Monday's NYT Down Nov 17 - Full Vertical Grid Solutions
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 41 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: Xwordhint Crossword Answers September_13 | September 03 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | October 05 2021 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | November 17, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Monday |
| Total Down Clues | 41 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Medium |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 41 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. Less risky |
| 2 Down | 2. Tot's three-wheeler |
| 3 Down | 3. Comic actor Seth |
| 4 Down | 4. "If you want me to be honest ..." |
| 5 Down | 5. Golfing standard |
| 6 Down | 6. Region |
| 7 Down | 7. Intel product |
| 8 Down | 8. Makes unfair, in a way |
| 9 Down | 9. Receives from a will |
| 10 Down | 10. Nickname for Dorothy |
| 11 Down | 11. Insect that stings |
| 12 Down | 12. Home to Hanoi and Hong Kong |
| 13 Down | 13. Cincinnati team |
| 14 Down | 18. ___ Woods, "Legally Blonde" protagonist |
| 15 Down | 22. Sch. with a T station |
| 16 Down | 24. Amazement |
| 17 Down | 26. Lumberjack's tool |
| 18 Down | 28. Letters before "And on that farm ..." |
| 19 Down | 29. The "T" of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ |
| 20 Down | 30. Platoon V.I.P. |
| 21 Down | 31. Sunrise direction |
| 22 Down | 32. Ping-Pong dividers |
| 23 Down | 33. Like most cheeses with rinds |
| 24 Down | 34. Nike's swoosh, e.g. |
| 25 Down | 35. Punxsutawney Phil, for one |
| 26 Down | 39. Classic arcade game with bull's-eye rings |
| 27 Down | 40. Strongly desires |
| 28 Down | 42. Like a centenarian |
| 29 Down | 43. "For suresies" |
| 30 Down | 45. Purchase |
| 31 Down | 46. Bottle served at a trattoria |
| 32 Down | 49. Exclamation while pulling a rabbit from a hat |
| 33 Down | 50. The King of Rock and Roll |
| 34 Down | 51. Marsh plants |
| 35 Down | 52. Object of adoration |
| 36 Down | 53. Zero |
| 37 Down | 55. Rights advocacy org. since 1920 |
| 38 Down | 56. Dermatologist's focus |
| 39 Down | 57. "It ___ that simple ..." |
| 40 Down | 60. Quick punch |
| 41 Down | 61. Foreign policy grp. |
Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues
Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:
- All NYT Across Clues October 27 2025 37
- June 02 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
- September 03 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
- March 30 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. Less risky"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: S___R
- Similar words: dependable, secure
- Opposite of: dangerous
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: free from danger or the risk of harm
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SAFER
2 Down: "2. Tot's three-wheeler"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: T___E
- Similar words: velocipede, tricycle
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a vehicle with three wheels that is moved by foot pedals
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TRIKE
3 Down: "3. Comic actor Seth"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: R___N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ROGEN
4 Down: "4. "If you want me to be honest ...""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: I______Y
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
IMUSTSAY
5 Down: "5. Golfing standard"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'R'
- Similar words: equation, equality
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PAR
6 Down: "6. Region"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: A__A
- Similar words: surface area, sphere
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AREA
7 Down: "7. Intel product"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: C__P
- Similar words: cut off, buffalo chip
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CHIP
8 Down: "8. Makes unfair, in a way"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: R__S
- Similar words: rigging, swindle
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RIGS
9 Down: "9. Receives from a will"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: I______S
- Similar words: inherit
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: obtain from someone after their death
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
INHERITS
10 Down: "10. Nickname for Dorothy"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'T'
- Similar words: constellate, back breaker
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a very small circular shape
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DOT
11 Down: "11. Insect that stings"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: B_______E
- Similar words: humblebee
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: robust hairy social bee of temperate regions
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BUMBLEBEE
12 Down: "12. Home to Hanoi and Hong Kong"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: A__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ASIA
13 Down: "13. Cincinnati team"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: R__S
- Similar words: Red, Red River
- Opposite of: gain
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
REDS
14 Down: "18. ___ Woods, "Legally Blonde" protagonist"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: E__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ELLE
15 Down: "22. Sch. with a T station"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an engineering university in Cambridge
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MIT
16 Down: "24. Amazement"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
- Similar words: veneration, reverence
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AWE
17 Down: "26. Lumberjack's tool"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
- Similar words: ax
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AXE
18 Down: "28. Letters before "And on that farm ...""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: E___O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EIEIO
19 Down: "29. The "T" of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: T___S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TRANS
20 Down: "30. Platoon V.I.P."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S___E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SARGE
21 Down: "31. Sunrise direction"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: E__T
- Similar words: due east, eastward
- Opposite of: west
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EAST
22 Down: "32. Ping-Pong dividers"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: N__S
- Similar words: profit, net profit
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NETS
23 Down: "33. Like most cheeses with rinds"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: A__D
- Similar words: senior, elderly
- Opposite of: young
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: people who are old collectively
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AGED
24 Down: "34. Nike's swoosh, e.g."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: L__O
- Similar words: logotype
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a company emblem or device
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LOGO
25 Down: "35. Punxsutawney Phil, for one"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'G'
- Word pattern: G_______G
- Similar words: Marmota monax, woodchuck
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: reddish brown North American marmot
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
GROUNDHOG
26 Down: "39. Classic arcade game with bull's-eye rings"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: S______L
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SKEEBALL
27 Down: "40. Strongly desires"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: P______R
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PINESFOR
28 Down: "42. Like a centenarian"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'D'
- Similar words: sometime, former
- Opposite of: young
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: past times (especially in the phrase `in days of old')
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OLD
29 Down: "43. "For suresies""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'F'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DEF
30 Down: "45. Purchase"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'Y'
- Similar words: bargain, purchase
- Opposite of: sell
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an advantageous purchase
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BUY
31 Down: "46. Bottle served at a trattoria"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'V' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: V__O
- Similar words: wine
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: fermented juice (of grapes especially)
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
VINO
32 Down: "49. Exclamation while pulling a rabbit from a hat"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'V' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: V___A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
VOILA
33 Down: "50. The King of Rock and Roll"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: E___S
- Similar words: loony toons, superman
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: street name for lysergic acid diethylamide
- This is Down clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ELVIS
34 Down: "51. Marsh plants"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: R___S
- Similar words: John Reed, Walter Reed
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
REEDS
35 Down: "52. Object of adoration"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: I__L
- Similar words: beau ideal, god
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a material effigy that is worshipped
- This is Down clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
IDOL
36 Down: "53. Zero"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: N__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 36
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NONE
37 Down: "55. Rights advocacy org. since 1920"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'U'
- Word pattern: A__U
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 37
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ACLU
38 Down: "56. Dermatologist's focus"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: S__N
- Similar words: cutis, shinny
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 38
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SKIN
39 Down: "57. "It ___ that simple ...""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: I__T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 39
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ISNT
40 Down: "60. Quick punch"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'J' and ends with 'B'
- Similar words: poking, jabbing
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
- This is Down clue number 40
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
JAB
41 Down: "61. Foreign policy grp."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'C'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 41
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NSC
Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues
Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:
Why Start with Down Clues?
- Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
- Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
- Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
- Down answers often help solve Across clues
Down Clue Patterns to Recognize
- Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
- Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
- Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
- Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
- Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically
Time-Saving Down Techniques
| Technique | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Scan all Down first | Get a mental map of the vertical flow |
| Fill short Down words | 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors |
| Use crossing letters | Across letters help confirm Down answers |
| Look for themes | Related Down answers often share a theme |
Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues
What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?
Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.
Should I solve Down or Across clues first?
Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.
How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?
Today's NYT crossword has 41 Down clues.
Are Down clues easier than Across clues?
Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.
How do Down clues interact with Across clues?
Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.
