May 18, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (44 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 79 (35 Across, 44 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Wednesday Puzzle May 18, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Sleeper, e.g.	4
2A	5. Suddenly spoke (up)	5
3A	10. Winner's gesture	5
4A	15. Apple product since 1998	4
5A	16. Grassy plain	5
6A	17. "Here we go again …"	5
7A	18. Confess one's true feelings … or Step 1 for solving a jigsaw puzzle?	16
8A	21. Eventually	6
9A	22. Dirty money	5
10A	23. Holiday celebrating the first day of spring	3
11A	24. Lowdown	4
12A	26. Stop texting after a first date, say	5
13A	28. Recover after a heartbreak … or Step 2 for solving a jigsaw puzzle?	15
14A	34. Gift of ___	3
15A	35. Plethora	4
16A	36. "Again!"	6
17A	37. N.B.A. star Westbrook, to fans	4
18A	39. Long, loose hood	4
19A	42. Word before loose or tight	4
20A	43. Div. for the Tampa Bay Rays	6
21A	46. Tiny bit	4
22A	49. Screening org.	3
23A	50. Look for an ideal partner ... or Step 3 for solving a jigsaw puzzle?	15
24A	54. Eat dirt?	5
25A	55. Cold-weather cryptid	4
26A	56. One volt divided by one ampere	3
27A	59. Performer's comment to the audience	5
28A	61. Tree that's a source of salicylic acid, a precursor to aspirin	6
29A	65. Get some perspective … or what you do once you've solved a jigsaw puzzle?	16
30A	68. Animal that wears red pajamas in a popular children's book	5
31A	69. Porter alternative	5
32A	70. Residents of Splitsville?	4
33A	71. Choose to participate	5
34A	72. Run into a hitch?	5
35A	73. "The ___ is silence": Hamlet	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. Sleeper, e.g."

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 upholstered seat for more than one person
• Words that mean the same thing: lounge, couch
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOFA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Suddenly spoke (up)"

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 utter a shrill cry
• Words that mean the same thing: mop up, shoot, hit
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PIPED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Winner's gesture"

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: VSIGN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "15. Apple product since 1998"

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: IMAC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. Grassy plain"

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 extensive grassy and nearly treeless plain (especially in latin america)
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LLANO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. "Here we go again …""

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: OHBOY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Confess one's true feelings … or Step 1 for solving a jigsaw puzzle?"

Quick Info: This answer has 16 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: LAYITALLOUTTHERE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "21. Eventually"

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: ONEDAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "22. Dirty money"

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 informal terms for money
• Words that mean the same thing: loot, moolah, earnings
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LUCRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "23. Holiday celebrating the first day of spring"

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 new year in vietnam; observed for three days after the first full moon after january 20th
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "24. Lowdown"

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 message received and understood
• Words that mean the same thing: 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: INFO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Stop texting after a first date, say"

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 mental representation of some haunting experience
• Words that mean the same thing: ghostwriter, obsess, specter
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GHOST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "28. Recover after a heartbreak … or Step 2 for solving a jigsaw puzzle?"

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: PICKUPTHEPIECES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "34. Gift of ___"

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 light informal conversation for social occasions
• Words that mean the same thing: gossip, chin wag, gabfest
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "35. Plethora"

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 (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
• Words that mean the same thing: wad, mountain, veer
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SLEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "36. "Again!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an extra or repeated performance; usually given in response to audience demand
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENCORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "37. N.B.A. star Westbrook, to fans"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the medieval russian state established by scandinavian traders in the 9th century; the capital was first in novgorod and then in kiev
• Words that mean the same thing: Rus
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RUSS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "39. Long, loose hood"

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 protective covering consisting of a metal part that covers the engine
• Words that mean the same thing: cowling, bonnet, hood
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COWL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "42. Word before loose or tight"

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 special way of doing something
• Words that mean the same thing: cling, flow, fall
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HANG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "43. Div. for the Tampa Bay Rays"

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: ALEAST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "46. Tiny bit"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
• Words that mean the same thing: whit, scintilla, smidgen
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IOTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "49. Screening org."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an agency established in 2001 to safeguard united states transportation systems and insure safe air travel
• Words that mean the same thing: Transportation Security Administration
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "50. Look for an ideal partner ... or Step 3 for solving a jigsaw puzzle?"

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: FINDTHERIGHTFIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "54. Eat dirt?"

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 become ground down or deteriorate
• Words that mean the same thing: eat away, wear away, fret
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERODE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "55. Cold-weather cryptid"

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 large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the himalayas
• Words that mean the same thing: abominable snowman
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YETI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "56. One volt divided by one ampere"

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 unit of electrical resistance equal to the resistance between two points on a conductor when a potential difference of one volt between them produces a current of one ampere
• Words that mean the same thing: Georg Simon Ohm
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OHM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "59. Performer's comment to the audience"

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 line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage
• Words that mean the same thing: divagation, away, parenthesis
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASIDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "61. Tree that's a source of salicylic acid, a precursor to aspirin"

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 any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus salix
• Words that mean the same thing: willow tree
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WILLOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "65. Get some perspective … or what you do once you've solved a jigsaw puzzle?"

Quick Info: This answer has 16 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: SEETHEBIGPICTURE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "68. Animal that wears red pajamas in a popular children's book"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that wild or domesticated south american cud-chewing animal related to camels but smaller and lacking a hump
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LLAMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "69. Porter alternative"

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 camp defended by a circular formation of wagons
• Words that mean the same thing: lager beer, laager
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAGER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "70. Residents of Splitsville?"

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 man who was formerly a certain woman's husband
• Words that mean the same thing: ex, x, ex-wife
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "71. Choose to participate"

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: OPTIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "72. Run into a hitch?"

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 run away secretly with one's beloved
• Words that mean the same thing: run 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: ELOPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "73. "The ___ is silence": Hamlet"

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 left after other parts have been taken away
• Words that mean the same thing: rest period, respite, balance
• The opposite would be: change, be active
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REST

  Great job if you got it right!

May 18, 2022 Down Hints: NYT Wednesday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Something that may be raised on a farm	4
2D	2. Nation bordering the Arabian Sea	4
3D	3. Dunaway of "Mommie Dearest"	4
4D	4. By no means basic	6
5D	5. Like a frisky puppy	7
6D	6. Feeling crummy	3
7D	7. Gloomy atmosphere	4
8D	8. "Quit it!"	6
9D	9. Medicinal rinse	6
10D	10. Elects	7
11D	11. "This is a library!"	3
12D	12. "Yeah, right"	4
13D	13. Vice president in the 1990s	4
14D	14. Opposite of "da"	4
15D	19. Some scuba gear	5
16D	20. Evil clown in a horror film, e.g.	5
17D	25. Intl. group with members on three continents	4
18D	27. ___-savvy	4
19D	28. St. ___ Girl (beer brand)	5
20D	29. Playwright whose work inspired the Peer Gynt Sculpture Park in 56-Down	5
21D	30. Number of hole cards in Texas hold 'em	3
22D	31. Relative of a raccoon	5
23D	32. Dada pioneer Max	5
24D	33. Dreamcast console maker	4
25D	34. Steffi who achieved a Golden Slam in 1988	4
26D	38. "The Sweetest Taboo" singer, 1985	4
27D	40. Console whose name sounds like a pronoun	3
28D	41. Sluggish	4
29D	44. N.F.L. Hall-of-Famer Michael	7
30D	45. Word that might be said while pointing	5
31D	47. TV series named second-best of all time by Rolling Stone, but which never won an Emmy	7
32D	48. Story used for storage	5
33D	51. What skullcap mushrooms aren't	6
34D	52. Call back	6
35D	53. Instagram effect	6
36D	56. See 29-Down	4
37D	57. "A little ___?"	4
38D	58. Charcuterie selection	4
39D	60. Brand originally called Froffles	4
40D	62. Sumptuous and expensive	4
41D	63. Minerals ending in -ite, often	4
42D	64. Mae who said "To err is human, but it feels divine"	4
43D	66. "All right, I've heard plenty"	3
44D	67. Vim	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. Something that may be raised on a farm"

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

  The answer is: SILO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Nation bordering the Arabian Sea"

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 strategically located monarchy on the southern and eastern coasts of the arabian peninsula; the economy is dominated by oil
• Words that mean the same thing: Muscat and Oman, Sultanate of Oman
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OMAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Dunaway of "Mommie Dearest""

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: FAYE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. By no means basic"

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 being or containing an acid; of a solution having an excess of hydrogen atoms (having a ph of less than 7)
• Words that mean the same thing: acidulous, acidulent, acid
• The opposite would be: alkaline
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACIDIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Like a frisky puppy"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that full of fun and high spirits
• The opposite would be: unplayful
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PLAYFUL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Feeling crummy"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
• Words that mean the same thing: inauspicious, complaint, poorly
• The opposite would be: well
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ILL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Gloomy atmosphere"

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 sudden numbing dread
• Words that mean the same thing: cerement, dull, dash
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. "Quit it!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
• Words that mean the same thing: plenty, sufficiency, decent
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENOUGH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Medicinal rinse"

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 small syringe with detachable nozzles; used for vaginal lavage and enemas
• Words that mean the same thing: douche bag
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DOUCHE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Elects"

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: VOTESIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. "This is a library!""

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: SHH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. "Yeah, right""

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: IBET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Vice president in the 1990s"

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 vice president of the united states under bill clinton (born in 1948)
• Words that mean the same thing: Albert Gore Jr., bloodshed, Al Gore
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Opposite of "da""

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: NYET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "19. Some scuba gear"

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 enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads
• Words that mean the same thing: tankful, armored combat vehicle, army tank
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TANKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "20. Evil clown in a horror film, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
• Words that mean the same thing: image, figure of speech, figure
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TROPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Intl. group with members on three continents"

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 18 Down: "27. ___-savvy"

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 school teaching mechanical and industrial arts and the applied sciences
• Words that mean the same thing: technical school
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TECH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. St. ___ Girl (beer brand)"

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 united states physicist (born in austria) who proposed the exclusion principle (thus providing a theoretical basis for the periodic table) (1900-1958)
• Words that mean the same thing: Wolfgang Pauli
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PAULI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. Playwright whose work inspired the Peer Gynt Sculpture Park in 56-Down"

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 realistic norwegian author who wrote plays on social and political themes (1828-1906)
• Words that mean the same thing: Henrik Ibsen, Henrik Johan Ibsen
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IBSEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Number of hole cards in Texas hold 'em"

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 cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
• Words that mean the same thing: II, ii, deuce
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TWO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. Relative of a raccoon"

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 omnivorous mammal of central america and south america
• Words that mean the same thing: coon cat, coati-mundi, coati-mondi
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COATI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "32. Dada pioneer Max"

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 painter (born in germany, resident of france and the united states) who was a cofounder of dadaism; developed the technique of collage (1891-1976)
• Words that mean the same thing: Max Ernst
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERNST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "33. Dreamcast console maker"

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: SEGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "34. Steffi who achieved a Golden Slam in 1988"

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 german tennis player who won seven women's singles titles at wimbledon (born in 1969)
• Words that mean the same thing: Steffi Graf, Stephanie Graf
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GRAF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "38. "The Sweetest Taboo" singer, 1985"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that french soldier and writer whose descriptions of sexual perversion gave rise to the term `sadism' (1740-1814)
• Words that mean the same thing: de Sade, Comte Donatien Alphonse Francois de Sade, Marquis de Sade
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SADE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. Console whose name sounds like a pronoun"

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: WII

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "41. Sluggish"

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 stunned or confused and slow to react (as from blows or drunkenness or exhaustion)
• Words that mean the same thing: dazed, foggy, groggy
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOGY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "44. N.F.L. Hall-of-Famer Michael"

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: STRAHAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "45. Word that might be said while pointing"

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: THOSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "47. TV series named second-best of all time by Rolling Stone, but which never won an Emmy"

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: THEWIRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "48. Story used for storage"

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 floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
• Words that mean the same thing: noggin, loft, bonce
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATTIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "51. What skullcap mushrooms aren't"

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 any substance that can be used as food
• Words that mean the same thing: comestible, victual, pabulum
• The opposite would be: inedible
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EDIBLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "52. Call back"

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: REDIAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "53. Instagram effect"

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 device that removes something from whatever passes through it
• Words that mean the same thing: sink in, dribble, percolate
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FILTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "56. See 29-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 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 37 Down: "57. "A little ___?""

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 activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
• Words that mean the same thing: assistance, supporter, facilitate
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HELP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "58. Charcuterie selection"

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 flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
• Words that mean the same thing: heart and soul, kernel, marrow
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MEAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "60. Brand originally called Froffles"

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: EGGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "62. Sumptuous and expensive"

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 elegant and sumptuous
• Words that mean the same thing: deluxe, de luxe
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LUXE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "63. Minerals ending in -ite, often"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ORES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 42 Down: "64. Mae who said "To err is human, but it feels divine""

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 countries of (originally) europe and (now including) north america and south america
• Words that mean the same thing: Occident, Dame Rebecca West, Benjamin West
• The opposite would be: east
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 43 Down: "66. "All right, I've heard plenty""

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: TMI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 44 Down: "67. Vim"

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 liveliness and energy
• Words that mean the same thing: ginger, peppiness
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEP

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	64	81.0%
Short Answer	10	12.7%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.5%
Literature	1	1.3%
Movies/Film	1	1.3%
History	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	44
Total Clues	79
Average Answer Length	5.1 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	16 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!

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 09, 2025 at 11:17 PM

December 30, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (33 clues)
• Down Clues (39 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, December 30, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (33 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.4 letters

December 30, 2022 Friday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Sleeper's support	7
2A	8. Quick refresher	6
3A	14. "The Spoonful of Milk" painter, 1912	7
4A	15. Whom The New York Times co-named athlete of the year, with Babe Ruth, in 1920	7
5A	16. Peppery orange-red condiment	7
6A	17. What a single is worth	7
7A	18. Toy inspector?	12
8A	20. Hillary Clinton or Kamala Harris, once: Abbr.	3
9A	21. Missed-the-turn maneuver	3
10A	22. Not doing anything	4
11A	26. What comes before a final	4
12A	29. Some bands' practice sessions	4
13A	31. Place to get a platza treatment	5
14A	32. Gymnast Raisman	3
15A	33. Simplest choice	4
16A	34. State of ___	6
17A	35. Condone an action tacitly	15
18A	38. Secretly pass gas?	6
19A	39. M.L.B. great with a famous "unbreakable" streak, familiarly	4
20A	40. Ottoman authority	3
21A	41. ___ fusion	5
22A	42. Antidiscrimination govt. agency	4
23A	43. Nautical ropes	4
24A	44. Do some branding?	4
25A	45. Mexican free-tailed ___ (world's fastest horizontal flier)	3
26A	46. Place to go, for short	3
27A	48. "Damn right!"	12
28A	54. One who is mean as the Dickens?	7
29A	57. "Ohhh …"	7
30A	58. "September 1, 1939" poet	7
31A	59. "Never heard that before"	7
32A	60. 45-Across, for one	6
33A	61. Bridesmaids' expenses	7

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. Sleeper's support"

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: SOFALEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "8. Quick refresher"

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 sleeping for a short period of time (usually not in bed)
• Words that mean the same thing: short sleep, cat sleep, forty winks
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CATNAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "14. "The Spoonful of Milk" painter, 1912"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that french painter (born in russia) noted for his imagery and brilliant colors (1887-1985)
• Words that mean the same thing: Marc Chagall
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CHAGALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "15. Whom The New York Times co-named athlete of the year, with Babe Ruth, in 1920"

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: MANOWAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. Peppery orange-red condiment"

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: ANNATTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. What a single is worth"

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: ONEBASE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Toy inspector?"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 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: DOGSHOWJUDGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Hillary Clinton or Kamala Harris, once: Abbr."

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 fractional monetary unit of japan and indonesia and cambodia; equal to one hundredth of a yen or rupiah or riel
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. Missed-the-turn maneuver"

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: UEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Not doing anything"

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 people who are free
• Words that mean the same thing: discharge, loose, disengage
• The opposite would be: bound, lodge
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "26. What comes before a final"

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 one of the two competitions in the next to the last round of an elimination tournament
• Words that mean the same thing: trucking rig, trailer truck, tractor trailer
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEMI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "29. Some bands' practice sessions"

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 preserve of crushed fruit
• Words that mean the same thing: throng, close up, muddle
• The opposite would be: free
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JAMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "31. Place to get a platza treatment"

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 finnish steam bath; steam is produced by pouring water over heated rocks
• Words that mean the same thing: sweat room
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SAUNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "32. Gymnast Raisman"

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: ALY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "33. Simplest choice"

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: AORB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. State of ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
• Words that mean the same thing: affair, matter, thing
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: THINGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "35. Condone an action tacitly"

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: LOOKTHEOTHERWAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "38. Secretly pass gas?"

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 tube running from the liquid in a vessel to a lower level outside the vessel so that atmospheric pressure forces the liquid through the tube
• Words that mean the same thing: siphon off, syphon
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SIPHON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "39. M.L.B. great with a famous "unbreakable" streak, familiarly"

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: JOED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "40. Ottoman authority"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that title for a civil or military leader (especially in turkey)
• Words that mean the same thing: Agha
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "41. ___ fusion"

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

  The answer is: ASIAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "42. Antidiscrimination govt. agency"

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: EEOC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "43. Nautical ropes"

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: TYES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "44. Do some branding?"

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 make very hot and dry
• Words that mean the same thing: withered, singe, shriveled
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "45. Mexican free-tailed ___ (world's fastest horizontal flier)"

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 nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
• Words that mean the same thing: squash racquet, lick, clobber
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "46. Place to go, 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 room or building equipped with one or more toilets
• Words that mean the same thing: lavatory, can, john
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAV

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "48. "Damn right!""

Quick Info: This answer has 12 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: THATSFORSURE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "54. One who is mean as the Dickens?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a selfish person who is unwilling to give or spend
• Words that mean the same thing: skinflint, churl, niggard
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCROOGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "57. "Ohhh …""

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: ISEENOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "58. "September 1, 1939" poet"

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: WHAUDEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "59. "Never heard that before""

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: NEWTOME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "60. 45-Across, for one"

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 any warm-blooded vertebrate having the skin more or less covered with hair; young are born alive except for the small subclass of monotremes and nourished with milk
• Words that mean the same thing: mammalian
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MAMMAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "61. Bridesmaids' expenses"

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 one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
• Words that mean the same thing: clothes, dress out, apparel
• The opposite would be: undress
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DRESSES

  Great job if you got it right!

December 30, 2022 Down Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Great deal	4
2D	2. "This CAN'T be happening"	4
3D	3. Biter	4
4D	4. Tennis great nicknamed "The Punisher"	6
5D	5. Tool that you turn on	5
6D	6. His "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" was the first album to debut at #1 on Billboard	9
7D	7. What the "angler" on a deep-sea anglerfish can do	4
8D	8. It may go on sale on November 1	5
9D	9. Uncommon blood type, for short	4
10D	10. "Admittedly …"	8
11D	11. Group that had the first hardcore rap album to reach #1 on Billboard	3
12D	12. Power couple?	3
13D	13. Intro to cognition	3
14D	15. Pouts	5
15D	19. UPS fleet	9
16D	23. Place for a working model	6
17D	24. Get involved	6
18D	25. They're chosen for their high-grade potential	6
19D	26. Red or green condiments	6
20D	27. Fictional girl who says "I go to all the weddings in the White and Gold room and I usually stay for the reception"	6
21D	28. What LASIK treats	6
22D	30. Metric unit equal to 100 square meters	3
23D	31. Take off, as a layer	4
24D	33. Lots and lots	4
25D	34. Popular TNT drama that starred Kyra Sedgwick	9
26D	36. World capital whose name means "elephant trunk" in Arabic	8
27D	37. As well	3
28D	42. Polished off	5
29D	43. Objects thrown out hotel windows, in a rock 'n' roll cliché	6
30D	45. Zero, in scoring slang	5
31D	47. "___ there yet?"	5
32D	49. Morning host Kotb	4
33D	50. Discover	4
34D	51. Pizza chain, informally	4
35D	52. 1990 World Cup final city	4
36D	53. Milk sources for pecorino Romano	4
37D	54. Personal ad abbr.	3
38D	55. Cuppa from China	3
39D	56. Hit head-on	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. Great deal"

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

  The answer is: SCAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. "This CAN'T be happening""

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: OHNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Biter"

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

  The answer is: FANG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Tennis great nicknamed "The Punisher""

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: AGASSI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Tool that you turn on"

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 machine tool for shaping metal or wood; the workpiece turns about a horizontal axis against a fixed tool
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LATHE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. His "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" was the first album to debut at #1 on Billboard"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: ELTONJOHN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. What the "angler" on a deep-sea anglerfish can do"

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 alert and refreshed state
• Words that mean the same thing: luminescence, beam, radiate
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GLOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. It may go on sale on November 1"

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 rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts
• Words that mean the same thing: confect, sugarcoat, glaze
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CANDY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Uncommon blood type, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: ANEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "Admittedly …""

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: TOBEFAIR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Group that had the first hardcore rap album to reach #1 on Billboard"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: NWA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Power couple?"

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 associate degree in applied science
• Words that mean the same thing: Alcoholics Anonymous, aa, Associate in Applied Science
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Intro to cognition"

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: PRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "15. Pouts"

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 disdainful grimace
• Words that mean the same thing: pout, wry face, moue
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MOUES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "19. UPS fleet"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a very large jet plane
• Words that mean the same thing: jumbo jet, jumbojet
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JUMBOJETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Place for a working model"

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 bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll
• Words that mean the same thing: rail, rails, track
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RUNWAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Get involved"

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 carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
• Words that mean the same thing: lease, employ, engross
• The opposite would be: disengage, fire
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENGAGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. They're chosen for their high-grade potential"

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: EASYAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. Red or green condiments"

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 spicy sauce of tomatoes and onions and chili peppers to accompany mexican foods
• Words that mean the same thing: salsa
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SALSAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. Fictional girl who says "I go to all the weddings in the White and Gold room and I usually stay for the reception""

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: ELOISE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. What LASIK treats"

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 (ophthalmology) eyesight abnormality resulting from the eye's faulty refractive ability; distant objects appear blurred
• Words that mean the same thing: nearsightedness, shortsightedness
• The opposite would be: hyperopia
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MYOPIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "30. Metric unit equal to 100 square meters"

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 unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
• Words that mean the same thing: follow, exist, constitute
• The opposite would be: differ
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "31. Take off, as a layer"

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 outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage
• Words that mean the same thing: throw, pour forth, moult
• The opposite would be: persistent
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "33. Lots and lots"

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 sun (or solar disc) which was the deity of a monotheistic cult under the pharaoh akhenaten
• Words that mean the same thing: Aten
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "34. Popular TNT drama that starred Kyra Sedgwick"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert 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: THECLOSER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "36. World capital whose name means "elephant trunk" in Arabic"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about geography.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the capital of sudan located at the confluence of the blue nile and white nile
• Words that mean the same thing: capital of Sudan
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KHARTOUM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "37. As well"

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 a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
• Words that mean the same thing: to a fault, as well, overly
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Polished 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 take in solid food
• Words that mean the same thing: wipe out, run through, corrode
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EATEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "43. Objects thrown out hotel windows, in a rock 'n' roll cliché"

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: TVSETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "45. Zero, in scoring slang"

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 (yiddish) glazed yeast-raised doughnut-shaped roll with hard crust
• Words that mean the same thing: beigel
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BAGEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "47. "___ there yet?""

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: AREWE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "49. Morning host Kotb"

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: HODA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "50. Discover"

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 productive insight
• Words that mean the same thing: uncovering, determine, observe
• The opposite would be: lose
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FIND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "51. Pizza chain, informally"

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: UNOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "52. 1990 World Cup final 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 capital and largest city of italy; on the tiber; seat of the roman catholic church; formerly the capital of the roman republic and the roman empire
• Words that mean the same thing: Eternal City, capital of Italy, Italian capital
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "53. Milk sources for pecorino Romano"

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 people living in southern benin and togo and southeastern ghana
• Words that mean the same thing: Ewe, ewe
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EWES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "54. Personal ad abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: SWM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "55. Cuppa from China"

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: CHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "56. Hit head-on"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible
• Words that mean the same thing: ram down, Aries, pound
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	52	72.2%
Short Answer	9	12.5%
Abbreviation	4	5.6%
Geography	3	4.2%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.8%
Music	2	2.8%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	33
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	72
Average Answer Length	5.4 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 Friday, 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 05, 2025 at 07:19 AM