May 15, 2024 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (37 clues)
• Down Clues (39 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (37 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.9 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Wednesday Puzzle May 15, 2024

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Befitting the circumstances	3
2A	4. "Belling the Cat" storyteller	5
3A	9. Bing Crosby's record label	5
4A	14. Bovine expression	3
5A	15. "Borat" follow-up from Sacha Baron Cohen	5
6A	16. Belief system	5
7A	17. Buzzer you wouldn't want to hit?	9
8A	19. Budweiser beer is aged using this wood	5
9A	20. Break up, as a knot	5
10A	21. Barrier for an aspiring D.A.	4
11A	23. Biathlete's need	3
12A	24. Byron, by ancestry	4
13A	25. Breast milk container	10
14A	28. Bottom of a dress	3
15A	29. Beatles hit "And I Love ___"	3
16A	30. Beldames	6
17A	31. Big name in D.C.	6
18A	34. Burst, as of wind	4
19A	35. Brewer's implement	11
20A	38. Bad-tempered sort	4
21A	40. Blasphemes	6
22A	41. Bacterium requiring oxygen	6
23A	44. "Born in the ___" (Bruce Springsteen hit)	3
24A	45. Block, in a way	3
25A	48. Blissful soak	10
26A	51. Blind, to a duck	4
27A	52. Benedict follower?	3
28A	53. By the 1980s, this sea had become two lakes	4
29A	54. "Behold, the kingdom of God is in the ___ of you": Luke	5
30A	55. Battery type	5
31A	57. "Best wishes for your once-a-year celebration!" (and a wish for solvers of this puzzle)	9
32A	60. Bach exercise	5
33A	61. Buy a drink for, say	5
34A	62. Body part with a ball and socket	3
35A	63. Brims (with)	5
36A	64. Break into pieces	5
37A	65. Barley brew	3

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. Befitting the circumstances"

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 (usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward
• Words that mean the same thing: clever, tending, liable
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: APT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "4. "Belling the Cat" storyteller"

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 greek author of fables (circa 620-560 bc)
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AESOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Bing Crosby's record label"

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: DECCA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Bovine expression"

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 sound made by a cow or bull
• Words that mean the same thing: low
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MOO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. "Borat" follow-up from Sacha Baron Cohen"

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 german pope from 1049 to 1054 whose papacy was the beginning of papal reforms in the 11th century (1002-1054)
• Words that mean the same thing: St. Bruno, Bruno of Toul, Leo IX
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BRUNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Belief system"

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 (anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETHOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Buzzer you wouldn't want to hit?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that robust hairy social bee of temperate regions
• Words that mean the same thing: humblebee
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BUMBLEBEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Budweiser beer is aged using this wood"

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 any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth grey bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions
• Words that mean the same thing: beech tree, beechwood
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEECH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Break up, as a knot"

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 undo the ties of
• Words that mean the same thing: unbrace, loosen, undo
• The opposite would be: tie
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UNTIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Barrier for an aspiring D.A."

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: LSAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Biathlete's need"

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 narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used in pairs for gliding over snow
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SKI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Byron, by ancestry"

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 native or inhabitant of scotland
• Words that mean the same thing: Scotchman, Scotsman
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Breast milk container"

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: BABYBOTTLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "28. Bottom of a dress"

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 edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
• Words that mean the same thing: ahem
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "29. Beatles hit "And I Love ___""

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: HER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "30. Beldames"

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 an ugly evil-looking old woman
• Words that mean the same thing: witch, hag, crone
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CRONES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "31. Big name in D.C."

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: KAMALA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. Burst, as of wind"

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 strong current of air
• Words that mean the same thing: blow, blast
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GUST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "35. Brewer's implement"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BASEBALLBAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "38. Bad-tempered sort"

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 decapod having eyes on short stalks and a broad flattened carapace with a small abdomen folded under the thorax and pincers
• Words that mean the same thing: bellyache, Cancer the Crab, Phthirius pubis
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CRAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. Blasphemes"

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 utter obscenities or profanities
• Words that mean the same thing: avow, verify, assert
• The opposite would be: mistrust
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SWEARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. Bacterium requiring oxygen"

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 an organism (especially a bacterium) that requires air or free oxygen for life
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AEROBE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "44. "Born in the ___" (Bruce Springsteen hit)"

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 north american republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in north america plus alaska in northwest north america and the hawaiian islands in the pacific ocean; achieved independence in 1776
• Words that mean the same thing: Army, U.S., United States
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: USA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "45. Block, in a way"

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 room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
• Words that mean the same thing: debar, taproom, barricade
• The opposite would be: unbar
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "48. Blissful soak"

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: BUBBLEBATH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "51. Blind, to a duck"

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 deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
• Words that mean the same thing: artifice
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RUSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "52. Benedict follower?"

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: INE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. By the 1980s, this sea had become two lakes"

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: ARAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "54. "Behold, the kingdom of God is in the ___ of you": Luke"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the location of something surrounded by other things
• Words that mean the same thing: thick
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MIDST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "55. Battery type"

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 rechargeable battery with a nickel cathode and a cadmium anode; often used in emergency systems because of its low discharge rate when not in use
• Words that mean the same thing: nickel-cadmium accumulator
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NICAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "57. "Best wishes for your once-a-year celebration!" (and a wish for solvers of this puzzle)"

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: HAPPYBDAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "60. Bach exercise"

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 short composition for a solo instrument; intended as an exercise or to demonstrate technical virtuosity
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETUDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "61. Buy a drink for, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that something considered choice to eat
• Words that mean the same thing: do by, goody, delicacy
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TREAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "62. Body part with a ball and socket"

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 either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
• Words that mean the same thing: rosehip, hep, hip to
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "63. Brims (with)"

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 be teeming, be abuzz
• Words that mean the same thing: pullulate, stream, teem
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TEEMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "64. Break into pieces"

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

  The answer is: SMASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "65. Barley brew"

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 general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALE

  Great job if you got it right!

May 15, 2024 Down Hints: NYT Wednesday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Blindside, say	6
2D	2. Big cats and opportunists both do this	6
3D	3. Basic drum	6
4D	4. Blessed with skills	4
5D	5. Before, in verse	3
6D	6. Benchwarmer	3
7D	7. Box of spaghetti's weight: Abbr.	5
8D	8. Burns books?	5
9D	9. Bondservant, often	6
10D	10. Bordeaux summer	3
11D	11. Brownish-red shade	8
12D	12. Bivalve mollusks	7
13D	13. Beyond the pale?	7
14D	18. Bridle attachment	3
15D	22. "Bachelor in Paradise" network	3
16D	25. Bieber's "That Should ___"	4
17D	26. Bedouins, e.g.	5
18D	27. "Ben-Hur" getups	5
19D	29. Bears, as a child	3
20D	31. Beef on a skewer, e.g.	5
21D	32. "Buckle up! It's the ___"	3
22D	33. Bering Sea islander	5
23D	35. Backyard get-together	8
24D	36. Bind with rope	4
25D	37. Bali product	3
26D	38. Biden's advisers	7
27D	39. Bring back together	7
28D	42. Business ends of swords	6
29D	43. Bard's "always"	3
30D	45. Bo tree meditator	6
31D	46. Beset	6
32D	47. Bang out again, as a text	6
33D	49. Bangkok coins	5
34D	50. Burglar deterrent	5
35D	51. Bone in a cage	3
36D	54. Belief that bulls hate the color red, e.g.	4
37D	56. Byrd's rank: Abbr.	3
38D	58. Black-eyed ___	3
39D	59. Ballet step	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. Blindside, say"

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 act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
• Words that mean the same thing: still-hunt, waylay, lying in wait
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AMBUSH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Big cats and opportunists both do this"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the act of pouncing
• Words that mean the same thing: swoop
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POUNCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Basic drum"

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: TOMTOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Blessed with skills"

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 (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
• Words that mean the same thing: capable, able-bodied
• The opposite would be: unable
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ABLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Before, in verse"

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: ERE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Benchwarmer"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the united states
• Words that mean the same thing: hoagie, Cuban sandwich, Italian sandwich
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SUB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Box of spaghetti's weight: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ONELB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Burns books?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that literature in metrical form
• Words that mean the same thing: verse, poetry
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POESY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Bondservant, often"

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 person who owes a creditor; someone who has the obligation of paying a debt
• Words that mean the same thing: debitor
• The opposite would be: creditor
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEBTOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Bordeaux summer"

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: ETE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Brownish-red shade"

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 wood of any of various chestnut trees of the genus castanea
• Words that mean the same thing: chestnut tree
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CHESTNUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Bivalve mollusks"

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 common edible european bivalve
• Words that mean the same thing: riffle, undulate, cockle
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COCKLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Beyond the pale?"

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 of a light grey
• Words that mean the same thing: ash-gray, ashy, 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: ASHIEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Bridle attachment"

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 small piece or quantity of something
• Words that mean the same thing: flake, burn, piece
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. "Bachelor in Paradise" network"

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 elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
• Words that mean the same thing: rudiment, ABCs, first principle
• The 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 16 Down: "25. Bieber's "That Should ___""

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: BEME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "26. Bedouins, 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 member of a semitic people originally from the arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks arabic and who inhabits much of the middle east and northern africa
• Words that mean the same thing: Arab, Arabian
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARABS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. "Ben-Hur" getups"

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 one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient rome
• Words that mean the same thing: toga
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOGAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "29. Bears, as a child"

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 (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: hour angle, hold, induce
• The opposite would be: lack, refuse
• 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 20 Down: "31. Beef on a skewer, 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 cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables
• Words that mean the same thing: shish kebab, kebab
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KABOB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "32. "Buckle up! It's the ___""

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 collection of rules imposed by authority
• Words that mean the same thing: legal philosophy, natural law, police force
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. Bering Sea islander"

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 member of the people inhabiting the aleutian islands and southwestern alaska
• Words that mean the same thing: Aleutian
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALEUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. Backyard get-together"

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 meat that has been barbecued or grilled in a highly seasoned sauce
• Words that mean the same thing: barbeque, cook out
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BARBECUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "36. Bind with rope"

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 the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids
• Words that mean the same thing: strap, trounce, whip
• The opposite would be: unlash
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "37. Bali product"

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 an undergarment worn by women to support their breasts
• Words that mean the same thing: brassiere, bandeau
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BRA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "38. Biden's advisers"

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 piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
• Words that mean the same thing: storage locker, locker, console
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CABINET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "39. Bring back together"

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 have a reunion; unite again
• Words that mean the same thing: reunify
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REUNITE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Business ends of swords"

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 especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
• Words that mean the same thing: leaf blade, blade, vane
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLADES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "43. Bard's "always""

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: EER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "45. Bo tree meditator"

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 founder of buddhism; worshipped as a god (c 563-483 bc)
• Words that mean the same thing: Siddhartha, Gautama Siddhartha, Gautama
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BUDDHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "46. Beset"

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 attack someone physically or emotionally
• Words that mean the same thing: attack, snipe, set on
• The opposite would be: defend
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASSAIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "47. Bang out again, as a text"

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: RETYPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "49. Bangkok coins"

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 basic unit of money in thailand
• Words that mean the same thing: tical, baht
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BAHTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "50. Burglar deterrent"

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 fear resulting from the awareness of danger
• Words that mean the same thing: horrify, alarum, warning signal
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALARM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "51. Bone in a cage"

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 support resembling the rib of an animal
• Words that mean the same thing: blackguard, laugh at, poke fun
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RIB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "54. Belief that bulls hate the color red, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MYTH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "56. Byrd's rank: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ADM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "58. Black-eyed ___"

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 seed of a pea plant used for food
• Words that mean the same thing: pea plant
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "59. Ballet step"

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 (ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)
• Words that mean the same thing: Pennsylvania, PA system, daddy
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	50	65.8%
Short Answer	21	27.6%
Abbreviation	2	2.6%
Food & Drink	1	1.3%
History	1	1.3%
Literature	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	37
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	4.9 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	11 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is 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: August 25, 2025 at 05:41 PM

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 12, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (35 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (35 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Light décor	10
2A	11. Last place?	4
3A	15. Pop-up with an envelope icon	10
4A	16. Round figure	4
5A	17. Winner's circle?	10
6A	18. Take two	4
7A	19. Hyperfixated	6
8A	20. "Thick ___ Brick" (1972 Jethro Tull album)	3
9A	21. Earth's pull, informally	4
10A	22. On the ___ (free)	5
11A	23. Thumbs-down votes in the Duma	5
12A	25. Why wait?	3
13A	26. Personal circumstances, so to speak	5
14A	28. Justice who's the subject of the 2026 biography "Revenge for the Sixties"	5
15A	30. Rolls out the green carpet?	4
16A	34. First full word sung in "The Alphabet Song"	3
17A	35. Proverbial small amount	6
18A	36. "Now we're talking!"	15
19A	39. Capers	6
20A	40. Common ___	3
21A	41. Rowing machines, in gym lingo	4
22A	42. "Schitt's Creek" matriarch	5
23A	43. Really hurts	5
24A	45. Rout, in computer game lingo	3
25A	46. Word with letter or grant	5
26A	48. Toothbrush handle?	5
27A	53. Smokes	4
28A	55. N.B.A. coach Jordan ___	3
29A	56. Punnily named production company behind TV's "Insecure" and "A Black Lady Sketch Show"	6
30A	57. Stat	4
31A	58. Common sleep aid	10
32A	60. Acquire by default?	4
33A	61. Math class assignment	10
34A	62. Labor, e.g.: Abbr.	4
35A	63. Appliances that are always blowing out?	10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Light décor"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a protective ornamental shade used to screen a light bulb from direct view
• Similar words include: lampshade, lamp shade
• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LAMPSHADES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "11. Last place?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
• Similar words include: grave
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. Pop-up with an envelope icon"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMAILALERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Round figure"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
• Similar words include: ovoid, ovate, prolate
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Winner's circle?"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VICTORYLAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Take two"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that do over, as of (part of) a house
• Similar words include: remake, remodel, refashion
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Hyperfixated"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENRAPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. "Thick ___ Brick" (1972 Jethro Tull album)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Earth's pull, informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONEG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. On the ___ (free)"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that grant freedom to; free from confinement
• Similar words include: unaffixed, at large, relax
• Opposite of: confine, stiffen

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Thumbs-down votes in the Duma"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NYETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Why wait?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
• Similar words include: confidential information, wind, bakshish
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Personal circumstances, so to speak"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a particular situation
• Similar words include: shoe, horseshoe, brake shoe
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHOES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Justice who's the subject of the 2026 biography "Revenge for the Sixties""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALITO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Rolls out the green carpet?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
• Similar words include: sod, turf, sodomite
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SODS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. First full word sung in "The Alphabet Song""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Proverbial small amount"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a very small quantity of something
• Similar words include: lowlife, rotter, crumb
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CRUMBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. "Now we're talking!""

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THATSMORELIKEIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Capers"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
• Similar words include: trick, put-on, caper
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANTICS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Common ___"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Similar words include: epoch, earned run average, geological era
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Rowing machines, in gym lingo"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a cgs unit of work or energy; the work done by a force of one dyne acting over a distance of one centimeter
• Similar words include: erg
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. "Schitt's Creek" matriarch"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOIRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Really hurts"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disfiguration or mutilation
• Similar words include: maim
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAIMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Rout, in computer game lingo"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PWN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Word with letter or grant"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
• Similar words include: deflect, forget, embarrass
• Opposite of: unstuff, unblock

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BLOCK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Toothbrush handle?"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORALB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Smokes"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CIGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. N.B.A. coach Jordan ___"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OTT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Punnily named production company behind TV's "Insecure" and "A Black Lady Sketch Show""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOORAE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Stat"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. Common sleep aid"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WHITENOISE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Acquire by default?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REPO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. Math class assignment"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PROBLEMSET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "62. Labor, e.g.: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "63. Appliances that are always blowing out?"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HANDDRYERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Carpenter's tool	5
2D	2. ___ acid	5
3D	3. Kind of photography lens for a close-up	5
4D	4. Wraps in the Mideast	5
5D	5. Certain geometry calculations	6
6D	6. Playwright Moss ___	4
7D	7. Gymnast Raisman	3
8D	8. What a joke may get eventually	15
9D	9. Takes marks off in a classroom?	6
10D	10. Mid-March V.I.P., informally	5
11D	11. "Surf" food in Japan, or "turf" animal in Spain	4
12D	12. Kitchen counter	9
13D	13. Became a household name, say	9
14D	14. Examples of media on Medium	9
15D	23. Many a listing in an etiquette book	4
16D	24. Wrap in South Asia	4
17D	27. Actors unsuited for subtle roles	4
18D	29. Country singer Combs	4
19D	30. Rewards program tracker	9
20D	31. "It's finally clear"	9
21D	32. Phone connector?	9
22D	33. Arouse	4
23D	35. Simoleon	4
24D	37. Labor pain?	4
25D	38. Journalist Larson who wrote "The Splendid and the Vile"	4
26D	43. Godzilla adversary	6
27D	44. Longhorn's rival	6
28D	47. Acidic	5
29D	49. Capacious	5
30D	50. Surface	5
31D	51. Pointer for a public speaker	5
32D	52. Sources of the juice that "bleeds" in a faux meat patty	5
33D	54. Tough thing to be in	4
34D	56. Stayed together	4
35D	59. Placeholder abbr.	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Carpenter's tool"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
• Similar words include: stratum, plane, tied
• Opposite of: raise

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEVEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. ___ acid"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the radical -nh2
• Similar words include: amino group, aminic
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMINO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Kind of photography lens for a close-up"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a single computer instruction that results in a series of instructions in machine language
• Similar words include: macro instruction
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MACRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Wraps in the Mideast"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that usually small round bread that can open into a pocket for filling
• Similar words include: pita, pocket bread
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PITAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Certain geometry calculations"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an elevated geological formation
• Similar words include: squelch, squish, splosh
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SLOPES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Playwright Moss ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states playwright who collaborated with george s. kaufman (1904-1961)
• Similar words include: stag, Lorenz Hart, Moss Hart
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HART

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7D: "7. Gymnast Raisman"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALY

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8D: "8. What a joke may get eventually"

15 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DELAYEDREACTION

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9D: "9. Takes marks off in a classroom?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that remove from memory or existence
• Similar words include: delete, rub out, wipe out
• Opposite of: record

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERASES

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10D: "10. Mid-March V.I.P., informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STPAT

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11D: "11. "Surf" food in Japan, or "turf" animal in Spain"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TORO

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12D: "12. Kitchen counter"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OVENTIMER

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13D: "13. Became a household name, say"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MADEITBIG

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14D: "14. Examples of media on Medium"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BLOGPOSTS

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15D: "23. Many a listing in an etiquette book"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NONO

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16D: "24. Wrap in South Asia"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a dress worn primarily by hindu women; consists of several yards of light material that is draped around the body
• Similar words include: saree
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SARI

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17D: "27. Actors unsuited for subtle roles"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)
• Similar words include: ham actor, ham, overplay
• Opposite of: underact

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAMS

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18D: "29. Country singer Combs"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (new testament) the apostle closely associated with st. paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third gospel
• Similar words include: Saint Luke, Gospel of Luke, Gospel According to Luke
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LUKE

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19D: "30. Rewards program tracker"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STAMPCARD

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20D: "31. "It's finally clear""

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OHNOWISEE

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21D: "32. Phone connector?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DATINGAPP

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22D: "33. Arouse"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event
• Similar words include: shake, put forward, ado
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STIR

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23D: "35. Simoleon"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that burrowing marine mollusk living on sand or mud; the shell closes with viselike firmness
• Similar words include: dollar bill, buck, dollar
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CLAM

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24D: "37. Labor pain?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike
• Similar words include: rat, strikebreaker, fink
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCAB

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25D: "38. Journalist Larson who wrote "The Splendid and the Vile""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERIK

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26D: "43. Godzilla adversary"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOTHRA

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27D: "44. Longhorn's rival"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a native or resident of oklahoma
• Similar words include: Oklahoman, preferably, rather
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SOONER

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28D: "47. Acidic"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOWPH

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29D: "49. Capacious"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an associate who shares a room with you
• Similar words include: roomie, spacious, roommate
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROOMY

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30D: "50. Surface"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that come into existence; take on form or shape
• Similar words include: lift, originate, rise up
• Opposite of: sit down, go to bed

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARISE

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31D: "51. Pointer for a public speaker"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; an optical device that produces an intense monochromatic beam of coherent light
• Similar words include: optical maser
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LASER

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32D: "52. Sources of the juice that "bleeds" in a faux meat patty"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that biennial eurasian plant usually having a swollen edible root; widely cultivated as a food crop
• Similar words include: Beta vulgaris, common beet, beetroot
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEETS

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33D: "54. Tough thing to be in"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a point located with respect to surface features of some region
• Similar words include: stain, smirch, make out
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPOT

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34D: "56. Stayed together"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
• Similar words include: book, bind, concur
• Opposite of: disagree, let go of

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HELD

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35D: "59. Placeholder abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TBD

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Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues

35 Down Clues

70 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 12, 2026 at 08:01 AM