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Monday, July 14, 2025

NY Times Crossword Answers July 15, 2024 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

NY Times Crossword Complete Solution: July 15, 2024

Our expert breakdown helps you solve the July 15 NYT crossword while expanding your vocabulary. Learn answer strategies and discover word connections.

Across Clues and Answers (35)

Clue #1: 1. Environmentalist Thunberg

5-letter answer Answer: GRETA

Clue #2: 6. Concluding musical passage

4-letter answer Answer: CODA
Word Help: Synonyms: coda, finale

Clue #3: 10. Bringing up the rear

4-letter answer Answer: LAST
Word Help: Synonyms: shoemaker's_last, finish, close
Antonyms: first

Clue #4: 14. Diameter halves

5-letter answer Answer: RADII
Word Help: Synonyms: wheel_spoke, r, spoke

Clue #5: 15. Enthusiastic

4-letter answer Answer: AVID
Word Help: Synonyms: zealous, esurient, avid

Clue #6: 16. ___ in a blue moon

4-letter answer Answer: ONCE
Word Help: Synonyms: one_time, at_one_time, erst

Clue #7: 17. "Don't you worry about me!"

10-letter answer Answer: ICANMANAGE

Clue #8: 19. Resting on

4-letter answer Answer: ATOP
Word Help: Synonyms: atop

Clue #9: 20. Rep.'s opponent

3-letter answer Answer: DEM

Clue #10: 21. Surgery souvenir

4-letter answer Answer: SCAR
Word Help: Synonyms: scrape, scar, mark

Clue #11: 22. Listing on a mall directory

5-letter answer Answer: STORE
Word Help: Synonyms: shop, computer_memory, entrepot

Clue #12: 23. Fixture that may hold gumballs

12-letter answer Answer: CANDYMACHINE

Clue #13: 26. Drink with tapioca pearls

7-letter answer Answer: BOBATEA

Clue #14: 29. Who might say "Take me to your leader"

5-letter answer Answer: ALIEN
Word Help: Synonyms: estrange, stranger, extraterrestrial
Antonyms: acquaintance, citizen

Clue #15: 30. Hubbubs

4-letter answer Answer: ADOS
Word Help: Synonyms: bustle, ado, hustle

Clue #16: 31. Cat, in Spanish

4-letter answer Answer: GATO

Clue #17: 32. Flow back, as the tide

3-letter answer Answer: EBB
Word Help: Synonyms: ebb_down, wane, ebb_off
Antonyms: tide

Clue #18: 35. Supposed sighting in the Scottish Highlands

15-letter answer Answer: LOCHNESSMONSTER

Clue #19: 40. Historical period

3-letter answer Answer: ERA
Word Help: Synonyms: earned_run_average, ERA, geological_era

Clue #20: 41. Sign of things to come

4-letter answer Answer: OMEN
Word Help: Synonyms: Oman, prognostic, prognosticate

Clue #21: 42. Palindromic boy's name

4-letter answer Answer: OTTO

Clue #22: 43. Desert or tundra

5-letter answer Answer: BIOME
Word Help: Synonyms: biome

Clue #23: 45. Melancholy feeling

7-letter answer Answer: SADNESS
Word Help: Synonyms: unhappiness, lugubriousness, sorrowfulness
Antonyms: happiness

Clue #24: 48. Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor with bananas and walnuts

12-letter answer Answer: CHUNKYMONKEY

Clue #25: 51. They're often in front of the percussion section in an orchestra

5-letter answer Answer: HORNS
Word Help: Synonyms: hooter, French_horn, trumpet

Clue #26: 52. Bit of bridal attire

4-letter answer Answer: VEIL
Word Help: Synonyms: embryonic_membrane, hide, veil
Antonyms: unveil

Clue #27: 53. Question that anagrams to another question

3-letter answer Answer: HOW

Clue #28: 56. Pond organism

4-letter answer Answer: ALGA
Word Help: Synonyms: alga, algae

Clue #29: 57. Colorful marine creature ... or a phonetic hint to the circled letters in 17-, 23-, 35- and 48-Across

10-letter answer Answer: SEAANEMONE

Clue #30: 60. Track or swimming competition

4-letter answer Answer: MEET
Word Help: Synonyms: encounter, come_across, meet
Antonyms: diverge

Clue #31: 61. Converse

4-letter answer Answer: TALK
Word Help: Synonyms: blab_out, verbalize, talk_of_the_town
Antonyms: keep_quiet

Clue #32: 62. Scrabble pieces

5-letter answer Answer: TILES
Word Help: Synonyms: tile, roofing_tile

Clue #33: 63. Flammable pile

4-letter answer Answer: PYRE
Word Help: Synonyms: pyre, funeral_pyre

Clue #34: 64. Online marketplace for crafts

4-letter answer Answer: ETSY

Clue #35: 65. Live and breathe

5-letter answer Answer: EXIST
Word Help: Synonyms: exist, survive, subsist

Across Clues and Answers (35)

Clue #1: 1. Crossword diagram

4-letter answer Answer: GRID
Word Help: Synonyms: gridiron, storage-battery_grid, power_system

Clue #2: 2. Marathon, e.g.

4-letter answer Answer: RACE
Word Help: Synonyms: hie, pelt_along, hasten
Antonyms: linger

Clue #3: 3. Answer to the riddle "What cheese is made backward?"

4-letter answer Answer: EDAM
Word Help: Synonyms: Edam

Clue #4: 4. Altoids container

3-letter answer Answer: TIN
Word Help: Synonyms: cannister, tin_can, atomic_number_50

Clue #5: 5. Zeroes in on

6-letter answer Answer: AIMSAT

Clue #6: 6. Country with a maple leaf on its flag

6-letter answer Answer: CANADA
Word Help: Synonyms: Canada

Clue #7: 7. Egg-producing organ

5-letter answer Answer: OVARY
Word Help: Synonyms: ovary

Clue #8: 8. Use a shovel

3-letter answer Answer: DIG
Word Help: Synonyms: dig_up, comprehend, hollow

Clue #9: 9. Citrus drink suffix

3-letter answer Answer: ADE
Word Help: Synonyms: fruit_drink, ade

Clue #10: 10. Abhor

6-letter answer Answer: LOATHE
Word Help: Synonyms: execrate, abhor, loathe

Clue #11: 11. Marie of Versailles

10-letter answer Answer: ANTOINETTE

Clue #12: 12. Disdain

5-letter answer Answer: SCORN
Word Help: Synonyms: contemn, spurn, despite

Clue #13: 13. Conical home

5-letter answer Answer: TEPEE
Word Help: Synonyms: teepee, tepee, tipi

Clue #14: 18. Common case for a dermatologist

4-letter answer Answer: ACNE
Word Help: Synonyms: acne

Clue #15: 22. Descendant

5-letter answer Answer: SCION
Word Help: Synonyms: scion

Clue #16: 23. Bills and coins

4-letter answer Answer: CASH
Word Help: Synonyms: Johnny_Cash, cash_in, hard_cash
Antonyms: credit

Clue #17: 24. Sir's counterpart

4-letter answer Answer: MAAM

Clue #18: 25. Voice between soprano and tenor

4-letter answer Answer: ALTO
Word Help: Synonyms: countertenor, contralto, alto

Clue #19: 26. Hay bundle

4-letter answer Answer: BALE
Word Help: Synonyms: bale, Basle, Basel

Clue #20: 27. Stink

4-letter answer Answer: ODOR
Word Help: Synonyms: odour, olfactory_sensation, smell

Clue #21: 28. Barbecue option for a vegetarian

10-letter answer Answer: BOCABURGER

Clue #22: 31. Cable channel that airs "Family Feud" reruns

3-letter answer Answer: GSN

Clue #23: 33. Wagers

4-letter answer Answer: BETS
Word Help: Synonyms: calculate, reckon, stake

Clue #24: 34. Super Mario ___

4-letter answer Answer: BROS

Clue #25: 36. Cozy spots

5-letter answer Answer: NOOKS
Word Help: Synonyms: nook, corner

Clue #26: 37. The "E" of EGOT

4-letter answer Answer: EMMY
Word Help: Synonyms: Emmy

Clue #27: 38. Appear to be

4-letter answer Answer: SEEM
Word Help: Synonyms: appear, seem, look

Clue #28: 39. PlayStation maker

4-letter answer Answer: SONY

Clue #29: 44. Present at birth

6-letter answer Answer: INNATE
Word Help: Synonyms: unlearned, natural, inborn
Antonyms: conditioned

Clue #30: 45. Devious

6-letter answer Answer: SNEAKY
Word Help: Synonyms: sneak, stealthy, surreptitious

Clue #31: 46. Similar (to)

4-letter answer Answer: AKIN
Word Help: Synonyms: consanguineous, consanguineal, consanguine

Clue #32: 47. Backspace over

6-letter answer Answer: DELETE
Word Help: Synonyms: erase, cancel, blue-pencil
Antonyms: record

Clue #33: 48. Tourney winner

5-letter answer Answer: CHAMP
Word Help: Synonyms: chomp, title-holder, champ

Clue #34: 49. Like Swiss cheese

5-letter answer Answer: HOLEY
Word Help: Synonyms: porous, holey

Clue #35: 50. NASCAR circuits, geometrically

5-letter answer Answer: OVALS
Word Help: Synonyms: oval, ellipse

Clue #36: 53. Hindu festival of colors

4-letter answer Answer: HOLI

Clue #37: 54. Half of the digits in binary code

4-letter answer Answer: ONES
Word Help: Synonyms: 1, single, I

Clue #38: 55. Toward sunset

4-letter answer Answer: WEST
Word Help: Synonyms: western_United_States, Benjamin_West, Rebecca_West
Antonyms: east

Clue #39: 57. French holy woman: Abbr.

3-letter answer Answer: STE

Clue #40: 58. Consume

3-letter answer Answer: EAT
Word Help: Synonyms: consume, use_up, eat_on

Clue #41: 59. Mingle

3-letter answer Answer: MIX
Word Help: Synonyms: coalesce, blend, mix_in
Antonyms: segregate

Expert Solving Strategies

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

Related Search Terms

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

Friday, December 26, 2025

NYT Down Clues Answers December 26, 2025 - All 35 Vertical Solutions & Expert Hints

Today's Down Crossword NYT December 26, 2025 - Every Vertical Solution Explained

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 35 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: Todays NYT Crossword Across Clues_21 | July 03 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | Xwordhint Crossword Answers December 02 |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for December 26, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Friday, December 26, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 26, 2025
Day of Week Friday
Total Down Clues 35 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Medium

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 35 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. How a supervillain might brag
2 Down 2. Flip
3 Down 3. Waiting for support, maybe
4 Down 4. Like untended plots
5 Down 5. Funeral ___
6 Down 6. Broad band?
7 Down 7. Royal Australian Air Force insignia
8 Down 8. Competition that combines speed with balance
9 Down 9. Professor Dumbledore
10 Down 10. Contest
11 Down 11. Bevy : quail :: parliament : ___
12 Down 12. The world's end, in Norse mythology
13 Down 13. Mr. or Ms. Right
14 Down 14. Baby sitter?
15 Down 21. Half of a classic rum cocktail's name
16 Down 24. Component of a nautilus shell
17 Down 25. Eric who wrote and illustrated "Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me"
18 Down 27. Stick by a fireplace
19 Down 28. Mantra
20 Down 29. Nearby things
21 Down 30. Like the pope's guards
22 Down 31. Area on which to eat or play cards
23 Down 32. "You can absolutely count on me"
24 Down 33. Figure in sci-fi's "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman," e.g.
25 Down 34. Great illustrations
26 Down 38. Connected
27 Down 39. Sister of Moses
28 Down 40. Worth considering
29 Down 41. Made up
30 Down 43. Nation dubbed the "cradle of mankind"
31 Down 44. "Understood?"
32 Down 46. Big break
33 Down 47. Stack (up)
34 Down 49. Casting need
35 Down 51. Short diner order

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues

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

Complete Down Solutions:


1 Down: "1. How a supervillain might brag"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S____Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: in a smug manner
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SMUGLY


2 Down: "2. Flip"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: L____T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LOSEIT


3 Down: "3. Waiting for support, maybe"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: O____D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ONHOLD


4 Down: "4. Like untended plots"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'W' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: W___Y
  • Similar words: scrawny, underweight
  • Opposite of: weedless
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: abounding with or resembling weeds
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer WEEDY


5 Down: "5. Funeral ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P__E
  • Similar words: funeral pyre
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PYRE


6 Down: "6. Broad band?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'I'
  • Similar words: obeah
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OBI


7 Down: "7. Royal Australian Air Force insignia"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: K______O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KANGAROO


8 Down: "8. Competition that combines speed with balance"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 15 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: E_____________E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EGGANDSPOONRACE


9 Down: "9. Professor Dumbledore"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A___S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ALBUS


10 Down: "10. Contest"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: B__T
  • Similar words: round, bust
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BOUT


11 Down: "11. Bevy : quail :: parliament : ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'L'
  • Similar words: bird of Minerva, bird of night
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OWL


12 Down: "12. The world's end, in Norse mythology"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: R______K
  • Similar words: Gotterdammerung
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RAGNAROK


13 Down: "13. Mr. or Ms. Right"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T______E
  • Similar words: sweetheart, sweetie
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a person loved by another person
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TRUELOVE


14 Down: "14. Baby sitter?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: S______R
  • Similar words: baby carriage, go-cart
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: someone who walks at a leisurely pace
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer STROLLER


15 Down: "21. Half of a classic rum cocktail's name"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'I'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MAI


16 Down: "24. Component of a nautilus shell"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: N___E
  • Similar words: mother-of-pearl
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NACRE


17 Down: "25. Eric who wrote and illustrated "Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CARLE


18 Down: "27. Stick by a fireplace"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: M___H
  • Similar words: equalize, gibe
  • Opposite of: disagree
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MATCH


19 Down: "28. Mantra"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: C___T
  • Similar words: cantillate, intone
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CHANT


20 Down: "29. Nearby things"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer THESE


21 Down: "30. Like the pope's guards"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S___S
  • Similar words: Swiss people
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the natives or inhabitants of Switzerland
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SWISS


22 Down: "31. Area on which to eat or play cards"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: T______P
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the top horizontal work surface of a table
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TABLETOP


23 Down: "32. "You can absolutely count on me""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: I______E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IPROMISE


24 Down: "33. Figure in sci-fi's "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman," e.g."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: G______S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a female giant
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GIANTESS


25 Down: "34. Great illustrations"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: E______S
  • Similar words: epitome, paradigm
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a standard or typical example
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EPITOMES


26 Down: "38. Connected"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
  • Similar words: contact, converge
  • Opposite of: diverge
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: come together
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MET


27 Down: "39. Sister of Moses"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: M____M
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MIRIAM


28 Down: "40. Worth considering"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OFNOTE


29 Down: "41. Made up"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: A____D
  • Similar words: abye, atone
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: make amends for
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ATONED


30 Down: "43. Nation dubbed the "cradle of mankind""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: K___A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KENYA


31 Down: "44. "Understood?""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: G___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GOTME


32 Down: "46. Big break"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: R__T
  • Similar words: breach, severance
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a gap between cloud masses
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RIFT


33 Down: "47. Stack (up)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P__E
  • Similar words: stack, stilt
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a collection of objects laid on top of each other
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PILE


34 Down: "49. Casting need"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
  • Similar words: break down, snuff it
  • Opposite of: be born
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DIE


35 Down: "51. Short diner order"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'T'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BLT

Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues

Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Down Clues?

  • Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
  • Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
  • Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
  • Down answers often help solve Across clues

Down Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically

Time-Saving Down Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Down first Get a mental map of the vertical flow
Fill short Down words 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors
Use crossing letters Across letters help confirm Down answers
Look for themes Related Down answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues

What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?

Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.

Should I solve Down or Across clues first?

Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 35 Down clues.

Are Down clues easier than Across clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.

How do Down clues interact with Across clues?

Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 26, 2025 at 05:16 AM

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