December 29, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (37 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, December 29, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (35 Across, 37 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.3 letters

Across Clues Explained - Friday NYT Crossword December 29, 2023

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Has balance issues	4
2A	5. Actress Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie"	4
3A	9. Soapstone mineral	4
4A	13. Contempt	5
5A	14. "Seriously? I guess I'm the only remaining holdout then"	9
6A	16. Sierra follower	5
7A	17. Tacky item in a kindergarten classroom	9
8A	18. What one might hope for in a tight spot	9
9A	20. Pie accompaniment?	5
10A	21. Approach	3
11A	22. Signal for a change in direction?	3
12A	23. Tour group, in brief	3
13A	25. Descendents of Abraham and Ishmael	5
14A	27. Part of Cruella de Vil's get-up	7
15A	32. ___ Planet (travel guidebook series)	6
16A	34. Theme of Adele's "Someone Like You"	8
17A	35. Many a Coral Sea island	5
18A	36. Something in a gondola's forcola	3
19A	37. Mists	5
20A	38. "For real!"	8
21A	40. Remove surgically	6
22A	41. Word on a common bumper sticker	7
23A	42. Sounds of relief	5
24A	43. Calculation that might include calculus, for short	3
25A	44. Mo. when Paul Revere rode	3
26A	45. Role in "Evita"	3
27A	48. Like the Gwyndodeg and Powyseg dialects	5
28A	52. Term largely replaced by "Zoom"	9
29A	55. "No problem at all"	9
30A	57. View from the Trans-Siberian Railway	5
31A	58. Tex-Mex condiment	9
32A	59. Like some parsley and kale	5
33A	60. Air quality index factor	4
34A	61. Casualty of a 1917 revolution	4
35A	62. Fixes a border, in a way	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. Has balance issues"

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 be obliged to pay or repay
• Words that mean the same thing: owe
• 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: OWES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Actress Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ISSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Soapstone mineral"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a fine grained mineral having a soft soapy feel and consisting of hydrated magnesium silicate; used in a variety of products including talcum powder
• Words that mean the same thing: talcum
• 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: TALC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. Contempt"

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 lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
• Words that mean the same thing: spurn, contempt, despite
• 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: SCORN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "14. "Seriously? I guess I'm the only remaining holdout then""

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: NOTYOUTOO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Sierra follower"

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 ballroom dance of latin-american origin
• 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: TANGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Tacky item in a kindergarten classroom"

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: GLUESTICK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. What one might hope for in a tight spot"

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: ELBOWROOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Pie accompaniment?"

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: CUTIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Approach"

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 how something is done or how it happens
• Words that mean the same thing: path, direction, agency
• 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: WAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Signal for a change in direction?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that and nothing more
• Words that mean the same thing: only, merely, just
• 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: BUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. Tour group, in brief"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Descendents of Abraham and Ishmael"

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 member of a semitic people originally from the arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks arabic and who inhabits much of the middle east and northern africa
• Words that mean the same thing: Arabian, Arab
• 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: ARABS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Part of Cruella de Vil's get-up"

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: FURCOAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "32. ___ Planet (travel guidebook series)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that lacking companions or companionship
• Words that mean the same thing: lonesome, lone, unfrequented
• 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: LONELY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. Theme of Adele's "Someone Like You""

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: LOSTLOVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "35. Many a Coral Sea island"

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 an island consisting of a circular coral reef surrounding a lagoon
• 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: ATOLL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "36. Something in a gondola's forcola"

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 an implement used to propel or steer a boat
• 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: OAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "37. Mists"

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 atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
• Words that mean the same thing: daze, fog, haze
• 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: HAZES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "38. "For real!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ITSAFACT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. Remove surgically"

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 surgically remove a part of a structure or an organ
• Words that mean the same thing: eviscerate
• 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: RESECT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. Word on a common bumper sticker"

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 coexist peacefully, as of nations
• 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: COEXIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "42. Sounds of relief"

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 an utterance made by exhaling audibly
• Words that mean the same thing: suspiration, suspire, sigh
• 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: SIGHS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "43. Calculation that might include calculus, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a measure of a student's academic achievement at a college or university; calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted
• Words that mean the same thing: grade point average
• 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: GPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "44. Mo. when Paul Revere rode"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the month following march and preceding may
• Words that mean the same thing: April
• 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: APR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "45. Role in "Evita""

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: CHE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "48. Like the Gwyndodeg and Powyseg dialects"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a native or resident of wales
• Words that mean the same thing: Welshman, Cambrian, Cymric
• 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: WELSH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "52. Term largely replaced by "Zoom""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: VIDEOCHAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "55. "No problem at all""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IDONTMIND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "57. View from the Trans-Siberian Railway"

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 mountain range in western russia extending from the arctic to the caspian sea; forms part of the traditional boundary between europe and asia
• Words that mean the same thing: Ural Mountains
• 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: URALS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "58. Tex-Mex condiment"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TACOSAUCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "59. Like some parsley and kale"

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 (of hair) having curls or waves
• The opposite would be: straight
• 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: CURLY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "60. Air quality index factor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
• Words that mean the same thing: smogginess
• 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: SMOG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "61. Casualty of a 1917 revolution"

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 male monarch or emperor (especially of russia prior to 1917)
• Words that mean the same thing: tzar, czar
• 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: TSAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "62. Fixes a border, in a way"

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 edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
• Words that mean the same thing: hem, ahem
• 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: HEMS

  Great job if you got it right!

December 29, 2023 Friday NYT - All Down Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Florida's ___ National Forest	5
2D	2. Just eked it out	10
3D	3. Hence	4
4D	4. Cold war aggressions?	14
5D	5. Pricey bars	6
6D	6. Flying ___	4
7D	7. Help out on the campaign trail	8
8D	8. Consent from a mate	3
9D	9. Attire for many a Degas subject	4
10D	10. "Keep ___!"	4
11D	11. Geometric points	4
12D	12. Cuba libre ingredient	4
13D	13. Mélange	4
14D	15. Trashy television character?	14
15D	19. Raspberry relative	4
16D	24. Theater cat in "Cats"	3
17D	26. Enjoy a spa day, say	5
18D	28. Commit a fashion faux pas	5
19D	29. Acts exceedingly friendly	10
20D	30. French preposition	4
21D	31. LSAT section?	4
22D	32. Like secular concerns	4
23D	33. Miranda who played Éowyn in "The Lord of the Rings"	4
24D	34. It's not long.	3
25D	36. Foil to Mark Antony in "Julius Caesar"	8
26D	39. Member of the family Viperidae	3
27D	40. Ready, in a way	4
28D	42. Lower	6
29D	46. Campus buildings	5
30D	47. Online retailer headquartered in Brooklyn	4
31D	48. Match ___	4
32D	49. Gouda alternative	4
33D	50. Bananas	4
34D	51. Lock lips, to a Liverpudlian	4
35D	53. People who worshiped the fertility goddess Pachamama	4
36D	54. "Red, White & ___" (2005 heavy metal album)	4
37D	56. Dojo surface	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. Florida's ___ National Forest"

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: OCALA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Just eked it out"

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: WONBYANOSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Hence"

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 (used as a sentence connector) therefore or consequently
• 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: ERGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Cold war aggressions?"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 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: SNOWBALLFIGHTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Pricey bars"

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 metal that is cast in the shape of a block for convenient handling
• Words that mean the same thing: ingot, metal bar, block of metal
• 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: INGOTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Flying ___"

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 any activity that is performed alone without assistance
• Words that mean the same thing: alone, unaccompanied
• 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: SOLO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Help out on the campaign trail"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: STUMPFOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Consent from a mate"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AYE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Attire for many a Degas subject"

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 south african prelate and leader of the antiapartheid struggle (born in 1931)
• Words that mean the same thing: ballet skirt, Desmond Tutu
• 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: TUTU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "Keep ___!""

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: ATIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Geometric points"

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 the scene of any event or action (especially the place of a meeting)
• Words that mean the same thing: venue, locus, locale
• 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: LOCI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Cuba libre ingredient"

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 carbon fuel produced by distillation of coal
• Words that mean the same thing: snow, Coca Cola, C
• 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: COKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Mélange"

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 agitation resulting from active worry
• Words that mean the same thing: swither, fret, grudge
• 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: STEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "15. Trashy television character?"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 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: OSCARTHEGROUCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "19. Raspberry relative"

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 transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
• Words that mean the same thing: scarlet, red, cerise
• 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: RUBY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Theater cat in "Cats""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the largest and southernmost island in the marianas which is administered as a territory of the united states; it was ceded by spain to the united states in 1898
• Words that mean the same thing: Guam, GU
• 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: GUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "26. Enjoy a spa day, say"

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 become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
• Words that mean the same thing: unbend, unlax, decompress
• The opposite would be: stiffen, strain
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RELAX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "28. Commit a fashion faux pas"

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 loud resonant repeating noise
• Words that mean the same thing: clangoring, encounter, clang
• 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: CLASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "29. Acts exceedingly friendly"

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: OOZESCHARM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "30. French preposition"

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: AVEC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "31. LSAT section?"

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 trying something to find out about it
• Words that mean the same thing: mental testing, run, quiz
• 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: TEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Like secular concerns"

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 characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
• Words that mean the same thing: secular, lay
• 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: LAIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Miranda who played Éowyn in "The Lord of the Rings""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OTTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. It's not long."

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 broad flat muscle on either side of the back
• Words that mean the same thing: latissimus dorsi
• 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: LAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. Foil to Mark Antony in "Julius Caesar""

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: OCTAVIUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Member of the family Viperidae"

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 of southern europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
• Words that mean the same thing: Egyptian cobra, asp viper, Naja haje
• 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: ASP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. Ready, in a way"

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 fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
• Words that mean the same thing: mature, right, good
• The opposite would be: green
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RIPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Lower"

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 experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness; ; - christina rossetti
• Words that mean the same thing: deplorable, sorry, pitiful
• The opposite would be: glad
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SADDER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "46. Campus buildings"

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 an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
• Words that mean the same thing: Granville Stanley Hall, manse, student residence
• 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: HALLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "47. Online retailer headquartered in Brooklyn"

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: ETSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "48. Match ___"

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 the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
• Words that mean the same thing: mentality, wittiness, brain
• 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: WITS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "49. Gouda alternative"

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 mild yellow dutch cheese made in balls encased in a red covering
• 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: EDAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "50. Bananas"

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 informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
• Words that mean the same thing: balmy, loopy, batty
• 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: LOCO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "51. Lock lips, to a Liverpudlian"

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 touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
• Words that mean the same thing: kiss, buss, osculate
• 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: SNOG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "53. People who worshiped the fertility goddess Pachamama"

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 ruler of the incas (or a member of his family)
• Words that mean the same thing: Incan, Inka
• 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: INCA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "54. "Red, White & ___" (2005 heavy metal album)"

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

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: CRUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "56. Dojo surface"

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 thick flat pad used as a floor covering
• Words that mean the same thing: felt, entangle, Master of Arts in Teaching
• The opposite would be: disentangle, unsnarl
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	54	75.0%
Short Answer	11	15.3%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.8%
History	2	2.8%
Literature	1	1.4%
Abbreviation	1	1.4%
Music	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	37
Total Clues	72
Average Answer Length	5.3 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	14 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 28, 2025 at 03:42 PM

NY Times Crossword Answers May 18, 2025 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

NY Times Crossword Complete Solution: May 18, 2025

Published on Sunday, May 18, 2025 • Updated daily

Our expert breakdown helps you solve the May 18 NYT crossword while expanding your vocabulary. Learn answer strategies and discover word connections.

Across Clues and Answers (65)

Clue #1: 1. Verso's counterpart

5-letter answer Answer: RECTO

Word Help: Synonyms: recto
Antonyms: verso

Clue #2: 6. Alternative to an onion bagel

5-letter answer Answer: BIALY

Word Help: Synonyms: bialystoker, bialy

Clue #3: 11. Jai ___

4-letter answer Answer: ALAI

Clue #4: 15. Where the Pilgrims first landed in the New World

4-letter answer Answer: CAPE

Word Help: Synonyms: ness, cape, mantle

Clue #5: 19. Skating gold medalist Oksana

5-letter answer Answer: BAIUL

Clue #6: 20. Host

5-letter answer Answer: EMCEE

Word Help: Synonyms: master_of_ceremonies, compere, emcee

Clue #7: 21. Quick look

4-letter answer Answer: PEEK

Word Help: Synonyms: peep, glance, glint

Clue #8: 22. Has a tab open, say

4-letter answer Answer: OWES

Word Help: Synonyms: owe

Clue #9: 23. Hip-hop's "Puba" and "Daddy I.U."?

11-letter answer Answer: GRANDRAPIDS

Clue #10: 25. Station near Madison Square Garden, for short

4-letter answer Answer: PENN

Word Help: Synonyms: University_of_Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Penn

Clue #11: 26. Fleet

4-letter answer Answer: FAST

Word Help: Synonyms: quick, degraded, profligate
Antonyms: slow

Clue #12: 27. Hung around

8-letter answer Answer: LOITERED

Word Help: Synonyms: mill_about, loiter, footle

Clue #13: 28. Remove from the champagne bucket?

10-letter answer Answer: TAKEOFFICE

Clue #14: 30. "Just kidding!"

3-letter answer Answer: NOT

Word Help: Synonyms: not, non

Clue #15: 31. Feeling rash?

5-letter answer Answer: ITCHY

Word Help: Synonyms: itchy, fidgety, fretful

Clue #16: 34. Hip-hop artist with the 2019 hit "My Type"

8-letter answer Answer: SAWEETIE

Clue #17: 35. Crisis involving cartels

7-letter answer Answer: DRUGWAR

Clue #18: 39. Goes "Vroom!"

5-letter answer Answer: ROARS

Word Help: Synonyms: thunder, bellow, roaring

Clue #19: 41. Royal title

4-letter answer Answer: SIRE

Word Help: Synonyms: forefather, sire, mother

Clue #20: 42. Casting a total brat in the school play?

14-letter answer Answer: MAKINGANIMPACT

Clue #21: 45. Some govt. securities

6-letter answer Answer: TNOTES

Clue #22: 49. ___-tempered

4-letter answer Answer: EVEN

Word Help: Synonyms: evening, even, eve
Antonyms: odd, uneven

Clue #23: 50. "Super cool!"

4-letter answer Answer: DOPE

Word Help: Synonyms: the_skinny, cola, dummy

Clue #24: 51. Get ready to take a shot

3-letter answer Answer: AIM

Word Help: Synonyms: train, get, purpose

Clue #25: 53. Ship propeller

5-letter answer Answer: SCREW

Word Help: Synonyms: have_intercourse, sleep_with, have_it_away
Antonyms: unscrew

Clue #26: 54. French for "from"

3-letter answer Answer: DES

Word Help: Synonyms: stilbesterol, stilboestrol, diethylstilboestrol

Clue #27: 55. Release

4-letter answer Answer: EMIT

Word Help: Synonyms: give_out, utter, pass_off
Antonyms: absorb

Clue #28: 57. Dante's guide in the "Inferno"

6-letter answer Answer: VIRGIL

Word Help: Synonyms: Vergil, Publius_Vergilius_Maro, Virgil

Clue #29: 60. Singer Del Rey

4-letter answer Answer: LANA

Clue #30: 61. "The score upon which reality is written," per Henry Miller

5-letter answer Answer: CHAOS

Word Help: Synonyms: Chaos, topsy-turvyness, chaos

Clue #31: 62. Apps might be seen on one

4-letter answer Answer: MENU

Word Help: Synonyms: card, computer_menu, carte

Clue #32: 63. Sediment, e.g.

7-letter answer Answer: DEPOSIT

Word Help: Synonyms: stick, bank_deposit, sediment
Antonyms: dislodge, withdraw

Clue #33: 65. "The co-star of 'Duck Soup' has to be sore after that!"?

19-letter answer Answer: GROUCHOMARXMUSTACHE

Clue #34: 69. Anonymous guy

7-letter answer Answer: JOHNDOE

Clue #35: 70. Pauperism, so to speak

4-letter answer Answer: RAGS

Word Help: Synonyms: rally, annoy, rebuke

Clue #36: 71. Author of the 2020 memoir "Cubed"

5-letter answer Answer: RUBIK

Clue #37: 72. Lots

4-letter answer Answer: ATON

Word Help: Synonyms: Aten, Aton

Clue #38: 73. "Because I'm the boss!"

6-letter answer Answer: SAYSME

Clue #39: 75. Pinged online

4-letter answer Answer: IMED

Clue #40: 76. Condition for which Luvox may be prescribed, in brief

3-letter answer Answer: OCD

Clue #41: 79. "Wonder Woman" star

5-letter answer Answer: GADOT

Clue #42: 81. Mountain ___

3-letter answer Answer: DEW

Word Help: Synonyms: dew

Clue #43: 82. Late singer Payne of One Direction

4-letter answer Answer: LIAM

Clue #44: 84. Modern home of where cuneiform writing originated

4-letter answer Answer: IRAQ

Word Help: Synonyms: Iraq, Republic_of_Iraq, Al-Iraq

Clue #45: 85. Way up or way down

6-letter answer Answer: STAIRS

Word Help: Synonyms: stair, steps, step

Clue #46: 87. "How long have beavers blocked this river?"?

14-letter answer Answer: WHATSTHEDAMAGE

Clue #47: 92. "As ___ …"

4-letter answer Answer: SUCH

Word Help: Synonyms: such

Clue #48: 94. Earthenware pots

5-letter answer Answer: OLLAS

Word Help: Synonyms: ola, olla

Clue #49: 95. Was comparable to

7-letter answer Answer: RIVALED

Word Help: Synonyms: rival, equal, touch

Clue #50: 96. Apparel feature that a bandeau lacks

8-letter answer Answer: BRASTRAP

Clue #51: 100. Function in the role of

5-letter answer Answer: ACTAS

Clue #52: 102. Monk's title

3-letter answer Answer: DOM

Clue #53: 103. Be crazy about Chicago trains with broken A.C.s?

10-letter answer Answer: LOVEHOTELS

Clue #54: 105. Much in quantity

8-letter answer Answer: BEAUCOUP

Clue #55: 109. Baseball family name

4-letter answer Answer: ALOU

Clue #56: 110. Actor Jared

4-letter answer Answer: LETO

Word Help: Synonyms: Leto, Latona

Clue #57: 111. Metric in a competitive family business?

11-letter answer Answer: SALESPERSON

Word Help: Synonyms: salesperson, sales_rep, sales_representative

Clue #58: 114. Prince, e.g.

4-letter answer Answer: HEIR

Word Help: Synonyms: inheritor, heritor, successor

Clue #59: 115. In ___ parentis

4-letter answer Answer: LOCO

Word Help: Synonyms: loopy, nuts, haywire

Clue #60: 116. Blow

5-letter answer Answer: ERUPT

Word Help: Synonyms: break_through, recrudesce, burst_out

Clue #61: 117. Designer Hilfiger

5-letter answer Answer: TOMMY

Clue #62: 118. Lays turf on

4-letter answer Answer: SODS

Word Help: Synonyms: superoxide_dismutase, SOD, sodomite

Clue #63: 119. Little twerp

4-letter answer Answer: SNOT

Word Help: Synonyms: snoot, snob, snot

Clue #64: 120. Trunk

5-letter answer Answer: TORSO

Word Help: Synonyms: body, trunk, torso

Clue #65: 121. Head of Slytherin House in the Harry Potter books

5-letter answer Answer: SNAPE

Across Clues and Answers (65)

Clue #1: 1. Subject of the 2018 biopic "On the Basis of Sex," familiarly

3-letter answer Answer: RBG

Clue #2: 2. Noble title

4-letter answer Answer: EARL

Word Help: Synonyms: earl

Clue #3: 3. "Ci vediamo in giro!"

4-letter answer Answer: CIAO

Word Help: Synonyms: ciao, aloha

Clue #4: 4. Getting ready to listen

8-letter answer Answer: TUNINGIN

Clue #5: 5. Historic district of a city

7-letter answer Answer: OLDTOWN

Clue #6: 6. Gnarly problem, so to speak

4-letter answer Answer: BEAR

Word Help: Synonyms: have_a_bun_in_the_oven, gestate, conduct
Antonyms: bull

Clue #7: 7. Architect of Hong Kong's Bank of China Tower

5-letter answer Answer: IMPEI

Clue #8: 8. Certain hallucinatory experience

8-letter answer Answer: ACIDTRIP

Clue #9: 9. Directed

3-letter answer Answer: LED

Word Help: Synonyms: conduct, precede, leave
Antonyms: follow

Clue #10: 10. Last word of James Joyce's "Ulysses"

3-letter answer Answer: YES

Word Help: Synonyms: yes
Antonyms: no

Clue #11: 11. Dad, in Korean

4-letter answer Answer: APPA

Clue #12: 12. Ingredients in some potato soups

5-letter answer Answer: LEEKS

Word Help: Synonyms: leek, Allium_porrum, scallion

Clue #13: 13. Son of Aphrodite

6-letter answer Answer: AENEAS

Word Help: Synonyms: Aeneas

Clue #14: 14. "You don't have to tell me"

7-letter answer Answer: IKNOWIT

Clue #15: 15. Time for a pick-me-up, humorously

12-letter answer Answer: COFFEEOCLOCK

Clue #16: 16. Lie ahead

5-letter answer Answer: AWAIT

Word Help: Synonyms: expect, await, wait

Clue #17: 17. Joe of "Home Alone"

5-letter answer Answer: PESCI

Clue #18: 18. First name in perfumes

5-letter answer Answer: ESTEE

Clue #19: 24. Label anew

5-letter answer Answer: RETAG

Clue #20: 28. Banks from Los Angeles

4-letter answer Answer: TYRA

Clue #21: 29. Maidenhair and others

5-letter answer Answer: FERNS

Word Help: Synonyms: fern

Clue #22: 32. Common dog command

4-letter answer Answer: COME

Word Help: Synonyms: issue_forth, occur, total
Antonyms: go, leave

Clue #23: 33. Chance

3-letter answer Answer: HAP

Word Help: Synonyms: go_on, come_about, fall_out

Clue #24: 35. Hit up on Instagram, informally

4-letter answer Answer: DMED

Clue #25: 36. Overnight party with light shows and "cuddle puddles"

4-letter answer Answer: RAVE

Word Help: Synonyms: rabbit_on, rave, spout

Clue #26: 37. Luau strings

4-letter answer Answer: UKES

Word Help: Synonyms: ukulele, uke

Clue #27: 38. Rock group with the 1992 hit "Creep"

9-letter answer Answer: RADIOHEAD

Clue #28: 40. Harum-___ (reckless)

6-letter answer Answer: SCARUM

Clue #29: 43. Untrue

5-letter answer Answer: NOTSO

Clue #30: 44. Notaro of comedy

3-letter answer Answer: TIG

Clue #31: 46. Drag-and-drop disposal icon

5-letter answer Answer: TRASH

Word Help: Synonyms: trumpery, pan, applesauce

Clue #32: 47. Start of a counting rhyme

5-letter answer Answer: EENIE

Clue #33: 48. Hit with a smack

4-letter answer Answer: SWAT

Word Help: Synonyms: swat

Clue #34: 52. Time in a Shakespeare title

9-letter answer Answer: MIDSUMMER

Word Help: Synonyms: midsummer, summer_solstice, June_21
Antonyms: winter_solstice

Clue #35: 55. Former Israeli P.M. Olmert

4-letter answer Answer: EHUD

Clue #36: 56. Platform for Safari and FaceTime

5-letter answer Answer: MACOS

Clue #37: 57. Borderline

5-letter answer Answer: VERGE

Word Help: Synonyms: brink, sceptre, threshold

Clue #38: 58. "Need You Tonight" band, 1987

4-letter answer Answer: INXS

Clue #39: 59. Leave alone

5-letter answer Answer: LETBE

Clue #40: 61. Arbiters of taste

12-letter answer Answer: CONNOISSEURS

Word Help: Synonyms: cognoscente, connoisseur

Clue #41: 62. Polite term of address

4-letter answer Answer: MAAM

Clue #42: 64. Stamp on an invoice

4-letter answer Answer: PAID

Word Help: Synonyms: make_up, bear, devote
Antonyms: unpaid, default

Clue #43: 65. Implied

5-letter answer Answer: GOTAT

Clue #44: 66. Valerie Harper title role

5-letter answer Answer: RHODA

Clue #45: 67. One of three immortal elders in "A Wrinkle in Time"

6-letter answer Answer: MRSWHO

Clue #46: 68. Dickens's ___ Heep

5-letter answer Answer: URIAH

Word Help: Synonyms: Uriah

Clue #47: 69. Bouts

4-letter answer Answer: JAGS

Word Help: Synonyms: dag, jag

Clue #48: 74. Tree whose name sounds like a pronoun

3-letter answer Answer: YEW

Word Help: Synonyms: yew

Clue #49: 76. Word with history or hygiene

4-letter answer Answer: ORAL

Word Help: Synonyms: oral, viva_voce, oral_examination
Antonyms: aboral, anal

Clue #50: 77. Shut up

4-letter answer Answer: CAGE

Word Help: Synonyms: coop, John_Cage, Cage

Clue #51: 78. Threw out of a contest, informally

4-letter answer Answer: DQED

Clue #52: 80. Philosopher's pursuit

5-letter answer Answer: TRUTH

Word Help: Synonyms: Truth, the_true, trueness
Antonyms: inaccuracy, falsity

Clue #53: 82. Exam with an argumentative writing section, in brief

4-letter answer Answer: LSAT

Clue #54: 83. "You know, I can't quite remember"

8-letter answer Answer: ITSABLUR

Clue #55: 84. "Oh geez, the answer was staring me in the face!"

8-letter answer Answer: IMAMORON

Clue #56: 86. Goes through screen after screen

7-letter answer Answer: SCROLLS

Word Help: Synonyms: roll, scroll, coil

Clue #57: 88. "Sadly …"

4-letter answer Answer: ALAS

Word Help: Synonyms: regrettably, alas, unluckily
Antonyms: luckily, fortunately

Clue #58: 89. Special attention, for short

3-letter answer Answer: TLC

Word Help: Synonyms: tender_loving_care, TLC

Clue #59: 90. Made nice

5-letter answer Answer: DIDUP

Clue #60: 91. Wading birds

7-letter answer Answer: AVOCETS

Word Help: Synonyms: avocet

Clue #61: 93. Publicly bash

6-letter answer Answer: HATEON

Clue #62: 96. Doldrums

5-letter answer Answer: BLAHS

Word Help: Synonyms: claptrap, blahs, bombast

Clue #63: 97. Lumberjacks' competition

5-letter answer Answer: ROLEO

Clue #64: 98. Walk around, maybe

5-letter answer Answer: AVOID

Word Help: Synonyms: nullify, avert, invalidate
Antonyms: validate, confront

Clue #65: 99. Where one might pick up litter

5-letter answer Answer: PETCO

Clue #66: 101. Oozes

5-letter answer Answer: SEEPS

Word Help: Synonyms: seep, ooze

Clue #67: 104. Burgle

4-letter answer Answer: LOOT

Word Help: Synonyms: dirty_money, pelf, moolah

Clue #68: 106. About

4-letter answer Answer: ASTO

Clue #69: 107. West Point inst.

4-letter answer Answer: USMA

Clue #70: 108. Fanfare

4-letter answer Answer: POMP

Word Help: Synonyms: pomp, gaudery, eclat

Clue #71: 111. Like a diamond in a ring

3-letter answer Answer: SET

Word Help: Synonyms: band, localise, fit
Antonyms: rise

Clue #72: 112. Queer identity, in brief

3-letter answer Answer: ARO

Clue #73: 113. 12/31

3-letter answer Answer: NYE

Expert Solving Strategies

• Look for fill-in-the-blank clues first (they're often easiest)
• Watch for question marks indicating wordplay
• Check vowel patterns in partially solved words

Related Search Terms

NYT Crossword Help, Daily Puzzle Solutions, Crossword Answer Finder, May Crossword Answers