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Friday, September 5, 2025

December 09, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, December 09, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (36 Across, 36 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.4 letters

Across Clues Explained - Friday NYT Crossword December 09, 2022

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Something faithfully rolled out 9
2A 10. Take in 5
3A 15. Huge pop star? 9
4A 16. Natural rubber 5
5A 17. "Just can't keep quiet on this one …" 9
6A 18. Bone also called the incus 5
7A 19. "We ___ the loudest when we ___ to ourselves": Eric Hoffer 3
8A 20. Doesn't move 9
9A 22. "Odi et ___" (start of an old Latin poem) 3
10A 24. Internal regulation 5
11A 25. Sets 4
12A 26. Bird that can recognize itself in a mirror 6
13A 29. Alma mater for Henry Louis Gates Jr. 4
14A 31. Monopolizing, in a way 8
15A 34. Root 6
16A 38. Dazed 9
17A 40. Fruit in some agua fresca 5
18A 41. Keeping quiet at the right time, say 4
19A 42. Hit 2022 film … or a possible response to whether you've seen it 4
20A 43. Decided 5
21A 44. Kind of engr. 3
22A 46. Options in some eye shadow palettes 5
23A 48. What's past due? 3
24A 49. Tool in a mixologist's set 6
25A 52. "Knowing is half the battle" spot, in brief 3
26A 53. Online forum V.I.P.s 4
27A 54. One may have a name in Italian, German and French 3
28A 55. Settles for the night 6
29A 57. Ticked off 4
30A 58. Excited shout after a thrill ride 15
31A 61. Mes del Día de los Reyes Magos 5
32A 62. Sacred symbol 5
33A 63. Move-y trailers? 3
34A 64. Home inspection concern 5
35A 65. "Il Trovatore," for one 5
36A 66. Stand for a shot 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. Something faithfully rolled out"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: PRAYERMAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "10. Take in"

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 declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
  • Words that mean the same thing: take on, let in, accept
  • The opposite would be: exclude, reject
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ADMIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "15. Huge pop star?"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a star that explodes and becomes extremely luminous in the process
  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SUPERNOVA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "16. Natural rubber"

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 dried fibrous part of the fruit of a plant of the genus luffa; used as a washing sponge or strainer
  • Words that mean the same thing: loofah, loufah sponge, luffa
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LOOFA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "17. "Just can't keep quiet on this one …""

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: IGOTTASAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "18. Bone also called the incus"

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 heavy block of iron or steel on which hot metals are shaped by hammering
  • Words that mean the same thing: incus
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ANVIL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. "We ___ the loudest when we ___ to ourselves": Eric Hoffer"

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 statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
  • Words that mean the same thing: Trygve Lie, prevarication, dwell
  • The opposite would be: arise, stand
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LIE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Doesn't move"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: SITSSTILL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "22. "Odi et ___" (start of an old Latin poem)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: AMO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "24. Internal regulation"

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 rule adopted by an organization in order to regulate its own affairs and the behavior of its members
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BYLAW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "25. Sets"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a colloid in a more solid form than a sol
  • Words that mean the same thing: gelatin, gel, colloidal gel
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GELS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Bird that can recognize itself in a mirror"

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 long-tailed black-and-white crow that utters a raucous chattering call
  • Words that mean the same thing: pack rat, prater, babbler
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MAGPIE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "29. Alma mater for Henry Louis Gates Jr."

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 university in connecticut
  • Words that mean the same thing: Elihu Yale, Yale University
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: YALE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. Monopolizing, in a way"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: BUYINGUP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "34. Root"

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 lower side of anything
  • Words that mean the same thing: tail, tush, fathom
  • The opposite would be: side, top
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BOTTOM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "38. Dazed"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: INASTUPOR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "40. Fruit in some agua fresca"

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 small tropical shrubby tree bearing small yellowish fruit
  • Words that mean the same thing: yellow cattley guava, guava bush, Psidium guajava
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GUAVA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "41. Keeping quiet at the right time, say"

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 consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
  • Words that mean the same thing: tactfulness
  • The opposite would be: tactlessness
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TACT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "42. Hit 2022 film … or a possible response to whether you've seen it"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: NOPE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "43. Decided"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that select as an alternative over another
  • Words that mean the same thing: opt, prefer, choose
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OPTED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "44. Kind of engr."

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: CIV

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "46. Options in some eye shadow palettes"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a painting of a naked human figure
  • Words that mean the same thing: nude person, nude statue, nude painting
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NUDES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "48. What's past due?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: TRE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "49. Tool in a mixologist's set"

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 performer who provides erotic entertainment by undressing to music
  • Words that mean the same thing: stripper, ecdysiast, exotic dancer
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PEELER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "52. "Knowing is half the battle" spot, in brief"

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 protein manufactured exclusively by the prostate gland; psa is produced for the ejaculate where it liquifies the semen and allows sperm cells to swim freely; elevated levels of psa in blood serum are associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer
  • Words that mean the same thing: prostate specific antigen
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PSA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "53. Online forum V.I.P.s"

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 youth subculture that began in london in the early 1960s; a working-class movement with highly stylized dress and short hair; listened to rhythm and blues music and travelled on motor scooters
  • Words that mean the same thing: mod
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MODS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "54. One may have a name in Italian, German and French"

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

    The answer is: ALP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "55. Settles for the night"

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 shelter with perches for fowl or other birds
  • Words that mean the same thing: perch, rest, roost
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ROOSTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "57. Ticked off"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an open skin infection
  • Words that mean the same thing: sensitive, huffy, tender
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SORE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "58. Excited shout after a thrill ride"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: LETSDOTHATAGAIN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "61. Mes del Día de los Reyes Magos"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ENERO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "62. Sacred symbol"

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 clan or tribe identified by their kinship to a common totemic object
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TOTEM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "63. Move-y trailers?"

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 motorized wheeled vehicle used for camping or other recreational activities
  • Words that mean the same thing: recreational vehicle, R.V., RV
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RVS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "64. Home inspection concern"

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 radioactive gaseous element formed by the disintegration of radium; the heaviest of the inert gasses; occurs naturally (especially in areas over granite) and is considered a hazard to health
  • Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 86, Rn
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RADON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "65. "Il Trovatore," for one"

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 drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
  • Words that mean the same thing: opera house
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OPERA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "66. Stand for a shot"

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

    The answer is: TEE

    Great job if you got it right!

December 09, 2022 Down Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Guide

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Abbr. at a pump 3
2D 2. Runner, e.g. 3
3D 3. Statement in a closing argument? 15
4D 4. Monster called Miche in Tibetan 4
5D 5. Mononymous artist who designed dresses at age 6 4
6D 6. Bio class subject 3
7D 7. Like some stream banks 5
8D 8. Benefit 5
9D 9. Nickname for singer Swift 6
10D 10. "Sad to say" 4
11D 11. "Stay put, I can take care of this myself" 9
12D 12. Flick 5
13D 13. Lawyer/voting rights activist Sherrilyn 5
14D 14. Some Starbucks orders 5
15D 21. Makeup corrector 4
16D 22. Limits 5
17D 23. Hawaiian mountain 5
18D 24. Started 5
19D 27. Part of a flower's gynoecium 6
20D 28. Bank earnings: Abbr. 3
21D 30. Greek for "word" 5
22D 32. Knowing all about 4
23D 33. Store for a short time 9
24D 35. Wall décor in some parlors 9
25D 36. High gear 9
26D 37. Clicked 9
27D 39. It's right on a map 8
28D 45. Tony-winning actress Gwen 6
29D 47. ___ Island 6
30D 49. More fair 5
31D 50. Italian author Ferrante, who wrote the "Neapolitan Novels" 5
32D 51. Li'l joey, for one 3
33D 53. Umami flavor enhancement 3
34D 56. Palindromic name 4
35D 59. Cheap ticket spec 3
36D 60. Physicians' grp. 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. Abbr. at a pump"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: PSI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Runner, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
  • Words that mean the same thing: carpet, carpeting
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RUG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Statement in a closing argument?"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert clue about geography.

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: APOLOGYACCEPTED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Monster called Miche in Tibetan"

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 large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the himalayas
  • Words that mean the same thing: abominable snowman
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: YETI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Mononymous artist who designed dresses at age 6"

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: ERTE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Bio class subject"

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 (biochemistry) a long linear polymer of nucleotides found in the nucleus but mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell where it is associated with microsomes; it transmits genetic information from dna to the cytoplasm and controls certain chemical processes in the cell
  • Words that mean the same thing: ribonucleic acid
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RNA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Like some stream banks"

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 overgrown with moss
  • Words that mean the same thing: stodgy, fogyish, stick-in-the-mud
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MOSSY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Benefit"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a means of serving
  • Words that mean the same thing: help, service
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AVAIL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Nickname for singer Swift"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: TAYTAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "Sad to say""

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Words that mean the same thing: unfortunately, ala, unluckily
  • The opposite would be: fortunately, luckily
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ALAS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. "Stay put, I can take care of this myself""

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: DONTGETUP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Flick"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement
  • Words that mean the same thing: moving-picture show, pic, flick
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MOVIE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Lawyer/voting rights activist Sherrilyn"

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: IFILL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Some Starbucks orders"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a garment size for a tall person
  • Words that mean the same thing: tall
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TALLS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Makeup corrector"

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 implement consisting of a small piece of cotton that is used to apply medication or cleanse a wound or obtain a specimen of a secretion
  • Words that mean the same thing: dab, mop, swob
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SWAB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Limits"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
  • Words that mean the same thing: range, compass, scope
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AMBIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "23. Hawaiian mountain"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: MAUNA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "24. Started"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
  • Words that mean the same thing: begin, commence, set out
  • The opposite would be: end
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BEGUN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "27. Part of a flower's gynoecium"

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 female ovule-bearing part of a flower composed of ovary and style and stigma
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PISTIL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "28. Bank earnings: 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: INT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Greek for "word""

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 divine word of god; the second person in the trinity (incarnate in jesus)
  • Words that mean the same thing: logotype, Son, logo
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LOGOS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Knowing all about"

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: UPON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Store for a short time"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: POPUPSHOP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Wall décor in some parlors"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: TATTOOART

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. High gear"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the state of high or excessive activity or productivity or concentration
  • Words that mean the same thing: overuse
  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OVERDRIVE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. Clicked"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: MADESENSE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "39. It's right on a map"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: REDSTATE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "45. Tony-winning actress Gwen"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: VERDON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. ___ Island"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a christian celebration of the resurrection of christ; celebrated on the sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox
  • Words that mean the same thing: east wind, easterly
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EASTER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. More fair"

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 very light colored; highly diluted with white
  • Words that mean the same thing: pallid, sick, pale
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PALER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Italian author Ferrante, who wrote the "Neapolitan Novels""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ELENA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. Li'l joey, for one"

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: ROO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "53. Umami flavor enhancement"

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 white crystalline compound used as a food additive to enhance flavor; often used in chinese cooking
  • Words that mean the same thing: monosodium glutamate
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MSG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "56. Palindromic name"

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: OTTO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "59. Cheap ticket spec"

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: SRO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "60. Physicians' grp."

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: AMA

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 47 65.3%
Short Answer 13 18.1%
Celebrity/Entertainment 7 9.7%
Abbreviation 2 2.8%
Geography 2 2.8%
Movies/Film 1 1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 36
Down Clues 36
Total Clues 72
Average Answer Length 5.4 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

  • Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
  • Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
  • When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
  • Today is Friday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
  • Most clues today are about general knowledge
  • The average word today has about 5 letters
  • Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
  • Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

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

Last Updated: September 05, 2025 at 04:44 PM

Friday, January 23, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers January 23, 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: Medium

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. Barely enough 5
2A 6. What some may be dyeing to conceal? 4
3A 10. Environmental concern 4
4A 14. "Don't be absurd!" 10
5A 16. ___ Mountain (ski area in Killington, Vt.) 4
6A 17. She's out there! 10
7A 18. Many a choirgirl 4
8A 19. "Black-ish" patriarch 3
9A 20. Dulcet 5
10A 21. Fiddle with feathers, say 5
11A 22. Backstreet ___ 4
12A 23. Like kyawthuite, among gems 6
13A 25. Designer Geoffrey 5
14A 27. A-list 6
15A 28. Like quartzite vis-à-vis quartz 6
16A 29. They really click as a pair 8
17A 32. Masters of manipulation 5
18A 33. Commercial preceder of Geo 3
19A 34. Capital near the Red Sea 5
20A 35. Micromobility option 8
21A 37. On the level 6
22A 38. Mouth organ 6
23A 39. Internal turmoil 5
24A 40. Say "I do," say 6
25A 41. One may be carried in a concert hall 4
26A 42. Recent recruit 5
27A 43. First name on the Supreme Court 5
28A 45. Zilch 3
29A 48. Cushy 4
30A 49. It is "making the complicated simple, awesomely simple," per Charles Mingus 10
31A 51. Out of joint? 4
32A 52. Text insert for a flash-forward film scene 10
33A 53. Ink 4
34A 54. Apt rhyme for "pads" 4
35A 55. Guck 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Barely enough"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that work hastily or carelessly; deal with inadequately and superficially
  • Similar words include: stint, skimp, light
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. What some may be dyeing to conceal?"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
  • Similar words include: greyness, gray-headed, Louis Harold Gray
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Environmental concern"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
  • Similar words include: smogginess
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SMOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. "Don't be absurd!""

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. ___ Mountain (ski area in Killington, Vt.)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. She's out there!"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Many a choirgirl"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a singer whose voice lies in the alto clef
  • Similar words include: contralto, countertenor
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. "Black-ish" patriarch"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Dulcet"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)
  • Similar words include: odoriferous, sweet-flavored, odorous
  • Opposite of: sour, salty
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWEET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Fiddle with feathers, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that clean with one's bill
  • Similar words include: congratulate, plume, dress
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PREEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Backstreet ___"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a youthful male person
  • Similar words include: boy, son, male child
  • Opposite of: daughter, girl
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Like kyawthuite, among gems"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
  • Similar words include: rare, rarified, uncommon
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAREST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Designer Geoffrey"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. A-list"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
  • Similar words include: pick out, take, choice
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SELECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Like quartzite vis-à-vis quartz"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
  • Similar words include: heavy, severe, surd
  • Opposite of: easy, voiced
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. They really click as a pair"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Masters of manipulation"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who makes use of a thing; someone who uses or employs something
  • Similar words include: exploiter, substance abuser, drug user
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Commercial preceder of Geo"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Capital near the Red Sea"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of yemen; on the central plateau
  • Similar words include: Sana'a, Sana
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SANAA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Micromobility option"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "37. On the level"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
  • Similar words include: good, reliable, dependable
  • Opposite of: dishonest
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HONEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "38. Mouth organ"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
  • Similar words include: spit, lingua, natural language
  • Opposite of: artificial language
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TONGUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "39. Internal turmoil"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety; usually reserved for philosophical anxiety about the world or about personal freedom
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANGST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "40. Say "I do," say"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
  • Similar words include: devote, give, institutionalize
  • Opposite of: divest
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMMIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "41. One may be carried in a concert hall"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
  • Similar words include: melodic line, tune up, line
  • Opposite of: untune
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "42. Recent recruit"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "43. First name on the Supreme Court"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "45. Zilch"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity of no importance
  • Similar words include: zilch, travel rapidly, zipper
  • Opposite of: unzip
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "48. Cushy"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
  • Similar words include: tardily, slow, well-to-do
  • Opposite of: uneasy, quickly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EASY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "49. It is "making the complicated simple, awesomely simple," per Charles Mingus"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the ability to create
  • Similar words include: creative thinking, creativeness
  • Opposite of: uncreativeness
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CREATIVITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "51. Out of joint?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people who are free
  • Similar words include: destitute, justify, disengage
  • Opposite of: lodge, unfree
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "52. Text insert for a flash-forward film scene"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "53. Ink"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
  • Similar words include: cheapness, sleaze, Thematic Apperception Test
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "54. Apt rhyme for "pads""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
  • Similar words include: hyperkinetic syndrome, minimal brain dysfunction, add up
  • Opposite of: subtract, take away
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "55. Guck"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any thick, viscous matter
  • Similar words include: goo, ooze, muck
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Completely convinced 4
2D 2. French letter opener 4
3D 3. Niche for a shrine 4
4D 4. Essence of the matter 3
5D 5. "I'll take the blame" 12
6D 6. Some body builders? 5
7D 7. Broccoli ___ 4
8D 8. How to look at your hot fudge sundae 8
9D 9. A little possessive, perhaps? 3
10D 10. Pocket money 11
11D 11. Momentous moments 10
12D 12. Bits in a byte, e.g. 5
13D 13. "I'm listening" 4
14D 15. One who's on the defense, perhaps 6
15D 21. Digital applications? 12
16D 22. Longing look 11
17D 24. Rigi of Switzerland, e.g. 3
18D 25. One setting on speakers 4
19D 26. Classic toy for budding engineers 10
20D 27. Long look 5
21D 28. Peach or plum 3
22D 30. Interest of Marco Polo, with "the" 4
23D 31. Settled on the bottom? 3
24D 33. Gelded 8
25D 36. ___ Fridays 3
26D 37. Hangouts 6
27D 40. Grammy-winning R&B singer named for a Revlon fragrance 5
28D 41. They make streaks on cheeks 5
29D 42. Mass 4
30D 44. Tip 4
31D 45. Trattoria tubes 4
32D 46. Couple 4
33D 47. Funeral ___ 4
34D 49. Texter's "ciao" 3
35D 50. Late actor Kilmer 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Completely convinced"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
  • Similar words include: trade, sell, betray
  • Opposite of: unsold, buy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOLD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. French letter opener"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Niche for a shrine"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar
  • Similar words include: apsis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Essence of the matter"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small lump or protuberance
  • Similar words include: nitty-gritty, nubble, gist
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NUB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "I'll take the blame""

12 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THISONESONME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Some body builders?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (genetics) a segment of dna that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding dna as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity
  • Similar words include: cistron, factor, gene
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Broccoli ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. How to look at your hot fudge sundae"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. A little possessive, perhaps?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Pocket money"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Momentous moments"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that stone post at side of a road to show distances
  • Similar words include: milestone, milepost
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MILESTONES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Bits in a byte, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one
  • Similar words include: VIII, 8, eight
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OCTET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "I'm listening""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward stupid person
  • Similar words include: hoodlum, oaf, stumblebum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. One who's on the defense, perhaps"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
  • Similar words include: attorney
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAWYER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Digital applications?"

12 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRESSONNAILS

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16D: "22. Longing look"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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17D: "24. Rigi of Switzerland, e.g."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any high mountain
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALP

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18D: "25. One setting on speakers"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the lowest part of the musical range
  • Similar words include: bass voice, freshwater bass, sea bass
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASS

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19D: "26. Classic toy for budding engineers"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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20D: "27. Long look"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fixed look with eyes open wide
  • Similar words include: gaze
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STARE

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21D: "28. Peach or plum"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
  • Similar words include: imbue, chromaticity
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUE

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22D: "30. Interest of Marco Polo, with "the""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
  • Similar words include: E, eastern United States, due east
  • Opposite of: west
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAST

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23D: "31. Settled on the bottom?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the sabbath by jews and some christians
  • Similar words include: seat, ride, model
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAT

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24D: "33. Gelded"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove the ovaries of
  • Similar words include: castrate, altered, neuter
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEUTERED

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25D: "36. ___ Fridays"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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26D: "37. Hangouts"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a frequently visited place
  • Similar words include: stamping ground, repair, hangout
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAUNTS

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27D: "40. Grammy-winning R&B singer named for a Revlon fragrance"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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28D: "41. They make streaks on cheeks"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
  • Similar words include: rupture, rent, weeping
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEARS

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29D: "42. Mass"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the property of being large in mass
  • Similar words include: heft up, heave up, massiveness
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEFT

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30D: "44. Tip"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an advantage held by a competitor in a race
  • Similar words include: top, atomic number 82, conduct
  • Opposite of: deficit, follow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAD

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31D: "45. Trattoria tubes"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that medium-sized tubular pasta in short pieces
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZITI

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32D: "46. Couple"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
  • Similar words include: detail, point, token
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITEM

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33D: "47. Funeral ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite
  • Similar words include: funeral pyre
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PYRE

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34D: "49. Texter's "ciao""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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35D: "50. Late actor Kilmer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

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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: January 23, 2026 at 04:27 AM