February 11, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (29 clues)
• Down Clues (39 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, February 11, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 68 (29 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.6 letters

February 11, 2022 Across Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Words to a skeptic	15
2A	16. What friendly opponents may do	15
3A	17. Subject of the so-called "surgeon's photograph" of 1934	15
4A	18. Squad leader?	3
5A	19. Cinemax competitor	3
6A	20. Judicial ratings grp.	3
7A	21. Terra's Greek counterpart	4
8A	22. British territory in the Atlantic	7
9A	27. Pioneering automaker	4
10A	28. Handmade signs?	8
11A	29. "En ___!"	5
12A	30. Language spoken along the Mekong	3
13A	31. Account	4
14A	32. Collectible print, in brief	5
15A	33. Morale booster	3
16A	34. Certain list recipient	5
17A	35. Bailiwick	4
18A	36. Big ___	3
19A	37. Philosopher Diderot	5
20A	38. High point of the Old Testament, for short	8
21A	40. Blues Hall-of-Famer James	4
22A	41. [How horrible!]	7
23A	42. Word of regret	4
24A	43. Down	3
25A	44. Mo. for watching the Perseid meteor shower	3
26A	45. Fade away	3
27A	48. Gives an earful	15
28A	54. Rhetorical question lamenting a lack of respect	15
29A	55. Implicatively	15

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. Words to a skeptic"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: YEOFLITTLEFAITH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "16. What friendly opponents may do"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AGREETODISAGREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "17. Subject of the so-called "surgeon's photograph" of 1934"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LOCHNESSMONSTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "18. Squad leader?"

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 radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons
• Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 99, einsteinium, E
• 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: ESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "19. Cinemax competitor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TMC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "20. Judicial ratings grp."

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 loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth; worn by arabs
• 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: ABA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "21. Terra's Greek counterpart"

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 (greek mythology) goddess of the earth and mother of cronus and the titans in ancient mythology
• Words that mean the same thing: Gaea, Ge
• 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: GAIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "22. British territory in the Atlantic"

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 a group of islands in the atlantic off the carolina coast; british colony; a popular resort
• Words that mean the same thing: Bermudas
• 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: BERMUDA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "27. Pioneering automaker"

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: BENZ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "28. Handmade signs?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
• Words that mean the same thing: gesture, motion, gesticulate
• 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: GESTURES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "29. "En ___!""

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: GARDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "30. Language spoken along the Mekong"

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 member of a buddhist people inhabiting the area of the mekong river in laos and thailand and speaking the lao language; related to the thais
• Words that mean the same thing: Laotian
• 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: LAO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "31. Account"

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 message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
• Words that mean the same thing: tarradiddle, taradiddle, story
• 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: TALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "32. Collectible print, in brief"

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: LITHO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "33. Morale booster"

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 victory (as in a race or other competition)
• Words that mean the same thing: bring home the bacon, winnings, gain ground
• The opposite would be: fall back, lose
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. Certain list recipient"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at christmas
• Words that mean the same thing: St. Nick, Father Christmas, Kriss Kringle
• 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: SANTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "35. Bailiwick"

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 particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
• Words that mean the same thing: sphere, arena, expanse
• 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: AREA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "36. Big ___"

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 mountain or tall hill
• 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: BEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "37. Philosopher Diderot"

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: DENIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "38. High point of the Old Testament, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MTARARAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. Blues Hall-of-Famer James"

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: ETTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. [How horrible!]"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an almost pleasurable sensation of fright
• Words that mean the same thing: throb, thrill, frisson
• 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: SHUDDER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "42. Word of regret"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "43. Down"

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 take in solid food
• Words that mean the same thing: feed, eat on, use 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: EAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "44. Mo. for watching the Perseid meteor shower"

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 july and preceding september
• Words that mean the same thing: August
• 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: AUG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "45. Fade away"

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 small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers
• Words that mean the same thing: snuff it, dice, give out
• The opposite would be: be born
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "48. Gives an earful"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: READSTHERIOTACT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "54. Rhetorical question lamenting a lack of respect"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ISNOTHINGSACRED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "55. Implicatively"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: BETWEENTHELINES

  Great job if you got it right!

February 11, 2022 Down Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Notable founding of 1701	4
2D	2. Impediments to teamwork	4
3D	3. Tolkien creatures	4
4D	4. "Yuck!"	3
5D	5. Gradually slowing, in music	8
6D	6. Inventory	7
7D	7. Lover of Italian opera	5
8D	8. Field stats	3
9D	9. Food named for a world capital (but pronounced differently)	8
10D	10. 1962 pop hit with a rhyming title	7
11D	11. Some unauthorized drawings	6
12D	12. Justice Dept. bigwigs	3
13D	13. N.Y.C.'s first subway line	3
14D	14. Buttonless garment	3
15D	15. Singer with a 2018 Grammy for Best R&B Album	3
16D	21. ___ Richter, contemporary artist whose painting "Abstraktes Bild (599)" sold at auction for a record-setting $46.3 million dollars	7
17D	23. The X-Men, for example	7
18D	24. Muse for Galileo	6
19D	25. Muscles strengthened by push-ups, informally	5
20D	26. Offshore	4
21D	27. Flat-bottomed riverboat	6
22D	28. Flash	5
23D	29. Circumference	5
24D	32. Hasty getaways	4
25D	33. Become harder to bear	8
26D	34. Give oneself something to aim for	8
27D	36. "Just try to be calm ..."	7
28D	37. Reynolds's co-star in 1981's "The Cannonball Run"	7
29D	39. Carol opener	6
30D	42. Exclamation of exasperation	5
31D	45. Exclamation of disappointment	4
32D	46. Big name in frozen confections	4
33D	47. Some terminal info, for short	4
34D	48. Piece of BBQ	3
35D	49. Amarillo-to-Dallas dir.	3
36D	50. Creature without ears that uses vibrations to "hear"	3
37D	51. Company that introduced Saran Wrap	3
38D	52. Tolkien creature	3
39D	53. Onetime cable giant acquired by AT&T in 1999	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. Notable founding of 1701"

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

  The answer is: YALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Impediments to teamwork"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
• Words that mean the same thing: egotism, self-importance, self
• 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: EGOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Tolkien creatures"

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: ORCS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. "Yuck!""

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: FEH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Gradually slowing, in music"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: LENTANDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Inventory"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that specify individually
• Words that mean the same thing: recite, itemise, enumerate
• 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: ITEMIZE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Lover of Italian opera"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: TOSCA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Field stats"

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: TDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Food named for a world capital (but pronounced differently)"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about geography.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LIMABEAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. 1962 pop hit with a rhyming title"

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: ESOBESO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Some unauthorized drawings"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FANART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Justice Dept. bigwigs"

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 soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
• Words that mean the same thing: silver, atomic number 47, Ag
• 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: AGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. N.Y.C.'s first subway line"

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: IRT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Buttonless garment"

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

  The answer is: TEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "15. Singer with a 2018 Grammy for Best R&B Album"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "21. ___ Richter, contemporary artist whose painting "Abstraktes Bild (599)" sold at auction for a record-setting $46.3 million dollars"

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: GERHARD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "23. The X-Men, for example"

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 (biology) an organism that has characteristics resulting from chromosomal alteration
• Words that mean the same thing: mutant, sport, variation
• 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: MUTANTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "24. Muse for Galileo"

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 (greek mythology) the muse of astronomy
• Words that mean the same thing: Venus
• 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: URANIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "25. Muscles strengthened by push-ups, informally"

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: DELTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "26. Offshore"

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 in the direction of the sea
• Words that mean the same thing: seaward, seawards
• 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: ASEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "27. Flat-bottomed riverboat"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BATEAU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "28. Flash"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a momentary flash of light
• Words that mean the same thing: flicker, glisten, glitter
• 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: GLINT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "29. Circumference"

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 the distance around a person's body
• Words that mean the same thing: cinch
• 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: GIRTH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "32. Hasty getaways"

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 rapid escape (as by criminals)
• Words that mean the same thing: escape, run, scarper
• 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: LAMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "33. Become harder to bear"

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: WEARTHIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "34. Give oneself something to aim for"

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: SETAGOAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "36. "Just try to be calm ...""

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 draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
• Words that mean the same thing: rest, suspire, take a breath
• 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: BREATHE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "37. Reynolds's co-star in 1981's "The Cannonball Run""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: DELUISE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "39. Carol opener"

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: ADESTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "42. Exclamation of exasperation"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: AARGH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "45. Exclamation of disappointment"

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 something of little value
• Words that mean the same thing: tinker's dam, shucks, mend
• 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: DARN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "46. Big name in frozen confections"

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: ICEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "47. Some terminal info, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a system for screening luggage in airports; an agent passes a swab around or inside luggage and then runs the swab through a machine that can detect trace amounts of explosives
• Words that mean the same thing: explosive trace detection, ETD
• 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: ETDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "48. Piece of BBQ"

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 support resembling the rib of an animal
• Words that mean the same thing: make fun, ridicule, blackguard
• 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: RIB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "49. Amarillo-to-Dallas dir."

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 the compass point midway between east and southeast
• Words that mean the same thing: east southeast
• 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: ESE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "50. Creature without ears that uses vibrations to "hear""

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 social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
• Words that mean the same thing: pismire, emmet
• 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: ANT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "51. Company that introduced Saran Wrap"

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: DOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "52. Tolkien creature"

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: ENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "53. Onetime cable giant acquired by AT&T in 1999"

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: TCI

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	37	54.4%
Short Answer	19	27.9%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	4.4%
Abbreviation	2	2.9%
History	2	2.9%
Geography	2	2.9%
Movies/Film	1	1.5%
Sports	1	1.5%
Music	1	1.5%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	29
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	68
Average Answer Length	5.6 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: September 11, 2025 at 10:39 PM

December 15, 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 15, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (35 Across, 37 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.2 letters

December 15, 2023 Across Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Yard, nautically	4
2A	5. Desire for a ski jumper	8
3A	13. ___ blue dot (Earth, in a famous photograph)	4
4A	14. "Knock it off!," in question form	9
5A	15. Since	4
6A	16. Classic airplane snack	10
7A	17. General term in a series	3
8A	18. Number in a count	5
9A	19. Change, as a lock	5
10A	20. One in a million, so to speak	7
11A	22. Journalism inits. since 1851	3
12A	23. One way to travel the world	5
13A	24. Lines from a rapper, in slang	4
14A	26. Milk option	3
15A	29. Earth-based pigment	5
16A	30. Likely hyperbole from a texter	4
17A	32. Equipment in hockey, lacrosse and pickleball	3
18A	34. What one might look at the night sky with	15
19A	38. ___ Lingus	3
20A	39. Badge holder	4
21A	40. Spanish geographical word that is an anagram of its English translation	5
22A	41. "Woo-hoo!," in online shorthand	3
23A	43. Pronoun functioning as an object (not a subject!)	4
24A	45. "Give me five!"	5
25A	46. Half full?	3
26A	48. "Dig in, everyone"	7
27A	50. Tropical vine	5
28A	53. Work from, as a desk	5
29A	54. Purple ___, Hawaiian crop	3
30A	56. Bookie?	10
31A	58. ___ bottles (popular gummy candy)	4
32A	59. Bad press, say	9
33A	60. Event at high noon	4
34A	61. Occasion to recite the Pledge of Allegiance	8
35A	62. Button usually held down by a pinkie	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. Yard, nautically"

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 of various nonmetallic minerals (calcite or feldspar) that are light in color and transparent or translucent and cleavable
• Words that mean the same thing: sparring
• 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: SPAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Desire for a ski jumper"

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: HANGTIME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "13. ___ blue dot (Earth, in a famous photograph)"

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 wooden strip forming part of a fence
• Words that mean the same thing: pallid, wan, blench
• 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: PALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. "Knock it off!," in question form"

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: CANYOUNOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Since"

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: ASOF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Classic airplane snack"

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: SALTEDNUTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. General term in a series"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that last or greatest in an indefinitely large series
• Words that mean the same thing: n-th
• 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: NTH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Number in a count"

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 round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
• Words that mean the same thing: orchis, orb, glob
• 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: BALLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Change, as a lock"

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: REKEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. One in a million, so to speak"

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: RAREGEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Journalism inits. since 1851"

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: NYT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. One way to travel the world"

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: BYSEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "24. Lines from a rapper, in slang"

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 gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
• Words that mean the same thing: stop, relegate, legal community
• The opposite would be: unbar
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "26. Milk option"

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 annual grass of europe and north africa; grains used as food and fodder (referred to primarily in the plural: `oats')
• 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: OAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "29. Earth-based pigment"

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 moderate yellow-orange to orange color
• Words that mean the same thing: ochre
• 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: OCHER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "30. Likely hyperbole from a texter"

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: ROFL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. Equipment in hockey, lacrosse and pickleball"

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 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: nett, meshwork, web
• The opposite would be: gross
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. What one might look at the night sky with"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CHILDLIKEWONDER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. ___ Lingus"

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: AER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "39. Badge holder"

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 framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
• Words that mean the same thing: waistband, cincture, girdle
• 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: SASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. Spanish geographical word that is an anagram of its English translation"

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 riblike part of a plant or animal (such as a middle rib of a leaf or a thickened vein of an insect wing)
• Words that mean the same thing: rib
• 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: COSTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. "Woo-hoo!," in online shorthand"

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: FTW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "43. Pronoun functioning as an object (not a subject!)"

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: WHOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "45. "Give me five!""

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: UPTOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "46. Half full?"

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 angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
• Words that mean the same thing: el, ALT, elevated railway
• 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: ELS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "48. "Dig in, everyone""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: LETSEAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "50. Tropical vine"

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 woody climbing usually tropical plant
• 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: LIANA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. Work from, as a desk"

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: SITAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "54. Purple ___, Hawaiian crop"

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 edible tuber of any of several yams
• Words that mean the same thing: yam plant
• 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: YAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "56. Bookie?"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: AVIDREADER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "58. ___ bottles (popular gummy candy)"

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 large genus of african trees bearing kola nuts
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Cola, El Salvadoran colon, colon
• 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: COLA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "59. Bad press, say"

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: MEDIABIAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "60. Event at high noon"

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 prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
• Words that mean the same thing: affaire d'honneur
• 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: DUEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "61. Occasion to recite the Pledge of Allegiance"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
• Words that mean the same thing: meeting place, assemblage, gathering
• The opposite would be: disassembly
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASSEMBLY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "62. Button usually held down by a pinkie"

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: CTRL

  Great job if you got it right!

December 15, 2023 Down Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Word after life or C	4
2D	2. One whose work might be a piece of cake?	10
3D	3. Bit of attire seldom worn with a jacket	10
4D	4. One you might beseech to get glasses	3
5D	5. Term for an overly commercialized celebration	15
6D	6. At any one time, roughly 10,000 trillion of them roam the earth	4
7D	7. Bill concerned with science communication	3
8D	8. Become barren	5
9D	9. Synchronize with	6
10D	10. Arctic native	4
11D	11. Speck	4
12D	12. Handmade goods site	4
13D	14. One on the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land	5
14D	16. Lose tautness	3
15D	18. What stubbles may become	6
16D	21. Lurch	4
17D	22. Warning letters with a Reddit link	4
18D	23. ___ Juniors, soccer team for which Diego Maradona once played	4
19D	25. Canapé topper	3
20D	27. "Don't even think of coming back!"	10
21D	28. Nephalist	10
22D	31. Part of a biblical plague	6
23D	33. Trick question, e.g.	4
24D	35. Housework?	4
25D	36. There or thereabouts	3
26D	37. 2022 Jordan Peele film	4
27D	42. Actress Malick	6
28D	44. Hands (out)	5
29D	47. West Coast N.F.L.'er	5
30D	49. Damage the reputation of	3
31D	50. Tibetan title	4
32D	51. Experimental composer Charles	4
33D	52. Supports	4
34D	53. Set ___	4
35D	55. Common place to see Santa	4
36D	57. Fade away	3
37D	58. Public health org.	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. Word after life or C"

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 complete duration of something
• Words that mean the same thing: couple, yoke, distich
• 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: SPAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. One whose work might be a piece of cake?"

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: PASTRYCHEF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Bit of attire seldom worn with a jacket"

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: ALOHASHIRT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. One you might beseech to get glasses"

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 (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or american football) who is expected to ensure fair play
• Words that mean the same thing: referee
• 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: REF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Term for an overly commercialized celebration"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HALLMARKHOLIDAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. At any one time, roughly 10,000 trillion of them roam the earth"

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 social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
• Words that mean the same thing: emmet, ant, pismire
• 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: ANTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Bill concerned with science communication"

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: NYE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Become barren"

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: GODRY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Synchronize with"

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: TUNETO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Arctic native"

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: INUK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Speck"

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 (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
• Words that mean the same thing: particle, speck, molecule
• 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: MOTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Handmade goods site"

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 13 Down: "14. One on the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land"

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: CALEB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "16. Lose tautness"

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 shape that sags
• Words that mean the same thing: swag, sag down, flag
• 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: SAG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "18. What stubbles may become"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
• Words that mean the same thing: whiskers, byssus, beard
• 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: BEARDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "21. Lurch"

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 roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
• Words that mean the same thing: swag, spin around, gyrate
• 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: REEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "22. Warning letters with a Reddit link"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard 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 18 Down: "23. ___ Juniors, soccer team for which Diego Maradona once played"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard 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: BOCA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "25. Canapé topper"

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 fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
• Words that mean the same thing: hard roe
• 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: ROE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. "Don't even think of coming back!""

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: ANDSTAYOUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. Nephalist"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a total abstainer
• Words that mean the same thing: teetotalist, teetotaller
• 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: TEETOTALER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. Part of a biblical plague"

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 migratory grasshoppers of warm regions having short antennae
• Words that mean the same thing: locust tree
• 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: LOCUST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Trick question, e.g."

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 device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
• Words that mean the same thing: sand trap, pin down, bunker
• 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: TRAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Housework?"

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 first of three divisions of the hebrew scriptures comprising the first five books of the hebrew bible considered as a unit
• Words that mean the same thing: law of nature, natural law, police force
• 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: LAWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. There or thereabouts"

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: ISH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. 2022 Jordan Peele film"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NOPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Actress Malick"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WENDIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Hands (out)"

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 line that indicates a boundary
• Words that mean the same thing: border, delimitation, mete
• 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: METES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. West Coast N.F.L.'er"

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: LARAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. Damage the reputation of"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
• Words that mean the same thing: sea dog, mariner, gob
• 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: TAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Tibetan title"

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 tibetan or mongolian priest of lamaism
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Lama
• 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: LAMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. Experimental composer Charles"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states composer noted for his innovative use of polytonality (1874-1954)
• Words that mean the same thing: James Merritt Ives, James Ives, Charles Edward Ives
• 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: IVES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. Supports"

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 serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles
• Words that mean the same thing: financial aid, aid, assist
• 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: AIDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. Set ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
• Words that mean the same thing: voyage, canvas, sheet
• 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: SAIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. Common place to see Santa"

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 public area set aside as a pedestrian walk
• Words that mean the same thing: center, shopping centre, shopping mall
• 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: MALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "57. Fade away"

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 gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
• Words that mean the same thing: ebbing, ebb off, ebb down
• The opposite would be: tide
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EBB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "58. Public health org."

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 federal agency in the department of health and human services; located in atlanta; investigates and diagnoses and tries to control or prevent diseases (especially new and unusual diseases)
• Words that mean the same thing: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• 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: CDC

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	50	69.4%
Short Answer	14	19.4%
History	2	2.8%
Literature	1	1.4%
Science/Technology	1	1.4%
Sports	1	1.4%
Movies/Film	1	1.4%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.4%
Music	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	37
Total Clues	72
Average Answer Length	5.2 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: August 28, 2025 at 10:19 PM