September 29, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (35 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, September 29, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 70 (35 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.4 letters

September 29, 2023 Friday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Spreads concern?	4
2A	5. God who rides the eight-legged horse Sleipnir	4
3A	9. Tube feature, with "the"	3
4A	12. Illegal product that's still made?	9
5A	14. Write some letters	5
6A	16. "Seems like a bad idea …"	9
7A	17. Baked, in Italian	5
8A	18. Word with bubble or high	3
9A	19. Contacts data: Abbr.	3
10A	20. Brand of ranch dressing?	7
11A	22. Obsolescent kind of drive	5
12A	24. Finish with	5
13A	25. Far from home, say	6
14A	28. Author who wrote "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance"	6
15A	30. Thin	5
16A	31. May to November, in Central America	9
17A	34. Checkout choices	5
18A	35. Need to pay	3
19A	36. QB rushers, collectively	5
20A	37. Does a better job than at making points	9
21A	39. Gives up	5
22A	40. Clouds	6
23A	41. Light touch	6
24A	42. Moves a little	5
25A	43. ___ Day of Visibility (March 31 observance)	5
26A	45. Piece of the pie	7
27A	47. Put on	3
28A	48. ___ Coleman, principal on "Abbott Elementary"	3
29A	51. Protagonist in a long-running Phyllis Reynolds Naylor book series	5
30A	52. Person who might sweep a board game off a table	9
31A	55. About 20 million people in India	5
32A	56. Close associates to be wary of	9
33A	57. Flattering lines	3
34A	58. Growth that may be treated with salicylic acid	4
35A	59. Be wide open	4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. Spreads concern?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
• Words that mean the same thing: betting odds
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. God who rides the eight-legged horse Sleipnir"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (norse mythology) ruler of the aesir; supreme god of war and poetry and knowledge and wisdom (for which he gave an eye) and husband of frigg; identified with the teutonic wotan
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Tube feature, with "the""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
• Words that mean the same thing: opening, breach, break
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "12. Illegal product that's still made?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the light of the moon
• Words that mean the same thing: moonlight, bootleg, corn liquor
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MOONSHINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "14. Write some letters"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
• Words that mean the same thing: trance, patch, enchantment
• The opposite would be: unspell
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPELL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. "Seems like a bad idea …""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ISHOULDNT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Baked, in Italian"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: COTTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Word with bubble or high"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
• Words that mean the same thing: afternoon tea, Camellia sinensis, tea leaf
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Contacts data: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known
• Words that mean the same thing: nobelium, no, atomic number 102
• The opposite would be: yes
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. Brand of ranch dressing?"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a hat made of felt with a creased crown
• Words that mean the same thing: felt hat, homburg, trilby
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STETSON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Obsolescent kind of drive"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CDROM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Finish with"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ENDIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Far from home, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that in a foreign country
• Words that mean the same thing: overseas, afield
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ABROAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "28. Author who wrote "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that english novelist noted for her insightful portrayals of middle-class families (1775-1817)
• Words that mean the same thing: Jane Austen
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AUSTEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "30. Thin"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: REEDY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "31. May to November, in Central America"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WETSEASON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "34. Checkout choices"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a narrow way or road
• Words that mean the same thing: lane
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LANES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "35. Need to pay"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that be obliged to pay or repay
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OWE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "36. QB rushers, collectively"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DLINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "37. Does a better job than at making points"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that score more points than one's opponents
• Words that mean the same thing: outscore, outpoint
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OUTSCORES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "39. Gives up"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
• Words that mean the same thing: yield, deliver, give up
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CEDES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "40. Clouds"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a moving crowd
• Words that mean the same thing: pullulate, swarm, cloud
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SWARMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "41. Light touch"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)
• Words that mean the same thing: fondle
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CARESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "42. Moves a little"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event
• Words that mean the same thing: fuss, raise, flurry
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STIRS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "43. ___ Day of Visibility (March 31 observance)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TRANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "45. Piece of the pie"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that something determined in relation to something that includes it
• Words that mean the same thing: assign, component, circumstances
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PORTION

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "47. Put on"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
• Words that mean the same thing: lend, tot up, supply
• The opposite would be: subtract, take away
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "48. ___ Coleman, principal on "Abbott Elementary""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AVA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "51. Protagonist in a long-running Phyllis Reynolds Naylor book series"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "52. Person who might sweep a board game off a table"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SORELOSER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "55. About 20 million people in India"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an adherent of sikhism
• Words that mean the same thing: Sikh
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SIKHS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "56. Close associates to be wary of"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FRENEMIES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "57. Flattering lines"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "58. Growth that may be treated with salicylic acid"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any small rounded protuberance (as on certain plants or animals)
• Words that mean the same thing: verruca
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "59. Be wide open"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an expression of openmouthed astonishment
• Words that mean the same thing: yaw, yawn, gawk
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GAPE

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Friday Crossword Down Clues - September 29, 2023 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Cut	4
2D	2. One pill, perhaps	4
3D	3. World capital whose Museum of Islamic Art was designed by I. M. Pei	4
4D	4. ___ Balls	3
5D	5. "Goodness …"	6
6D	6. Claim in a squabble	5
7D	7. Lodge	3
8D	8. N.B.A. team originally based in New Jersey	4
9D	9. Seeks shelter	10
10D	10. ___ B. Parker, Democratic candidate for president in 1904	5
11D	11. Blueprint	4
12D	13. Feeling of dread before the start of the workweek, in slang	13
13D	14. Source of a burning odor?	13
14D	15. Blunt salespeople	10
15D	21. Model Holliday	4
16D	22. Go into one's "phone voice," say	10
17D	23. Who said "Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before"	7
18D	25. "___ and Janis" (comic strip)	4
19D	26. Suitor	4
20D	27. Form of protest for tenants	10
21D	29. Great Basin people	4
22D	31. Creepy-crawly	4
23D	32. Singles	4
24D	33. "Queer Eye" co-star Jonathan Van ___	4
25D	38. Approximately	4
26D	41. Having rhythm	6
27D	42. Cube, e.g.	5
28D	44. Like AB- vis-à-vis other blood types	5
29D	45. El ___	4
30D	46. Office warning letters	4
31D	48. Birthplace of the world's major religions	4
32D	49. Second-in-command, informally	4
33D	50. Bum	4
34D	53. Italian time unit	3
35D	54. [!!!]	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. Cut"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that prevent from being included or considered or accepted
• Words that mean the same thing: overleap, overlook, exclude
• The opposite would be: include, attend to
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OMIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. One pill, perhaps"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a measured portion of medicine taken at any one time
• Words that mean the same thing: sexually transmitted disease, Zen, Lucy in the sky with diamonds
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DOSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. World capital whose Museum of Islamic Art was designed by I. M. Pei"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the capital and chief port of qatar
• Words that mean the same thing: El Beda, Bida, capital of Qatar
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DOHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. ___ Balls"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. "Goodness …""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OHLORD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Claim in a squabble"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DIDSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Lodge"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
• Words that mean the same thing: auberge, hostelry, hostel
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. N.B.A. team originally based in New Jersey"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be 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
• Words that mean the same thing: network, clear, meshwork
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Seeks shelter"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: GETSINSIDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. ___ B. Parker, Democratic candidate for president in 1904"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALTON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Blueprint"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
• Words that mean the same thing: program, programme, be after
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PLAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "13. Feeling of dread before the start of the workweek, in slang"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SUNDAYSCARIES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. Source of a burning odor?"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SCENTEDCANDLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "15. Blunt salespeople"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: POTDEALERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Model Holliday"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Go into one's "phone voice," say"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CODESWITCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "23. Who said "Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MAEWEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. "___ and Janis" (comic strip)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ARLO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. Suitor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a man who is the lover of a girl or young woman
• Words that mean the same thing: fop, dandy, fellow
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEAU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. Form of protest for tenants"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RENTSTRIKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "29. Great Basin people"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of the shoshonean people of utah and colorado and new mexico
• Words that mean the same thing: Ute
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UTES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. Creepy-crawly"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla annelida and chaetognatha and nematoda and nemertea and platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae
• Words that mean the same thing: insect, wriggle, twist
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WORM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "32. Singles"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Words that mean the same thing: unity, I, single
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ONES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "33. "Queer Eye" co-star Jonathan Van ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a strip of land projecting into a body of water
• Words that mean the same thing: cape
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. Approximately"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ORSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "41. Having rhythm"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that marked by a rhythmical cadence
• Words that mean the same thing: cadenced
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CADENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Cube, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that matter that is solid at room temperature and pressure
• Words that mean the same thing: solidness, satisfying, unanimous
• The opposite would be: liquid, hollow
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOLID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Like AB- vis-à-vis other blood types"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
• Words that mean the same thing: rare, rarefied, uncommon
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RARER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "45. El ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PASO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Office warning letters"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NSFW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "48. Birthplace of the world's major religions"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "49. Second-in-command, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: VEEP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "50. Bum"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Words that mean the same thing: hind end, rear, asshole
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. Italian time unit"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
• Words that mean the same thing: oculus sinister, atomic number 76, OS
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "54. [!!!]"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OMG

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	50	71.4%
Short Answer	9	12.9%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	4.3%
Sports	2	2.9%
History	2	2.9%
Abbreviation	1	1.4%
Science/Technology	1	1.4%
Literature	1	1.4%
Geography	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	35
Total Clues	70
Average Answer Length	5.4 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	13 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: August 30, 2025 at 01:39 PM

XWordHint Crossword Answers November 28, 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 (33 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (35 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Pension alternatives, for short	4
2A	5. Hustle	4
3A	9. "Odds are ..."	5
4A	14. Drive around the office?	9
5A	16. Actress Watts of "Mulholland Drive"	5
6A	17. Bahamians and Bahrainis	9
7A	18. Speedboat's speed	5
8A	19. Fake account	3
9A	20. Dead ends?	4
10A	21. James in the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame	4
11A	22. Piano études, essentially	7
12A	24. Not above	7
13A	27. Trusty	12
14A	29. Alternative to a fingerprint, maybe	8
15A	30. Golfer McIlroy, the first European male to achieve a career Grand Slam	4
16A	31. Actress ___ Marsay of Disney+'s "Andor"	4
17A	32. The Jazz, on sports tickers	3
18A	33. Coming ___	4
19A	34. Small band	4
20A	35. Jazz pianist with a memorable recording of "Tea for Two"	8
21A	37. Plant eater?	12
22A	39. What the British call people who make crosswords	7
23A	40. Prepared statement?	7
24A	44. One-named rock idol who was born Paul David Hewson	4
25A	45. Locking horns	4
26A	46. Guess alternative	3
27A	47. Vegges out	5
28A	49. Restaurant sommelier's offering	9
29A	51. Foundational skateboard trick	5
30A	52. Doesn't exactly ham it up	9
31A	53. Sings (out)	5
32A	54. Stereotypical eye-roller	4
33A	55. Informal get-together	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Pension alternatives, for short"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a militant organization of irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive british forces from northern ireland and achieve a united independent ireland
• Similar words include: individual retirement account, ire, wrath
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Hustle"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a fraudulent business scheme
• Similar words include: nobble, goldbrick, swindle
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. "Odds are ...""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IDBET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Drive around the office?"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WORKETHIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Actress Watts of "Mulholland Drive""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the mother-in-law of ruth whose story is told in the book of ruth in the old testament
• Similar words include: Noemi
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAOMI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Bahamians and Bahrainis"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an inhabitant of an island
• Similar words include: islander, island-dweller
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISLANDERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Speedboat's speed"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a tight cluster of people or things
• Similar words include: nautical mile, slub, greyback
• Opposite of: unknot, unravel

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KNOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Fake account"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
• Similar words include: dwell, consist, lie down
• Opposite of: arise, stand

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Dead ends?"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. James in the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (`rick' and `wrick' are british)
• Similar words include: haystack, wrench, hayrick
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RICK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Piano études, essentially"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of instruction
• Similar words include: deterrent example, object lesson, moral
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LESSONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Not above"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that in or to a place that is lower
• Similar words include: at a lower place, below, to a lower place
• Opposite of: above

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BENEATH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Trusty"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRIEDANDTRUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Alternative to a fingerprint, maybe"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PASSCODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Golfer McIlroy, the first European male to achieve a career Grand Slam"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RORY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Actress ___ Marsay of Disney+'s "Andor""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FAYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. The Jazz, on sports tickers"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a reptile genus of iguanidae
• Similar words include: genus Uta
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Coming ___"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that in the near future
• Similar words include: before long, shortly, presently
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Small band"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
• Similar words include: terzetto, trey, triad
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Jazz pianist with a memorable recording of "Tea for Two""

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARTTATUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "37. Plant eater?"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VENUSFLYTRAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. What the British call people who make crosswords"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one who sets written material into type
• Similar words include: compositor, typesetter, setter
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SETTERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "40. Prepared statement?"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMREADY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. One-named rock idol who was born Paul David Hewson"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BONO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "45. Locking horns"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "46. Guess alternative"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in america (born in 1957)
• Similar words include: Lee Yuen Kam, Robert E. Lee, lee side
• Opposite of: windward

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Vegges out"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a shaped mass of baked bread that is usually sliced before eating
• Similar words include: frig around, lounge around, lounge about
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOAFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "49. Restaurant sommelier's offering"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOUSEWINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. Foundational skateboard trick"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLLIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "52. Doesn't exactly ham it up"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that act (a role) with great restraint
• Similar words include: underact, underplay
• Opposite of: overact

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UNDERACTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "53. Sings (out)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
• Similar words include: whack, belt ammunition, belt out
• Opposite of: unbelt

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BELTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "54. Stereotypical eye-roller"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity
• Similar words include: teenaged, teenager, teenage
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "55. Informal get-together"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SESH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Words of affirmation	5
2D	2. Sam's wife in "The Lord of the Rings"	5
3D	3. Setting of the 1888 painting "Café Terrace at Night"	5
4D	4. Genre for Toots and the Maytals	3
5D	5. Bishop for whom a neighborhood in Paris is named	7
6D	6. Junk food that, ironically, has an exercise in its name	11
7D	7. Runs	4
8D	8. Rap figures, for short	3
9D	9. Similarly	6
10D	10. Flash mob group, perhaps	11
11D	11. Decide where to stay	9
12D	12. One wearing the Star of Life emblem, for short	3
13D	13. "Quite so"	3
14D	15. Back in the race?	7
15D	21. French name meaning "born again"	4
16D	23. "Mind your own beeswax!"	11
17D	24. It's not constructive	11
18D	25. Game division	4
19D	26. "I saw that!"	3
20D	28. Eccentric	5
21D	29. Colorful capsule that splatters	9
22D	31. Like samples	4
23D	33. Appetizer	7
24D	34. Anchors might be seen on them	3
25D	35. ___-Latino	4
26D	36. Funny Fred	7
27D	38. Picks up	6
28D	41. Literary protagonist who "generally gave herself very good advice (though she very seldom followed it)"	5
29D	42. Some hailstone "souvenirs"	5
30D	43. "Oof, sounds terrible!"	5
31D	45. Top-tier	4
32D	47. Softball question	3
33D	48. José ___ (Mexican food brand)	3
34D	49. Humble dwelling	3
35D	50. Served as	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Words of affirmation"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IWILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Sam's wife in "The Lord of the Rings""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROSIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Setting of the 1888 painting "Café Terrace at Night""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that money given by a buyer to a seller to bind a contract
• Similar words include: earnest money
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Genre for Toots and the Maytals"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SKA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Bishop for whom a neighborhood in Paris is named"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STDENIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Junk food that, ironically, has an exercise in its name"

11 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHEESECURLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Runs"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that affected manners intended to impress others
• Similar words include: melodic phrase, pose, broadcast
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AIRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Rap figures, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one million periods per second
• Similar words include: Mc, MHz, megahertz
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MCS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Similarly"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INKIND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Flash mob group, perhaps"

11 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DANCETROUPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Decide where to stay"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BOOKAROOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. One wearing the Star of Life emblem, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "Quite so""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
• Similar words include: Ti, ti, Cordyline terminalis
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Back in the race?"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that be behind; approve of
• Similar words include: certify, support, indorse
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENDORSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. French name meaning "born again""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. "Mind your own beeswax!""

11 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STAYOUTOFIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. It's not constructive"

11 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BADATTITUDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "25. Game division"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a circular segment of a curve
• Similar words include: change state, tour, ferment
• Opposite of: unbend

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TURN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "26. "I saw that!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. Eccentric"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
• Similar words include: nuts, balmy, crackers
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOTTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "29. Colorful capsule that splatters"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a capsule filled with water-soluble dye used as a projectile in playing the game of paintball
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAINTBALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. Like samples"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that people who are free
• Similar words include: absolve, spare, resign
• Opposite of: bound, obstruct

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Appetizer"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an electric motor for starting an engine
• Similar words include: starting motor, newbie, starter motor
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STARTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "34. Anchors might be seen on them"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that broadcasting visual images of stationary or moving objects; ; - ernie kovacs
• Similar words include: television, telecasting, television set
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TVS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "35. ___-Latino"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a rounded thickly curled hairdo
• Similar words include: Afro hairdo
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AFRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "36. Funny Fred"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARMISEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "38. Picks up"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a general conscious awareness
• Similar words include: smell out, good sense, grass
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SENSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Literary protagonist who "generally gave herself very good advice (though she very seldom followed it)""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "42. Some hailstone "souvenirs""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an appreciable consequence (especially a lessening)
• Similar words include: slit, indent, dent
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DENTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "43. "Oof, sounds terrible!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEESH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "45. Top-tier"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "47. Softball question"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an easy return of a tennis ball in a high arc
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "48. José ___ (Mexican food brand)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "49. Humble dwelling"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that temporary military shelter
• Similar words include: army hut, shanty, hovel
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "50. Served as"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a state in northwestern united states on the pacific
• Similar words include: make up, live, comprise
• Opposite of: differ

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

33 Across Clues

35 Down Clues

68 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

• Complete NYT Crossword Archive
• Advanced Solving Techniques
• Common Crossword Words

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

Last updated: November 28, 2025 at 03:56 AM