NY Times Crossword Answers July 14, 2020 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

NY Times Crossword Complete Solution: July 14, 2020

Published on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 • Updated daily

Our expert breakdown helps you solve the July 14 NYT crossword while expanding your vocabulary. Learn answer strategies and discover word connections.

Across Clues and Answers (39)

Clue #1: 1. Grant entry to

5-letter answer Answer: LETIN

Clue #2: 6. Things that may be open or folded

4-letter answer Answer: ARMS

Word Help: Synonyms: coat_of_arms, sleeve, subdivision
Antonyms: disarm

Clue #3: 10. "Friends" or "Frasier"

4-letter answer Answer: SHOW

Word Help: Synonyms: exhibit, establish, point
Antonyms: disprove, hide

Clue #4: 14. Pizzeria needs

5-letter answer Answer: OVENS

Word Help: Synonyms: oven

Clue #5: 15. Jacob's first bride

4-letter answer Answer: LEAH

Clue #6: 16. Give a hoot

4-letter answer Answer: CARE

Word Help: Synonyms: tending, precaution, forethought

Clue #7: 17. Super-cold spell on the set of a 1996 Broadway musical?

10-letter answer Answer: RENTFREEZE

Clue #8: 19. What yeast makes dough do

4-letter answer Answer: RISE

Word Help: Synonyms: go_up, jump, uprise
Antonyms: wane, go_to_bed

Clue #9: 20. One of the First Nations of Canada

4-letter answer Answer: CREE

Word Help: Synonyms: Cree

Clue #10: 21. Primates, for humans

5-letter answer Answer: ORDER

Word Help: Synonyms: ordain, orderliness, purchase_order
Antonyms: deregulate, disorderliness

Clue #11: 22. Newsmaking ex-Yankee, informally

4-letter answer Answer: AROD

Clue #12: 23. Have a magnetic effect on

7-letter answer Answer: ATTRACT

Word Help: Synonyms: attract, draw_in, appeal
Antonyms: repel

Clue #13: 25. Gloss targets

4-letter answer Answer: LIPS

Word Help: Synonyms: lip, sass, sassing

Clue #14: 27. Org. concerned with sustainability

3-letter answer Answer: EPA

Word Help: Synonyms: Environmental_Protection_Agency, EPA

Clue #15: 28. Full out

8-letter answer Answer: WHOLEHOG

Clue #16: 32. Waxing crescent, e.g.

5-letter answer Answer: PHASE

Word Help: Synonyms: phase_angle, phase, form

Clue #17: 35. Succumb to pressure

5-letter answer Answer: CRACK

Word Help: Synonyms: check, topnotch, crock_up

Clue #18: 36. Abbr. in a discount bin

3-letter answer Answer: IRR

Clue #19: 37. Tweetstorm, e.g.

4-letter answer Answer: RANT

Word Help: Synonyms: spout, rant, mouth_off

Clue #20: 38. Old piano's sound

5-letter answer Answer: PLONK

Word Help: Synonyms: plunk_down, plump, flump

Clue #21: 39. Christmas ___

4-letter answer Answer: TREE

Word Help: Synonyms: shoetree, tree_diagram, corner

Clue #22: 40. Have title to

3-letter answer Answer: OWN

Word Help: Synonyms: own, have, possess

Clue #23: 41. Concert piano

5-letter answer Answer: GRAND

Word Help: Synonyms: gilded, distinguished, lofty

Clue #24: 42. Trying to look cultured

5-letter answer Answer: ARTSY

Clue #25: 43. Saying "No thanks" to, say

8-letter answer Answer: SKIPPING

Word Help: Synonyms: decamp, jump, vamoose

Clue #26: 45. One of the components of an M.L.B. Triple Crown

3-letter answer Answer: RBI

Word Help: Synonyms: rbi, run_batted_in

Clue #27: 46. Workplace discrimination law enforcer, for short

4-letter answer Answer: EEOC

Clue #28: 47. We two

7-letter answer Answer: YOUANDI

Clue #29: 51. Where to find Amazon's Alexa

4-letter answer Answer: ECHO

Word Help: Synonyms: reverberation, Echo, echo

Clue #30: 53. Modern missives

5-letter answer Answer: EMAIL

Word Help: Synonyms: e-mail, electronic_mail, email
Antonyms: snail_mail

Clue #31: 56. Norse goddess of fate

4-letter answer Answer: NORN

Word Help: Synonyms: Norn, weird_sister

Clue #32: 57. Suds maker

4-letter answer Answer: SOAP

Word Help: Synonyms: easy_lay, lather, grievous_bodily_harm

Clue #33: 58. Positive, albeit terse, review of a 2003 Broadway musical?

10-letter answer Answer: WICKEDGOOD

Clue #34: 60. Like tales you can't believe

4-letter answer Answer: TALL

Word Help: Synonyms: grandiloquent, marvellous, improbable
Antonyms: short

Clue #35: 61. Poker prerequisite

4-letter answer Answer: ANTE

Word Help: Synonyms: ante

Clue #36: 62. Dark, yellowish green

5-letter answer Answer: OLIVE

Word Help: Synonyms: Olea_europaea, European_olive_tree, olive

Clue #37: 63. It keeps the wheels turning

4-letter answer Answer: AXLE

Word Help: Synonyms: axle

Clue #38: 64. Muckraking journalist Jacob

4-letter answer Answer: RIIS

Clue #39: 65. Kind of message made obsolescent by faxes

5-letter answer Answer: TELEX

Word Help: Synonyms: telex, teletypewriter, teletype_machine

Across Clues and Answers (39)

Clue #1: 1. Poet/playwright Federico García ___

5-letter answer Answer: LORCA

Word Help: Synonyms: Lorca, Frederico_Garcia_Lorca, Garcia_Lorca

Clue #2: 2. Chris in the International Tennis Hall of Fame

5-letter answer Answer: EVERT

Word Help: Synonyms: Evert, Chrissie_Evert, evert

Clue #3: 3. Core belief

5-letter answer Answer: TENET

Word Help: Synonyms: dogma, tenet

Clue #4: 4. It may grow via compounding

8-letter answer Answer: INTEREST

Word Help: Synonyms: sake, interest_group, pursuit
Antonyms: bore, uninterestingness

Clue #5: 5. Abbr. on a returned check

3-letter answer Answer: NSF

Word Help: Synonyms: National_Science_Foundation, NSF

Clue #6: 6. Wide-eyed

5-letter answer Answer: ALERT

Word Help: Synonyms: rattling, snappy, zippy
Antonyms: unalert

Clue #7: 7. Plant by a pond

4-letter answer Answer: REED

Word Help: Synonyms: Reed, reed, reed_instrument

Clue #8: 8. Lab rat's challenge

4-letter answer Answer: MAZE

Word Help: Synonyms: snarl, tangle, maze

Clue #9: 9. Genius, informally

8-letter answer Answer: SHERLOCK

Word Help: Synonyms: PI, sherlock, operative

Clue #10: 10. What a bandage may cover

6-letter answer Answer: SCRAPE

Word Help: Synonyms: excoriation, genuflect, scrape

Clue #11: 11. Souvenir from a 1968 Broadway musical?

9-letter answer Answer: HAIRSHIRT

Clue #12: 12. Estimator's phrase

4-letter answer Answer: ORSO

Clue #13: 13. Gardener's bane

4-letter answer Answer: WEED

Word Help: Synonyms: grass, smoke, sess
Antonyms: cultivated_plant

Clue #14: 18. Almond ___ (candy brand)

4-letter answer Answer: ROCA

Clue #15: 24. Something studied by a primatologist

3-letter answer Answer: APE

Word Help: Synonyms: copycat, emulator, aper

Clue #16: 26. Sort

3-letter answer Answer: ILK

Word Help: Synonyms: ilk, like

Clue #17: 28. All wet

5-letter answer Answer: WRONG

Word Help: Synonyms: unseasonable, incorrectly, awry
Antonyms: correctly, right

Clue #18: 29. Unit in the measure of a horse's height

4-letter answer Answer: HAND

Word Help: Synonyms: bridge_player, paw, hired_hand

Clue #19: 30. Miners' finds

4-letter answer Answer: ORES

Word Help: Synonyms: ore

Clue #20: 31. Jennifer of "Dirty Dancing"

4-letter answer Answer: GREY

Word Help: Synonyms: grizzly, Grey, greyness

Clue #21: 32. Reasons to do something

4-letter answer Answer: PROS

Word Help: Synonyms: professional, pro
Antonyms: con, amateur

Clue #22: 33. War supporter

4-letter answer Answer: HAWK

Word Help: Synonyms: monger, pitch, war_hawk
Antonyms: dove

Clue #23: 34. Performance venue for a 1977 Broadway musical?

9-letter answer Answer: ANNIEHALL

Clue #24: 35. Extended family

4-letter answer Answer: CLAN

Word Help: Synonyms: tribe, kinship_group, kin

Clue #25: 38. Conflict helpful to customers

8-letter answer Answer: PRICEWAR

Clue #26: 39. Word with love or right

8-letter answer Answer: TRIANGLE

Word Help: Synonyms: Triangulum, trigon, triangle

Clue #27: 41. Collector of letters: Abbr.

3-letter answer Answer: GPO

Word Help: Synonyms: US_Government_Printing_Office, United_States_Government_Printing_Office, GPO

Clue #28: 42. "Aladdin" monkey

3-letter answer Answer: ABU

Clue #29: 44. Sexiest Man Alive magazine

6-letter answer Answer: PEOPLE

Word Help: Synonyms: citizenry, the_great_unwashed, hoi_polloi

Clue #30: 45. Auditioner's desire

4-letter answer Answer: ROLE

Word Help: Synonyms: character, purpose, use

Clue #31: 47. "Aiiieee!"

5-letter answer Answer: YIKES

Clue #32: 48. Dieter's food request, maybe

5-letter answer Answer: NOOIL

Clue #33: 49. Motored

5-letter answer Answer: DROVE

Word Help: Synonyms: repulse, get, force
Antonyms: attract

Clue #34: 50. End of many a nonfiction book

5-letter answer Answer: INDEX

Word Help: Synonyms: indicator, exponent, indicant

Clue #35: 51. ___ noche (tonight: Sp.)

4-letter answer Answer: ESTA

Clue #36: 52. Sweet-talk

4-letter answer Answer: COAX

Word Help: Synonyms: palaver, sweet-talk, coaxial_cable

Clue #37: 54. ___ Cooper

4-letter answer Answer: MINI

Word Help: Synonyms: mini, miniskirt
Antonyms: midi

Clue #38: 55. Broadway opening?

4-letter answer Answer: ACTI

Clue #39: 59. Pointillism unit

3-letter answer Answer: DOT

Word Help: Synonyms: scatter, dit, point

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

XWordHint Crossword Answers September 19, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (31 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (33 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate

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. It didn't come with a calculator until 2024	4
2A	5. Goes down in estimation	9
3A	14. Rod ___, 1977 A.L. M.V.P. with the Twins	5
4A	16. End of a rant, perhaps	9
5A	17. Geological period	5
6A	18. Instrument also known as a ukitar	9
7A	19. Siva ___ (traditional dance named for its country of origin)	5
8A	20. Runner's goal, maybe	9
9A	21. Good-for-nothings	6
10A	23. The very first one was won by a ventriloquist	4
11A	24. Like much Ikea furniture	8
12A	26. "You'll ___ the day!"	3
13A	27. Inhale, so to speak	3
14A	28. Youngest congressional appointees	11
15A	33. Some strenuous athletic events, informally	4
16A	35. "Dog Day Afternoon" director	5
17A	36. Tibetan title	4
18A	37. One might be cut off by an orchestra	11
19A	40. U.S. : reps :: Canada : ___	3
20A	41. Little	3
21A	42. Rattled, humorously	8
22A	44. Not see	4
23A	46. It's a whole thing	6
24A	47. Request for assistance from a higher-up?	9
25A	51. Build up	5
26A	53. "Sure ... that's true ..."	9
27A	54. Saturate	5
28A	55. "That's good thinking"	9
29A	56. Fired up again	5
30A	57. Speak rationally	9
31A	58. "I'm in!"	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. It didn't come with a calculator until 2024"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IPAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Goes down in estimation"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOSESFACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Rod ___, 1977 A.L. M.V.P. with the Twins"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that englishman and cavalier poet whose lyric poetry was favored by charles i (1595-1639)
• Similar words include: Thomas Carew
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAREW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. End of a rant, perhaps"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ILLSHUTUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Geological period"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Similar words include: date of reference, era
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EPOCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Instrument also known as a ukitar"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GUITALELE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Siva ___ (traditional dance named for its country of origin)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a constitutional monarchy on the western part of the islands of samoa in the south pacific
• Similar words include: Samoan Islands, Western Samoa, Samoa i Sisifo
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAMOA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Runner's goal, maybe"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOMEPLATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Good-for-nothings"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BADLOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. The very first one was won by a ventriloquist"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an annual award by the academy of television arts and sciences for outstanding achievements in television
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMMY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Like much Ikea furniture"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cover with veneer
• Similar words include: veneer
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VENEERED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. "You'll ___ the day!""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that european strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
• Similar words include: herb of grace, ruefulness, repent
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Inhale, so to speak"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that take in solid food
• Similar words include: eat up, wipe out, feed
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Youngest congressional appointees"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SENATEPAGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. Some strenuous athletic events, informally"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "35. "Dog Day Afternoon" director"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LUMET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Tibetan title"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a tibetan or mongolian priest of lamaism
• Similar words include: genus Lama
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LAMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. One might be cut off by an orchestra"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OSCARSPEECH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. U.S. : reps :: Canada : ___"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a widely distributed system of free and fixed macrophages derived from bone marrow
• Similar words include: military policeman, system of macrophages, military police
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Little"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a short time
• Similar words include: teentsy, bittie, pass water
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. Rattled, humorously"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHOOKETH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Not see"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a young woman
• Similar words include: neglect, fille, drop
• Opposite of: have, attend

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. It's a whole thing"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that that which is perceived or known or inferred to have its own distinct existence (living or nonliving)
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENTITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Request for assistance from a higher-up?"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GODHELPME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Build up"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that collect or gather
• Similar words include: collect, gather, pile up
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "53. "Sure ... that's true ...""

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMEANYEAH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "54. Saturate"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that spread or diffuse through
• Similar words include: pervade, hue, permeate
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMBUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. "That's good thinking""

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SMARTMOVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Fired up again"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RELIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Speak rationally"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TALKSENSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "58. "I'm in!""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a brutal terrorist group active in kashmir; fights against india with the goal of restoring islamic rule of india
• Similar words include: Army of the Righteous, lease, rent
• Opposite of: disallow, prevent

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Decorates, say	4
2D	2. Certain father figures	9
3D	3. Like a person who might prefer platonic relationships	9
4D	4. Make more understandable	6
5D	5. "Just relax!"	9
6D	6. Ijeoma ___, "Be a Revolution" author	4
7D	7. Chance level right above none	4
8D	8. 90° from norte	4
9D	9. "Behave!"	7
10D	10. Not just a snack	8
11D	11. Ones who start	5
12D	12. Following the leader too closely, say	5
13D	13. Blade that doesn't cut	4
14D	15. Players who account for a disproportionate amount of a mobile game's revenue, in lingo	6
15D	22. Intimidating words	6
16D	24. One might necessitate an override	4
17D	25. Helen Mirren and Emma Thompson, for two	5
18D	26. Storytelling device that revises previously established facts, informally	6
19D	29. [Giggle]	9
20D	30. One might be felt	9
21D	31. No-talent boss	9
22D	32. Common sight at a bachelorette party	4
23D	34. Ocean predator with external teeth	8
24D	38. Has bad feelings toward	7
25D	39. Windbag's output	6
26D	43. Big name in late night	6
27D	44. Mell Lazarus comic strip that ran for 46 years	5
28D	45. Preferred, say	5
29D	47. Heart	4
30D	48. Connecticut town that lent its name to a tick-borne disease	4
31D	49. Nobody, say	4
32D	50. Squad for 14-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, to fans	4
33D	52. Goes down	4

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Decorates, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
• Similar words include: deoxyephedrine, crank, frosting
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Certain father figures"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAPABEARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Like a person who might prefer platonic relationships"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AROMANTIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Make more understandable"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that convert code into ordinary language
• Similar words include: decrypt, decipher
• Opposite of: encode

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DECODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "Just relax!""

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIGHTENUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Ijeoma ___, "Be a Revolution" author"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OLUO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Chance level right above none"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that take off weight
• Similar words include: thin, svelte, lose weight
• Opposite of: gain

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SLIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. 90° from norte"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. "Behave!""

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHAPEUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Not just a snack"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FULLMEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Ones who start"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATEAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Following the leader too closely, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CULTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Blade that doesn't cut"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Players who account for a disproportionate amount of a mobile game's revenue, in lingo"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
• Similar words include: hulk, giant, whale
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WHALES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Intimidating words"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORELSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. One might necessitate an override"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a vote that blocks a decision
• Similar words include: interdict, negative, nix
• Opposite of: permit, allow

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VETO

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17D: "25. Helen Mirren and Emma Thompson, for two"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that informal terms for a (young) woman
• Similar words include: wench, madam, dam up
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DAMES

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18D: "26. Storytelling device that revises previously established facts, informally"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RETCON

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19D: "29. [Giggle]"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEEHEEHEE

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20D: "30. One might be felt"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GAMETABLE

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21D: "31. No-talent boss"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMPTYSUIT

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22D: "32. Common sight at a bachelorette party"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
• Similar words include: cincture, girdle, waistband
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SASH

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23D: "34. Ocean predator with external teeth"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAWSHARK

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24D: "38. Has bad feelings toward"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that feel bitter or indignant about
• Similar words include: begrudge, resent
• Opposite of: wish

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RESENTS

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25D: "39. Windbag's output"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOTAIR

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26D: "43. Big name in late night"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KIMMEL

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27D: "44. Mell Lazarus comic strip that ran for 46 years"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that informal terms for a mother
• Similar words include: mom, mama, mammy
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOMMA

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28D: "45. Preferred, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
• Similar words include: apotheosis, nonpareil, nonesuch
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IDEAL

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29D: "47. Heart"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
• Similar words include: essence, nub, nitty-gritty
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GIST

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30D: "48. Connecticut town that lent its name to a tick-borne disease"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LYME

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31D: "49. Nobody, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a laborer who is obliged to do menial work
• Similar words include: galley slave, navvy, drudge
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PEON

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32D: "50. Squad for 14-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, to fans"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAVS

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33D: "52. Goes down"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
• Similar words include: define, set, curing
• Opposite of: rise

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SETS

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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

31 Across Clues

33 Down Clues

64 Total Clues

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Last updated: September 19, 2026 at 08:10 AM