Search Clues
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query exploit. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query exploit. Sort by date Show all posts

Friday, September 25, 2026

NYT Mini Answers September 25, 2026 - Trivia Week 4 Special

NYT Mini Trivia Week 4 September 25, 2026 - Hints & Answers

Today's Mini has 20 clues to get through. Hints and answers for all of them are below.

Popular Puzzles: NYT Across Crossword November 18 2025 | December 07 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | Xwordhint Crossword Answers October 15 |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for September 25, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Friday, September 25, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date September 25, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week 4 NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

It's a 5 by 5 grid today — five boxes across, five boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This One Fast

  1. Skim every clue once before you write anything — your brain keeps chewing on the ones you don't solve right away.
  2. Knock out the short answers (3 letters or under) first.
  3. Lean on the crossing letters once a couple of words are in.
  4. A question mark in a clue usually means there's a pun coming.
  5. THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT — these little words show up constantly, keep them in your back pocket.

Quick Facts

  • Squares in the grid: 25
  • How long it takes: usually under a minute once you're warmed up
  • Best moment for it: any short break
  • Overall difficulty: easy-going by design

Across Clues - 10 Total

These run left to right across the grid.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 40. Port on the Loire
2 Across 34. Procedure after which you might wear flip-flops, informally
3 Across 19. U2 producer Brian
4 Across 46. Play group
5 Across 17. Outcome of a match, maybe
6 Across 57. Invasive plants?
7 Across 53. Actress Shawkat
8 Across 25. Exploit a loophole, e.g.
9 Across 1. Olympic slalom equipment
10 Across 31. ___ one's time

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Stuck on one? Hints and answers for each clue are below. A few other guides worth a look:

1 Across: "40. Port on the Loire"

Hints:

  • You're looking for 6 letters.
  • Blank it out and you get: N____S
  • Starts with 'N', ends with 'S'.

Answer:

Click to reveal NANTES

2 Across: "34. Procedure after which you might wear flip-flops, informally"

Hints:

  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • If that helps, the shape is: P__I
  • Starts with 'P', ends with 'I'.

Answer:

Click to reveal PEDI

3 Across: "19. U2 producer Brian"

Hints:

  • Starts with 'E', ends with 'O'.
  • You're looking for 3 letters.
  • Short form / acronym territory here.

Answer:

Click to reveal ENO

4 Across: "46. Play group"

Hints:

  • If that helps, the shape is: A__S
  • Kicks off with 'A' and wraps up with 'S'.
  • Count on 4 letters here.

Answer:

Click to reveal ACTS

5 Across: "17. Outcome of a match, maybe"

Hints:

  • Pattern-wise it looks like: T________E
  • You're looking for 10 letters.
  • Kicks off with 'T' and wraps up with 'E'.

Answer:

Click to reveal TINDERDATE

6 Across: "57. Invasive plants?"

Hints:

  • It's a 10-letter word.
  • Blank it out and you get: E________S
  • Kicks off with 'E' and wraps up with 'S'.

Answer:

Click to reveal ENEMYSPIES

7 Across: "53. Actress Shawkat"

Hints:

  • If that helps, the shape is: A__A
  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • Kicks off with 'A' and wraps up with 'A'.

Answer:

Click to reveal ALIA

8 Across: "25. Exploit a loophole, e.g."

Hints:

  • Pattern-wise it looks like: G___________M
  • This one runs 13 letters long.
  • First letter's a 'G', last letter's a 'M'.

Answer:

Click to reveal GAMETHESYSTEM

9 Across: "1. Olympic slalom equipment"

Hints:

  • Starts with 'C', ends with 'E'.
  • If that helps, the shape is: C___E
  • It's a 5-letter word.

Answer:

Click to reveal CANOE

10 Across: "31. ___ one's time"

Hints:

  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • In plain terms: dwell.
  • You could also think of it as "abide."

Answer:

Click to reveal BIDE

Down Clues - 10 Total

These run top to bottom in the grid.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 10. Sources of some rock
2 Down 33. Slip (into)
3 Down 26. "___ plaisir" ("You're welcome," in French)
4 Down 47. Discovery sites
5 Down 44. Polite titles
6 Down 51. Ptolemaic royal, familiarly
7 Down 25. Look stunned
8 Down 4. "How ___"
9 Down 7. Second Freudian stage
10 Down 49. What's distorted in a Mercator projection

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Same deal here — hints then answers. You might also like:

1 Down: "10. Sources of some rock"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'G' and wraps up with 'S'.
  • Count on 11 letters here.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: G_________S

Answer:

Click to reveal GARAGEBANDS

2 Down: "33. Slip (into)"

Hints:

  • Starts with 'E', ends with 'E'.
  • This one runs 4 letters long.
  • Basically, freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort.

Answer:

Click to reveal EASE

3 Down: "26. "___ plaisir" ("You're welcome," in French)"

Hints:

  • Pattern-wise it looks like: A__C
  • Starts with 'A', ends with 'C'.
  • Short form / acronym territory here.

Answer:

Click to reveal AVEC

4 Down: "47. Discovery sites"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'L' and wraps up with 'S'.
  • You could also think of it as "lab."
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.

Answer:

Click to reveal LABS

5 Down: "44. Polite titles"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'M' and wraps up with 'S'.
  • You could also think of it as "lady."
  • You're looking for 6 letters.

Answer:

Click to reveal MADAMS

6 Down: "51. Ptolemaic royal, familiarly"

Hints:

  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • Pattern-wise it looks like: C__O
  • Kicks off with 'C' and wraps up with 'O'.

Answer:

Click to reveal CLEO

7 Down: "25. Look stunned"

Hints:

  • You could also think of it as "gawk."
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.
  • First letter's a 'G', last letter's a 'E'.

Answer:

Click to reveal GAPE

8 Down: "4. "How ___""

Hints:

  • Think of it this way — not divisible by two.
  • This one runs 3 letters long.
  • This is more of an abbreviation than a regular word.

Answer:

Click to reveal ODD

9 Down: "7. Second Freudian stage"

Hints:

  • Kicks off with 'A' and wraps up with 'L'.
  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • This one runs 4 letters long.

Answer:

Click to reveal ANAL

10 Down: "49. What's distorted in a Mercator projection"

Hints:

  • Short form / acronym territory here.
  • First letter's a 'A', last letter's a 'A'.
  • It's a 4-letter word.

Answer:

Click to reveal AREA

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here's what tends to work if you solve these regularly:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Read it all first: Go through every clue once before writing anything down — it primes your brain even on the ones you skip.
  2. Grab the short ones: Two and three letter answers (things like "IT" or "ON") are usually the easiest place to start.
  3. Use the crossings: Once a couple of words are in, the crossing letters do a lot of the work for you on the harder ones.
  4. Watch for question marks: A "?" at the end of a clue almost always signals a pun rather than a literal answer.
  5. Keep the regulars in mind: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE — these turn up often enough that it's worth remembering them.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • E is the most common letter in English, so it's worth guessing early.
  • Words ending in S are usually plurals.
  • Blanks ("___") in a clue mean the answer fits exactly into those spaces.
  • An abbreviation in the clue is a signal the answer's abbreviated too.

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You've clearly got the puzzle's patterns down.
30-60 seconds Advanced Solid pace — you're solving quickly.
1-2 minutes Good Right where most regular solvers land.
Over 2 minutes Learning Totally fine — speed comes with reps.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25
Average Time: 1 minute 3 seconds
Difficulty: Easy

More Puzzle Help

If today's Mini hit the spot, here are a few more you might enjoy:

Common Questions About Trivia Week 4

When does the Trivia Week 4 Mini go live?

It usually goes live around 10 PM Eastern the night before.

How long should Trivia Week 4 take me?

Most people land somewhere between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Slower than that is completely normal too — it gets faster with practice.

Is Trivia Week 4 free to play?

It's free to play, unlike the main NYT Crossword which sits behind a paywall.

What actually makes someone good at Trivia Week 4?

Knowing the common short words, spotting wordplay quickly, and reading crossing letters well — that combination gets you most of the way there.

Does Trivia Week 4 get harder as the week goes on?

Difficulty shifts through the week; expect Monday to be gentle and Saturday to bite a bit more.

About This Page: We put together hints and answers for the NYT Mini to help you learn the ropes and get faster over time. This site isn't affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: September 25, 2026 at 08:57 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, September 25 2026 mini crossword

on No comments:

Sunday, August 25, 2024

Sunday Aug 25, 2024 NY Times Crossword Clues Hints

Across Clues :

1. Loses one's shirt, say, 10. Primarily studies, 18. City with a cowboy hat-wearing replica of the Eiffel Tower, 20. Videography option on a smartphone, 21. "Tsk, tsk"?, 23. Buddy-buddy?, 24. Resistance units, 25. What "Ten-four" and "Over" are used in, 27. ___ liver oil (dietary supplement), 28. Honnold who was the first to free-solo climb El Capitan, 30. Exploit, 31. Sight at Sydney's yearly Festival of the Winds, 34. "You're on!", 38. Paper-saving invoice, 40. They keep people in the dark, 44. [Knock, knock]?, 45. 11?, 47. First-tier, as a celeb, 48. Thudding noise, 49. Diamond authorities, 50. Go (for), 51. Word used three times in the Postal Service creed, 52. Sen. or rep., e.g., 53. Up to, 56. N.W.A's "Straight ___ Compton", 58. Owl or whippoorwill, e.g., 62. Big step for a start-up, for short, 63. "Now I get it!", 64. Pooh-pooh?, 69. Wrap up, 70. Sch. with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, 71. Places to let out anger by smashing objects, 73. Built (on), 76. Core exercise done lying down, 79. Queer identity, for short, 80. Output of some refrigerators, 82. Word often followed by a Roman numeral, 83. Helping hand, 84. Show up, perhaps, 86. Else, 88. Tut-tut?, 93. "Ow! Ow!"?, 94. Buccaneer's buddies, 95. Park worker?, 96. "That much is obvious", 97. Ran out of juice, 98. The Lincoln Memorial appeared on it until 2008, 99. Tangled masses of hair, 100. One of the Mannings, 102. George Lucas's original surname for Luke Skywalker, 106. Shock proof?, 110. "OK, OK"?, 114. "Hubba, hubba!"?, 117. Outpouring of ideas, 118. Seasonal workers in suits, 119. Official beer of the Boston Red Sox, familiarly, 120. On the comeback trail

Sunday Aug 25, 2024 NY Times Crossword Clues Hints
 Sunday Aug 25, 2024 NY Times Crossword Clues Hints


Down Clues :

1. Swept style, 2. Chemical formula for lye, 3. Oil container, 4. Needles, 5. Night school subj., 6. Basilica of ___ Anne de Détroit (historic Michigan landmark), 7. "Three may keep a ___, if two of them are dead": Benjamin Franklin, 8. Over-the-counter brand that promises "Guaranteed relief every time", 9. Put forth, 10. Flaky mineral, 11. Wild, 12. "Friends" star, to friends, 13. Antediluvian, 14. Run into, 15. Carnival attraction that propels its riders sky-high, 16. ":" in analogies, 17. Call for, 19. Half a rhyming genre name, 20. Steaming, with "off", 22. Alaskan salmon hunters, 23. Hulled wheat, 26. Mirror image?, 28. Be next to, 29. MGM's aptly named mascot, 31. Nine credited roles in "Barbie", 32. Texter's hedge, 33. Bit of ink, familiarly, 34. Home of Kurdistan's easternmost regions, 35. Raven claw, 36. Vital spark, 37. Plugs, 38. Brian in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 39. Big name in allergy medication, 40. Humorist Bombeck, 41. Talks incessantly, 42. Didn't spoil, 43. Mlle. of Madrid, 45. Basic skateboarding trick, 46. Jovian moon, 48. Kind of salad with hard-boiled eggs, 52. What cognitive behavioral therapy can treat, in brief, 54. It bears no etymological relation to "conifer," surprisingly, 55. Camera opening, 56. State with a five-sided flag, 57. "That's just … wrong", 59. Clarified butter, 60. Rear, 61. Park worker, 63. Por ___ lado (on the other hand: Sp.), 65. Fashion designer Anna, 66. "By Jove!", 67. Lead-in to nautical, 68. Key of Mozart's Symphony No. 40, 72. Glower, 73. Part of a baby's nighttime routine, 74. Hurt, 75. Filming innovation used in "The Shining", 76. Choice for a twist, 77. Häagen-Dazs shelfmate, 78. Ball that just grazes the bat, perhaps, 81. Online crafts marketplace, 83. Betwixt, 85. Explosive inits., 86. Corsica and Réunion, 87. Part of 115-Down: Abbr., 89. PET scan alternative, 90. Uintah Basin people, 91. Word in the mnemonic E-G-B-D-F, 92. Deliberately try to fail, informally, 93. Key near Ctrl, 96. "O Tannenbaum" and others, 98. "Li'l Abner" cartoonist, 99. Haggard fellow?, 100. Abates, 101. "Good Morning America" co-host Spencer, 102. Dirty film, 103. Some turkeys and tabbies, 104. Hasty getaway, 105. "Success has always been the greatest ___": Nietzsche, 106. Group of buffalo, 107. Payment before a deal, 108. Big supporter, in modern slang, 109. Quiet "Hey!", 111. Telluride maker, 112. Sturm ___ Drang, 113. Initialism for exhibitionism, 115. Seminoles' sch., 116. Tiger's target

Break down the NYT Crosswords: August 25, 2024

Let's go into the puzzle, starting with the across clues and answers, followed by the down clues and answers.

Across Clues with Answers:

  • The clue is 1. Loses one's shirt, say. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

    The answer: UNDRESSES

    Possible Answer : peel, discase, undress, divest, uncase, disinvest, disrobe, unclothe, strip, strip_down

    Possible Opposite Answer : dress


  • The clue is 10. Primarily studies. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: MAJORSIN


  • The clue is 18. City with a cowboy hat-wearing replica of the Eiffel Tower. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

    The answer: PARISTEXAS


  • The clue is 20. Videography option on a smartphone. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

    The answer: TIMELAPSE


  • The clue is 21. "Tsk, tsk"?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

    The answer: DOUBLECLICK


  • The clue is 23. Buddy-buddy?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

    The answer: SECONDMATE


  • The clue is 24. Resistance units. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: OHMS

    Possible Answer : Georg_Simon_Ohm, Ohm, ohm


  • The clue is 25. What "Ten-four" and "Over" are used in. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

    The answer: RADIOSPEAK


  • The clue is 27. ___ liver oil (dietary supplement). Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: COD

    Possible Answer : COD, twit, cash_on_delivery, C.O.D., bait, razz, taunt, seedcase, pod, collect, ride, gull, codfish, put_one_across, fool, put_on, take_in, slang, put_one_over, cod, befool, tantalize, rally, rag, tease, tantalise, dupe


  • The clue is 28. Honnold who was the first to free-solo climb El Capitan. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ALEX


  • The clue is 30. Exploit. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: DEED

    Possible Answer : deed, deed_of_conveyance, title, act, human_action, human_activity


  • The clue is 31. Sight at Sydney's yearly Festival of the Winds. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: KITE

    Possible Answer : kite


  • The clue is 34. "You're on!". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: ITSABET


  • The clue is 38. Paper-saving invoice. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: EBILL


  • The clue is 40. They keep people in the dark. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: EYEMASKS


  • The clue is 44. [Knock, knock]?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: RAPDUO


  • The clue is 45. 11?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (15 letters)

    The answer: ONEAFTERANOTHER


  • The clue is 47. First-tier, as a celeb. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: ALIST


  • The clue is 48. Thudding noise. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: CLONK


  • The clue is 49. Diamond authorities. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: UMPS

    Possible Answer : umpire, ump


  • The clue is 50. Go (for). Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: OPT

    Possible Answer : opt, choose, prefer


  • The clue is 51. Word used three times in the Postal Service creed. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: NOR


  • The clue is 52. Sen. or rep., e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: POL

    Possible Answer : political_leader, politico, pol, politician


  • The clue is 53. Up to. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: ASFARAS


  • The clue is 56. N.W.A's "Straight ___ Compton". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: OUTTA


  • The clue is 58. Owl or whippoorwill, e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

    The answer: NIGHTBIRD

    Possible Answer : nightbird, nighthawk, night_owl


  • The clue is 62. Big step for a start-up, for short. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: IPO

    Possible Answer : initial_offering, IPO, initial_public_offering


  • The clue is 63. "Now I get it!". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: OHH


  • The clue is 64. Pooh-pooh?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (18 letters)

    The answer: THISBEARSREPEATING


  • The clue is 69. Wrap up. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: END

    Possible Answer : closing, remainder, stop, close, terminate, last, final_stage, goal, death, conclusion, end, remnant, terminal, ending, finish, cease, destruction, oddment

    Possible Opposite Answer : begin, beginning


  • The clue is 70. Sch. with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: NYU


  • The clue is 71. Places to let out anger by smashing objects. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

    The answer: RAGEROOMS


  • The clue is 73. Built (on). Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: BASED

    Possible Answer : based, found, establish, free-base, base, ground


  • The clue is 76. Core exercise done lying down. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: LEGLIFT


  • The clue is 79. Queer identity, for short. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ARO


  • The clue is 80. Output of some refrigerators. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ICE

    Possible Answer : methamphetamine, ice_rink, Methedrine, frappe, trash, internal-combustion_engine, glass, frosting, deoxyephedrine, chicken_feed, icing, water_ice, methamphetamine_hydrochloride, chalk, shabu, ice-skating_rink, frost, ICE, meth, crank, sparkler, ice


  • The clue is 82. Word often followed by a Roman numeral. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ACT

    Possible Answer : work, enactment, represent, act, behave, dissemble, pretend, human_action, act_as, deed, roleplay, bit, number, human_activity, play, move, turn, do, playact, routine

    Possible Opposite Answer : refrain


  • The clue is 83. Helping hand. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: AIDE

    Possible Answer : aide-de-camp, auxiliary, aide, adjutant


  • The clue is 84. Show up, perhaps. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: OUTDO

    Possible Answer : outgo, outstrip, outperform, surpass, trump, outmatch, outflank, scoop, best, exceed, surmount, outdo


  • The clue is 86. Else. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: IFNOT


  • The clue is 88. Tut-tut?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (15 letters)

    The answer: THEMUMMYRETURNS


  • The clue is 93. "Ow! Ow!"?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: ALLOWS

    Possible Answer : permit, tolerate, earmark, allow_for, admit, appropriate, set_aside, leave, allow, give_up, grant, let, reserve, provide, take_into_account, countenance

    Possible Opposite Answer : prevent, forbid, disallow, deny


  • The clue is 94. Buccaneer's buddies. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: HEARTIES


  • The clue is 95. Park worker?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: VALET

    Possible Answer : gentleman, gentleman's_gentleman, valet_de_chambre, valet, man


  • The clue is 96. "That much is obvious". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: CLEARLY

    Possible Answer : understandably, clear, intelligibly, clearly, distinctly

    Possible Opposite Answer : unintelligibly


  • The clue is 97. Ran out of juice. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: DIED

    Possible Answer : fail, become_flat, pall, buy_the_farm, expire, conk, drop_dead, perish, go, snuff_it, die_out, give-up_the_ghost, decease, die, break_down, go_bad, give_out, exit, croak, conk_out, pop_off, kick_the_bucket, pass_away, give_way, choke, cash_in_one's_chips, pass, break

    Possible Opposite Answer : be_born


  • The clue is 98. The Lincoln Memorial appeared on it until 2008. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: CENT

    Possible Answer : penny, centime, cent


  • The clue is 99. Tangled masses of hair. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: MATS

    Possible Answer : flatness, entangle, matte_up, mat_up, lusterlessness, matt-up, Master_of_Arts_in_Teaching, mat, matte, felt_up, MAT, lustrelessness, tangle, matt, snarl, matting, gym_mat, felt

    Possible Opposite Answer : disentangle, unsnarl


  • The clue is 100. One of the Mannings. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ELI


  • The clue is 102. George Lucas's original surname for Luke Skywalker. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

    The answer: STARKILLER


  • The clue is 106. Shock proof?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: GASP

    Possible Answer : pant, heave, puff, gasp


  • The clue is 110. "OK, OK"?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

    The answer: BACKUPCOPY


  • The clue is 114. "Hubba, hubba!"?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

    The answer: PAIROFPANTS


  • The clue is 117. Outpouring of ideas. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

    The answer: BRAINDUMP


  • The clue is 118. Seasonal workers in suits. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

    The answer: MALLSANTAS


  • The clue is 119. Official beer of the Boston Red Sox, familiarly. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: SAMADAMS


  • The clue is 120. On the comeback trail. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

    The answer: RESURGENT

    Possible Answer : resurgent, renascent


Down Clues and Answers:

  • The clue is 1. Swept style. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: UPDO

  • The clue is 2. Chemical formula for lye. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: NAOH

  • The clue is 3. Oil container. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: DRUM

    Possible Answer: grind_away, bone_up, get_up, bone, mug_up, barrel, thrum, drum, tympan, swot, swot_up, beat, cram, drumfish, brake_drum, membranophone, metal_drum

  • The clue is 4. Needles. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: RIBS

    Possible Answer: blackguard, costa, jest_at, roast, rib, guy, ridicule, poke_fun, make_fun, laugh_at

  • The clue is 5. Night school subj.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ESL

  • The clue is 6. Basilica of ___ Anne de Détroit (historic Michigan landmark). Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: STE

  • The clue is 7. "Three may keep a ___, if two of them are dead": Benjamin Franklin. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: SECRET

    Possible Answer: cloak-and-dagger, closed_book, hush-hush, surreptitious, occult, enigma, secluded, clandestine, confidential, mystic, secret, undercover, mysterious, orphic, hole-and-corner, mystery, arcanum, privy, mystical, hidden, underground, unavowed, hugger-mugger, private

  • The clue is 8. Over-the-counter brand that promises "Guaranteed relief every time". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: EXLAX

  • The clue is 9. Put forth. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: SAID

    Possible Answer: said, allege, order, articulate, enunciate, pronounce, suppose, aver, sound_out, aforementioned, read, enjoin, enounce, say, state, tell, aforesaid

  • The clue is 10. Flaky mineral. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: MICA

    Possible Answer: isinglass, mica

  • The clue is 11. Wild. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: AMOK

    Possible Answer: murderously, possessed, amok, demoniac, berserk, amuck, demoniacal

  • The clue is 12. "Friends" star, to friends. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: JEN

  • The clue is 13. Antediluvian. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: OLD

    Possible Answer: one-time, onetime, honest-to-goodness, erstwhile, sure-enough, previous, quondam, old, former, sometime, older, honest-to-god, Old

    Possible Opposite Answer : new, young

  • The clue is 14. Run into. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: RAM

    Possible Answer: jam, read/write_memory, Aries, RAM, jampack, drive, pound, random-access_memory, tup, random_memory, cram, crash, force, ram_down, wad, chock_up, Aries_the_Ram, Ram, ram, random_access_memory

  • The clue is 15. Carnival attraction that propels its riders sky-high. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

    The answer: SPACESHOT

  • The clue is 16. ":" in analogies. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ISTO

  • The clue is 17. Call for. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: NEED

    Possible Answer: necessitate, indigence, take, involve, want, pauperization, ask, motivation, demand, call_for, pauperism, require, need, motive, penury, postulate

    Possible Opposite Answer : obviate

  • The clue is 19. Half a rhyming genre name. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: SCI

  • The clue is 20. Steaming, with "off". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: TEED

    Possible Answer: tee_up, tee

  • The clue is 22. Alaskan salmon hunters. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: KODIAKS

    Possible Answer: Ursus_middendorffi, Ursus_arctos_middendorffi, Alaskan_brown_bear, Kodiak_Island, Kodiak, Kodiak_bear

  • The clue is 23. Hulled wheat. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: SPELT

    Possible Answer: import, write, Triticum_spelta, spell_out, Triticum_aestivum_spelta, spelt, spell

    Possible Opposite Answer : unspell

  • The clue is 26. Mirror image?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: SELF

    Possible Answer: ego, self

  • The clue is 28. Be next to. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ABUT

    Possible Answer: butt_on, border, edge, butt_against, butt, march, abut, adjoin

  • The clue is 29. MGM's aptly named mascot. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: LEO

    Possible Answer: Leo, Lion, Leo_the_Lion

  • The clue is 31. Nine credited roles in "Barbie". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: KENS

    Possible Answer: cognizance, ken, sight

  • The clue is 32. Texter's hedge. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: IMO

    Possible Answer: IMO, International_Maritime_Organization

  • The clue is 33. Bit of ink, familiarly. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: TAT

    Possible Answer: tat, cheapness, TAT, sleaze, Thematic_Apperception_Test, tackiness, intertwine

  • The clue is 34. Home of Kurdistan's easternmost regions. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: IRAN

    Possible Answer: Islamic_Republic_of_Iran, Persia, Iran

  • The clue is 35. Raven claw. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: TALON

    Possible Answer: talon

  • The clue is 36. Vital spark. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: SPIRIT

    Possible Answer: sprightliness, intent, disembodied_spirit, feeling, flavor, smell, flavour, life, spirit_up, emotional_state, inspirit, spirit, purport, tone, look, heart, liveliness, feel

  • The clue is 37. Plugs. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ADS

    Possible Answer: advertizement, ad, advertizing, advert, advertisement, advertising

  • The clue is 38. Brian in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ENO

  • The clue is 39. Big name in allergy medication. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: BENADRYL

    Possible Answer: diphenhydramine, Benadryl

  • The clue is 40. Humorist Bombeck. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ERMA

  • The clue is 41. Talks incessantly. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: YAPS

    Possible Answer: yelp, yip, yap, cakehole, gob, hole, trap, maw

  • The clue is 42. Didn't spoil. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: KEPT

    Possible Answer: go_on, keep_open, save, keep, keep_back, restrain, sustain, preserve, observe, unbroken, proceed, hold_on, hold_back, hold_open, hold, celebrate, keep_on, continue, prevent, maintain, stay_fresh, retain, go_along, kept

    Possible Opposite Answer : discontinue, broken, break, let, lose

  • The clue is 43. Mlle. of Madrid. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: SRTA

  • The clue is 45. Basic skateboarding trick. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: OLLIE

  • The clue is 46. Jovian moon. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: EUROPA

    Possible Answer: Europa

  • The clue is 48. Kind of salad with hard-boiled eggs. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: COBB

  • The clue is 52. What cognitive behavioral therapy can treat, in brief. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: PTSD

    Possible Answer: PTSD, posttraumatic_stress_disorder

  • The clue is 54. It bears no etymological relation to "conifer," surprisingly. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: FIR

    Possible Answer: fir_tree, fir, true_fir

  • The clue is 55. Camera opening. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: APERTURE

    Possible Answer: aperture

  • The clue is 56. State with a five-sided flag. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: OHIO

    Possible Answer: Buckeye_State, Ohio_River, Ohio, OH

  • The clue is 57. "That's just … wrong". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: UHNO

  • The clue is 59. Clarified butter. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: GHEE

    Possible Answer: ghee

  • The clue is 60. Rear. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: HIND

    Possible Answer: hind, back, hinder

  • The clue is 61. Park worker. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: RANGER

    Possible Answer: forest_fire_fighter, ranger, Texas_Ranger, fire_warden, Ranger, commando

  • The clue is 63. Por ___ lado (on the other hand: Sp.). Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: OTRO

  • The clue is 65. Fashion designer Anna. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: SUI

  • The clue is 66. "By Jove!". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: EGADS

  • The clue is 67. Lead-in to nautical. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: AERO

  • The clue is 68. Key of Mozart's Symphony No. 40. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: GMINOR

  • The clue is 72. Glower. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: SCOWL

    Possible Answer: frown, scowl

  • The clue is 73. Part of a baby's nighttime routine. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: BATH

    Possible Answer: bathe, bathing_tub, bath, bathroom, Bath, bathtub, tub

  • The clue is 74. Hurt. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ACHE

    Possible Answer: aching, yearn, languish, pine, hurt, smart, ache, suffer, yen

  • The clue is 75. Filming innovation used in "The Shining". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

    The answer: STEADICAM

  • The clue is 76. Choice for a twist. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: LIME

    Possible Answer: linden, slaked_lime, calcium_hydrate, fluxing_lime, unslaked_lime, hydrated_lime, calcium_hydroxide, quicklime, calcined_lime, calx, lime_hydrate, lime_tree, lime, calcium_oxide, caustic_lime, burnt_lime, Citrus_aurantifolia, basswood, linden_tree, birdlime

  • The clue is 77. Häagen-Dazs shelfmate. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: EDYS

  • The clue is 78. Ball that just grazes the bat, perhaps. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: FOULTIP

  • The clue is 81. Online crafts marketplace. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ETSY

  • The clue is 83. Betwixt. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: AMID

  • The clue is 85. Explosive inits.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: TNT

    Possible Answer: TNT, trinitrotoluene

  • The clue is 86. Corsica and Réunion. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ILES

  • The clue is 87. Part of 115-Down: Abbr.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: FLA

  • The clue is 89. PET scan alternative. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: MRI

    Possible Answer: magnetic_resonance_imaging, MRI

  • The clue is 90. Uintah Basin people. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: UTE

    Possible Answer: Ute

  • The clue is 91. Word in the mnemonic E-G-B-D-F. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: EVERY

    Possible Answer: every

  • The clue is 92. Deliberately try to fail, informally. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: TANK

    Possible Answer: cooler, storage_tank, armored_combat_vehicle, army_tank, armoured_combat_vehicle, tankful, tank, tank_car

  • The clue is 93. Key near Ctrl. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ALT

    Possible Answer: EL, altitude, ALT, elevation

  • The clue is 96. "O Tannenbaum" and others. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: CAROLS

    Possible Answer: carol, Christmas_carol

  • The clue is 98. "Li'l Abner" cartoonist. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: CAPP

  • The clue is 99. Haggard fellow?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: MERLE

    Possible Answer: merle, European_blackbird, merl, ouzel, ousel, Turdus_merula, blackbird

  • The clue is 100. Abates. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: EBBS

    Possible Answer: ebb_down, reflux, wane, ebbing, ebb_away, ebb_out, ebb_off, ebb

    Possible Opposite Answer : tide

  • The clue is 101. "Good Morning America" co-host Spencer. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: LARA

  • The clue is 102. Dirty film. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: SCUM

    Possible Answer: trash, scum

  • The clue is 103. Some turkeys and tabbies. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: TOMS

    Possible Answer: tom, Uncle_Tom, tomcat, gobbler, turkey_cock, Tom, tom_turkey

  • The clue is 104. Hasty getaway. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: LAM

    Possible Answer: fly_the_coop, run, escape, getaway, run_away, scarper, break_away, bunk, scat, thrash, take_to_the_woods, lam, flail, thresh, hightail_it, head_for_the_hills, turn_tail

  • The clue is 105. "Success has always been the greatest ___": Nietzsche. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: LIAR

    Possible Answer: liar, prevaricator

    Possible Opposite Answer : square_shooter

  • The clue is 106. Group of buffalo. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: GANG

    Possible Answer: crew, mob, crowd, gang, work_party, gang_up, pack, bunch, ring

  • The clue is 107. Payment before a deal. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ANTE

    Possible Answer: ante

  • The clue is 108. Big supporter, in modern slang. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: STAN

  • The clue is 109. Quiet "Hey!". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: PSST

  • The clue is 111. Telluride maker. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: KIA

  • The clue is 112. Sturm ___ Drang. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: UND

  • The clue is 113. Initialism for exhibitionism. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: PDA

    Possible Answer: personal_organiser, organiser, personal_digital_assistant, organizer, personal_organizer, PDA

  • The clue is 115. Seminoles' sch.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: FSU

  • The clue is 116. Tiger's target. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: PAR

    Possible Answer: equivalence, par, equality, equation

on No comments:

Friday, September 25, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 25, 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

September 25, 2026 NYT Crossword Solutions

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. Olympic slalom equipment 5
2A 6. Spanish sparkling wine 4
3A 10. First, second or third 4
4A 14. "For real!" 10
5A 16. Fictional company famous for its duds 4
6A 17. Outcome of a match, maybe 10
7A 18. Forum setting 4
8A 19. U2 producer Brian 3
9A 20. Stew on it! 5
10A 21. Like a whodunit in which the butler did it [duh!] 5
11A 22. Device seen on a front desk 4
12A 23. Ho Chi Minh City's former name 6
13A 25. Exploit a loophole, e.g. 13
14A 29. Disinclined 6
15A 30. Supermodel Alek 3
16A 31. ___ one's time 4
17A 34. Procedure after which you might wear flip-flops, informally 4
18A 35. Off 5
19A 37. ___ Minor 4
20A 38. Pen that isn't used for writing, in brief 4
21A 39. "Karma is a cat / Purring in my ___ 'cause it loves me" (Taylor Swift lyric) 3
22A 40. Port on the Loire 6
23A 42. "Speaking of which ..." 13
24A 45. Like an earworm 6
25A 46. Play group 4
26A 47. Not bother 5
27A 48. Rapper and actor Smith 5
28A 50. Go-to doc 3
29A 53. Actress Shawkat 4
30A 54. Ones providing brief assistance? 10
31A 56. Alliance 4
32A 57. Invasive plants? 10
33A 58. One might be meat-only or dairy-only in a kosher household 4
34A 59. Morsels often found in fried rice 4
35A 60. The Devil's domain 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Olympic slalom equipment"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Spanish sparkling wine"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. First, second or third"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
  • Similar words include: appurtenance, paraphernalia, gear wheel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. "For real!""

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IKIDYOUNOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Fictional company famous for its duds"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
  • Similar words include: meridian, vertex, summit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Outcome of a match, maybe"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TINDERDATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Forum setting"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that capital and largest city of italy; on the tiber; seat of the roman catholic church; formerly the capital of the roman republic and the roman empire
  • Similar words include: capital of Italy, Eternal City, Roma
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. U2 producer Brian"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Stew on it!"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a spoon-shaped vessel with a long handle; frequently used to transfer liquids from one container to another
  • Similar words include: lade, laden
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Like a whodunit in which the butler did it [duh!]"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
  • Similar words include: commonplace, old-hat, timeworn
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BANAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Device seen on a front desk"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
  • Similar words include: campana, Alexander Melville Bell, toll
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Ho Chi Minh City's former name"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in south vietnam; formerly (as saigon) it was the capital of french indochina
  • Similar words include: Ho Chi Minh City
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAIGON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Exploit a loophole, e.g."

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAMETHESYSTEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Disinclined"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
  • Similar words include: antipathetic, loath, loth
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVERSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Supermodel Alek"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. ___ one's time"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: stay, abide
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Procedure after which you might wear flip-flops, informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEDI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Off"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not functioning properly
  • Similar words include: haywire, wrong, awry
  • Opposite of: perfectly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. ___ Minor"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Pen that isn't used for writing, in brief"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECIG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. "Karma is a cat / Purring in my ___ 'cause it loves me" (Taylor Swift lyric)"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
  • Similar words include: lave, lick, circuit
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Port on the Loire"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a port city in western france on the loire estuary
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NANTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. "Speaking of which ...""

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THATREMINDSME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. Like an earworm"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having concealed difficulty
  • Similar words include: attention-getting, tricky
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CATCHY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Play group"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
  • Similar words include: human activity, deed, human action
  • Opposite of: refrain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Not bother"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LETBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "48. Rapper and actor Smith"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JADEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. Go-to doc"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who helps in identifying or preventing or treating illness or disability
  • Similar words include: angel dust, health professional, phencyclidine
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PCP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "53. Actress Shawkat"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "54. Ones providing brief assistance?"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person with specialized training who assists lawyers
  • Similar words include: legal assistant, paralegal
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARALEGALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "56. Alliance"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of countries in special alliance
  • Similar words include: axis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "57. Invasive plants?"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENEMYSPIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "58. One might be meat-only or dairy-only in a kosher household"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that plumbing fixture consisting of a water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe
  • Similar words include: slide down, drop down, pass
  • Opposite of: float, source
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "59. Morsels often found in fried rice"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that seed of a pea plant used for food
  • Similar words include: pea plant, pea
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "60. The Devil's domain"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of a set of (usually 72) cards that include 22 cards representing virtues and vices and death and fortune etc.; used by fortunetellers
  • Similar words include: tarot card
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Give credit to, in a way 4
2D 2. Analogous 4
3D 3. ___ Sarratore, "My Brilliant Friend" character 4
4D 4. "How ___" 3
5D 5. Certain loopholes 7
6D 6. Spoon, e.g. 6
7D 7. Second Freudian stage 4
8D 8. Gives one's approval, in a way 8
9D 9. Past-tense verb that becomes its present tense when you move its last letter to the front 3
10D 10. Sources of some rock 11
11D 11. Some experts of interest? 10
12D 12. World capital once known as Philadelphia 5
13D 13. Instagram : ___ :: YouTube : Short 4
14D 15. Focus for the foul-mouthed? 10
15D 21. Skosh 3
16D 22. "Hang on a sec" 11
17D 24. Says "please," say 10
18D 25. Look stunned 4
19D 26. "___ plaisir" ("You're welcome," in French) 4
20D 27. Breathtaking activity? 10
21D 28. Take without paying ... or a motion made while paying 5
22D 32. Per ___ 4
23D 33. Slip (into) 4
24D 36. Ganja 8
25D 41. Residence that can have thousands of chambers 7
26D 43. Unreturnable pickleball shot 3
27D 44. Polite titles 6
28D 45. Instruments in chamber groups 5
29D 47. Discovery sites 4
30D 49. What's distorted in a Mercator projection 4
31D 50. Part of a full house 4
32D 51. Ptolemaic royal, familiarly 4
33D 52. Poke alternative 4
34D 54. Vim 3
35D 55. Transcript fig. 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Give credit to, in a way"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
  • Similar words include: mention, acknowledgment, quotation
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Analogous"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that similar in quality or character
  • Similar words include: blood-related, consanguineous, kindred
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AKIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. ___ Sarratore, "My Brilliant Friend" character"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "How ___""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not divisible by two
  • Similar words include: rum, rummy, left
  • Opposite of: even
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Certain loopholes"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small hole (usually round and finished around the edges) in cloth or leather for the passage of a cord or hook or bar
  • Similar words include: grommet, cringle, eyelet
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYELETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Spoon, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a close and affectionate (and often prolonged) embrace
  • Similar words include: nest, snuggle, nestle
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUDDLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Second Freudian stage"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or related to the anus
  • Similar words include: anal retentive
  • Opposite of: oral
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Gives one's approval, in a way"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VOTESYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Past-tense verb that becomes its present tense when you move its last letter to the front"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
  • Similar words include: eat up, eat on, wipe out
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Sources of some rock"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GARAGEBANDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Some experts of interest?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an expert in the science of economics
  • Similar words include: economic expert, economist
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECONOMISTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. World capital once known as Philadelphia"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of jordan
  • Similar words include: capital of Jordan
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMMAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Instagram : ___ :: YouTube : Short"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
  • Similar words include: stagger, Virginia reel, spin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Focus for the foul-mouthed?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORALHEALTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Skosh"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small piece or quantity of something
  • Similar words include: burn, piece, chip
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. "Hang on a sec""

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BERIGHTBACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Says "please," say"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASKSNICELY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Look stunned"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an expression of openmouthed astonishment
  • Similar words include: gawk, gawp, goggle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. "___ plaisir" ("You're welcome," in French)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Breathtaking activity?"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
  • Similar words include: speculation
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEDITATION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "28. Take without paying ... or a motion made while paying"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sweeping stroke or blow
  • Similar words include: abstract, filch, pinch
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWIPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Per ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Slip (into)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
  • Similar words include: easiness, informality, facilitate
  • Opposite of: difficulty
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Ganja"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARYJANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "41. Residence that can have thousands of chambers"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTNEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. Unreturnable pickleball shot"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: sensation, breeze through, mavin
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "44. Polite titles"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woman of refinement
  • Similar words include: dame, madam, gentlewoman
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MADAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "45. Instruments in chamber groups"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CELLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Discovery sites"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
  • Similar words include: lab, science lab, research laboratory
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LABS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. What's distorted in a Mercator projection"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
  • Similar words include: surface area, sphere, orbit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Part of a full house"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a set of two similar things considered as a unit
  • Similar words include: couplet, partner off, twain
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Ptolemaic royal, familiarly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Poke alternative"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PSST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "54. Vim"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that liveliness and energy
  • Similar words include: peppiness, ginger
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "55. Transcript fig."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measure of a student's academic achievement at a college or university; calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted
  • Similar words include: grade point average
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: September 25, 2026 at 08:58 AM

on No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)