27425 Thu Dec 12, 2024 NYT by Daniel Bodily

Across Clues :

1. Strike one!, 5. Word with slow or strawberry, 8. "___ gusto" ("Nice to meet you," in Spanish), 13. Can, 14. Spanish article, 15. Paella base, 16. Domino pip, e.g., 17. Party crashers, perhaps, 19. Part of a bat that produces the best contact, 21. Small nail, 22. Express publicly, 23. Saint, in Rio, 25. "A Beautiful Mind" director Howard, 27. Balayage providers, 32. ___ Swiatek, four-time French Open winner, 33. Cake part, 35. Fresh, 36. Get serious hang time, as a skateboarder, 40. Times for holiday parties, 41. Boomer in a band, 42. It makes Max profits, 43. Italian dynasty that produced four popes, 46. Bit of kitchenware, 47. "Cleopatra With the ___" (Reni painting), 48. Hosp. staffers, 50. Branch of a sort, 52. Three-digit numbers in parentheses, 57. Low-key place for gnocchi, 58. Toon with a monkey named Boots, 60. Matcha ___ (tea-based beverage), 61. Human thing to do, 62. Waze figs., 63. Easy to understand, 64. Hits up on Instagram, for short, 65. Meeting, informally

Down Clues :

1. A family might have matching ones, for short, 2. "D'oh!", 3. Strutted one's stuff, 4. Maze prompt, 5. Line below a swoosh, 6. Pantry problem, 7. "I Feel Pretty" singer in "West Side Story", 8. Mind repeating that?, 9. "Irresistible" feeling, 10. Language from which we get "Manitoba" and "Saskatchewan", 11. Motorist's warning, 12. The "40" in a malt liquor 40: Abbr., 18. x, y or z, 20. The world at your feet?, 23. Order to an attack dog, 24. Plant used in xeriscaping because of its tolerance to drought, 26. Hogwarts exam after the O.W.L., 28. Nonexpert, 29. "While we're discussing it ...", 30. Novice gamers, informally, 31. Word after one fell?, 34. Extend, as a contract, 37. Show with a "Cyber" spinoff, 38. Suns that shine?, 39. Roger B. ___, justice who infamously authored the Dred Scott decision (1857), 44. Sign of impact, 45. Deets, 49. Begat, 51. Writes in C or R, say, 52. Kazakhstan's ___ Sea, 53. Quoted figure, 54. Pioneering blues guitarist Baker, 55. Unyielding, 56. ___ Tour, pop culture phenomenon of 2023-24, 57. Pampering, for short, 59. Tree with so-called helicopter seeds

Break down the NYT Crosswords: December 12, 2024

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

New York Times, Thursday, December 12, 2024

Across Clues with Answers:

• The clue is 1. Strike one!. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: POSE

  Possible Answer : bewilder, baffle, beat, airs, affectedness, put, affectation, perplex, sit, set, place, stick, mannerism, dumbfound, puzzle, present, get, gravel, posture, impersonate, position, mystify, flummox, stupefy, model, amaze, personate, vex, pose, lay, nonplus




• The clue is 5. Word with slow or strawberry. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: JAM

  Possible Answer : jam, chock_up, jamming, wad, ram, obstruct, throng, mess, cram, kettle_of_fish, impede, press, block, pickle, mob, fix, jampack, occlude, obturate, muddle, crush, electronic_jamming, pack, pile, hole, close_up

  Possible Opposite Answer : free




• The clue is 8. "___ gusto" ("Nice to meet you," in Spanish). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MUCHO




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

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

  The answer: JOHN

  Possible Answer : lavatory, Saint_John_the_Apostle, John_the_Evangelist, Gospel_According_to_John, whoremaster, privy, trick, whoremonger, St._John, lav, Saint_John, John_Lackland, John_the_Divine, toilet, St._John_the_Apostle, bathroom, john, John, can, King_John




• The clue is 14. Spanish article. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: UNA




• The clue is 15. Paella base. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARROZ




• The clue is 16. Domino pip, e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SPOT

  Possible Answer : tell_apart, post, topographic_point, spot, situation, spotlight, recognize, patch, make_out, pick_out, smear, smudge, discern, speckle, place, blob, descry, berth, spy, slur, espy, blot, daub, distinguish, touch, fleck, position, point, dapple, pip, maculation, office, stain, bit, smirch, blemish, recognise, billet




• The clue is 17. Party crashers, perhaps. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: STRANGERS

  Possible Answer : unknown, stranger, alien

  Possible Opposite Answer : acquaintance




• The clue is 19. Part of a bat that produces the best contact. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SWEETSPOT




• The clue is 21. Small nail. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BRAD

  Possible Answer : brad




• The clue is 22. Express publicly. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AIR

  Possible Answer : melodic_line, transmit, aerate, aura, air_travel, line, tune, gentle_wind, send, melodic_phrase, breeze, strain, beam, aviation, vent, ventilate, atmosphere, publicize, broadcast, bare, air_out, air, publicise, melody, airwave, zephyr




• The clue is 23. Saint, in Rio. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SAO




• The clue is 25. "A Beautiful Mind" director Howard. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RON

  Possible Answer : Bokkos, Daffo, Ron




• The clue is 27. Balayage providers. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SALONS

  Possible Answer : salon, beauty_shop, beauty_parlor, beauty_parlour, beauty_salon




• The clue is 32. ___ Swiatek, four-time French Open winner. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: IGA

  Possible Answer : immunoglobulin_A, IgA




• The clue is 33. Cake part. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TIER

  Possible Answer : tier_up, grade, level, tier




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

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

  The answer: ANEW

  Possible Answer : anew, afresh




• The clue is 36. Get serious hang time, as a skateboarder. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CATCHAIR




• The clue is 40. Times for holiday parties. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EVES

  Possible Answer : eventide, evening, Eve, eve, even




• The clue is 41. Boomer in a band. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TUBA

  Possible Answer : tuba, sousaphone, bass_horn




• The clue is 42. It makes Max profits. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HBO




• The clue is 43. Italian dynasty that produced four popes. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MEDICI

  Possible Answer : Medici




• The clue is 46. Bit of kitchenware. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PAN

  Possible Answer : goat_god, Pan, pan_out, trash, cooking_pan, genus_Pan, pan_off, tear_apart, pan




• The clue is 47. "Cleopatra With the ___" (Reni painting). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ASP

  Possible Answer : Naja_haje, asp, Egyptian_cobra, Vipera_aspis, asp_viper




• The clue is 48. Hosp. staffers. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RNS

  Possible Answer : radon, registered_nurse, atomic_number_86, RN, Rn




• The clue is 50. Branch of a sort. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SECT

  Possible Answer : sect, faction, religious_sect, religious_order




• The clue is 52. Three-digit numbers in parentheses. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AREACODES




• The clue is 57. Low-key place for gnocchi. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TRATTORIA




• The clue is 58. Toon with a monkey named Boots. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DORA




• The clue is 60. Matcha ___ (tea-based beverage). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LATTE

  Possible Answer : latte, caffe_latte




• The clue is 61. Human thing to do. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ERR

  Possible Answer : err, stray, drift, slip, mistake




• The clue is 62. Waze figs.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ETAS

  Possible Answer : Basque_Fatherland_and_Liberty, eta, Basque_Homeland_and_Freedom, Euskadi_ta_Askatasuna, ETA




• The clue is 63. Easy to understand. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CLEAR

  Possible Answer : top, exculpated, exonerated, realise, take_in, clean, earn, illuminate, unclutter, unmortgaged, clearly, crystallise, crystalise, exonerate, sack_up, clean-cut, straighten_out, clear_up, solve, readable, pull_in, brighten, acquit, light, decipherable, net, light_up, absolved, shed_light_on, authorise, make, authorize, realize, open, exculpate, crystallize, all_the_way, percipient, elucidate, gain, bring_in, pass, vindicated, crystalize, clear-cut, enlighten, sort_out, sack, clear, unclouded, discharge, well-defined, cleared, assoil

  Possible Opposite Answer : ill-defined, cloudy, clutter, opaque, convict, bounce, unclear, overcast




• The clue is 64. Hits up on Instagram, for short. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DMS

  Possible Answer : decimetre, dm, diabetes_mellitus, DM, decimeter




• The clue is 65. Meeting, informally. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SESH

Down Clues and Answers:

• The clue is 1. A family might have matching ones, for short. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PJS

• The clue is 2. "D'oh!". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OOPS

• The clue is 3. Strutted one's stuff. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SHOWBOATED

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

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

  The answer: ENTER

  Possible Answer: move_into, recruit, enroll, accede, figure, go_in, participate, embark, enter, get_into, record, put_down, inscribe, infix, go_into, get_in, enrol, insert, come_in, introduce

  Possible Opposite Answer : exit, drop_out

• The clue is 5. Line below a swoosh. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: JUSTDOIT

• The clue is 6. Pantry problem. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ANTS

  Possible Answer: ant, pismire, emmet

• The clue is 7. "I Feel Pretty" singer in "West Side Story". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MARIA

  Possible Answer: Maria, maria, mare, Calophyllum_longifolium

• The clue is 8. Mind repeating that?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MANTRA

  Possible Answer: mantra

• The clue is 9. "Irresistible" feeling. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: URGE

  Possible Answer: root_on, urge, inspire, recommend, exhort, advocate, urge_on, itch, cheer, impulse, pep_up, barrack, press

• The clue is 10. Language from which we get "Manitoba" and "Saskatchewan". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CREE

  Possible Answer: Cree

• The clue is 11. Motorist's warning. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HORN

  Possible Answer: French_horn, saddle_horn, tusk, horn, trumpet, automobile_horn, car_horn, trump, hooter, motor_horn, cornet

• The clue is 12. The "40" in a malt liquor 40: Abbr.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OZS

• The clue is 18. x, y or z. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AXIS

  Possible Answer: Axis, axis, axis_of_rotation, bloc, axis_vertebra

• The clue is 20. The world at your feet?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EARTH

  Possible Answer: solid_ground, earthly_concern, world, earth, ground, dry_land, globe, Earth, worldly_concern, land, terra_firma

• The clue is 23. Order to an attack dog. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SICEM

• The clue is 24. Plant used in xeriscaping because of its tolerance to drought. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AGAVE

  Possible Answer: American_aloe, century_plant, agave

• The clue is 26. Hogwarts exam after the O.W.L.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NEWT

  Possible Answer: triton, newt

• The clue is 28. Nonexpert. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LAY

  Possible Answer: rest, put_down, set, ballad, secular, place, position, lie, put, pose, lay, lie_in, laic, dwell, lie_down, repose, consist

  Possible Opposite Answer : arise, stand

• The clue is 29. "While we're discussing it ...". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ONTHATNOTE

• The clue is 30. Novice gamers, informally. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NEWBS

• The clue is 31. Word after one fell?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SWOOP

  Possible Answer: swoop, swoop_up, pounce, slide

• The clue is 34. Extend, as a contract. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: REUP

• The clue is 37. Show with a "Cyber" spinoff. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CSI

• The clue is 38. Suns that shine?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NBASTARS

• The clue is 39. Roger B. ___, justice who infamously authored the Dred Scott decision (1857). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TANEY

  Possible Answer: Roger_Brooke_Taney, Taney, Roger_Taney

• The clue is 44. Sign of impact. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CRATER

  Possible Answer: crater, Crater, volcanic_crater

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

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

  The answer: INFO

  Possible Answer: info, information

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

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

  The answer: SIRED

  Possible Answer: engender, sire, generate, get, mother, beget, bring_forth, father

• The clue is 51. Writes in C or R, say. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CODES

  Possible Answer: take_in, rag, put_one_over, tease, write_in_code, razz, codification, tantalize, put_on, twit, encipher, inscribe, fool, taunt, slang, cipher, computer_code, dupe, befool, bait, ride, cod, tantalise, code, encrypt, put_one_across, gull, cypher, rally

• The clue is 52. Kazakhstan's ___ Sea. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARAL

• The clue is 53. Quoted figure. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RATE

  Possible Answer: rate, range, order, place, value, grade, charge_per_unit, rank, pace

• The clue is 54. Pioneering blues guitarist Baker. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ETTA

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

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

  The answer: FIRM

  Possible Answer: unfaltering, immobile, unfluctuating, solid, unshakable, truehearted, unwavering, house, steadfastly, fast, unbendable, stiff, tauten, steady, unwaveringly, strong, steadfast, loyal, firmly, business_firm, firm

• The clue is 56. ___ Tour, pop culture phenomenon of 2023-24. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ERAS

  Possible Answer: era, ERA, earned_run_average, epoch, geological_era

• The clue is 57. Pampering, for short. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TLC

  Possible Answer: TLC, tender_loving_care

• The clue is 59. Tree with so-called helicopter seeds. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ASH

  Possible Answer: ash, ash_tree

All NYT Down Clues December 19, 2025 - 37 Vertical Answers with Hints

NYT Crossword Down December 19, 2025: All 37 Vertical Answers & Strategic Tips

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 37 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: April 30 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | October 26 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | September 29 2022 NYT Clues Solutions |

Jump To Section

• Puzzle Information
• All Down Clues (37 total)
• Detailed Hints & Answers
• Down Solving Strategies
• More Crossword Help
• Down Clues FAQ

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down Clues - Friday, December 19, 2025

Down Clues Statistics

Detail	Information
Date	December 19, 2025
Day of Week	Friday
Total Down Clues	37 clues
Direction	Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty	Challenging

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 37 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List

Number	Clue
1 Down	1. Annual mystery award
2 Down	2. Had an outsize presence
3 Down	3. They may recently have been in a jam
4 Down	4. Prosecco relative
5 Down	5. Results of some remarriages
6 Down	6. Yard sale?
7 Down	7. Afirmativa enfática
8 Down	8. Swim with the fishes?
9 Down	9. Larry ___, longtime owner of the Cleveland Guardians
10 Down	10. Grande opening?
11 Down	11. Fair ___ (concept in copyright law)
12 Down	12. Kind of school
13 Down	14. Wrinkle remover
14 Down	16. Diktat
15 Down	18. Repeated role for Chris Hemsworth
16 Down	22. Word with dating or skating
17 Down	24. Bad place to be while gambling
18 Down	25. Fictional companion of Thing One and Thing Two
19 Down	26. Hit below the belt, in a way
20 Down	28. Easter basket treat
21 Down	30. Pitch catcher?
22 Down	32. Wrap up by
23 Down	33. Like He and Xe
24 Down	34. Windy City exchange, in brief
25 Down	36. Altar-ed statement?
26 Down	39. Expo take-home
27 Down	40. Zesty flavor
28 Down	43. Parts of submarines also known as fairwaters
29 Down	45. D.I.Y. dessert item
30 Down	47. Pressure source
31 Down	49. Source of motivation, informally
32 Down	51. It's a long story
33 Down	53. Half time?
34 Down	54. When you're reading this
35 Down	55. Grp. with geologists and biologists
36 Down	56. Piece in the game Battleship
37 Down	57. Genre for Miles Davis or Dizzy Gillespie

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues

Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:

• September 21 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 22 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
• NYT Across Today November 01 2025
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers October 30

Complete Down Solutions:

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1 Down: "1. Annual mystery award"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
• Word pattern: E___R
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

EDGAR

---

2 Down: "2. Had an outsize presence"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 11 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
• Word pattern: L_________E
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

LOOMEDLARGE

---

3 Down: "3. They may recently have been in a jam"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 11 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: S_________S
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

STUBBEDTOES

---

4 Down: "4. Prosecco relative"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'I'
• Word pattern: A__I
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

ASTI

---

5 Down: "5. Results of some remarriages"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 15 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: B_____________S
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

BLENDEDFAMILIES

---

6 Down: "6. Yard sale?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

ALE

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7 Down: "7. Afirmativa enfática"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'I'
• Word pattern: S__I
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

SISI

---

8 Down: "8. Swim with the fishes?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'L'
• Word pattern: S_____L
• Similar words: breather, schnorkel
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

SNORKEL

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9 Down: "9. Larry ___, longtime owner of the Cleveland Guardians"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'D' and ends with 'N'
• Word pattern: D___N
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

DOLAN

---

10 Down: "10. Grande opening?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'R' and ends with 'O'
• Similar words: Rio de Janeiro
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

RIO

---

11 Down: "11. Fair ___ (concept in copyright law)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'U' and ends with 'E'
• Similar words: practice, employ
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• Definition: the act of using
• This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

USE

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12 Down: "12. Kind of school"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'M' and ends with 'D'
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• Definition: a master's degree in education
• This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

MED

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13 Down: "14. Wrinkle remover"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'I' and ends with 'N'
• Word pattern: I__N
• Similar words: iron out, branding iron
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

IRON

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14 Down: "16. Diktat"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'F' and ends with 'T'
• Word pattern: F__T
• Similar words: decree, edict
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

FIAT

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15 Down: "18. Repeated role for Chris Hemsworth"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'T' and ends with 'R'
• Word pattern: T__R
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

THOR

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16 Down: "22. Word with dating or skating"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'D'
• Word pattern: S___D
• Similar words: bucket along, amphetamine
• Opposite of: linger
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• Definition: distance travelled per unit time
• This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

SPEED

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17 Down: "24. Bad place to be while gambling"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 11 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
• Word pattern: I_________E
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

INADEEPHOLE

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18 Down: "25. Fictional companion of Thing One and Thing Two"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 11 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'C' and ends with 'T'
• Word pattern: C_________T
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

CATINTHEHAT

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19 Down: "26. Hit below the belt, in a way"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'K' and ends with 'D'
• Word pattern: K___D
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

KNEED

---

20 Down: "28. Easter basket treat"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'P' and ends with 'P'
• Word pattern: P__P
• Similar words: chirp, cheep
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• Definition: the short weak cry of a young bird
• This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

PEEP

---

21 Down: "30. Pitch catcher?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
• Similar words: capitulum, pinna
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• Definition: the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
• This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

EAR

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22 Down: "32. Wrap up by"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
• Word pattern: E___T
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

ENDAT

---

23 Down: "33. Like He and Xe"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'I' and ends with 'T'
• Word pattern: I___T
• Similar words: neutral, indifferent
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• Definition: unable to move or resist motion
• This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

INERT

---

24 Down: "34. Windy City exchange, in brief"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'M' and ends with 'C'
• Word pattern: M__C
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

MERC

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25 Down: "36. Altar-ed statement?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'I' and ends with 'O'
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

IDO

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26 Down: "39. Expo take-home"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'G'
• Word pattern: S_____G
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

SWAGBAG

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27 Down: "40. Zesty flavor"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'T' and ends with 'G'
• Word pattern: T__G
• Similar words: bladder fucus, Tang dynasty
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• Definition: a tart spicy quality
• This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

TANG

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28 Down: "43. Parts of submarines also known as fairwaters"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'F' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: F__S
• Similar words: quint, five
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• Definition: the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
• This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

FINS

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29 Down: "45. D.I.Y. dessert item"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
• Word pattern: S___E
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

SMORE

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30 Down: "47. Pressure source"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'P' and ends with 'R'
• Word pattern: P__R
• Similar words: match, equal
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• Definition: a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
• This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

PEER

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31 Down: "49. Source of motivation, informally"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'I' and ends with 'O'
• Word pattern: I___O
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

INSPO

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32 Down: "51. It's a long story"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
• Word pattern: S__A
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

SAGA

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33 Down: "53. Half time?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'T' and ends with 'K'
• Word pattern: T__K
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

TOCK

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34 Down: "54. When you're reading this"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'N' and ends with 'W'
• Similar words: today, like a shot
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• Definition: the momentary present
• This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

NOW

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35 Down: "55. Grp. with geologists and biologists"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

EPA

---

36 Down: "56. Piece in the game Battleship"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'P' and ends with 'G'
• Similar words: nail down, wooden leg
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• Definition: a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface
• This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

PEG

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37 Down: "57. Genre for Miles Davis or Dizzy Gillespie"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

• This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
• It starts with 'B' and ends with 'P'
• Similar words: sock, bonk
• This is an abbreviation or acronym
• This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer

BOP

Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues

Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Down Clues?

• Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
• Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
• Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
• Down answers often help solve Across clues

Down Clue Patterns to Recognize

1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically

Time-Saving Down Techniques

Technique	How It Helps
Scan all Down first	Get a mental map of the vertical flow
Fill short Down words	3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors
Use crossing letters	Across letters help confirm Down answers
Look for themes	Related Down answers often share a theme

More Crossword Resources

Recent Crossword Solutions:

• NYT Mini Crossword Answers Today
• September 29 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• April 30 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 21 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
• Todays 55 NYT Mini November 02 2025
• November 22 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
• NYT Down Today November 20 2025
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers October 30

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues

What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?

Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.

Should I solve Down or Across clues first?

Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 37 Down clues.

Are Down clues easier than Across clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.

How do Down clues interact with Across clues?

Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.

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About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 19, 2025 at 05:16 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, December 19 2025 down clues

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 11, 2025 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (35 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (41 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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. City with a view of Mount Vesuvius	6
2A	7. Minuscule, in cutesy lingo	12
3A	13. "Seinfeld" role	6
4A	14. Came unglued	7
5A	15. Hand-held communication device	12
6A	16. Get cranky with fatigue, maybe	8
7A	17. Dangers in "The Hurt Locker," for short	4
8A	18. Longtime portrayer of TV's Captain Pierce	4
9A	19. Jam	4
10A	21. Check out	4
11A	23. Total	5
12A	28. Microdosing substance	3
13A	29. Blowout	4
14A	30. Sound in a horror film	6
15A	31. Simpson née Bouvier	5
16A	33. Tick-borne affliction, informally	4
17A	35. Treats, as a sprain	4
18A	36. Back-to-back sporting events ... with a hint to the answers to the italicized clues	13
19A	39. Marinara tomato	4
20A	40. Kind of surgeon	4
21A	41. HI hi	5
22A	43. Pair of words that are usually contracted	6
23A	45. Curved shapes	4
24A	47. Lush	3
25A	48. One laying a foundation	5
26A	49. Turner of rock	4
27A	50. Video surveillance letters	4
28A	51. "I Am ___," onetime reality TV spinoff	4
29A	53. "Out!"	4
30A	55. Region of South Dakota	8
31A	59. Nursery rhyme character known as Lille Trille in Denmark	12
32A	62. Creator of Heffalumps and Woozles	7
33A	63. Current measure	6
34A	64. Flashiness	12
35A	65. Answer with a salute	6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. City with a view of Mount Vesuvius"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a port and tourist center in southwestern italy; capital of the campania region
• Similar words include: Napoli
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAPLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Minuscule, in cutesy lingo"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEENSYWEENSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "13. "Seinfeld" role"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELAINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Came unglued"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WENTAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Hand-held communication device"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WALKIETALKIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Get cranky with fatigue, maybe"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEEDANAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Dangers in "The Hurt Locker," for short"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an explosive device that is improvised
• Similar words include: improvised explosive device, I.E.D., IED
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Longtime portrayer of TV's Captain Pierce"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Jam"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that something that hinders as if with bonds
• Similar words include: bond, obligate, bandage
• Opposite of: untie, unbind

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BIND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Check out"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that trying something to find out about it
• Similar words include: screen, try, psychometric test
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Total"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SUMTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "28. Microdosing substance"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a powerful hallucinogenic drug manufactured from lysergic acid
• Similar words include: lysergic acid diethylamide
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LSD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "29. Blowout"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a disorderly crowd of people
• Similar words include: root, spreadeagle, spread-eagle
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. Sound in a horror film"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that sharp piercing cry
• Similar words include: pipe up, shrieking, screech
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHRIEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Simpson née Bouvier"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a spread made chiefly from vegetable oils and used as a substitute for butter
• Similar words include: margarine, margarin, oleo
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MARGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Tick-borne affliction, informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LYME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Treats, as a sprain"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
• Similar words include: chicken feed, ice-skating rink, deoxyephedrine
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Back-to-back sporting events ... with a hint to the answers to the italicized clues"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that two games instead of one (especially in baseball when the same two teams play two games on the same day)
• Similar words include: double feature, doubleheader, twin bill
• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOUBLEHEADERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "39. Marinara tomato"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a member of a people with dark skin and hair who speak romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work and fortunetelling; they are believed to have originated in northern india but now are living on all continents (but mostly in europe, north africa, and north america)
• Similar words include: Rommany, Romani, read-only storage
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Kind of surgeon"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an examination conducted by spoken communication
• Similar words include: viva, viva voce, oral examination
• Opposite of: anal, aboral

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. HI hi"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an acknowledgment that can be used to say hello or goodbye (aloha is hawaiian and ciao is italian)
• Similar words include: ciao
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALOHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Pair of words that are usually contracted"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARENOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Curved shapes"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
• Similar words include: bend, bowknot, crouch
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BOWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Lush"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a chronic drinker
• Similar words include: drunkard, inebriate, rummy
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. One laying a foundation"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that american revolutionary leader from virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the bill of rights (1725-1792)
• Similar words include: James Neville Mason, stonemason, Freemason
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MASON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Turner of rock"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TINA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. Video surveillance letters"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CCTV

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "51. "I Am ___," onetime reality TV spinoff"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "53. "Out!""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that drive away by crying `shoo!'
• Similar words include: shoo away, shoo off
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Region of South Dakota"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that deeply eroded barren land
• Similar words include: Bad Lands
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BADLANDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "59. Nursery rhyme character known as Lille Trille in Denmark"

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUMPTYDUMPTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "62. Creator of Heffalumps and Woozles"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AAMILNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Current measure"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a former unit of electric current (slightly smaller than the si ampere)
• Similar words include: amp, A, international ampere
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMPERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Flashiness"

12 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAZZLEDAZZLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Answer with a salute"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YESSIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Semiaquatic amphibian	4
2D	2. Resembling	3
3D	3. Mom, dad and sis, but not bro	11
4D	4. Took a shine to	5
5D	5. City WNW of Tulsa	4
6D	6. Handles	6
7D	7. Material with a coarse weave	5
8D	8. Long hyphen	6
9D	9. H	3
10D	10. Grandma, in Gloucester	3
11D	11. Steamy place	3
12D	12. "You betcha"	3
13D	14. Lash mark	4
14D	16. Vices that are best abandoned	11
15D	19. Antiracist movement since 2013, for short	3
16D	20. Dance pioneer Duncan	7
17D	22. Leonhard who helped develop calculus	5
18D	24. Archangel in "Paradise Lost"	5
19D	25. Powerful ones have resolutions less than 0.1 nanometer	11
20D	26. Something one might slice	7
21D	27. Approves	3
22D	29. Graycoat in the Civil War	3
23D	30. Briny	3
24D	32. Organic fertilizer	5
25D	34. Casaba, e.g.	5
26D	37. Plethora	3
27D	38. Courtroom figs.	3
28D	39. Butter from a farm	3
29D	42. Dune buggy, e.g., in brief	3
30D	44. Ready for an emergency, say	6
31D	46. Time for a trip to the laundromat	7
32D	49. Alternative to Gain	4
33D	50. Guest freebies	5
34D	52. Youngest of the Brontë sisters	4
35D	54. Philosopher David who wrote "A Treatise of Human Nature"	4
36D	55. Medieval entertainer	4
37D	56. Good rating for a bond	3
38D	57. Noncombat region, in brief	3
39D	58. Cheney of politics	3
40D	60. Prefix with lingual or lateral	3
41D	61. "___ Blues" (song on the Beatles' "White Album")	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Semiaquatic amphibian"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that small usually bright-colored semiaquatic salamanders of north america and europe and northern asia
• Similar words include: triton
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEWT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Resembling"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Mom, dad and sis, but not bro"

11 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a word or phrase that reads the same backward as forward
• Similar words include: palindrome
• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PALINDROMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Took a shine to"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that prefer or wish to do something
• Similar words include: wish, care, like
• Opposite of: dislike, disliked

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. City WNW of Tulsa"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a town in north central oklahoma
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Handles"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEESTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Material with a coarse weave"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that thick woolen fabric used for clothing; originated in scotland
• Similar words include: gabardine, flannel, white
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TWEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Long hyphen"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENDASH

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9D: "9. H"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
• Similar words include: Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Homeland and Freedom
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ETA

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10D: "10. Grandma, in Gloucester"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that your grandmother
• Similar words include: nanna, grannie, grandmother
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAN

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11D: "11. Steamy place"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
• Similar words include: resort hotel, health spa, watering place
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPA

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12D: "12. "You betcha""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEP

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13D: "14. Lash mark"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip); characteristic of many allergic reactions
• Similar words include: strap, weal, flog
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WELT

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14D: "16. Vices that are best abandoned"

11 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NASTYHABITS

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15D: "19. Antiracist movement since 2013, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BLM

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16D: "20. Dance pioneer Duncan"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISADORA

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17D: "22. Leonhard who helped develop calculus"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that swiss mathematician (1707-1783)
• Similar words include: Leonhard Euler
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EULER

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18D: "24. Archangel in "Paradise Lost""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: URIEL

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19D: "25. Powerful ones have resolutions less than 0.1 nanometer"

11 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that magnifier of the image of small objects
• Similar words include: microscope
• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MICROSCOPES

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20D: "26. Something one might slice"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEESHOT

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21D: "27. Approves"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a state in south central united states
• Similar words include: Sooner State, okey, OK
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OKS

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22D: "29. Graycoat in the Civil War"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that `johnny' was applied as a nickname for confederate soldiers by the federal soldiers in the american civil war; `greyback' derived from their grey confederate uniforms
• Similar words include: Johnny, Johnny Reb, greyback
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REB

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23D: "30. Briny"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
• Similar words include: ocean
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEA

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24D: "32. Organic fertilizer"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the excrement of sea birds; used as fertilizer
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GUANO

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25D: "34. Casaba, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of numerous fruits of the gourd family having a hard rind and sweet juicy flesh
• Similar words include: melon vine
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MELON

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26D: "37. Plethora"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
• Similar words include: luck, stack, destiny
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOT

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27D: "38. Courtroom figs."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of several small ungulate mammals of africa and asia with rodent-like incisors and feet with hooflike toes
• Similar words include: district attorney, cony, hyrax
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DAS

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28D: "39. Butter from a farm"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible
• Similar words include: jampack, random access memory, read/write memory
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAM

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29D: "42. Dune buggy, e.g., in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATV

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30D: "44. Ready for an emergency, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONCALL

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31D: "46. Time for a trip to the laundromat"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a day set aside for doing household laundry
• Similar words include: washing day
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WASHDAY

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32D: "49. Alternative to Gain"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
• Similar words include: surge, lunar time period
• Opposite of: ebb

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIDE

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33D: "50. Guest freebies"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an intensive examination testing a student's proficiency in some special field of knowledge
• Similar words include: comprehensive examination, comprehensive, comp
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COMPS

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34D: "52. Youngest of the Brontë sisters"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that queen of england and scotland and ireland; daughter if james ii and the last of the stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last english ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANNE

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35D: "54. Philosopher David who wrote "A Treatise of Human Nature""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that scottish philosopher whose sceptical philosophy restricted human knowledge to that which can be perceived by the senses (1711-1776)
• Similar words include: David Hume
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUME

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36D: "55. Medieval entertainer"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a lyric poet
• Similar words include: caparison, barde, dress up
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BARD

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37D: "56. Good rating for a bond"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta associated with old age and hypertension
• Similar words include: abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AAA

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38D: "57. Noncombat region, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a zone from which military forces or operations or installations are prohibited
• Similar words include: demilitarized zone
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DMZ

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39D: "58. Cheney of politics"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIZ

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40D: "60. Prefix with lingual or lateral"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRI

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41D: "61. "___ Blues" (song on the Beatles' "White Album")"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YER

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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

41 Down Clues

76 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 11, 2025 at 03:52 AM