July 12, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (43 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, July 12, 2021

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (35 Across, 43 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.8 letters

July 12, 2021 Across Hints: NYT Monday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Hard to understand	6
2A	7. Vegan protein source	4
3A	11. Electric guitarist's need	3
4A	14. It makes an auto shine	6
5A	15. Spirited horse	4
6A	16. Luau finger food	3
7A	17. Song lyric before "short and stout"	15
8A	20. Turn down, as lights	3
9A	21. "Check this out!"	4
10A	22. Out of practice	5
11A	23. "The Simpsons" character voiced by Nancy Cartwright	4
12A	24. ___ to the throne	4
13A	26. Attorney general under George W. Bush	15
14A	33. Sully	5
15A	34. 1960s Ron Howard TV role	4
16A	35. Eggs in a fertility lab	3
17A	36. End of a cigarette or rifle	4
18A	37. Were in accord	5
19A	39. Nephew of Donald Duck	4
20A	40. Number that never goes down	3
21A	41. Morrison who said "A writer's life and work are not a gift to mankind; they are its necessity"	4
22A	42. Some pork cuts	5
23A	43. Appeasing, idiomatically	15
24A	47. Writes	4
25A	48. Gape	4
26A	49. What designated drivers should be	5
27A	52. Taurus symbol	4
28A	53. Give silent approval	3
29A	56. Grilled Japanese dish on skewers	15
30A	60. What a dipstick measures the level of	3
31A	61. Prep for publication	4
32A	62. Where this puzzle's circled letters can be found	6
33A	63. Part of the body that's stubbed	3
34A	64. Trick	4
35A	65. ___ network	6

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. Hard to understand"

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

  The answer is: ARCANE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "7. Vegan protein source"

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 cheeselike food made of curdled soybean milk
• Words that mean the same thing: bean curd
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOFU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "11. Electric guitarist's need"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the basic unit of electric current adopted under the systeme international d'unites
• Words that mean the same thing: adenylic acid, A, ampere
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AMP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. It makes an auto shine"

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: CARWAX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Spirited horse"

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 member of a semitic people originally from the arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks arabic and who inhabits much of the middle east and northern africa
• Words that mean the same thing: Arabian
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Luau finger food"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that hawaiian dish of taro root pounded to a paste and often allowed to ferment
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Song lyric before "short and stout""

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert 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: IMALITTLETEAPOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Turn down, as lights"

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 switch (a car's headlights) from a higher to a lower beam
• Words that mean the same thing: wispy, dumb, bleak
• The opposite would be: undimmed, focus
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DIM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. "Check this out!""

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 feelings expressed on a person's face
• Words that mean the same thing: feeling, reckon, spirit
• The opposite would be: back
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOOK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Out of practice"

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 covered with or consisting of rust
• Words that mean the same thing: rust, rust-brown, hoary
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RUSTY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. "The Simpsons" character voiced by Nancy Cartwright"

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 member of the british order of honor; ranks below a baron but above a knight
• Words that mean the same thing: baronet
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. ___ to the throne"

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 person who is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another
• Words that mean the same thing: heritor, successor, inheritor
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HEIR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Attorney general under George W. Bush"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALBERTOGONZALES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "33. Sully"

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 state of being contaminated
• Words that mean the same thing: contamination, defile, sully
• The opposite would be: disinfect
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAINT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "34. 1960s Ron Howard TV role"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OPIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. Eggs in a fertility lab"

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 female reproductive cell; the female gamete
• Words that mean the same thing: egg cell, ovum
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OVA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. End of a cigarette or rifle"

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 thick end of the handle
• Words that mean the same thing: arse, border, laughingstock
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BUTT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Were in accord"

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 be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
• Words that mean the same thing: match, balk, jib
• The opposite would be: disagree
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JIBED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "39. Nephew of Donald Duck"

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: HUEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "40. Number that never goes down"

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 how long something has existed
• Words that mean the same thing: historic period, old age, senesce
• The opposite would be: rejuvenate
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "41. Morrison who said "A writer's life and work are not a gift to mankind; they are its necessity""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TONI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "42. Some pork cuts"

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 lower part of the abdomen just above the external genital organs
• Words that mean the same thing: pubes, lumbus, pubic region
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOINS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "43. Appeasing, idiomatically"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: THROWINGABONETO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "47. Writes"

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 writing implement with a point from which ink flows
• Words that mean the same thing: pen, compose, playpen
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "48. Gape"

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 an awkward stupid person
• Words that mean the same thing: gape, goggle, lout
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GAWK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "49. What designated drivers should be"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that cause to become sober
• Words that mean the same thing: sedate, grave, solemn
• The opposite would be: intoxicated, playful
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOBER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "52. Taurus symbol"

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 uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
• Words that mean the same thing: dogshit, papal bull, copper
• The opposite would be: bear
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BULL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. Give silent approval"

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

  The answer is: NOD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "56. Grilled Japanese dish on skewers"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: CHICKENYAKITORI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "60. What a dipstick measures the level of"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water
• Words that mean the same thing: oil color, crude, rock oil
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "61. Prep for publication"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EDIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "62. Where this puzzle's circled letters can be found"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the second largest continent; located to the south of europe and bordered to the west by the south atlantic and to the east by the indian ocean
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AFRICA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "63. Part of the body that's stubbed"

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 one of the digits of the foot
• Words that mean the same thing: toenail
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "64. Trick"

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 person who is tricked or swindled
• Words that mean the same thing: victim, gull, cod
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DUPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "65. ___ network"

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 of or relating to the nervous system
• Words that mean the same thing: nervous, neuronic, neuronal
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEURAL

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Monday Crossword Down Clues - July 12, 2021 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. The "A" of DNA	4
2D	2. Oscar-winning Malek	4
3D	3. Do some last-minute studying	4
4D	4. Leatherworker's pointed tool	3
5D	5. Fancy work from a manicurist	7
6D	6. Squeeze money from	6
7D	7. Format of much AM radio	4
8D	8. Metal in a mine	3
9D	9. What Jack Sprat couldn't eat, in a nursery rhyme	3
10D	10. Transform using mobile technology, as a market	7
11D	11. TikTok and Zoom, for two	4
12D	12. Not worth debating	4
13D	13. Feel sorry for	4
14D	18. Band with the 1983 #1 hit "62-Across"	4
15D	19. Surrounding glow	4
16D	23. Like the wire in paper clips	4
17D	24. "Cross my heart and ___ to die"	4
18D	25. Oklahoma city	4
19D	26. Facing the pitcher	5
20D	27. Ha-ha	5
21D	28. Dog to avoid	5
22D	29. Pull out all the stops	5
23D	30. Nephew of Donald Duck	5
24D	31. 100- or 200-meter, e.g.	5
25D	32. Final authority	5
26D	37. Enlist	4
27D	38. Quaint lodgings	4
28D	39. Sound of a car or goose	4
29D	41. Brought up the rear?	7
30D	42. Disreputable sort	7
31D	44. International grp. with a 1970s U.S. embargo	4
32D	45. Water: Sp.	4
33D	46. Southeast Europe's ___ Peninsula	6
34D	49. Person who may speak with a brogue	4
35D	50. Home of Cincinnati	4
36D	51. Ill humor	4
37D	52. Unit that may be preceded by kilo-, mega- or giga-	4
38D	53. Black: Fr.	4
39D	54. Killer whale	4
40D	55. Telephone	4
41D	57. Univ. URL ending	3
42D	58. ___ in the bud	3
43D	59. ___TV (cable channel with "Impractical Jokers")	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. The "A" of DNA"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt
• Words that mean the same thing: caustic, acidulous, blistering
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Oscar-winning Malek"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the posterior part of the mandible that is more or less vertical
• Words that mean the same thing: ramus
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RAMI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Do some last-minute studying"

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 crowd or pack to capacity
• Words that mean the same thing: wad, chock up, swot up
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CRAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Leatherworker's pointed tool"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AWL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Fancy work from a manicurist"

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: NAILART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Squeeze money from"

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 obtain through intimidation
• Words that mean the same thing: rack, gouge, squeeze
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXTORT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Format of much AM radio"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an exchange of ideas via conversation
• Words that mean the same thing: lecture, public lecture, utter
• The opposite would be: keep quiet
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TALK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Metal in a mine"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. What Jack Sprat couldn't eat, in a nursery rhyme"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Transform using mobile technology, as a market"

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: UBERIZE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. TikTok and Zoom, for two"

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: APPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Not worth debating"

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 hypothetical case that law students argue as an exercise
• Words that mean the same thing: debate, disputable, deliberate
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MOOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Feel sorry for"

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 feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
• Words that mean the same thing: feel for, sympathize with, compassionate
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PITY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Band with the 1983 #1 hit "62-Across""

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: TOTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "19. Surrounding glow"

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 sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure
• Words that mean the same thing: atmosphere, aureole, glory
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AURA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Like the wire in paper clips"

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 relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
• Words that mean the same thing: bow, hang, stoop
• The opposite would be: unbend, straighten
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. "Cross my heart and ___ to die""

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 specific instance of feeling hopeful
• Words that mean the same thing: trust, desire, Leslie Townes Hope
• The opposite would be: despair
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HOPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Oklahoma city"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a town in north central oklahoma
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. Facing the pitcher"

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: ATBAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. Ha-ha"

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 sound of laughing
• Words that mean the same thing: jape, joke, gag
• The opposite would be: cry
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAUGH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. Dog to avoid"

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

  The answer is: BITER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "29. Pull out all the stops"

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: GOBIG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "30. Nephew of Donald Duck"

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: LOUIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "31. 100- or 200-meter, e.g."

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 something that happens at a given place and time
• Words that mean the same thing: outcome, upshot, result
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EVENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "32. Final authority"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: SAYSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. Enlist"

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 the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
• Words that mean the same thing: link up, fall in, conjoin
• The opposite would be: disjoin
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JOIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "38. Quaint lodgings"

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 hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
• Words that mean the same thing: hostel, lodge, inn
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INNS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "39. Sound of a car or goose"

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 cry of a goose (or any sound resembling this)
• Words that mean the same thing: regorge, cronk, regurgitate
• The opposite would be: keep down
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HONK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "41. Brought up the rear?"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: TWERKED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "42. Disreputable sort"

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 a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
• Words that mean the same thing: scum bag, skunk, rotter
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOWLIFE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "44. International grp. with a 1970s U.S. embargo"

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 an organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the production and sale of petroleum
• Words that mean the same thing: Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OPEC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "45. Water: Sp."

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 largest known toad species; native to central america; valuable destroyer of insect pests
• Words that mean the same thing: agua toad, Bufo marinus
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AGUA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "46. Southeast Europe's ___ Peninsula"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an inhabitant of the balkan peninsula
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BALKAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "49. Person who may speak with a brogue"

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 native or inhabitant of scotland
• Words that mean the same thing: Scotchman, Scotsman
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "50. Home of Cincinnati"

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 midwestern state in north central united states in the great lakes region
• Words that mean the same thing: Buckeye State, Ohio River, OH
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OHIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "51. Ill humor"

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 digestive juice secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; aids in the digestion of fats
• Words that mean the same thing: gall
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BILE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "52. Unit that may be preceded by kilo-, mega- or giga-"

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 sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one character of alphanumeric data) processed as a single unit of information
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BYTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "53. Black: Fr."

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: NOIR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "54. Killer whale"

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 predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas
• Words that mean the same thing: Orcinus orca, killer whale, sea wolf
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORCA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "55. Telephone"

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 the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours
• Words that mean the same thing: telephone dial
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DIAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "57. Univ. URL ending"

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: EDU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 42 Down: "58. ___ in the bud"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small drink of liquor
• Words that mean the same thing: pinch, twinge, savor
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 43 Down: "59. ___TV (cable channel with "Impractical Jokers")"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TRU

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	55	70.5%
Short Answer	13	16.7%
Food & Drink	2	2.6%
History	2	2.6%
Geography	2	2.6%
Music	1	1.3%
Literature	1	1.3%
Movies/Film	1	1.3%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	43
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	4.8 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 Monday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 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:

• July 25 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• August 11 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• 27424 Wed Dec 11 2024 NYT Kathy Bloomer
• May 27 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
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• Monday August 05 2024 NYT Crossword
• Sunday Aug 25 2024 Ny Times Crossword
• June 12 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• February 04 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• NYT Crossword January 03 1990 Xwordhint_52

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 16, 2025 at 09:23 AM

February 20, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 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:

• June 03 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
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• July 13 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 19 2023 NYT Clues Solutions

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, February 20, 2020

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 74 (35 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.3 letters

February 20, 2020 Across Hints: NYT Thursday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Cantina	3
2A	4. Two-time Time magazine Person of the Year	5
3A	9. Say maybe, maybe	4
4A	13. "The Americans" K.G.B. officer ___ Burov	4
5A	15. Robert Galbraith, to J. K. Rowling	5
6A	16. Summer cooler	4
7A	17. Awake during the wee hours, say	6
8A	18. Gut feeling	5
9A	19. "That was a close one!"	4
10A	20. Journalism	15
11A	23. Showed sudden interest	5
12A	24. They close at 9 p.m. in New York	5
13A	27. Smith of punk rock	5
14A	31. "Excuse me!"	6
15A	32. Nail site	3
16A	35. Dismissive response to critics	15
17A	37. Approximately, informally	3
18A	38. French greeting	5
19A	39. Nuke	3
20A	40. Parking lot event	13
21A	44. Nation's borders?	3
22A	45. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Dantley	6
23A	46. "Sweet and healing medicine of troubles," per Horace	5
24A	48. Town that inspired "The House of the Seven Gables"	5
25A	49. Goes (through) laboriously	5
26A	53. Pirate plunder ... or a hint to interpreting an appropriate number of squares in this puzzle	13
27A	59. Adult	6
28A	61. At dinner and then the cinema, say	7
29A	62. What a volcano may leave	6
30A	63. Opposite of drain	4
31A	64. One may be held by candlelight	5
32A	65. Hat worn by Charles de Gaulle	4
33A	66. Go down	4
34A	67. Chicago's ___ Expressway	5
35A	68. Taste	3

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. Cantina"

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 room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
• Words that mean the same thing: block off, stop, Browning automatic rifle
• The opposite would be: unbar
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "4. Two-time Time magazine Person of the Year"

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: OBAMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Say maybe, maybe"

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: RSVP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. "The Americans" K.G.B. officer ___ Burov"

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: OLEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Robert Galbraith, to J. K. Rowling"

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 name that has been assumed temporarily
• Words that mean the same thing: also known as, assumed name, a.k.a.
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALIAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Summer cooler"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ICEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Awake during the wee hours, 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: UPLATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Gut feeling"

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 impression that something might be the case
• Words that mean the same thing: hunch forward, intuition, hunch over
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HUNCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. "That was a close one!""

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: PHEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. Journalism"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: THEFOURTHESTATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Showed sudden interest"

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: SATUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. They close at 9 p.m. in New York"

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 the place where people vote
• Words that mean the same thing: canvass, opinion poll, crown
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POLLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "27. Smith of punk rock"

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: PATTI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. "Excuse me!""

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 the act of excusing a mistake or offense
• Words that mean the same thing: forgiveness, amnesty, free pardon
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PARDON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "32. Nail site"

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

  The answer is: PAW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. Dismissive response to critics"

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: HATERSGONNAHATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "37. Approximately, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ISH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "38. French greeting"

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: SALUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "39. Nuke"

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 sudden event that imparts energy or excitement, usually with a dramatic impact
• Words that mean the same thing: nuke, atomise, microwave
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ZAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "40. Parking lot event"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 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: TAILGATEPARTY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "44. Nation's borders?"

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 half the width of an em
• Words that mean the same thing: nut, en
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Dantley"

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 roman emperor who was the adoptive son of trajan; travelled throughout his empire to strengthen its frontiers and encourage learning and architecture; on a visit to britain in 122 he ordered the construction of hadrian's wall (76-138)
• Words that mean the same thing: Edgar Douglas Adrian, Baron Adrian, Hadrian
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADRIAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. "Sweet and healing medicine of troubles," per Horace"

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 artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
• Words that mean the same thing: euphony, medicine
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MUSIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. Town that inspired "The House of the Seven Gables""

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 capital of the state of oregon in the northwestern part of the state on the willamette river
• Words that mean the same thing: capital of Oregon
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SALEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "49. Goes (through) laboriously"

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 farm tool having one or more heavy blades to break the soil and cut a furrow prior to sowing
• Words that mean the same thing: treat, plough, turn
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PLOWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "53. Pirate plunder ... or a hint to interpreting an appropriate number of squares in this puzzle"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 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: PIECESOFEIGHT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "59. Adult"

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: XRATED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "61. At dinner and then the cinema, say"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about movies/film.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ONADATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "62. What a volcano may leave"

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 bowl-shaped geological formation at the top of a volcano
• Words that mean the same thing: volcanic crater
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CRATER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "63. Opposite of drain"

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 quantity sufficient to satisfy
• Words that mean the same thing: meet, filling, fill up
• The opposite would be: empty
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FILL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "64. One may be held by candlelight"

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 period of sleeplessness
• Words that mean the same thing: watch
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VIGIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "65. Hat worn by Charles de Gaulle"

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 cap with a flat circular top and a visor
• Words that mean the same thing: yachting cap, service cap, peaked cap
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KEPI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "66. Go down"

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 fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
• Words that mean the same thing: miss, fall behind, suffer
• The opposite would be: keep, profit
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "67. Chicago's ___ Expressway"

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 any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
• Words that mean the same thing: nirvana, paradise, Garden of Eden
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EDENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "68. Taste"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small drink
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SIP

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Thursday Crossword Down Clues - February 20, 2020 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Fits	5
2D	2. ___ dog	5
3D	3. Subleased	5
4D	4. Where the Ko'olau Range is located	4
5D	5. Busy day, in retrospect	4
6D	6. "___ that somethin'?"	4
7D	7. Speed measure	4
8D	8. He beat Connors in the Wimbledon final in 1975	4
9D	9. Oscar-nominated actor with nearly synonymous first and last names	7
10D	10. Spike Lee film set at a historically black college	10
11D	11. Notch shape	3
12D	12. Support for a religious group?	3
13D	14. Flub	6
14D	21. Hawaiian food fish	4
15D	22. Cross	4
16D	25. Actress Lindsay of "Mean Girls"	5
17D	26. Is nosy	6
18D	28. "We can't joke about that yet?"	7
19D	29. Golfer's obstacle	4
20D	30. Nation of ___	5
21D	31. Actress Annie of "Young Sheldon"	5
22D	32. Pockets of the Middle East?	5
23D	33. Grilled, at a taqueria	5
24D	34. Eddies	10
25D	36. Expert	4
26D	41. Gather dust	7
27D	42. Hearts or spades	4
28D	43. Cry of surprise	4
29D	47. Hit it off	5
30D	50. People eaters	5
31D	51. Oprah's "The Color Purple" co-star	6
32D	52. Word after New York or Las Vegas	5
33D	54. Spot to lay anchor	4
34D	55. Blyton who wrote "The Enchanted Wood"	4
35D	56. Stuffing ingredient	4
36D	57. For whom Wednesday is named	4
37D	58. Tricks	5
38D	59. Sports org. with the New York Guardians and Seattle Dragons	3
39D	60. Brazil's ___ Roosevelt	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. Fits"

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 (sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive
• Words that mean the same thing: binge, bout, round
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BOUTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. ___ dog"

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 1st letter of the greek alphabet
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALPHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Subleased"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RELET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Where the Ko'olau Range is located"

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 an island of central hawaii (between molokai and kauai); the chief island of the state
• Words that mean the same thing: Oahu Island
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OAHU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Busy day, in retrospect"

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 hazy or indistinct representation
• Words that mean the same thing: slur, smear, film over
• The opposite would be: focus
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLUR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. "___ that somethin'?""

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: AINT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Speed measure"

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 austrian physicist and philosopher who introduced the mach number and who founded logical positivism (1838-1916)
• Words that mean the same thing: Ernst Mach
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MACH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. He beat Connors in the Wimbledon final in 1975"

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 united states tennis player who was the first black to win united states and english singles championships (1943-1993)
• Words that mean the same thing: Arthur Ashe, Arthur Robert Ashe
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASHE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Oscar-nominated actor with nearly synonymous first and last names"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RIPTORN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Spike Lee film set at a historically black college"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SCHOOLDAZE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Notch shape"

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: VEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Support for a religious group?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation
• Words that mean the same thing: church bench
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. Flub"

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: GOOFUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "21. Hawaiian food fish"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that large elliptical brightly colored deep-sea fish of atlantic and pacific and mediterranean
• Words that mean the same thing: Lampris regius, moonfish
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OPAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Cross"

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 the complete duration of something
• Words that mean the same thing: couple, twosome, sweep
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "25. Actress Lindsay of "Mean Girls""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a buddhist who has attained nirvana
• Words that mean the same thing: Arhant, Arhat
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOHAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "26. Is nosy"

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 spy who makes uninvited inquiries into the private affairs of others
• Words that mean the same thing: snoop, sleuth, stag
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNOOPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "28. "We can't joke about that yet?""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: TOOSOON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "29. Golfer's obstacle"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
• Words that mean the same thing: snare, pin, yap
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TRAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "30. Nation of ___"

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 civilization of muslims collectively which is governed by the muslim religion
• Words that mean the same thing: Muhammadanism, Islamism, Mohammedanism
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ISLAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "31. Actress Annie of "Young Sheldon""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: POTTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Pockets of the Middle East?"

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 usually small round bread that can open into a pocket for filling
• Words that mean the same thing: pita, pocket bread
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PITAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Grilled, at a taqueria"

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: ASADA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Eddies"

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 powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)
• Words that mean the same thing: whirlpool, whirl, swirl
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WHIRLPOOLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. Expert"

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 hindu or buddhist religious leader and spiritual teacher
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GURU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "41. Gather dust"

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: LIEIDLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Hearts or spades"

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 contest with rules to determine a winner
• Words that mean the same thing: spunky, stake, gritty
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GAME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. Cry of surprise"

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: YIPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. Hit it 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 short light metallic sound
• Words that mean the same thing: tick, sink in, penetrate
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLICK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "50. People eaters"

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

  The answer is: OGRES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "51. Oprah's "The Color Purple" co-star"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WHOOPI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "52. Word after New York or Las Vegas"

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 relatively long narrow piece of something
• Words that mean the same thing: ransack, landing strip, denude
• The opposite would be: dress
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STRIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "54. Spot to lay anchor"

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

  The answer is: COVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "55. Blyton who wrote "The Enchanted Wood""

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

  The answer is: ENID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "56. Stuffing ingredient"

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 mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
• Words that mean the same thing: salvia, sage-green
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SAGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "57. For whom Wednesday is named"

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 (norse mythology) ruler of the aesir; supreme god of war and poetry and knowledge and wisdom (for which he gave an eye) and husband of frigg; identified with the teutonic wotan
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "58. Tricks"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person who lacks good judgment
• Words that mean the same thing: soft touch, mark, take in
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FOOLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "59. Sports org. with the New York Guardians and Seattle Dragons"

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

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "60. Brazil's ___ Roosevelt"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the former capital and 2nd largest city of brazil; chief brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
• Words that mean the same thing: Rio de Janeiro
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	57	77.0%
Short Answer	9	12.2%
Celebrity/Entertainment	4	5.4%
Movies/Film	1	1.4%
History	1	1.4%
Food & Drink	1	1.4%
Sports	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	74
Average Answer Length	5.3 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 Thursday, 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!

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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 26, 2025 at 11:18 PM