27414 Fri Nov 29, 2024 NYT by Willa Angel Chen Miller and Matthew Stock

Across Clues :

1. "Never mind", 12. Hosp. care providers, 15. Question that can't possibly be answered "No", 16. Solid :: glace : liquid :: ___, 17. Bond theme song that won an Academy Award in 2022, 18. Fender product, 19. Water bottle confiscator, for short, 20. Merely, 21. Chemistry research centers?, 23. Unchanged, 25. Light lager variety, casually, 28. Anti-apartheid activist Alan, 29. Makes into a soft fabric, as wool, 31. Mohawk culture, 33. Number of U.S. states starting with "B", 34. Mystic associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls, 36. Ghastly, 38. Certain lifelike sculpture … or what you might call 26-Down?, 40. Gather together, 42. They might be down for a ski trip, 46. Fill up, 47. Sullies, 49. Big name in water filters, 50. Where burnt offerings are placed, 52. ___ review, 54. War head?, 55. Ransacked, 57. Ones receiving free room and board, for short, 59. Bit of wit, 60. "The ___ of the Starfish" (1965 sequel to "A Wrinkle in Time"), 61. Illustrative example, 65. Coastal waterway, 66. Facing big trouble, 67. Coin with cherry blossoms on its front, 68. Juuuuuuust about done

Down Clues :

1. U.S. state capital with the highest altitude (7,200 feet), 2. XXX, in a way, 3. Goes (for), 4. Ghanaian author ___ Kwei Armah, 5. Napoleon's is found at Paris's Hôtel des Invalides, 6. Put on deck, 7. Polite gesture of acknowledgment, 8. Something indicated with the index and middle fingers, 9. Bore, 10. Analogous, 11. Begin a hole, 12. One whose hard work is showing?, 13. Skeptic's retort, 14. Lying face up, 22. World capital at roughly the same latitude as Montevideo, 24. Protein source in a hearty meal, 26. Cogsworth's compatriot in "Beauty and the Beast", 27. Bump in the road, 30. Clothing fastener, 32. Branded coffee pod, 35. Script directive, 37. Like most practitioners of Druzism, 39. Piece of a children's book, perhaps, 40. Burn unit?, 41. Hassock, by another name, 43. Sautéed-and-simmered Japanese dish, 44. Made harmonious, 45. Simply divine, 46. Pay, 48. Hit podcast beginning in 2014, 51. Gather some intel, 53. Passed in a flash, 56. Half of a noted arcade pair, 58. Go a few rounds, 62. Geographical feature sometimes named for a color, 63. Stray, 64. Chalcocyanite, for example

Break down the NYT Crosswords: November 29, 2024

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

New York Times, Friday, November 29, 2024

Across Clues with Answers:

• The clue is 1. "Never mind". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SCRATCHTHAT




• The clue is 12. Hosp. care providers. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RNS

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




• The clue is 15. Question that can't possibly be answered "No". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AREYOUAWAKE




• The clue is 16. Solid :: glace : liquid :: ___. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EAU




• The clue is 17. Bond theme song that won an Academy Award in 2022. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NOTIMETODIE




• The clue is 18. Fender product. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AMP

  Possible Answer : amp, AMP, adenosine_monophosphate, ampere, adenylic_acid, A




• The clue is 19. Water bottle confiscator, for short. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TSA

  Possible Answer : Transportation_Security_Administration, TSA




• The clue is 20. Merely. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BUT

  Possible Answer : simply, just, but, only, merely




• The clue is 21. Chemistry research centers?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NUCLEI

  Possible Answer : core, karyon, nucleus, core_group, lens_nucleus, cell_nucleus




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

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

  The answer: ASIS




• The clue is 25. Light lager variety, casually. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PILS




• The clue is 28. Anti-apartheid activist Alan. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PATON

  Possible Answer : Alan_Paton, Alan_Stewart_Paton, Paton




• The clue is 29. Makes into a soft fabric, as wool. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: FELTS

  Possible Answer : felt, mat, mat_up, felt_up, matte_up, matt-up, matte




• The clue is 31. Mohawk culture. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PUNK

  Possible Answer : spunk, crummy, touchwood, bum, punk_rock, cheap, sleazy, strong-armer, tinder, punk, hoodlum, chintzy, tinny, cheesy, goon, thug, punk_rocker, tough, kindling, toughie, hood




• The clue is 33. Number of U.S. states starting with "B". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NONE

  Possible Answer : none




• The clue is 34. Mystic associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ESSENE

  Possible Answer : Essene




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

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

  The answer: MACABRE

  Possible Answer : sick, ghastly, macabre, gruesome, grim, grisly




• The clue is 38. Certain lifelike sculpture … or what you might call 26-Down?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: WAXFIGURE




• The clue is 40. Gather together. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: COMPILE

  Possible Answer : accumulate, collect, compile, hoard, amass, compose, roll_up, pile_up




• The clue is 42. They might be down for a ski trip. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PARKAS

  Possible Answer : windcheater, anorak, parka, windbreaker




• The clue is 46. Fill up. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SATE

  Possible Answer : fill, sate, satiate, replete




• The clue is 47. Sullies. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TARS

  Possible Answer : pitch, sea_dog, seaman, mariner, Jack, Jack-tar, gob, old_salt, tar, seafarer




• The clue is 49. Big name in water filters. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BRITA




• The clue is 50. Where burnt offerings are placed. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ALTAR

  Possible Answer : communion_table, Lord's_table, altar




• The clue is 52. ___ review. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PEER

  Possible Answer : match, equal, peer, compeer




• The clue is 54. War head?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ANTI

  Possible Answer : anti

  Possible Opposite Answer : pro




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

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

  The answer: LOOTED

  Possible Answer : ransack, rifle, strip, pillage, plunder, foray, plundered, ransacked, looted, loot, despoil, reave, pillaged




• The clue is 57. Ones receiving free room and board, for short. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RAS

  Possible Answer : celestial_longitude, Re, RA, Ra, right_ascension, atomic_number_88, radium, reticular_activating_system, RAS




• The clue is 59. Bit of wit. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PUN

  Possible Answer : punning, pun, wordplay, paronomasia




• The clue is 60. "The ___ of the Starfish" (1965 sequel to "A Wrinkle in Time"). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARM

  Possible Answer : limb, arm, build_up, gird, subdivision, sleeve, branch, weapon_system, weapon, fortify

  Possible Opposite Answer : disarm




• The clue is 61. Illustrative example. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CASEINPOINT




• The clue is 65. Coastal waterway. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RIA




• The clue is 66. Facing big trouble. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OVERABARREL




• The clue is 67. Coin with cherry blossoms on its front. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: YEN

  Possible Answer : ache, hankering, languish, yen, yearn, pine




• The clue is 68. Juuuuuuust about done. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NEARLYREADY

Down Clues and Answers:

• The clue is 1. U.S. state capital with the highest altitude (7,200 feet). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SANTAFE

• The clue is 2. XXX, in a way. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CROSSES

  Possible Answer: hybridize, crosse, spoil, cover, sweep, hybridisation, frustrate, interbreed, intersect, bilk, queer, cut_through, scotch, hybridization, mark, thwart, get_across, crossbreeding, traverse, crown_of_thorns, foil, hybrid, interbreeding, span, crossbreed, track, get_over, crossing, pass_over, hybridise, cross, crisscross, hybridizing, cut_across, Cross, baffle

  Possible Opposite Answer : uncross

• The clue is 3. Goes (for). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RETAILS

  Possible Answer: retail

  Possible Opposite Answer : wholesale

• The clue is 4. Ghanaian author ___ Kwei Armah. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AYI

• The clue is 5. Napoleon's is found at Paris's Hôtel des Invalides. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TOMB

  Possible Answer: grave, tomb

• The clue is 6. Put on deck. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CUEUP

• The clue is 7. Polite gesture of acknowledgment. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HATTIP

• The clue is 8. Something indicated with the index and middle fingers. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TWO

  Possible Answer: ii, deuce, 2, II, two

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

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

  The answer: HAD

  Possible Answer: receive, suffer, own, let, give, have_got, take, experience, make, give_birth, deliver, stimulate, sustain, ingest, cause, hold, bear, possess, throw, consume, induce, accept, take_in, have, birth, get, feature

  Possible Opposite Answer : refuse, abstain, lack

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

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

  The answer: AKIN

  Possible Answer: cognate, kindred, consanguineal, blood-related, consanguineous, kin, akin, consanguine

• The clue is 11. Begin a hole. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TEEUP

• The clue is 12. One whose hard work is showing?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: REALTOR

  Possible Answer: Realtor

• The clue is 13. Skeptic's retort. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NAMEONE

• The clue is 14. Lying face up. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SUPINE

  Possible Answer: resupine, unresisting, resistless, supine

• The clue is 22. World capital at roughly the same latitude as Montevideo. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CANBERRA

  Possible Answer: Canberra, capital_of_Australia, Australian_capital

• The clue is 24. Protein source in a hearty meal. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: STEWMEAT

• The clue is 26. Cogsworth's compatriot in "Beauty and the Beast". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: LUMIERE

• The clue is 27. Bump in the road. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SNAG

  Possible Answer: rub, hang-up, rip, snag, hitch, rent, tear, split

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

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

  The answer: SNAP

  Possible Answer: snarl, lose_it, shoot, snap_bean, crack, press_stud, cracking, break_down, grab, snatch_up, snatch, ginger_snap, pushover, breeze, child's_play, walkover, ginger_nut, shot, snap, snapshot, duck_soup, catch, flick, cinch, piece_of_cake, elasticity, picnic, rupture, gingersnap, centering, bust, click, tear, snap_fastener, photograph

  Possible Opposite Answer : inelasticity

• The clue is 32. Branded coffee pod. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: KCUP

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

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

  The answer: EXIT

  Possible Answer: cash_in_one's_chips, get_out, pop_off, buy_the_farm, pass_away, give-up_the_ghost, departure, way_out, perish, go, loss, issue, exit, passing, go_out, croak, die, choke, drop_dead, release, conk, snuff_it, pass, expire, going, decease, outlet, leave, kick_the_bucket, expiration

  Possible Opposite Answer : enter, be_born

• The clue is 37. Like most practitioners of Druzism. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARAB

  Possible Answer: Arabian, Arab

• The clue is 39. Piece of a children's book, perhaps. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: FLAP

  Possible Answer: tizzy, dither, fluttering, roll, undulate, flaps, flutter, flap, wave, beat, fuss, flapping, pother

• The clue is 40. Burn unit?. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CALORIE

  Possible Answer: kilogram_calorie, small_calorie, large_calorie, Calorie, calorie, gram_calorie, kilocalorie, nutritionist's_calorie

• The clue is 41. Hassock, by another name. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OTTOMAN

  Possible Answer: Ottoman_Turk, pouf, tuffet, Ottoman, ottoman, pouffe, puff, hassock, footrest, Osmanli, Ottoman_dynasty, footstool

• The clue is 43. Sautéed-and-simmered Japanese dish. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: KINPIRA

• The clue is 44. Made harmonious. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ATTUNED

  Possible Answer: attune

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

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

  The answer: SAINTLY

  Possible Answer: saintly, sainted, saintlike, angelic, beatific, angelical

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

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

  The answer: SALARY

  Possible Answer: pay, wage, earnings, salary, remuneration

• The clue is 48. Hit podcast beginning in 2014. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SERIAL

  Possible Answer: serial, in_series, nonparallel, serial_publication, sequential, series, successive, consecutive, sequent

• The clue is 51. Gather some intel. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RECON

• The clue is 53. Passed in a flash. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RANBY

• The clue is 56. Half of a noted arcade pair. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DAVE

• The clue is 58. Go a few rounds. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SPAR

  Possible Answer: sparring, spar

• The clue is 62. Geographical feature sometimes named for a color. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SEA

  Possible Answer: sea, ocean

• The clue is 63. Stray. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ERR

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

• The clue is 64. Chalcocyanite, for example. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ORE

  Possible Answer: ore

Quick NYT Mini Crossword December 09, 2025 - Mobile-Friendly Solutions & Speed Tips

Today's NYT Mini Crossword December 09, 2025 - Complete Solutions with Smart Hints | 5-Minute Solve

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: November 23 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | August 13 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | December 20 2021 NYT Clues Solutions |

Jump To Section

• Puzzle Information
• Grid Layout
• Across Clues (10 total)
• Down Clues (10 total)
• How to Solve Faster
• Common Questions

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Tuesday, December 09, 2025

Puzzle Statistics

Detail	Information
Date	December 09, 2025
Grid Size	5 x 5 squares
Total Clues	20 clues
Across Clues	10 clues
Down Clues	10 clues
Average Solve Time	Under 1 minute

Today's NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern

	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Row 1
Row 2
Row 3
Row 4
Row 5

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

• Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
• Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
• Best time to play: During a coffee break
• Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List

Number	Clue
1 Across	55. Pre-digital TV screen tech
2 Across	50. "Here's my two cents, which might not amount to much ..."
3 Across	20. Unadulterated
4 Across	10. Livens (up)
5 Across	23. "These are merely my spur-of-the-moment suggestions ..."
6 Across	57. "Feel free to dismiss this idea — however ..."
7 Across	38. Singer/actress Lady ___
8 Across	30. Gossip, in slang
9 Across	56. Not close by
10 Across	49. Game with Skip and Reverse cards

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

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

• August 13 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• December 09 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 23 2019 NYT Clues Solutions

---

1 Across: "55. Pre-digital TV screen tech"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'C' and ends with 'T'
• This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal

CRT

---

2 Across: "50. "Here's my two cents, which might not amount to much ...""

Helpful hints:

• This word has 15 letters
• It starts with 'F' and ends with 'H'
• Word pattern: F_____________H

Answer:

Click to reveal

FORWHATITSWORTH

---

3 Across: "20. Unadulterated"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
• Word pattern: P__E

Answer:

Click to reveal

PURE

---

4 Across: "10. Livens (up)"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: P__S

Answer:

Click to reveal

PEPS

---

5 Across: "23. "These are merely my spur-of-the-moment suggestions ...""

Helpful hints:

• This word has 15 letters
• It starts with 'J' and ends with 'G'
• Word pattern: J_____________G

Answer:

Click to reveal

JUSTSPITBALLING

---

6 Across: "57. "Feel free to dismiss this idea — however ...""

Helpful hints:

• This word has 15 letters
• It starts with 'O' and ends with 'T'
• Word pattern: O_____________T

Answer:

Click to reveal

ONLYATHOUGHTBUT

---

7 Across: "38. Singer/actress Lady ___"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'G' and ends with 'A'
• Word pattern: G__A

Answer:

Click to reveal

GAGA

---

8 Across: "30. Gossip, in slang"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'T' and ends with 'A'
• Another word like this: teatime

Answer:

Click to reveal

TEA

---

9 Across: "56. Not close by"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
• Word pattern: A__R

Answer:

Click to reveal

AFAR

---

10 Across: "49. Game with Skip and Reverse cards"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'U' and ends with 'O'
• This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal

UNO

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List

Number	Clue
1 Down	11. Professor ___ (title for some retirees)
2 Down	26. Part of L.G.B.T.Q.+
3 Down	9. Org. that oversees air quality initiatives
4 Down	40. Silverback, for one
5 Down	18. Cover letter accompaniment
6 Down	1. Computing pioneer Lovelace
7 Down	3. Neutralized, as an explosive situation
8 Down	25. Pigmented rings
9 Down	12. Light lager
10 Down	51. With a wink, say

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:

• NYT Crossword Across September 13 2025
• November 23 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 12 2021 NYT Clues Solutions

---

1 Down: "11. Professor ___ (title for some retirees)"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 7 letters
• It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
• Word pattern: E_____A

Answer:

Click to reveal

EMERITA

---

2 Down: "26. Part of L.G.B.T.Q.+"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'G' and ends with 'Y'
• Another word like this: jovial

Answer:

Click to reveal

GAY

---

3 Down: "9. Org. that oversees air quality initiatives"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
• This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal

EPA

---

4 Down: "40. Silverback, for one"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 7 letters
• It starts with 'G' and ends with 'A'
• Word pattern: G_____A

Answer:

Click to reveal

GORILLA

---

5 Down: "18. Cover letter accompaniment"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 6 letters
• It starts with 'R' and ends with 'E'
• Word pattern: R____E

Answer:

Click to reveal

RESUME

---

6 Down: "1. Computing pioneer Lovelace"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
• This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal

ADA

---

7 Down: "3. Neutralized, as an explosive situation"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 7 letters
• It starts with 'D' and ends with 'D'
• Word pattern: D_____D

Answer:

Click to reveal

DEFUSED

---

8 Down: "25. Pigmented rings"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 7 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: A_____S

Answer:

Click to reveal

AREOLAS

---

9 Down: "12. Light lager"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 7 letters
• It starts with 'P' and ends with 'R'
• Word pattern: P_____R

Answer:

Click to reveal

PILSNER

---

10 Down: "51. With a wink, say"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'W' and ends with 'Y'
• Word pattern: W___Y

Answer:

Click to reveal

WRYLY

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

• The letter E is the most common in English
• Words ending in S are often plurals
• If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
• Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time	Skill Level	What It Means
Under 30 seconds	Expert	You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds	Advanced	Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes	Good	You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes	Learning	You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers

Total Clues:	20 clues to solve
Grid Size:	5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares:	25 squares to fill
Average Time:	Most people solve in 52 seconds
Difficulty:	Medium

More Puzzle Help

If you like the NYT Mini, you might enjoy these other puzzles too:

Recent Crossword Solutions:

• March 18 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 31 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• NYT Down Today October 07 2025 Complete
• August 22 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 12 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• May 14 2020 NYT Clues Solutions

Common Questions About NYT Mini Crossword

When can I play the NYT Mini?

The puzzle comes out at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before. So you can play Monday's puzzle starting Sunday at 10 PM.

How fast should I be able to solve it?

Most people solve the Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play?

No! The NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Mini solver?

Good Mini solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder on certain days?

Unlike the big NYT crossword, the Mini stays about the same difficulty every day. Sometimes Saturday might be a tiny bit harder.

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About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 09, 2025 at 04:02 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini, Mini crossword, today, answers, hints, December 09 2025 mini crossword

XWordHint Crossword Answers December 09, 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 (37 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (39 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. Goes on to say	4
2A	5. San Diego baseballer	5
3A	10. Livens (up)	4
4A	14. Termites, for an aardwolf	4
5A	15. Cup-shaped flower	5
6A	16. Give off	4
7A	17. "Judging from the information available to me ..."	15
8A	20. Unadulterated	4
9A	21. San Francisco-to-Santa Cruz dir.	3
10A	22. Propellers of a shell	4
11A	23. "These are merely my spur-of-the-moment suggestions ..."	15
12A	27. Gobbled up	3
13A	28. Abu Dhabi's country, for short	3
14A	29. Notable time period	3
15A	30. Gossip, in slang	3
16A	31. Accurse	6
17A	33. 33-Down, across the Atlantic	3
18A	34. "Oh, ___!" (hit Broadway farce about Mrs. Lincoln)	4
19A	35. Verdant privacy features ... or a punny description of the four longest answers in this puzzle	9
20A	38. Singer/actress Lady ___	4
21A	41. Historical	3
22A	42. Got a good reaction, as a joke	6
23A	46. Equal: Prefix	3
24A	47. Swim-bike-run race, for short	3
25A	48. Sound from someone sitting down at the end of a long day	3
26A	49. Game with Skip and Reverse cards	3
27A	50. "Here's my two cents, which might not amount to much ..."	15
28A	54. "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a ___" (old maxim)	4
29A	55. Pre-digital TV screen tech	3
30A	56. Not close by	4
31A	57. "Feel free to dismiss this idea — however ..."	15
32A	61. Survey	4
33A	62. Temporary tattoo dye	5
34A	63. "Frozen" character who sings "Let It Go"	4
35A	64. Influence	4
36A	65. Burros	5
37A	66. Pair in a water polo pool	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Goes on to say"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
• Similar words include: ADD, append, tot
• Opposite of: subtract, take away

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. San Diego baseballer"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a chaplain in one of the military services
• Similar words include: military chaplain, sky pilot, Father
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PADRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Livens (up)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that liveliness and energy
• Similar words include: ginger, pep, peppiness
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PEPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Termites, for an aardwolf"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a prescribed selection of foods
• Similar words include: dieting
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DIET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Cup-shaped flower"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of numerous perennial bulbous herbs having linear or broadly lanceolate leaves and usually a single showy flower
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TULIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Give off"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that expel (gases or odors)
• Similar words include: breathe, pass off, utter
• Opposite of: absorb

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. "Judging from the information available to me ...""

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASFARASICANTELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Unadulterated"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that free of extraneous elements of any kind
• Similar words include: double-dyed, virginal, gross
• Opposite of: unsaturated, impure

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PURE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. San Francisco-to-Santa Cruz dir."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the compass point midway between south and southeast
• Similar words include: sou'-sou'-east, south southeast
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Propellers of a shell"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an implement used to propel or steer a boat
• Similar words include: oar
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. "These are merely my spur-of-the-moment suggestions ...""

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JUSTSPITBALLING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "27. Gobbled up"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
• Similar words include: eat, eat on, wipe out
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Abu Dhabi's country, for short"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UAE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Notable time period"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Gossip, in slang"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
• Similar words include: tea leaf, afternoon tea, teatime
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Accurse"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that wish harm upon; invoke evil upon
• Similar words include: damn, beshrew, anathemize
• Opposite of: bless

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEDAMN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. 33-Down, across the Atlantic"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the 26th letter of the roman alphabet
• Similar words include: zed, z, Z
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ZEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. "Oh, ___!" (hit Broadway farce about Mrs. Lincoln)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the mother of jesus; christians refer to her as the virgin mary; she is especially honored by roman catholics
• Similar words include: The Virgin, Madonna, Blessed Virgin
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MARY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. Verdant privacy features ... or a punny description of the four longest answers in this puzzle"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
• Similar words include: hedgerow, hedge
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HEDGEROWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Singer/actress Lady ___"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that mentally or physically infirm with age
• Similar words include: dotty, doddering, senile
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Historical"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that past times (especially in the phrase `in days of old')
• Similar words include: one-time, honest-to-god, erstwhile
• Opposite of: young, new

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Got a good reaction, as a joke"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that reach or come to rest
• Similar words include: shoot down, put down, set down
• Opposite of: landless

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LANDED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Equal: Prefix"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Swim-bike-run race, for short"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "48. Sound from someone sitting down at the end of a long day"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
• Similar words include: ooh
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Game with Skip and Reverse cards"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "50. "Here's my two cents, which might not amount to much ...""

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FORWHATITSWORTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a ___" (old maxim)"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the event of something burning (often destructive)
• Similar words include: burn, sack, flame
• Opposite of: hire

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Pre-digital TV screen tech"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a vacuum tube in which a hot cathode emits a beam of electrons that pass through a high voltage anode and are focused or deflected before hitting a phosphorescent screen
• Similar words include: cathode-ray tube
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CRT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Not close by"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AFAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. "Feel free to dismiss this idea — however ...""

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONLYATHOUGHTBUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "61. Survey"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
• Similar words include: canvas, canvass, pollard
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POLL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. Temporary tattoo dye"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a reddish brown dye used especially on hair
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HENNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "63. "Frozen" character who sings "Let It Go""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. Influence"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that controlling influence
• Similar words include: shake, persuade, careen
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SWAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "65. Burros"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Similar words include: hindquarters, tail end, tush
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "66. Pair in a water polo pool"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the tcp/ip network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
• Similar words include: cyberspace, sack, lucre
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Computing pioneer Lovelace	3
2D	2. Argue	7
3D	3. Neutralized, as an explosive situation	7
4D	4. Launch	5
5D	5. Org. in charge of school fund-raisers	3
6D	6. One who might ask "Fair dinkum?"	6
7D	7. Like some minor celebrities	5
8D	8. Asahi Super Dry or Kirin Lager	8
9D	9. Org. that oversees air quality initiatives	3
10D	10. Bit in a round of "He loves me, he loves me not"	5
11D	11. Professor ___ (title for some retirees)	7
12D	12. Light lager	7
13D	13. The Cards, on scoreboards	3
14D	18. Cover letter accompaniment	6
15D	19. Mardi Gras city, informally	4
16D	23. Poke	3
17D	24. Music app named for a figure in Greek myth	7
18D	25. Pigmented rings	7
19D	26. Part of L.G.B.T.Q.+	3
20D	32. "By Jove, that's it!"	3
21D	33. 33-Across, across the Atlantic	3
22D	34. Web portal launched with Windows 95	3
23D	36. Malfunctions in the Matrix, in "The Matrix"	8
24D	37. Sound of a sad trombone	6
25D	38. Many an animated meme loop	3
26D	39. To date	7
27D	40. Silverback, for one	7
28D	43. Built to last	7
29D	44. Give for safekeeping	7
30D	45. "How stupid of me!"	3
31D	47. "Edie & ___: A Very Long Engagement" (2009 documentary)	4
32D	48. Bring into harmony	6
33D	51. With a wink, say	5
34D	52. Smooths (out)	5
35D	53. On a regular basis	5
36D	57. Special ___	3
37D	58. "J to ___ L-O! The Remixes" (2002 Jennifer Lopez album)	3
38D	59. One of the four fundamental states of matter	3
39D	60. Some Ph.D. students	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Computing pioneer Lovelace"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an enzyme found in mammals that can catalyze the deamination of adenosine into inosine and ammonia
• Similar words include: adenosine deaminase
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Argue"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a disagreement or argument about something important
• Similar words include: quarrel, gainsay, difference
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DISPUTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Neutralized, as an explosive situation"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that remove the triggering device from
• Similar words include: defuse
• Opposite of: fuse

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEFUSED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Launch"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the beginning of anything
• Similar words include: originate, scratch line, come out
• Opposite of: finish, end

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: START

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Org. in charge of school fund-raisers"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. One who might ask "Fair dinkum?""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a native or inhabitant of australia
• Similar words include: Australian
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AUSSIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Like some minor celebrities"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DLIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Asahi Super Dry or Kirin Lager"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RICEBEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Org. that oversees air quality initiatives"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment
• Similar words include: Environmental Protection Agency
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Bit in a round of "He loves me, he loves me not""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that part of the perianth that is usually brightly colored
• Similar words include: flower petal
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PETAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Professor ___ (title for some retirees)"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMERITA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Light lager"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a pale lager with strong flavor of hops; first brewed in the bohemian town of pilsen
• Similar words include: Pilsener
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PILSNER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. The Cards, on scoreboards"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Cover letter accompaniment"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that short descriptive summary (of events)
• Similar words include: summarize, re-start, sum up
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RESUME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Mardi Gras city, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Poke"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
• Similar words include: jabbing, dig, thrust
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: JAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Music app named for a figure in Greek myth"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (greek mythology) the first woman; created by hephaestus on orders from zeus who presented her to epimetheus along with a box filled with evils
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PANDORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Pigmented rings"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that small space in a tissue or body part such as the area between veins on a leaf or an insect's wing
• Similar words include: ring of color, areola
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AREOLAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. Part of L.G.B.T.Q.+"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that someone who practices homosexuality; having a sexual attraction to persons of the same sex
• Similar words include: homophile, jovial, sunny
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. "By Jove, that's it!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. 33-Across, across the Atlantic"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the 26th letter of the roman alphabet
• Similar words include: zee, z, Z
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ZED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Web portal launched with Windows 95"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MSN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Malfunctions in the Matrix, in "The Matrix""

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a fault or defect in a computer program, system, or machine
• Similar words include: glitch, bug
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GLITCHES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Sound of a sad trombone"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WAHWAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Many an animated meme loop"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GIF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. To date"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASOFNOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Silverback, for one"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that largest anthropoid ape; terrestrial and vegetarian; of forests of central west africa
• Similar words include: Gorilla gorilla
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GORILLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Built to last"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that existing for a long time
• Similar words include: perdurable, long-wearing, lasting
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DURABLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Give for safekeeping"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that confer a trust upon
• Similar words include: trust, commit, intrust
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENTRUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. "How stupid of me!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the syllable naming the first (tonic) note of any major scale in solmization
• Similar words include: do, ut
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. "Edie & ___: A Very Long Engagement" (2009 documentary)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (greek mythology) the titaness who was mother of helios and selene and eos in ancient mythology
• Similar words include: Theia
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THEA

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32D: "48. Bring into harmony"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that adjust or accustom to; bring into harmony with
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATTUNE

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33D: "51. With a wink, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that in a wry manner
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WRYLY

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34D: "52. Smooths (out)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that metal shackles; for hands or legs
• Similar words include: chains, branding iron, iron
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRONS

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35D: "53. On a regular basis"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that many times at short intervals
• Similar words include: oftentimes, frequently, much
• Opposite of: rarely, infrequently

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OFTEN

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36D: "57. Special ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (roman mythology) goddess of abundance and fertility; wife of saturn; counterpart of greek rhea and cybele of ancient asia minor
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OPS

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37D: "58. "J to ___ L-O! The Remixes" (2002 Jennifer Lopez album)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THA

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38D: "59. One of the four fundamental states of matter"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity; relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature; the ability to diffuse readily; and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container
• Similar words include: accelerator, tout, boast
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAS

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39D: "60. Some Ph.D. students"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a hard grey lustrous metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion; occurs in niobite and fergusonite and tantalite
• Similar words include: atomic number 73, tantalum, Ta
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TAS

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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

37 Across Clues

39 Down Clues

76 Total Clues

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Last updated: December 09, 2025 at 04:02 AM