of 500 items or units
• Similar words include: five hundred, d, 500
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Animal that ranges around Peru"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that wild or domesticated south american cud-chewing animal related to camels but smaller and lacking a hump
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LLAMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Pointed, as a weapon"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
• Similar words include: purpose, point, aim
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AIMED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Lumberjack's tool"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
• Similar words include: ax
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AXE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Cameroon neighbor"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a republic on the west coast of africa
• Similar words include: Gabun, Gabonese Republic
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GABON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Yell "#$%!""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that utter obscenities or profanities
• Similar words include: curse, affirm, depose
• Opposite of: mistrust

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SWEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Rankings of song popularity used as the music industry standard"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BILLBOARDCHARTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Swells up"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that swelling of the rumen or intestinal tract of domestic animals caused by excessive gas
• Similar words include: bloat
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BLOATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Number in a septet"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEVEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Pb, in chemistry"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an advantage held by a competitor in a race
• Similar words include: atomic number 82, tether, pass
• Opposite of: follow, deficit

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Own (up)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (heraldry) an ordinary consisting of a broad horizontal band across a shield
• Similar words include: Fes, fesse, Fez
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Freeze's opposite"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
• Similar words include: unfreeze, melting, dethaw
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Whirling water"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that founder of christian science in 1866 (1821-1910)
• Similar words include: Mary Baker Eddy, swirl, Mary Morse Baker Eddy
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EDDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Up to, as a certain time"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Take fowl foully"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that hunt illegally
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POACH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Canapé or deviled egg, for example"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HORSDOEUVRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Clears of charges"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
• Similar words include: behave, carry, acquit
• Opposite of: convict

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACQUITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. A million gazillion"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that innumerable but many
• Similar words include: umteen
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UMPTEEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Movie production facilities with controlled acoustics"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SOUNDSTAGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Leave stunned"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that affect with wonder
• Similar words include: flummox, puzzle, beat
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. Monk's counterpart"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a woman religious
• Similar words include: nun buoy, conical buoy
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Cut of pork or lamb"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the irregular motion of waves (usually caused by wind blowing in a direction opposite to the tide)
• Similar words include: chopper, hack, chop up
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "47. Spa service on the toes, in brief"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PEDI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. "Please, no more!""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the event of something ending
• Similar words include: full point, cease, block off
• Opposite of: begin, start

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. "That is so funny""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Braid"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
• Similar words include: tress, braid, pleat
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PLAIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Helping for someone very, very hungry"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
• Similar words include: tierce, third base, third gear
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THIRDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. Insignificant amount"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DROPINTHEBUCKET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. Tired from overexposure"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that lose interest or become bored with something or somebody
• Similar words include: weary, fag, jade
• Opposite of: refresh

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JADED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. "It was the ___ I could do""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that something that is of no importance
• Similar words include: to the lowest degree
• Opposite of: most

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "61. Big part of an elephant"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
• Similar words include: spike, pinna, capitulum
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Storage places for lawn mowers"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage
• Similar words include: throw off, drop, moult
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Go kaboom, as a volcano"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that start abruptly
• Similar words include: push through, irrupt, ignite
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERUPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Deadpan"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a reformer who opposes the use of intoxicating beverages
• Similar words include: juiceless, teetotal, ironic
• Opposite of: sweet, phlegmy

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Practice casually, with "in"	6
2D	2. Kicked out, as from a country	6
3D	3. Fill with more ammunition	6
4D	4. Pride letters	4
5D	5. Vientiane is its capital	4
6D	6. Lawyers' org.	3
7D	7. Tasty little bites	7
8D	8. Peruvian mountains	5
9D	9. Tennis star Arthur	4
10D	10. "Don't involve me anymore"	8
11D	11. French for "sea"	3
12D	12. Gobble down	3
13D	13. Medical pros: Abbr.	3
14D	18. Noblewoman	4
15D	19. Rival of Walgreens	3
16D	23. Winning a blue ribbon	5
17D	25. Possess	4
18D	26. Unit initially conceived as the amount of land that can be plowed in a day	4
19D	27. "___ in doubt ..."	4
20D	29. Pre-K enrollees	4
21D	30. Enlivens, with "up"	4
22D	31. ___-and-seek	4
23D	32. Unearthed	5
24D	33. Rain clouds, to some	4
25D	34. Rapper ___ Rocky	4
26D	35. "___ as you are"	4
27D	36. College courtyard	4
28D	37. Opened, as a fly	8
29D	40. Request from someone craving more	7
30D	43. Fashionable	4
31D	44. Listened, poetically	6
32D	45. "Goodness me!" ... or a phonetic hint to 17-, 31-, 39- and 55-Across	6
33D	46. Croissant, éclair or Danish	6
34D	48. The "S" of S.F.	3
35D	49. Mr., Ms. or Mrs.	5
36D	52. Tube tops?	4
37D	53. Recipe amt.	4
38D	54. Jabba the ___ ("Star Wars" villain)	4
39D	55. Party pros playing tunes	3
40D	56. "Go team!"	3
41D	57. Poem of praise	3
42D	58. Contents of l'océan	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Practice casually, with "in""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that dip a foot or hand briefly into a liquid
• Similar words include: smatter, paddle, splash around
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DABBLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Kicked out, as from a country"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that expel from a country
• Similar words include: exile, expatriate, deport
• Opposite of: repatriate

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EXILED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Fill with more ammunition"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that place a new load on
• Similar words include: recharge
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RELOAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Pride letters"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LGBT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Vientiane is its capital"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mountainous landlocked communist state in southeastern asia; achieved independence from france in 1949
• Similar words include: Laotian, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lao
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LAOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Lawyers' org."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth; worn by arabs
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ABA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Tasty little bites"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small quantity of anything
• Similar words include: morsel, bit, bite
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MORSELS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Peruvian mountains"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mountain range in south america running 5000 miles along the pacific coast
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANDES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Tennis star Arthur"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states tennis player who was the first black to win united states and english singles championships (1943-1993)
• Similar words include: Arthur Ashe, Arthur Robert Ashe
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. "Don't involve me anymore""

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IWANTOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. French for "sea""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that denoting a quantity consisting of 1,000 items or units
• Similar words include: one thousand, thousand, 1000
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Gobble down"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that take in solid food
• Similar words include: feed, run through, exhaust
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Medical pros: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Noblewoman"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a polite name for any woman
• Similar words include: noblewoman, ma'am, madam
• Opposite of: Lord, nobleman

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LADY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Rival of Walgreens"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a summary of your academic and work history
• Similar words include: resume, CV, curriculum vitae
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CVS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Winning a blue ribbon"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the first or highest in an ordering or series
• Similar words include: offset, first of all, world-class
• Opposite of: middle, last

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FIRST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Possess"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person who possesses great material wealth
• Similar words include: make, give, birth
• Opposite of: abstain, refuse

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Unit initially conceived as the amount of land that can be plowed in a day"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. "___ in doubt ...""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WHEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Pre-K enrollees"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small amount (especially of a drink)
• Similar words include: tot up, summate, tally
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Enlivens, with "up""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PEPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. ___-and-seek"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the dressed skin of an animal (especially a large animal)
• Similar words include: obliterate, hide out, enshroud
• Opposite of: show

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HIDE

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23D: "32. Unearthed"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DUGUP

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24D: "33. Rain clouds, to some"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sign of something about to happen
• Similar words include: presage, predict, forecast
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OMEN

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25D: "34. Rapper ___ Rocky"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that as soon as possible
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASAP

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26D: "35. "___ as you are""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
• Similar words include: descend, ejaculate, fare
• Opposite of: go, leave

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COME

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27D: "36. College courtyard"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one of four children born at the same time from the same pregnancy
• Similar words include: quadriceps, musculus quadriceps femoris, quadrangle
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: QUAD

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28D: "37. Opened, as a fly"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that open the zipper of
• Similar words include: unzip
• Opposite of: zip up

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNZIPPED

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29D: "40. Request from someone craving more"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of various alternatives; some other
• Similar words include: some other
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANOTHER

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30D: "43. Fashionable"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that elegance by virtue of being fashionable
• Similar words include: chichi, stylishness, last word
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHIC

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31D: "44. Listened, poetically"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that listen; used mostly in the imperative
• Similar words include: harken, hearken, hark
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HARKED

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32D: "45. "Goodness me!" ... or a phonetic hint to 17-, 31-, 39- and 55-Across"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OHDEAR

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33D: "46. Croissant, éclair or Danish"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a dough of flour and water and shortening
• Similar words include: pastry dough
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PASTRY

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34D: "48. The "S" of S.F."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAN

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35D: "49. Mr., Ms. or Mrs."

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
• Similar words include: entitle, deed of conveyance, claim
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TITLE

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36D: "52. Tube tops?"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
• Similar words include: palpebra, chapeau, lid
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIDS

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37D: "53. Recipe amt."

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TBSP

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38D: "54. Jabba the ___ ("Star Wars" villain)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUTT

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39D: "55. Party pros playing tunes"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person who announces and plays popular recorded music
• Similar words include: dj, disk-jockey, disc jockey
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DJS

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40D: "56. "Go team!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAH

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41D: "57. Poem of praise"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ODE

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42D: "58. Contents of l'océan"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EAU

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Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

34 Across Clues

42 Down Clues

76 Total Clues

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Last updated: May 11, 2026 at 06:54 AM