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February 11, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 74 (36 Across, 38 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

February 11, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions

February 11, 2020 Tuesday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Story of why you really couldn't have done it 5
2A 6. Car rental partner of Budget 4
3A 10. Open a bit 4
4A 14. Minus item, in accounting 5
5A 15. Oenophile's love 4
6A 16. Cops, slangily 4
7A 17. Plants in abandoned lots 5
8A 18. Lighting display at many a rock concert 9
9A 20. Overdue amount 6
10A 22. Strike callers 6
11A 23. Symbol of pride 11
12A 26. Channel famous for veejays 3
13A 28. Homer's H 3
14A 29. Dim bulbs 6
15A 30. Papermaking material 4
16A 31. It often introduces new wrinkles 5
17A 32. Sign before Taurus 5
18A 33. With 35-Across, complete success ... or a hint to 18-, 23-, 46- and 51-Across 6
19A 35. See 33-Across 6
20A 37. Mourner's emotion 5
21A 38. Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi and Sigma Pi 5
22A 39. Hankerings 4
23A 40. Bluffer's words in poker, maybe 6
24A 42. Actress Zadora 3
25A 45. Food additive with "the fifth taste" 3
26A 46. Comeuppance for a package thief 11
27A 48. In an overwhelming way 6
28A 50. Letter flourishes 6
29A 51. Sport that can leave you with welts 9
30A 54. Country or heavy metal 5
31A 55. Actress Merrill of "BUtterfield 8" 4
32A 56. Polish before publishing 4
33A 57. Like granola, largely 5
34A 58. Lose sleep (over) 4
35A 59. Sound of a flop 4
36A 60. Shooting sport 5

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. Story of why you really couldn't have done it"

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 (law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
  • Words that mean the same thing: excuse, self-justification, exculpation
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ALIBI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Car rental partner of Budget"

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: AVIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Open a bit"

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

    The answer is: AJAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Minus item, in accounting"

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 accounting entry acknowledging sums that are owing
  • Words that mean the same thing: debit entry
  • The opposite would be: credit
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DEBIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Oenophile's love"

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 fermented juice (of grapes especially)
  • Words that mean the same thing: vino, wine-colored, wine-coloured
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WINE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Cops, slangily"

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: POPO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Plants in abandoned lots"

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 black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning
  • Words that mean the same thing: mourning band, sens, weed
  • The opposite would be: cultivated plant
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WEEDS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Lighting display at many a rock concert"

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: LASERSHOW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Overdue amount"

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: ARREAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Strike callers"

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 an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
  • Words that mean the same thing: conglutination, uniting, wedlock
  • The opposite would be: separation, disunion
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: UNIONS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Symbol of pride"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: RAINBOWFLAG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Channel famous for veejays"

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: MTV

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "28. Homer's H"

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 terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
  • Words that mean the same thing: Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Homeland and Freedom
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ETA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "29. Dim bulbs"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a person of subnormal intelligence
  • Words that mean the same thing: idiot, retard, half-wit
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IDIOTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "30. Papermaking material"

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 soft or soggy mass
  • Words that mean the same thing: mush, flesh, pulp magazine
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PULP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "31. It often introduces new wrinkles"

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 acquiring desirable qualities by being left undisturbed for some time
  • Words that mean the same thing: maturate, age, ripening
  • The opposite would be: rejuvenate
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AGING

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. Sign before Taurus"

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 (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in aries
  • Words that mean the same thing: Ram, Aries the Ram
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ARIES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "33. With 35-Across, complete success ... or a hint to 18-, 23-, 46- and 51-Across"

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 an instance of traveling by air
  • Words that mean the same thing: vanish, flee, wing
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FLYING

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "35. See 33-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a flag that shows its nationality
  • Words that mean the same thing: distort, color, vividness
  • The opposite would be: colorlessness, discolor
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: COLORS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "37. Mourner's emotion"

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 intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
  • Words that mean the same thing: sorrow, heartbreak, heartache
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GRIEF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "38. Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi and Sigma Pi"

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 social club for male undergraduates
  • Words that mean the same thing: fraternity, frat
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FRATS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "39. Hankerings"

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 yearning for something or to do something
  • Words that mean the same thing: yen, hankering, languish
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: YENS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "40. Bluffer's words in poker, maybe"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: IRAISE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "42. Actress Zadora"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that perennial herb of east indies to polynesia and australia; cultivated for its large edible root yielding otaheite arrowroot starch
  • Words that mean the same thing: Tacca leontopetaloides, Indian arrowroot, Tacca pinnatifida
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PIA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "45. Food additive with "the fifth taste""

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that white crystalline compound used as a food additive to enhance flavor; often used in chinese cooking
  • Words that mean the same thing: monosodium glutamate
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MSG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "46. Comeuppance for a package thief"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: GLITTERBOMB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "48. In an overwhelming way"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • Words that mean the same thing: enormously, staggeringly, tremendously
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HUGELY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "50. Letter flourishes"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a short line at the end of the main strokes of a character
  • Words that mean the same thing: seriph, serif
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SERIFS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "51. Sport that can leave you with welts"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a capsule filled with water-soluble dye used as a projectile in playing the game of paintball
  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PAINTBALL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "54. Country or heavy metal"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a kind of literary or artistic work
  • Words that mean the same thing: literary genre, music genre, musical style
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GENRE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "55. Actress Merrill of "BUtterfield 8""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: DINA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "56. Polish before publishing"

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 prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting
  • Words that mean the same thing: edit out, redact, blue-pencil
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EDIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "57. Like granola, largely"

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 or related to or derived from 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: OATEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "58. Lose sleep (over)"

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 agitation resulting from active worry
  • Words that mean the same thing: swither, grate, gag
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FRET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "59. Sound of a flop"

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 heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects)
  • Words that mean the same thing: thumping, thump, scrunch
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: THUD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "60. Shooting sport"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the sport of shooting at clay pigeons that are hurled upward in such a way as to simulate the flight of a bird
  • Words that mean the same thing: skeet shooting, trapshooting
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SKEET

    Great job if you got it right!

NYT Tuesday Crossword Down Clues - February 11, 2020 Answers

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. "Congratulations! You've been selected ..." program 6
2D 2. Eye lustfully 6
3D 3. The Basques' peninsula 6
4D 4. #2 for #44 5
5D 5. "Things may well not happen the way you suppose" 9
6D 6. Beltmaker's tool 3
7D 7. Through, on an itinerary 3
8D 8. "Yo mama" joke, e.g. 6
9D 9. Perceived to be 6
10D 10. Lhasa ___ (dog) 4
11D 11. Who said "In every walk with Nature, one receives far more than he seeks" 8
12D 12. Guests at the Last Supper 8
13D 13. Do some sculling 3
14D 19. Fix, as a contest 3
15D 21. "The Thinker" sculptor 5
16D 24. Turkey piece 4
17D 25. Something a lighthouse beacon cuts through 3
18D 27. 4-Down and others, for short 3
19D 30. Those in favor 4
20D 31. Those in favor 4
21D 32. Clark Kent and Mr. Hyde, for two 9
22D 33. One may open a window for it 8
23D 34. Pasta often served with clam sauce 8
24D 35. Lit ___ (college class) 4
25D 36. Welcome watering holes 5
26D 37. Place to play hoops 3
27D 38. Butter or olive oil 3
28D 40. "Yeah, right!" 6
29D 41. Saudi capital 6
30D 42. Ballet position on tiptoe 6
31D 43. Escapee's cry 6
32D 44. Not answering at roll call 6
33D 46. Pick up on 3
34D 47. Start of a billiards game 5
35D 49. Pesky swarmer 4
36D 51. Shareable PC file 3
37D 52. Actress Lucy of "Elementary" 3
38D 53. Relative of Inc. 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. "Congratulations! You've been selected ..." program"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: ADWARE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Eye lustfully"

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: LEERAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. The Basques' peninsula"

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 an ancient geographical region to the south of the caucasus mountains that corresponded approximately to the present-day georgia
  • Words that mean the same thing: Iberian Peninsula
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IBERIA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. #2 for #44"

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: BIDEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. "Things may well not happen the way you suppose""

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: ITSABIGIF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Beltmaker's tool"

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 pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching small holes
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AWL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Through, on an itinerary"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: VIA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. "Yo mama" joke, e.g."

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 a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
  • Words that mean the same thing: diss, contumely, affront
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: INSULT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Perceived to be"

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: SEENAS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Lhasa ___ (dog)"

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: APSO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Who said "In every walk with Nature, one receives far more than he seeks""

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: JOHNMUIR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Guests at the Last Supper"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an ardent early supporter of a cause or reform
  • Words that mean the same thing: apostle, Apostle, Apostelic Father
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: APOSTLES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Do some sculling"

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 an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
  • Words that mean the same thing: course, quarrel, wrangle
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ROW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "19. Fix, as a contest"

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 gear (including necessary machinery) for a particular enterprise
  • Words that mean the same thing: cheat, carriage, getup
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RIG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. "The Thinker" sculptor"

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 french sculptor noted for his renderings of the human form (1840-1917)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Auguste Rodin, Francois Auguste Rene Rodin
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RODIN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Turkey piece"

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 movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
  • Words that mean the same thing: backstage, annexe, fly
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WING

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Something a lighthouse beacon cuts through"

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 droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
  • Words that mean the same thing: cloud, befog, obnubilate
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FOG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. 4-Down and others, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium 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: VPS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "30. Those in favor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an athlete who plays for pay
  • Words that mean the same thing: professional, pro
  • The opposite would be: con, amateur
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PROS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "31. Those in favor"

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: AYES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "32. Clark Kent and Mr. Hyde, for two"

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: ALTEREGOS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. One may open a window for it"

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: FRESHAIR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "34. Pasta often served with clam sauce"

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 pasta in long slender flat strips
  • Words that mean the same thing: linguini
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LINGUINE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Lit ___ (college class)"

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: CRIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. Welcome watering holes"

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 fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)
  • Words that mean the same thing: oasis, haven
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OASES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. Place to play hoops"

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 athletic facility equipped for sports or physical training
  • Words that mean the same thing: gymnasium
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GYM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "38. Butter or olive oil"

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 soft greasy substance occurring in organic tissue and consisting of a mixture of lipids (mostly triglycerides)
  • Words that mean the same thing: productive, plump, plump out
  • The opposite would be: thin, leanness
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "40. "Yeah, right!""

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: ILLBET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "41. Saudi capital"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that joint capital (with mecca) of saudi arabia located in the central oasis; largest city in saudi arabia
  • Words that mean the same thing: capital of Saudi Arabia
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RIYADH

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "42. Ballet position on tiptoe"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: POINTE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "43. Escapee's cry"

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: IMFREE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "44. Not answering at roll call"

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 go away or leave
  • Words that mean the same thing: lacking, missing, scatty
  • The opposite would be: present
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ABSENT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "46. Pick up on"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
  • Words that mean the same thing: sustain, flummox, commence
  • The opposite would be: end, leave
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "47. Start of a billiards game"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
  • Words that mean the same thing: violate, wear out, breakout
  • The opposite would be: make, repair
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BREAK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "49. Pesky swarmer"

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 any of various small biting flies: midges; biting midges; black flies; sand flies
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GNAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "51. Shareable PC file"

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: PDF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "52. Actress Lucy of "Elementary""

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: LIU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "53. Relative of Inc."

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: LTD

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 51 68.9%
Short Answer 11 14.9%
Celebrity/Entertainment 4 5.4%
Sports 2 2.7%
Geography 2 2.7%
History 2 2.7%
Food & Drink 1 1.4%
Abbreviation 1 1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 36
Down Clues 38
Total Clues 74
Average Answer Length 5.1 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 11 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 Tuesday, 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!

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

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 27, 2025 at 05:18 AM

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Monday, December 22, 2025

XWordHint Crossword Answers December 22, 2025 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

December 22, 2025 NYT Crossword Solutions

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Deep sleeps 5
2A 6. High-speed Amtrak train 5
3A 11. Word with punching or sleeping 3
4A 14. One of a battery's poles 5
5A 15. Older but ___ 5
6A 16. Under the weather 3
7A 17. Saxophone, trumpet, piano and bass, perhaps 11
8A 19. Day-___ paint 3
9A 20. "Garfield" dog 4
10A 21. "It's freezing!" 3
11A 22. Typical "Survivor" locales 5
12A 24. Rapper ___ Uzi Vert 3
13A 25. Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, for two 11
14A 28. Fish that may have an electric charge 3
15A 29. Stammering sounds 3
16A 30. Indignation 7
17A 31. What each U.S. senator represents 5
18A 33. Raggedy ___ 3
19A 34. Breyers competitor 4
20A 35. Some exams allow them 9
21A 39. Cops, slangily 4
22A 42. Rode the bench 3
23A 43. Yoga pose 5
24A 47. Enjoying great success 7
25A 49. What electric cars don't use 3
26A 51. Like a 49-Across gauge that's near "Empty" 3
27A 52. Overly fussy 11
28A 54. Bit of forensic evidence 3
29A 55. Pink ___ (rock band) 5
30A 56. Singer DiFranco 3
31A 57. Bill 4
32A 58. Mideast export 3
33A 59. Cheat ... or a punny hint to the four sets of circled letters 11
34A 63. French "a" 3
35A 64. Hearing-related 5
36A 65. Playwright Chekhov 5
37A 66. Kind of lamp that's energy-efficient 3
38A 67. Easily irritated 5
39A 68. Romeo and Juliet, agewise 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Deep sleeps"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of deep and often prolonged unconsciousness; usually the result of disease or injury
  • Similar words include: coma, comatoseness
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. High-speed Amtrak train"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACELA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Word with punching or sleeping"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flexible container with a single opening
  • Similar words include: suitcase, pocketbook, travelling bag
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. One of a battery's poles"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a positively charged electrode by which electrons leave an electrical device
  • Opposite of: cathode
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Older but ___"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
  • Similar words include: saucy, fresh, impudent
  • Opposite of: foolish
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WISER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Under the weather"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
  • Similar words include: ailment, poorly, ominous
  • Opposite of: well
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Saxophone, trumpet, piano and bass, perhaps"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAZZQUARTET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Day-___ paint"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. "Garfield" dog"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. "It's freezing!""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Typical "Survivor" locales"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small island
  • Similar words include: isle, islet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Rapper ___ Uzi Vert"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, for two"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JEDIMASTERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Fish that may have an electric charge"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Stammering sounds"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
  • Similar words include: emergency room, ER, erbium
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Indignation"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feeling of righteous anger
  • Similar words include: scandalise, appal, desecrate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUTRAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. What each U.S. senator represents"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
  • Similar words include: land, say, nation
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Raggedy ___"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Breyers competitor"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Some exams allow them"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPENNOTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Cops, slangily"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POPO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Rode the bench"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the sabbath by jews and some christians
  • Similar words include: sit around, seat, pose
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Yoga pose"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (hinduism) a posture or manner of sitting (as in the practice of yoga)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Enjoying great success"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONATEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. What electric cars don't use"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity; relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature; the ability to diffuse readily; and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container
  • Similar words include: bluster, petrol, gun
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Like a 49-Across gauge that's near "Empty""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an air mass of lower pressure; often brings precipitation
  • Similar words include: miserable, lowly, downhearted
  • Opposite of: high
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "52. Overly fussy"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used colloquially) overly conceited or arrogant; -laurent le sage
  • Similar words include: snot-nosed, bigheaded, pernickety
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PERSNICKETY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Bit of forensic evidence"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (biochemistry) a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix; associated with the transmission of genetic information
  • Similar words include: deoxyribonucleic acid, desoxyribonucleic acid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Pink ___ (rock band)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLOYD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Singer DiFranco"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that black tropical american cuckoo
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Bill"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)
  • Similar words include: pecker, snoot, nib
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. Mideast export"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water
  • Similar words include: anele, crude, fossil oil
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "59. Cheat ... or a punny hint to the four sets of circled letters"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHORTCHANGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "63. French "a""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. Hearing-related"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or pertaining to hearing or the ear
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AURAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "65. Playwright Chekhov"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "66. Kind of lamp that's energy-efficient"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
  • Similar words include: light-emitting diode, leave, top
  • Opposite of: follow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "67. Easily irritated"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that easily irritated or annoyed
  • Similar words include: cranky, tetchy, irritable
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TESTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "68. Romeo and Juliet, agewise"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time of life between the ages of 12 and 20
  • Similar words include: adolescent, teenager, stripling
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Persuades with flattery 7
2D 2. Doing keto, perhaps 7
3D 3. Creator of Firefox and Thunderbird 7
4D 4. Woodworking tool 4
5D 5. Orderly arrangement: Abbr. 3
6D 6. Oscars and Grammys, e.g. 6
7D 7. Wispy clouds 5
8D 8. Approx. 3
9D 9. Harper ___, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" 3
10D 10. Monet or Manet 6
11D 11. Don't blow it! 7
12D 12. Reaction to pollen, e.g. 7
13D 13. Shiny coatings 7
14D 18. Lyft competitor 4
15D 23. Heart attack risk factor 6
16D 25. Cherokee maker 4
17D 26. "The kissing disease" 4
18D 27. Em, to Dorothy 4
19D 32. Foot, in baby talk 6
20D 33. Word after fire or carpenter 3
21D 36. Actor Morales 4
22D 37. Drug agent, informally 4
23D 38. "No sweat!" 4
24D 39. Ball batted up and behind the catcher, say 7
25D 40. Length of a pithy joke 7
26D 41. Released from jail early 7
27D 44. Pasta preference 7
28D 45. Nine-sided figure 7
29D 46. Stirs from sleep 7
30D 48. Is over by 6
31D 49. With a light touch 6
32D 50. Suffix with problem 4
33D 53. Gold standard 5
34D 57. Scourge 4
35D 60. Shade of color 3
36D 61. Surgery sites, in brief 3
37D 62. Beanie or bowler 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Persuades with flattery"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
  • Similar words include: inveigle, palaver, blarney
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAJOLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Doing keto, perhaps"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONADIET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Creator of Firefox and Thunderbird"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOZILLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Woodworking tool"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edge tool used to cut and shape wood
  • Similar words include: adz
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Orderly arrangement: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEQ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Oscars and Grammys, e.g."

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a grant made by a law court
  • Similar words include: prize, honour, award
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWARDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Wispy clouds"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that usually coiled
  • Similar words include: cirrus, cirrus cloud, cirrhus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIRRI

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8D: "8. Approx."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
  • Similar words include: Eastern Time, Eastern Standard Time
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EST

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9D: "9. Harper ___, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in america (born in 1957)
  • Similar words include: Gypsy Rose Lee, Richard Henry Lee, Henry Lee
  • Opposite of: windward
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEE

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10D: "10. Monet or Manet"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
  • Similar words include: creative person
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARTIST

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11D: "11. Don't blow it!"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIGLEAD

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12D: "12. Reaction to pollen, e.g."

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hypersensitivity reaction to a particular allergen; symptoms can vary greatly in intensity
  • Similar words include: allergic reaction
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALLERGY

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13D: "13. Shiny coatings"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a text
  • Similar words include: color, colour, polish
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLOSSES

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14D: "18. Lyft competitor"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UBER

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15D: "23. Heart attack risk factor"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)
  • Similar words include: tension, accentuate, strain
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRESS

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16D: "25. Cherokee maker"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a car suitable for traveling over rough terrain
  • Similar words include: landrover
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JEEP

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17D: "26. "The kissing disease""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acute disease characterized by fever and swollen lymph nodes and an abnormal increase of mononuclear leucocytes or monocytes in the bloodstream; not highly contagious; some believe it can be transmitted by kissing
  • Similar words include: glandular fever, monophonic, infectious mononucleosis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MONO

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18D: "27. Em, to Dorothy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
  • Similar words include: auntie, aunty
  • Opposite of: uncle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AUNT

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19D: "32. Foot, in baby talk"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOOTSY

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20D: "33. Word after fire or carpenter"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of 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
  • Similar words include: emmet, pismire
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANT

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21D: "36. Actor Morales"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESAI

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22D: "37. Drug agent, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lawman concerned with narcotics violations
  • Similar words include: narcotics agent, nark
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NARC

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23D: "38. "No sweat!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
  • Similar words include: well-situated, promiscuous, slowly
  • Opposite of: difficult, quickly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EASY

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24D: "39. Ball batted up and behind the catcher, say"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POPFOUL

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25D: "40. Length of a pithy joke"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONELINE

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26D: "41. Released from jail early"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that release a criminal from detention and place him on parole
  • Similar words include: parole
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAROLED

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27D: "44. Pasta preference"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALDENTE

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28D: "45. Nine-sided figure"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a nine-sided polygon
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NONAGON

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29D: "46. Stirs from sleep"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to become awake or conscious
  • Similar words include: awake, rouse, wake up
  • Opposite of: cause to sleep, fall asleep
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWAKENS

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30D: "48. Is over by"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENDSAT

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31D: "49. With a light touch"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in a gradual manner
  • Similar words include: mildly, lightly, softly
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENTLY

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32D: "50. Suffix with problem"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATIC

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33D: "53. Gold standard"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy; 18-karat gold is 75% gold; 24-karat gold is pure gold
  • Similar words include: kt, carat
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KARAT

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34D: "57. Scourge"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something causing misery or death
  • Similar words include: nemesis, scourge, curse
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BANE

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35D: "60. Shade of color"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
  • Similar words include: chromaticity, imbue
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "61. Surgery sites, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in northwestern united states on the pacific
  • Similar words include: Oregon, operating theatre, operating theater
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORS

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37D: "62. Beanie or bowler"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
  • Similar words include: chapeau, lid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

39 Across Clues
37 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: December 22, 2025 at 04:27 AM

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