December 14, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (41 clues)
• Down Clues (37 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (41 Across, 37 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.7 letters

December 14, 2022 Across Hints: NYT Wednesday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Word with straw or exit	4
2A	5. Kept in the loop, in a way	4
3A	9. Org. originally founded to protect carriage horses	4
4A	13. Oregon-based shoe company	4
5A	14. Ring light?	4
6A	15. Broken up	5
7A	16. Atingle, maybe	4
8A	17. Gaelic language	4
9A	18. The hate in hate mail	5
10A	19. Name in price lists?	3
11A	20. Larson who won Best Actress for 2015's "Room"	4
12A	21. ___ Heights	5
13A	22. Instruct for a new job, say	7
14A	24. Unfashionable unisex hairstyle	7
15A	26. Burros	5
16A	27. Black-tie affairs	5
17A	29. Projection from the fashionably late	3
18A	30. Short life?	3
19A	32. Groove	3
20A	33. Fresh talk	4
21A	34. Fortunate circumstances … or a punny hint to the shaded letters	11
22A	37. Some tap offerings, in brief	4
23A	39. Susan of "L.A. Law"	3
24A	40. Cousin of a cassowary	3
25A	41. Like some of the mil.	3
26A	42. Actress Thompson of "Sorry to Bother You"	5
27A	44. Super-super-	5
28A	48. John who wrote "The Pelican Brief"	7
29A	50. More up-and-down, as a relationship	7
30A	52. Up	5
31A	53. Guitarist's accessory	4
32A	54. Surveillance org.	3
33A	55. Really hate	5
34A	56. Short meeting?	4
35A	57. French breakfast item that sounds like a response to a gut punch	4
36A	58. A little of this, a little of that	5
37A	59. One who may need credentials	4
38A	60. Avatar of Vishnu	4
39A	61. Give up	4
40A	62. A moose has a big one	4
41A	63. "Less Than Zero" writer ___ Easton Ellis	4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. Word with straw or exit"

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 inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
• Words that mean the same thing: pollard, opinion poll, public opinion poll
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POLL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Kept in the loop, in a way"

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: CCED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Org. originally founded to protect carriage horses"

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: SPCA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. Oregon-based shoe company"

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: AVIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "14. Ring light?"

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 indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint
• Words that mean the same thing: aureole, ring, annulus
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HALO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "15. Broken up"

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 remote and separate physically or socially; ; - w.h.hudson
• Words that mean the same thing: aside, obscure, isolated
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: APART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "16. Atingle, maybe"

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 make numb or insensitive
• Words that mean the same thing: benumbed, benumb, asleep
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NUMB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "17. Gaelic language"

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 any of several related languages of the celts in ireland and scotland
• Words that mean the same thing: Goidelic, Gaelic
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "18. The hate in hate mail"

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 toxin secreted by animals; secreted by certain snakes and poisonous insects (e.g., spiders and scorpions)
• Words that mean the same thing: spite, malice, spitefulness
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VENOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "19. Name in price lists?"

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: ELI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "20. Larson who won Best Actress for 2015's "Room""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that soft creamy white cheese; milder than camembert
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BRIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "21. ___ Heights"

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 fortified hilly area between southern lebanon and southern syria
• Words that mean the same thing: Golan Heights
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GOLAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "22. Instruct for a new job, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that teach new skills
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RETRAIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "24. Unfashionable unisex hairstyle"

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: BOWLCUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "26. Burros"

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 fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Words that mean the same thing: seat, roll in the hay, rear end
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASSES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "27. Black-tie affairs"

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 gay festivity
• Words that mean the same thing: blowout, jamboree, gala
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GALAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "29. Projection from the fashionably late"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a 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
• Words that mean the same thing: Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Homeland and Freedom, Basque Fatherland and Liberty
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "30. Short life?"

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: BIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "32. Groove"

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 groove or furrow (especially one in soft earth caused by wheels)
• Words that mean the same thing: heat, oestrus, groove
• The opposite would be: anestrus
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "33. Fresh talk"

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 impudent or insolent rejoinder
• Words that mean the same thing: backtalk, mouth, back talk
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SASS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "34. Fortunate circumstances … or a punny hint to the shaded letters"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LUCKYBREAKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "37. Some tap offerings, in brief"

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: IPAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "39. Susan of "L.A. Law""

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: DEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "40. Cousin of a cassowary"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of various systems of units for measuring electricity and magnetism
• Words that mean the same thing: Dromaius novaehollandiae, electromagnetic unit, Emu novaehollandiae
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EMU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "41. Like some of the mil."

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: NAV

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "42. Actress Thompson of "Sorry to Bother You""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TESSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "44. Super-super-"

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 (used of opinions and actions) far beyond the norm
• Words that mean the same thing: extremist, radical
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ULTRA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "48. John who wrote "The Pelican Brief""

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: GRISHAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "50. More up-and-down, as a relationship"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that abounding in rocks or stones
• Words that mean the same thing: bumpy, jolting, rough
• The opposite would be: smooth
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROCKIER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "52. Up"

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 on the move
• Words that mean the same thing: up, about
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASTIR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "53. Guitarist's accessory"

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 person or thing chosen or selected
• Words that mean the same thing: option, pickaxe, foot
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PICK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "54. Surveillance org."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the united states cryptologic organization that coordinates and directs highly specialized activities to protect united states information systems and to produce foreign intelligence information
• Words that mean the same thing: National Security Agency
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "55. Really hate"

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 find repugnant
• Words that mean the same thing: execrate, loathe, abominate
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ABHOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "56. Short meeting?"

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: SESH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "57. French breakfast item that sounds like a response to a gut punch"

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: OEUF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "58. A little of this, a little of that"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an occurrence of thorough mixing
• Words that mean the same thing: portmanteau, fuse, coalesce
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLEND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "59. One who may need credentials"

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 person who makes use of a thing; someone who uses or employs something
• Words that mean the same thing: substance abuser, exploiter, drug user
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: USER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "60. Avatar of Vishnu"

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 avatar of vishnu whose name is synonymous with god; any of three incarnations: ramachandra or parashurama or balarama
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RAMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "61. Give up"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
• Words that mean the same thing: deliver, concede, yield
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CEDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Across: "62. A moose has a big one"

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 organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
• Words that mean the same thing: poke, olfactory organ, nozzle
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NOSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Across: "63. "Less Than Zero" writer ___ Easton Ellis"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard 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: BRET

  Great job if you got it right!

December 14, 2022 Wednesday NYT - All Down Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Big bakery/cafe chain	6
2D	2. Seeds-to-be	6
3D	3. Caps	6
4D	4. Place to conduct forensics	3
5D	5. French beloved	5
6D	6. What sharing is, per a rhyming expression	6
7D	7. Otherwise	4
8D	8. Mommie deer-est?	3
9D	9. Something you need to do to solve crosswords	5
10D	10. Universal solutions	8
11D	11. Pastries with a portmanteau name	7
12D	12. Where bills get passed, for short	3
13D	15. Swears	5
14D	20. Meat-and-potatoes	5
15D	21. Colonel Sanders feature	6
16D	23. "U R A Q-T!," e.g.	5
17D	24. "It was all a ___"	4
18D	25. Some Ph.D. students	3
19D	28. Fast-food chain with a cowboy hat in its logo	5
20D	31. "Whatever you say, hon"	6
21D	33. Move furtively	5
22D	34. Showered, as with gifts	8
23D	35. Quaint response of agreement	4
24D	36. "Duck ___" (classic Warner Bros. cartoon short)	5
25D	37. Gerund suffix	3
26D	38. Bit of preachy prose	7
27D	42. Left base?	5
28D	43. Emerges	6
29D	45. Lack of musical skill	6
30D	46. Take up again	6
31D	47. Oslo Accords figure	6
32D	49. Gem	5
33D	51. Earthy hue	5
34D	53. Philippine currency	4
35D	55. Start of a kindergarten ditty	3
36D	56. Good picnic forecast	3
37D	57. 56-Down, e.g.	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. Big bakery/cafe chain"

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: PANERA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Seeds-to-be"

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 small body that contains the female germ cell of a plant; develops into a seed after fertilization
• Words that mean the same thing: ovule
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OVULES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Caps"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the greatest possible degree of something
• Words that mean the same thing: throttle, demarcation, boundary
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LIMITS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Place to conduct forensics"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
• Words that mean the same thing: science lab, research lab, science laboratory
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. French beloved"

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: CHERI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. What sharing is, per a rhyming expression"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a loving feeling
• Words that mean the same thing: deal, lovingness, handle
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CARING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Otherwise"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ELSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Mommie deer-est?"

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 federal department responsible for maintaining a national energy policy of the united states; created in 1977
• Words that mean the same thing: Energy Department, Department of Energy, Energy
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Something you need to do to solve crosswords"

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 psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
• Words that mean the same thing: spell out, while, magic spell
• The opposite would be: unspell
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPELL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Universal solutions"

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 (greek mythology) the goddess of healing; daughter of aesculapius and sister of hygeia
• Words that mean the same thing: cure-all, catholicon, Panacea
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PANACEAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Pastries with a portmanteau name"

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: CRONUTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Where bills get passed, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a unit of pressure: the pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 mm high at sea level and 0 degrees centigrade
• Words that mean the same thing: automatic teller machine, atmosphere, cash dispenser
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "15. Swears"

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

  The answer is: AVOWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "20. Meat-and-potatoes"

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 a popular programming language that is relatively easy to learn; an acronym for beginner's all-purpose symbolic instruction code; no longer in general use
• Words that mean the same thing: staple, canonical, canonic
• The opposite would be: incidental
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BASIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Colonel Sanders feature"

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 small chin beard trimmed to a point; named for its resemblance to a goat's beard
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GOATEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. "U R A Q-T!," 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 a puzzle where you decode a message consisting of pictures representing syllables and words
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REBUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. "It was all a ___""

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 hazy or indistinct representation
• Words that mean the same thing: fuzz, obnubilate, blear
• The opposite would be: focus
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLUR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Some Ph.D. students"

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 hard grey lustrous metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion; occurs in niobite and fergusonite and tantalite
• Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 73, tantalum, Ta
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Fast-food chain with a cowboy hat in its logo"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ARBYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "31. "Whatever you say, hon""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OKDEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "33. Move furtively"

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 lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
• Words that mean the same thing: lurk, malinger
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SKULK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "34. Showered, as with gifts"

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 expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
• Words that mean the same thing: lavish, shower
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAVISHED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. Quaint response of agreement"

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: YESM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "36. "Duck ___" (classic Warner Bros. cartoon short)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that frenzied as if possessed by a demon
• Words that mean the same thing: berserk, amok, demoniacal
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AMUCK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "37. Gerund suffix"

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: ING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "38. Bit of preachy prose"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a short moral story (often with animal characters)
• Words that mean the same thing: fable, apologue, allegory
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PARABLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Left base?"

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 one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
• Words that mean the same thing: tierce, third gear, one-third
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: THIRD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. Emerges"

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 come into existence; take on form or shape
• Words that mean the same thing: arise, lift, turn out
• The opposite would be: fall, go to bed
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARISES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "45. Lack of musical skill"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TINEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Take up again"

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 short descriptive summary (of events)
• Words that mean the same thing: CV, summarize, sketch
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RESUME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "47. Oslo Accords figure"

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 palestinian statesman who was chairman of the palestine liberation organization (1929-2004)
• Words that mean the same thing: Yasser Arafat
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARAFAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "49. Gem"

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 a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
• Words that mean the same thing: endocarp, Harlan Fisk Stone, Isidor Feinstein Stone
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "51. Earthy hue"

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 various earths containing silica and alumina and ferric oxide; used as a pigment
• Words that mean the same thing: ocher
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OCHRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. Philippine currency"

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 basic unit of money in uruguay; equal to 100 centesimos
• Words that mean the same thing: Uruguayan peso, Cuban peso, Guinea-Bissau peso
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PESO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. Start of a kindergarten ditty"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
• Words that mean the same thing: first principle, first rudiment, 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: ABC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "56. Good picnic forecast"

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 star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
• Words that mean the same thing: sunlight, Lord's Day, solarize
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SUN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "57. 56-Down, e.g."

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 ball-shaped capsule containing the vertebrate eye
• Words that mean the same thing: eyeball, orbit, revolve
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORB

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	56	71.8%
Short Answer	13	16.7%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	3.8%
History	2	2.6%
Literature	1	1.3%
Abbreviation	1	1.3%
Food & Drink	1	1.3%
Music	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	41
Down Clues	37
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	4.7 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	11 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Wednesday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

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

Last Updated: September 05, 2025 at 02:41 PM

March 17, 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, March 17, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 70 (35 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.6 letters

Across Clues Explained - Friday NYT Crossword March 17, 2023

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Staples of horror movies	10
2A	11. Commoner	4
3A	15. Pest so named because it was originally found in royal tombs	10
4A	16. Rocker Grohl	4
5A	17. Join a boxer rebellion?	10
6A	18. Spot	4
7A	19. 1967 song by the Monkees	3
8A	20. Learning opportunity, so to speak	7
9A	22. Game from Africa	3
10A	23. Gel-ocity maker	3
11A	24. Superlatively swell	7
12A	26. First aid provider	5
13A	29. Carriage with its horse	3
14A	31. Easily put out	5
15A	32. Browns, e.g.	10
16A	35. Tech giant once known as Multitech	4
17A	36. Ride at some amusement parks	4
18A	37. Four-time Emmy winner Woodard	5
19A	38. It can mean hello or goodbye	4
20A	39. Bit of film	4
21A	40. Ones calling across the ocean?	10
22A	42. Colorless bodily fluid	5
23A	44. Moreover	3
24A	45. Isn't for you?	5
25A	46. Unimaginative	7
26A	48. It's just past due	3
27A	49. English ___	3
28A	50. Examined, as a dog might	7
29A	53. Pivotal part of a revolution	3
30A	56. Pallid	4
31A	58. One fearful of crowded places	10
32A	60. Ready to be driven	4
33A	61. Flew over seas?	10
34A	62. Mixes things up, say	4
35A	63. Wannabes	10

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. Staples of horror movies"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about movies/film.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: JUMPSCARES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "11. Commoner"

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 one of the common people
• Words that mean the same thing: plebeian
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PLEB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "15. Pest so named because it was originally found in royal tombs"

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: PHARAOHANT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "16. Rocker Grohl"

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: DAVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "17. Join a boxer rebellion?"

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: GOCOMMANDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "18. Spot"

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 particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
• Words that mean the same thing: domain, sphere, region
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AREA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. 1967 song by the Monkees"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SHE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Learning opportunity, so to speak"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
• Words that mean the same thing: fault, err, error
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MISTAKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "22. Game from Africa"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that large african antelope having a head with horns like an ox and a long tufted tail
• Words that mean the same thing: wildebeest
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GNU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "23. Gel-ocity maker"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "24. Superlatively swell"

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 clean or organized
• Words that mean the same thing: orderly, refined, clean
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEATEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. First aid provider"

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: trefoil, medick, medical officer
• The 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 13 Across: "29. Carriage with its horse"

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 gear (including necessary machinery) for a particular enterprise
• Words that mean the same thing: swindle, fishing tackle, rigging
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RIG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. Easily put out"

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 easily irritated or annoyed
• Words that mean the same thing: cranky, peckish, nettlesome
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TESTY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "32. Browns, e.g."

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: EARTHTONES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. Tech giant once known as Multitech"

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 type genus of the aceraceae; trees or shrubs having winged fruit
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Acer
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. Ride at some amusement parks"

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 conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers
• Words that mean the same thing: aerial tramway, trolley, tramcar
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TRAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Four-time Emmy winner Woodard"

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: ALFRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. It can mean hello or goodbye"

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 one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
• Words that mean the same thing: waving, undulate, roll
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WAVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "39. Bit of film"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves
• Words that mean the same thing: algae
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. Ones calling across the ocean?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BLUEWHALES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "42. Colorless bodily fluid"

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 thin coagulable fluid (similar to plasma but) containing white blood cells (lymphocytes) and chyle; is conveyed to the blood stream by lymphatic vessels
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LYMPH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "44. Moreover"

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: AND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "45. Isn't for you?"

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: ARENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "46. Unimaginative"

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 not fanciful or imaginative
• Words that mean the same thing: unglamorous, earthbound, commonplace
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PROSAIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "48. It's just past due"

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: TRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "49. English ___"

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 humanistic study of a body of literature
• Words that mean the same thing: get off, alight, ignite
• The opposite would be: extinguish, unlighted
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "50. Examined, as a dog might"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that perceive by inhaling through the nose
• Words that mean the same thing: sniffle, sniff, whiff
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNIFFED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "53. Pivotal part of a revolution"

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 central part of a car wheel (or fan or propeller etc) through which the shaft or axle passes
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HUB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "56. Pallid"

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 of a light grey
• Words that mean the same thing: ash-gray, ash-grey
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASHY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "58. One fearful of crowded places"

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: AGORAPHOBE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "60. Ready to be driven"

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 place on a tee
• Words that mean the same thing: tee up, tee
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TEED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "61. Flew over seas?"

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: PARASAILED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "62. Mixes things up, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that to make a mistake or be incorrect
• Words that mean the same thing: stray, err, drift
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERRS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "63. Wannabes"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a claimant to the throne or to the office of ruler (usually without just title)
• Words that mean the same thing: role player, phoney, dissimulator
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PRETENDERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Friday Puzzle March 17, 2023

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Alternatives to GIFs	4
2D	2. [Gulp!]	4
3D	3. Garam masala spice	4
4D	4. Follower of all or turn	3
5D	5. Slangy lunch fare	7
6D	6. "Cathy" or "Luann"	5
7D	7. Moments of clarity	4
8D	8. Go off	4
9D	9. At serious risk	10
10D	10. Feed	5
11D	11. Locking lips by the lockers, e.g., for short	3
12D	12. Epic	10
13D	13. Neck and neck	10
14D	14. Retirement plan whose prospects are looking good?	10
15D	21. Not fast	3
16D	23. Alternatives to GIFs	7
17D	25. Some china	7
18D	26. Possible souvenir from a surgery	10
19D	27. One seeing stars upon waking, perhaps	10
20D	28. Queen with a protégé	10
21D	29. Prepare some leaves for burning?	10
22D	30. Just for kicks and giggles	5
23D	33. "Q" neighbor	3
24D	34. Patch, e.g.	3
25D	41. Dense buildup in makeup powder containers	7
26D	43. Entertains, with "over"	3
27D	47. Like some online purchases	5
28D	48. Give hints about, but not more	5
29D	51. Lead-in to cast or castle	4
30D	52. School group, informally	4
31D	53. Well, essentially	4
32D	54. Modern ride	4
33D	55. Hotel capacity	4
34D	57. N.F.L. divisions	3
35D	59. Didn't seek, say	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. Alternatives to GIFs"

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: JPGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. [Gulp!]"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: UHOH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Garam masala spice"

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 (trademark) a liquid that temporarily disables a person; prepared as an aerosol and sprayed in the face, it irritates the eyes and causes dizziness and immobilization
• Words that mean the same thing: macebearer, Chemical Mace, macer
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MACE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Follower of all or turn"

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 an athlete who plays for pay
• Words that mean the same thing: professional
• The opposite would be: amateur, anti
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Slangy lunch fare"

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: SAMMICH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. "Cathy" or "Luann""

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 professional performer who tells jokes and performs comical acts
• Words that mean the same thing: mirthful, comedian, laughable
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COMIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Moments of clarity"

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: AHAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Go off"

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 loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
• Words that mean the same thing: ranting, fustian, harangue
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RANT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. At serious risk"

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 pose a threat to; present a danger to
• Words that mean the same thing: jeopardize, endanger, jeopardise
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENDANGERED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Feed"

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 stir up or tend; of a fire
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STOKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Locking lips by the lockers, e.g., for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a lightweight consumer electronic device that looks like a hand-held computer but instead performs specific tasks; can serve as a diary or a personal database or a telephone or an alarm clock etc.
• Words that mean the same thing: organiser, personal organizer, organizer
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PDA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Epic"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LARGESCALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Neck and neck"

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: EVENSTEVEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Retirement plan whose prospects are looking good?"

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: BEAUTYREST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Not fast"

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 take in solid food
• Words that mean the same thing: run through, eat up, consume
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Alternatives to GIFs"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an image represented as a two dimensional array of brightness values for pixels
• Words that mean the same thing: electronic image, bitmap
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BITMAPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Some china"

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: TEAWARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. Possible souvenir from a surgery"

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: METALPLATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "27. One seeing stars upon waking, perhaps"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EARLYRISER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "28. Queen with a protégé"

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: DRAGMOTHER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "29. Prepare some leaves for burning?"

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: ROLLACIGAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "30. Just for kicks and giggles"

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: INFUN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. "Q" neighbor"

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 bill in a restaurant
• Words that mean the same thing: pill, yellow journalism, chit
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Patch, e.g."

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 fasten by sewing; do needlework
• Words that mean the same thing: stitch, tailor-make, tailor
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "41. Dense buildup in makeup powder containers"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that crust or layer of hard subsoil encrusted with calcium-carbonate occurring in arid or semiarid regions
• Words that mean the same thing: caliche
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HARDPAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "43. Entertains, with "over""

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 (astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day
• Words that mean the same thing: let, consume, have
• The opposite would be: refuse, lack
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "47. Like some online purchases"

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: INAPP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "48. Give hints about, but not more"

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 someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity)
• Words that mean the same thing: teaser, rally, taunt
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TEASE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "51. Lead-in to cast or castle"

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 front part of a vessel or aircraft
• Words that mean the same thing: bow, forward, prow
• The opposite would be: aft
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "52. School group, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a social club for male undergraduates
• Words that mean the same thing: fraternity
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FRAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "53. Well, essentially"

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 opening into or through something
• Words that mean the same thing: trap, pickle, golf hole
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HOLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "54. Modern ride"

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: UBER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "55. Hotel capacity"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
• Words that mean the same thing: know, get it on, fuck
• The opposite would be: get up, turn out
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "57. N.F.L. divisions"

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: YDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "59. Didn't seek, say"

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 prevent from being seen or discovered
• Words that mean the same thing: obscure, veil, obliterate
• The opposite would be: show
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HID

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	49	70.0%
Short Answer	12	17.1%
Geography	3	4.3%
Movies/Film	2	2.9%
Music	1	1.4%
Sports	1	1.4%
Abbreviation	1	1.4%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	35
Total Clues	70
Average Answer Length	5.6 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	10 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 03, 2025 at 03:41 PM