September 16, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (37 clues)
• Down Clues (39 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

Related Puzzles

Check out these other crossword solutions and helpful guides:

• March 27 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• Monday NYT Across Solutions September
• 27458 Tue Jan 14 2025 Ny Times
• Universal Crossword Guide Solving Tips
• Quick NYT Mini Crossword September 21

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (37 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.0 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Wednesday Puzzle September 16, 2020

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. With 5-Across, warm-up circuits for race car drivers	4
2A	5. See 1-Across	4
3A	9. Shoppers' stops	5
4A	14. Youngest M.L.B. player to hit 500 homers	4
5A	15. Sports sword	4
6A	16. Established	5
7A	17. Negative fast-food review?	9
8A	19. Scooter ___, former White House adviser convicted in the Plame affair	5
9A	20. Where shots might be served (or fired) in a western	6
10A	21. One of 14 in "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"	8
11A	23. Madison Avenue award	4
12A	25. Arles affirmative	3
13A	26. Droopy feature of a cocker spaniel	3
14A	27. Negative fast-food review?	13
15A	32. Home of Mount Carmel: Abbr.	3
16A	33. "Despicable Me" supervillain	3
17A	34. Julie ___, voicer of Marge Simpson	6
18A	37. Ending with cyto- or proto-	5
19A	40. Make a boo-boo	3
20A	42. Emotionally demanding	5
21A	43. Do after dark	6
22A	45. Nickname for Maurice	3
23A	47. Inc., in France	3
24A	48. Negative fast-food review?	13
25A	52. Charge (through)	3
26A	54. Early hrs.	3
27A	55. "Get outta here!"	4
28A	56. Cirque du Soleil stars, e.g.	8
29A	59. Archipelago that's a part of Portugal	6
30A	63. Guarded	5
31A	64. Certain fast-food offering ... or what 17-, 27- and 48-Across certainly don't add up to?	9
32A	66. Musical direction for silence	5
33A	67. "Anyone ___?"	4
34A	68. Keen on	4
35A	69. Spot for a sprain	5
36A	70. Inbox label counterpart of "New"	4
37A	71. Number written in parentheses on an income statement	4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. With 5-Across, warm-up circuits for race car drivers"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
• Words that mean the same thing: gait, step, tempo
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PACE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. See 1-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
• Words that mean the same thing: overlap, lap covering, swish
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Shoppers' stops"

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 area in a town where a public mercantile establishment is set up
• Words that mean the same thing: marketplace, market place, mart
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MARTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Youngest M.L.B. player to hit 500 homers"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AROD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Sports sword"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EPEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Established"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
• Words that mean the same thing: common
• The opposite would be: unusual
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: USUAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Negative fast-food review?"

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

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: WEAKSAUCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Scooter ___, former White House adviser convicted in the Plame affair"

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 united states chemist who developed a method of radiocarbon dating (1908-1980)
• Words that mean the same thing: Willard Frank Libby
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LIBBY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Where shots might be served (or fired) in a western"

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 room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
• Words that mean the same thing: pothouse, pub, sedan
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SALOON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. One of 14 in "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious""

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 a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SYLLABLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Madison Avenue award"

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 (greek mythology) the muse of history
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. Arles affirmative"

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: OUI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Droopy feature of a cocker spaniel"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
• Words that mean the same thing: spike, pinna, auricle
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Negative fast-food review?"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about food & drink.

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: NOTHINGBURGER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "32. Home of Mount Carmel: Abbr."

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: ISR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "33. "Despicable Me" supervillain"

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: GRU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "34. Julie ___, voicer of Marge Simpson"

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: KAVNER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Ending with cyto- or proto-"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the protoplasm of the germ cells that contains chromosomes and genes
• Words that mean the same thing: germ plasm, plasma, blood plasma
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PLASM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "40. Make a boo-boo"

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 to make a mistake or be incorrect
• Words that mean the same thing: stray, mistake, drift
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "42. Emotionally demanding"

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 needy people collectively
• Words that mean the same thing: poverty-stricken, indigent, destitute
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEEDY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. Do after dark"

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 party of people assembled in the evening (usually at a private house)
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOIREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Nickname for Maurice"

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: MOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "47. Inc., in France"

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: CIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. Negative fast-food review?"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about food & drink.

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: NOGREATSHAKES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "52. Charge (through)"

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 loft in a barn where hay is stored
• Words that mean the same thing: haymow, hayloft, mop
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "54. Early hrs."

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 radioactive transuranic metallic element; discovered by bombarding uranium with helium atoms
• Words that mean the same thing: amplitude modulation, MA, Am
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "55. "Get outta here!""

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 singing jazz; the singer substitutes nonsense syllables for the words of the song and tries to sound like a musical instrument
• Words that mean the same thing: scarper, run, run away
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "56. Cirque du Soleil stars, e.g."

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an athlete who performs acts requiring skill and agility and coordination
• Words that mean the same thing: acrobat
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACROBATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "59. Archipelago that's a part of Portugal"

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 islands in the atlantic ocean belonging to portugal
• Words that mean the same thing: Acores
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AZORES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "63. Guarded"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
• Words that mean the same thing: suspicious, wary, mistrustful
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEERY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "64. Certain fast-food offering ... or what 17-, 27- and 48-Across certainly don't add up to?"

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

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: HAPPYMEAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "66. Musical direction for silence"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TACET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "67. "Anyone ___?""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ELSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "68. Keen on"

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: INTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "69. Spot for a sprain"

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 gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
• Words that mean the same thing: articulatio talocruralis, mortise joint, ankle joint
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANKLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "70. Inbox label counterpart of "New""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that something that is read
• Words that mean the same thing: translate, study, show
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: READ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "71. Number written in parentheses on an income statement"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
• Words that mean the same thing: price, monetary value, be
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COST

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Wednesday Crossword Down Clues - September 16, 2020 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Print sources, maybe	4
2D	2. Surveyor's calculation	4
3D	3. Rock around the Christmas tree?	4
4D	4. N.Y.C. mayor of the 1970s-'80s	6
5D	5. Like Pisa's tower	7
6D	6. "The Simpsons" storekeeper	3
7D	7. Chest muscles, informally	4
8D	8. "Later!"	6
9D	9. Do-over	8
10D	10. Polo grounds?	4
11D	11. Gawk	10
12D	12. Drum used in Indian music	5
13D	13. More Machiavellian	5
14D	18. Divas' deliveries	4
15D	22. Browse online without commenting, informally	4
16D	24. Folklore fiend	4
17D	27. Cheese ___ (snack)	4
18D	28. City called a "kommune" by its inhabitants	4
19D	29. Complete disaster	10
20D	30. Myanmar, formerly	5
21D	31. The "E" of N.Y.E.	3
22D	35. Falco with four Emmys	4
23D	36. Choices at bakeries and liquor stores	4
24D	38. Theater sign letters	3
25D	39. Storage unit	8
26D	41. Doesn't keep	4
27D	44. Singer Franklin, Aretha's older sister	4
28D	46. Got out	7
29D	49. Purim heroine	6
30D	50. Indistinct	4
31D	51. Kind of number in chemistry	6
32D	52. Country from which the name "Buttigieg" comes	5
33D	53. Vast expanse	5
34D	57. 1988 Cy Young winner Hershiser	4
35D	58. Attention-getting store sign	4
36D	60. Western home of the National Automobile Museum	4
37D	61. Grub	4
38D	62. Opening for a time ... or a dime	4
39D	65. Free ad, for short	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. Print sources, maybe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a clawed foot of an animal especially a quadruped
• Words that mean the same thing: manus, hand, mitt
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PAWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Surveyor's calculation"

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 particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
• Words that mean the same thing: region, domain, expanse
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AREA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Rock around the Christmas tree?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the carboniferous period
• Words that mean the same thing: ember, char
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. N.Y.C. mayor of the 1970s-'80s"

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: EDKOCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Like Pisa's tower"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an inclination to do something
• Words that mean the same thing: tendency, be given, angle
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEANING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. "The Simpsons" storekeeper"

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: APU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Chest muscles, informally"

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 either of two large muscles of the chest
• Words that mean the same thing: pectoral, pectoral muscle, pectoralis
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PECS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. "Later!""

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: SEEYOU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Do-over"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that irish version of burgoo
• Words that mean the same thing: mulligan stew, Irish burgoo
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MULLIGAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Polo grounds?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Gawk"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a tourist who is visiting sights of interest
• Words that mean the same thing: excursionist, tripper, rubbernecker
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RUBBERNECK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Drum used in Indian music"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TABLA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. More Machiavellian"

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 marked by skill in deception
• Words that mean the same thing: knavish, wily, guileful
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SLYER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Divas' deliveries"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any activity that is performed alone without assistance
• Words that mean the same thing: solo
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOLI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Browse online without commenting, informally"

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 lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
• Words that mean the same thing: loiter, mill around, hang around
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LURK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Folklore fiend"

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 cruel wicked and inhuman person
• Words that mean the same thing: demon, monster, fiend
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OGRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "27. Cheese ___ (snack)"

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 small drink of liquor
• Words that mean the same thing: twitch, sapidity, savour
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NIPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "28. City called a "kommune" by its inhabitants"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the capital and largest city of norway; the country's main port; located at the head of a fjord on norway's southern coast
• Words that mean the same thing: capital of Norway, Christiania
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OSLO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "29. Complete disaster"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TRAINWRECK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "30. Myanmar, formerly"

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 mountainous republic in southeastern asia on the bay of bengal
• Words that mean the same thing: Union of Burma, Myanmar
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BURMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "31. The "E" of N.Y.E."

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 (old testament) adam's wife in judeo-christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; god created eve from adam's rib and placed adam and eve in the garden of eden
• Words that mean the same thing: even, evening, eventide
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "35. Falco with four Emmys"

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: EDIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "36. Choices at bakeries and liquor stores"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the seed of the cereal grass
• Words that mean the same thing: rye whiskey, rye whisky, Secale cereale
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RYES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "38. Theater sign letters"

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: SRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "39. Storage unit"

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 a unit of information equal to 1000 kilobytes or 10^6 (1,000,000) bytes
• Words that mean the same thing: M, mebibyte, MiB
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MEGABYTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "41. Doesn't keep"

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 state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor
• Words that mean the same thing: decomposition, hogwash, rot
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "44. Singer Franklin, Aretha's older sister"

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: ERMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "46. Got out"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that run away from confinement
• Words that mean the same thing: scarper, lam, hightail 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: ESCAPED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "49. Purim heroine"

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 (old testament) a beautiful jewess chosen by the king of persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the jews in persia (an event celebrated by jews as the feast of purim)
• Words that mean the same thing: Book of Esther
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ESTHER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "50. Indistinct"

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 filled or abounding with fog or mist
• Words that mean the same thing: blurry, muzzy, foggy
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HAZY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "51. Kind of number in chemistry"

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 of or relating to or comprising atoms
• Words that mean the same thing: nuclear
• The opposite would be: conventional
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATOMIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "52. Country from which the name "Buttigieg" comes"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a republic on the island of malta in the mediterranean; achieved independence from the united kingdom in 1964
• Words that mean the same thing: Republic of Malta
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MALTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "53. Vast expanse"

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 large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
• Words that mean the same thing: sea
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OCEAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "57. 1988 Cy Young winner Hershiser"

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: OREL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "58. Attention-getting store sign"

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 particular instance of selling
• Words that mean the same thing: sales agreement, sales event, cut-rate sale
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "60. Western home of the National Automobile Museum"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a city in western nevada at the foot of the sierra nevada mountains; known for gambling casinos and easy divorce and remarriage
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RENO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "61. Grub"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that informal terms for a meal
• Words that mean the same thing: consume, wipe out, grub
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "62. Opening for a time ... or a dime"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a position in a grammatical linguistic construction in which a variety of alternative units are interchangeable
• Words that mean the same thing: expansion slot, one-armed bandit, time slot
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SLOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "65. Free ad, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a protein manufactured exclusively by the prostate gland; psa is produced for the ejaculate where it liquifies the semen and allows sperm cells to swim freely; elevated levels of psa in blood serum are associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer
• Words that mean the same thing: prostate specific antigen
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	48	63.2%
Short Answer	11	14.5%
Geography	4	5.3%
Food & Drink	4	5.3%
Sports	2	2.6%
Abbreviation	2	2.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.6%
Music	2	2.6%
History	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	37
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	5.0 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	13 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 Wednesday, 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!

More Crossword Resources

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

• 2426 Monday Aug 26 2024 NYT Crossword
• Ny Times Crossword Answers July 15 2020
• Universal Crossword Guide Solving Tips
• Monday NYT Across Solutions September
• Newsday Crossword Hints Strategies July
• February 28 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• 27458 Tue Jan 14 2025 Ny Times
• March 27 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 07 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• December 17 2020 NYT Clues Solutions

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 22, 2025 at 02:21 PM

December 18, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (33 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Saturday, December 18, 2021

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 68 (35 Across, 33 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.8 letters

December 18, 2021 Saturday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Two things in Broadway's "Dear Evan Hansen"	4
2A	5. Goes off	5
3A	10. Puts on	4
4A	14. Wonderful review	4
5A	15. ___ Stadium, longtime home of college football's Hula Bowl	5
6A	16. Spree	4
7A	17. Scratch-off success	10
8A	19. Princess ___, main role in Pixar's "A Bug's Life"	4
9A	20. "Didn't expect that to happen!"	8
10A	21. Treats often topped with caviar	5
11A	22. The point of writing?	6
12A	23. Modern-day put-down popularized by a 2019 TikTok video	8
13A	25. Flavor similar to fennel	5
14A	26. Vintage eight-track purchases, maybe	9
15A	27. Stress specialist?	4
16A	28. "Britain's first family of harmony," per Brian Wilson	7
17A	29. With 51-Across, package recipient's cry	3
18A	30. Terrible review	7
19A	31. Kind of exam with an "Auditing and Attestation" section	3
20A	34. "Hey man, listen up ..."	7
21A	35. Speak loudly and harshly	4
22A	36. What's at home on the range?	9
23A	39. Pieces together?	5
24A	40. Doesn't delete	8
25A	41. Sires	6
26A	42. Heavens	5
27A	43. Kids might make a stand for this	8
28A	45. Top-___	4
29A	46. Something promoted on the front of a magazine	10
30A	48. Challenge for a free soloist	4
31A	49. Unit of firewood	5
32A	50. Main ingredient in the Japanese dish tekkadon	4
33A	51. See 29-Across	4
34A	52. Visibly shows embarrassment	5
35A	53. Opposite of ginormous	4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. Two things in Broadway's "Dear Evan Hansen""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
• Words that mean the same thing: deed, play, move
• The opposite would be: refrain
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Goes off"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
• Words that mean the same thing: bombast, fustian, mouth off
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RANTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Puts on"

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 condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
• Words that mean the same thing: tote up, add, minimal brain dysfunction
• The opposite would be: subtract, take away
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Wonderful review"

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 dance party that lasts all night and electronically synthesized music is played
• Words that mean the same thing: mouth off, rant, rabbit on
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RAVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. ___ Stadium, longtime home of college football's Hula Bowl"

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 an acknowledgment that can be used to say hello or goodbye (aloha is hawaiian and ciao is italian)
• Words that mean the same thing: ciao
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALOHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Spree"

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 blast of a horn
• Words that mean the same thing: claxon, carousal, honk
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Scratch-off success"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: INSTANTWIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Princess ___, main role in Pixar's "A Bug's Life""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ATTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. "Didn't expect that to happen!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WELLDAMN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Treats often topped with caviar"

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 russian pancake of buckwheat flour and yeast; usually served with caviar and sour cream
• Words that mean the same thing: bliny
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLINI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. The point of writing?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an amount of time
• Words that mean the same thing: full stop, stop, menstruum
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PERIOD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. Modern-day put-down popularized by a 2019 TikTok video"

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: OKBOOMER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Flavor similar to fennel"

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 native to egypt but cultivated widely for its aromatic seeds and the oil from them used medicinally and as a flavoring in cookery
• Words that mean the same thing: Pimpinella anisum, anise plant, anise seed
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANISE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "26. Vintage eight-track purchases, maybe"

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: TRAINSETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "27. Stress specialist?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "28. "Britain's first family of harmony," per Brian Wilson"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BEEGEES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "29. With 51-Across, package recipient's cry"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the branch of engineering that deals with the use of computers and telecommunications to retrieve and store and transmit information
• Words that mean the same thing: information technology, 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: ITS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "30. Terrible review"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NOSTARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "31. Kind of exam with an "Auditing and Attestation" section"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an accountant who has passed certain examinations and met all other statutory and licensing requirements of a united states state to be certified by that state
• Words that mean the same thing: certified public accountant
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "34. "Hey man, listen up ...""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DIGTHIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "35. Speak loudly and harshly"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the cry of an ass
• Words that mean the same thing: crunch, mash, comminute
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BRAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "36. What's at home on the range?"

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: FRYINGPAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "39. Pieces together?"

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 musical composition of several movements only loosely connected
• Words that mean the same thing: entourage, cortege, rooms
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SUITE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "40. Doesn't delete"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LEAVESIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "41. Sires"

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 make children
• Words that mean the same thing: father, sire, beget
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEGETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "42. Heavens"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies
• Words that mean the same thing: quintessence, ethoxyethane, ethyl ether
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETHER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "43. Kids might make a stand for this"

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

  The answer is: LEMONADE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "45. Top-___"

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 relative position or degree of value in a graded group
• Words that mean the same thing: tier up, grade, level
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "46. Something promoted on the front of a magazine"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: COVERSTORY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "48. Challenge for a free soloist"

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

  The answer is: CRAG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "49. Unit of firewood"

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: STERE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "50. Main ingredient in the Japanese dish tekkadon"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that tropical american prickly pear of jamaica
• Words that mean the same thing: tunny, tuna fish, Anguilla sucklandii
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TUNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "51. See 29-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the present location; this place
• Words that mean the same thing: hither, Hera
• The opposite would be: there
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HERE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "52. Visibly shows embarrassment"

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: ISRED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "53. Opposite of ginormous"

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: ITSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Saturday Puzzle December 18, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Actress Nicole ___ Parker	3
2D	2. "Let's stop. Is this really necessary?"	8
3D	3. "Dallas" or "Atlanta"	8
4D	4. Info for a group of performers	7
5D	5. Industrial dept.	5
6D	6. Resort locale east of Snowbird	4
7D	7. Lead-in to a grave pronouncement	15
8D	8. "Not so fast!"	10
9D	9. Eastern honorific	3
10D	10. Buffaloed	7
11D	11. Complete a sentence, say	6
12D	12. Not-so-common extension	6
13D	13. One way to the top	6
14D	18. What may come as a relief?	4
15D	21. Basic framework	5
16D	22. Champagne ___, one of Drake's nicknames	4
17D	24. Funeral fixtures	5
18D	26. Firsts in flight	10
19D	28. Wade in the Baseball Hall of Fame	5
20D	30. Colin Kaepernick was one, familiarly	5
21D	31. Hollered	8
22D	32. Crop circles, e.g.	8
23D	33. Pro group?	4
24D	34. Separate	7
25D	35. Alternative to a Lamborghini	7
26D	36. Furnish with feathers, as an arrow	6
27D	37. Go out of business?	6
28D	38. "Capeesh?"	6
29D	39. Biden and Harris, once: Abbr.	4
30D	41. Nowhere near engaged	5
31D	44. English adjective that becomes a French noun when an accent is added	4
32D	46. Print examiner, for short	3
33D	47. "___, me!"	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. Actress Nicole ___ Parker"

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: ARI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. "Let's stop. Is this really necessary?""

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: CANWENOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. "Dallas" or "Atlanta""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TVSERIES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Info for a group of performers"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SETLIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Industrial dept."

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: RANDD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Resort locale east of Snowbird"

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: ALTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Lead-in to a grave pronouncement"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NOWMORETHANEVER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. "Not so fast!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: THINKAGAIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Eastern honorific"

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: SAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Buffaloed"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ATALOSS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Complete a sentence, say"

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: DOTIME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Not-so-common extension"

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: DOTNET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. One way to the top"

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 flight of stairs or a flight of steps
• Words that mean the same thing: steps, step, stair
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STAIRS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. What may come as a relief?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Basic framework"

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 percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
• Words that mean the same thing: ivory, drum, debone
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BONES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Champagne ___, one of Drake's nicknames"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PAPI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Funeral fixtures"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a coffin along with its stand
• Words that mean the same thing: bier
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BIERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. Firsts in flight"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TESTPILOTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Wade in the Baseball Hall of Fame"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BOGGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "30. Colin Kaepernick was one, familiarly"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
• Words that mean the same thing: 9, Nina from Carolina, nine
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NINER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "31. Hollered"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: CRIEDOUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Crop circles, e.g."

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 a perceptual structure
• Words that mean the same thing: normal, form, radiation diagram
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PATTERNS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Pro group?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AYES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Separate"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that move or draw apart
• Words that mean the same thing: depart, deviate, vary
• The opposite would be: conform, converge
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DIVERGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "35. Alternative to a Lamborghini"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BUGATTI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "36. Furnish with feathers, as an arrow"

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: FLETCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "37. Go out of business?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
• Words that mean the same thing: move back, retreat, go to sleep
• The opposite would be: advance, turn out
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RETIRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "38. "Capeesh?""

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: YAHEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "39. Biden and Harris, once: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that street names for marijuana
• Words that mean the same thing: Mary Jane, sess, pot
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "41. Nowhere near engaged"

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 cause to be bored
• Words that mean the same thing: blase, world-weary, drill
• The opposite would be: interest
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BORED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "44. English adjective that becomes a French noun when an accent is added"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small pond of standing water
• Words that mean the same thing: simple, bare
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MERE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "46. Print examiner, 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: CSI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "47. "___, me!""

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

  The answer is: YAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	59	86.8%
Short Answer	4	5.9%
Abbreviation	2	2.9%
Food & Drink	1	1.5%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.5%
History	1	1.5%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	33
Total Clues	68
Average Answer Length	5.8 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: September 13, 2025 at 03:22 AM